BACKGROUND Some network devices (e.g., routers, switches, servers, and the like) include power sourcing equipment (PSE) that enables the network device to provide both data and power over the same Ethernet cable to a powered device (PD).\",\n \"A recent trend is to communicatively couple consumer products (e.g., appliances, lighting fixtures, exercise machines, etc.\",\n \"), environmental controls (e.g., thermostats, meters, pumps, etc.\",\n \"), and many other types of components to the Internet.\",\n \"Providing such connectivity is referred to generally as the Internet of Things, or more broadly as the Internet of Everything.\",\n \"One example of achieving this connectivity is by using network devices to both provide a data connection as well as DC power to the consumer products, environmental controls, and the like.\",\n \"Before powering up the PDs, the network device classifies the PDs in order to determine the power to be initially allotted to the PD.\",\n \"This classification typically occurs using layer 1 (i.e., PHY layer) communication signals.\",\n \"The initial allotted power depends on the class or type of the PD coupled to the PSE.\",\n \"Once the classification technique is complete, the PD can power up using the allotted power.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings.\",\n \"It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a PoE system including a network device and multiple PDs, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is flow chart for classifying a PD, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is chart illustrating multiple events performed when allocating power to a PD, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flow chart for classifying PDs using different classification techniques, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a flow chart for classifying PDs using a 2-event classification, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.\",\n \"It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/845,165, filed Sep. 3, 2015.The aforementioned related patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments presented in this disclosure generally relate to classifying Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) systems.\",\n \"More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein use a two-event classification technique when powering on powered devices.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Some network devices (e.g., routers, switches, servers, and the like) include power sourcing equipment (PSE) that enables the network device to provide both data and power over the same Ethernet cable to a powered device (PD).\",\n \"A recent trend is to communicatively couple consumer products (e.g., appliances, lighting fixtures, exercise machines, etc.\",\n \"), environmental controls (e.g., thermostats, meters, pumps, etc.\",\n \"), and many other types of components to the Internet.\",\n \"Providing such connectivity is referred to generally as the Internet of Things, or more broadly as the Internet of Everything.\",\n \"One example of achieving this connectivity is by using network devices to both provide a data connection as well as DC power to the consumer products, environmental controls, and the like.\",\n \"Before powering up the PDs, the network device classifies the PDs in order to determine the power to be initially allotted to the PD.\",\n \"This classification typically occurs using layer 1 (i.e., PHY layer) communication signals.\",\n \"The initial allotted power depends on the class or type of the PD coupled to the PSE.\",\n \"Once the classification technique is complete, the PD can power up using the allotted power.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings.\",\n \"It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a PoE system including a network device and multiple PDs, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is flow chart for classifying a PD, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is chart illustrating multiple events performed when allocating power to a PD, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flow chart for classifying PDs using different classification techniques, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a flow chart for classifying PDs using a 2-event classification, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.\",\n \"It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview One embodiment presented in this disclosure includes is a PoE enabled device that includes PSE configured to provide DC power to a PD and a PoE manager.\",\n \"The PoE manager is configured to perform a first classification event associated with the PD and perform a second classification event associated with the PD.\",\n \"In response to determining the first and second classification events were successful, the PoE manager is configured to allocate a maximum power allotment to the PD, wherein the maximum power allotment is a predefined value providing the maximum amount of power that the PSE can allocate to any one PD.\",\n \"After allocating the maximum power allotment, the PoE manager is configured negotiate with the PD to reduce power allotted to the PD.\",\n \"Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method that includes performing a first classification event associated with a PD and performing a second classification event associated with the PD.\",\n \"In response to determining the first and second classification events were successful, the method includes allocating a maximum power allotment to the PD, wherein the maximum power allotment is a predefined value providing the maximum amount of power that a PSE can allocate to any one PD.\",\n \"After allocating the maximum power allotment, the method includes negotiating with the PD to reduce power allotted to the PD.\",\n \"Another embodiment of the present disclosure is PoE enabled device that includes PSE configured to provide DC power to a PD and a PoE manager configured to determine that the PSE has sufficient available power to allot a maximum power allotment to the PD, where the maximum power allotment is a predefined value providing the maximum amount of power that the PSE can allocate to any one PD.\",\n \"Upon determining the PSE has sufficient available power, the PoE manager is configured to perform a two-event classification of the PD, allocate the maximum power allotment to the PD, and negotiate with the PD to reduce power allotted to the PD.\",\n \"Upon determining the PSE does not have sufficient available power, the PoE manager is configured to perform a one-event classification of the PD and allocate a power level to the PD based on a class of the PD identified during the one-event classification.\",\n \"Example Embodiments Embodiments described herein include a PoE enabled device that uses 2-event classification when allocating power to coupled PDs.\",\n \"If the 2-event classification is successful, PSE on the PoE device allocates a maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"Once powered on, the PD may determine it does not need this much power and uses a link layer discovery protocol (or a vendor-specific variant thereof) to negotiate a reduction in the power allotted to the PD.\",\n \"One advantage of using the 2-event classification is that the PD does not have to monitor its power consumption when first powering on.\",\n \"By contrast, when using a 1-event classification, the PoE enabled device allocates power to the PD based on identifying a class or type of the PD (e.g., class 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.)\",\n \"where each class corresponds to a different power level.\",\n \"For example, the PSE may initially allocate 15 W to a class 4 PD.\",\n \"When powering on, power capping logic in the PD ensures that the power drawn by the PD does not exceed the power initially allocated by the PoE device.\",\n \"However, developing software or firmware to monitor and limit the power drawn by the hardware elements in the PD is complicated.\",\n \"If not done properly, the PD may draw more power than it is allocated.\",\n \"The PSE, which includes circuitry for monitoring the power drawn by the PDs, may stop transmitting power to the PD if the PD exceeds its allocated limit.\",\n \"Thus, if the power capping logic is not designed properly, the PSE may stop transmitting power to the PD before the PD has a chance to request an increase in its allocated power.\",\n \"When performing the 2-event classification, the PoE device allocates the maximum amount of power to the PD—e.g., 30 W. Thus, even if the power capping logic in the PD is unable to accurately track the PD's power usage, so long as the usage does not exceed the maximum power allotment, the PSE will not power down the PD.\",\n \"Once the PD is powered on and operating, the PD can then negotiate a reduction in its power allotment with the PoE device—e.g., reducing the allocated power from 30 W to 15 W. In one embodiment, the PoE device determines whether the PSE has sufficient available power to allocate the maximum power allotment to the PD before performing the 2-event classification.\",\n \"For example, consider multiple PDs coupled to the PoE device, each relying on the PSE for DC power.\",\n \"Because the PSE can allocate only a fixed amount of power, the PSE may not be able to allocate the maximum power allotment to any new PDs that are coupled to the PSE.\",\n \"For example, the PSE may have a total power budget of 80 W but has already allocated 60 W of power to other PDs coupled to the PoE device.\",\n \"The PoE device may perform the 2-event classification only if the PSE has sufficient power to allocate the maximum power allotment to the new PD.\",\n \"In the previous example, the PSE has only 20 W of remaining power to allocate, and thus, does not have enough available power to allocate the maximum power allocation (e.g., 30 W) to a new PD.\",\n \"As such, the PoE device may instead perform the 1-event classification or refuse to power up the PD until the PSE can allocate the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a PoE system 100 including a network device 105 and PDs 150, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"As shown, the network device 105 is coupled to a plurality of PDs 150 each of which represents any type of device capable of receiving DC power using PoE.\",\n \"For example, the PDs 150 may be consumer products, environmental controls, electronic devices, and the like.\",\n \"As shown, the PDs 150 include a data communicator 155 which enables data communication via Ethernet cables 135.That is, in this embodiment, the network device 105 enables the PDs 150 to communicate with a network (e.g., the Internet) as well as provides power to the PDs 150.Using the data communicators 155, the PDs 150 can receive data packets from, as well as transmit data packets to, the network device 105.In one embodiment, the PoE system 100 is part of the Internet of Everything or the Internet of Things.\",\n \"For example, the PD 150 may be a light fixture in a home.\",\n \"The network device 105 may include an application that turns the light fixture on and off.\",\n \"At sunset, the application may send an instruction to the data communicator 155 that turns the light fixture on.\",\n \"Moreover, when the home owner turns off the light (e.g., when the owner goes to bed) the data communicator 155 may transmit a data message to the network device 105.Although FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates that the network device 105 and PDs 150 transmit data messages over the Ethernet cables 135, in other embodiments the network device 105 may provide only power to the PDs 150 using PoE.\",\n \"Furthermore, instead of network device 105 (e.g., a router, switch, etc.\",\n \"), a midspan device may be used to provide DC power and forward data packets to the PDs 150.The network device 105 includes an operating system (OS) 110, PSE 125, and a network adapter 130.The OS 110 may be any OS capable of performing the functions described herein.\",\n \"The OS 110 may establish a data plane for forwarding data between devices connected to the network device 105.Furthermore, the OS 110 may maintain a control plane to manage the flow of the data traffic in the data plane.\",\n \"The OS 110 includes a PoE manager 115 for performing PoE functions in the network device 105.For example, the PoE manager 115 may perform one of the PoE functions detailed in the IEEE 802.3af or 802.03at standards such as allocating the power supplied by the PSE 125 amongst the PDs 150.The PSE 125 includes a physical power supply that is, at least in one embodiment, controlled by the PoE manager 115 to deliver power to the PDs 150.The PSE 125 may include an AC-DC converter that converts the AC power into DC power.\",\n \"As shown, the PSE 125 provides DC power to each of the PDs via the Ethernet cables 135.The PSE 125 may include circuitry for monitoring the power drawn by each of the PDs 150 to ensure the PDs 150 do not draw more power than they are allotted.\",\n \"The power supply (or supplies) in the PSE 125 may have a maximum, total power capacity that can be allocated by the PoE manager to the PDs 150.In addition to this total power limitation, a per PD power limit may be enforced.\",\n \"That is, the PSE 125 may provide up to a maximum power allotment to any one of the PDs 150.For example, even though the PSE 125 has a total power capacity of 100 W, the PoE manager 115 may be configured to allocate up to 30 W of power to each PD 150.Thus, if each PD 150 was allocated the maximum power allotment, at most three PDs 150 could be powered by the network device 105 (with 10 W remaining).\",\n \"However, as discussed below, the PDs 150 and the PoE manager 115 can use a negotiation procedure to change the initial power allocation.\",\n \"For example, if the PoE manager 115 initially allocates the maximum power allotment to a PD 150, once powered on, the PD 150 can negotiate a lower power allotment.\",\n \"This negotiation can change the available power budget of the PSE 125 and may increase the total number of PDs 150 that can be powered by the PSE 125.In addition to providing power on the Ethernet cables 135, the network adapter 130 may transmit and receive data signals on the cables 135.Thus, network device 105 may mix the data signal with power signals in order to simultaneously deliver power and data messages to the PDs 150 using the cables 135.However, in other embodiments, the cables 135 may be used to deliver only power, but not data, to the PDs 150.FIG.\",\n \"2 is flow chart 200 for classifying a PD, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"At block 205, a PoE manager, which is located on the same PoE device as a PSE, detects a PD device coupled to the network device or midspan device.\",\n \"As above, the PD may be coupled to the PoE device (e.g., a network device or midspan device) using a cable such as an Ethernet cable.\",\n \"The PoE manager may monitor ports on the PoE device used to couple the device to Ethernet cables.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the PoE manager uses the detection technique discussed in the IEEE 802.3at or 802.3af standards to determine whether a PD is PoE enabled.\",\n \"To do so, the PSE may generate a fixed voltage which results in a current flowing through a signature resistor in the PD.\",\n \"By measuring the current, the PoE manager can determine the value of the signature resistor in the PD, and based on this value, determine if the PD is PoE enabled.\",\n \"At block 210, the PoE manager performs a first classification event using layer 1 communication signals.\",\n \"Stated differently, the PoE manager uses the PSE to provide signals at the physical (PHY) layer to classify the PD.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a PoE enabled PD may be classified into different types or classes—e.g., Class 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.\",\n \"During the first classification event, the PSE may provide a fixed voltage which powers a current source on the PD.\",\n \"By measuring the current generated by the current source, the PSE can identify the class of the PD.\",\n \"However, if the first classification event fails, in one example, the PoE manager does not allocate any power to the PD—i.e., the PD is not powered on.\",\n \"At block 215, the PoE manager performs a second classification event again using layer 1 communication signals.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the second classification event is performed only if the PoE manager was able to successfully identify the class of the PD during the first classification event.\",\n \"During the second classification event, the PoE manager may confirm that the PD is compatible with the IEEE 802.3at standard.\",\n \"Put differently, the PoE manager confirms that the PD is a PoE+ device.\",\n \"If the PD is a PoE+ device, during the second classification event, the PSE uses layer 1 communication signals to inform the PD that the PSE has allocated the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"Stated differently, the PSE informs a state machine on the PD that the PD can draw the maximum power allotment when powering up.\",\n \"For example, if the first classification event was performed but not the second classification event, then the PoE manager allocates power to the PD according to its class.\",\n \"For instance, if the PD is a class 0 PD, the PoE manager allocates 7 W to the PD, if the PD is a class 1 PD, the PoE manager allocates 10 W to the PD, and so forth.\",\n \"However, performing the second classification event informs the PD that it is allocated the maximum power allotment—e.g., 30 W—rather than the specific power allotment corresponding to the class of the PD.\",\n \"Thus, regardless whether the PD is a class 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, the PD is allocated the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"As used herein, the maximum power allotment is a predefined maximum amount of power that the PSE can assign or allocate to any one PD.\",\n \"Even if the PSE has available power and can provide more than the maximum power allotment to a PD, the PoE manager will not increase the power allotment to the PD beyond the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"For example, if the PSE is currently powering only one PD and has the ability to generate 100 W of power, the PoE manager permits the PD to draw at most the maximum power allotment—e.g., 30 W. The embodiments herein assume the maximum power allotment is 30 W but this value may vary.\",\n \"For example, the maximum power allotment may be different in past or future PoE standards.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the first and second classification events are part of the 2-event classification defined in the IEEE 802.3at standard.\",\n \"However, this disclosure is not limited to this standard; instead, the first and second classification events may be used in any PoE system where classification events are used to determine an initial power to allocate to a PD.\",\n \"At block 220, the PoE manager allocates the maximum power allotment to the PD in response to determining that the first and second classification events were successful.\",\n \"However, if the second classification event fails, the PoE manager may determine that the PD is not a PoE+ device and allocate power to the PD based on the class type identified during the first classification event rather than the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"Assuming both classification events are successful, at block 220 the PoE manager determines the PD is a PoE+ device, while the state machine in the PD knows it is allocated the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the PD includes power capping logic (which may be part of the state machine) that monitors the power drawn by the various components in the PD.\",\n \"However, by performing the second classification event and allocating the maximum power allotment, the power capping logic may not need to monitor the power usage of the PD when powering on the PD's hardware and software modules.\",\n \"In contrast, if the PD was allocated an initial power allotment corresponding to its class type (e.g., 7 W for class 0, 10 W for class 1, and so forth), the power capping logic monitors the hardware and software modules to ensure the PD does not draw power that exceeds this initial power allotment.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the power capping logic permits only certain hardware or software modules to operate after the initial power allotment has been made to maintain the power usage of the PD below the initial power allotment.\",\n \"As discussed above, designing power capping logic to monitor the power drawn by the hardware and software modules in the PD is difficult.\",\n \"If the power capping logic inadvertently permits the power drawn by the PD to exceed the initial power allotment, the PoE manager may instruct the PSE to stop providing power to the PD, forcing the PD to turn off.\",\n \"In contrast, because the PoE manager initially allocates the maximum power allotment to the PD when the PD is connected to the PSE, the likelihood that the PD will exceed this initial allotment is greatly reduced relative to allocating an initial allotment correspond to the class type of the PD.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the PD does not use the power capping logic once the state machine determines the PoE manager has allocated the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"The state machine may permit all the hardware and software modules in the PD to begin operating without considering whether doing so will exceed the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"For example, the PD may have been designed to ensure that the total combined power usage of the various components in the PD never exceeds the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"However, in another embodiment, the state machine may still use the power capping logic to monitor the power usage of the PD to ensure the power usage does not exceed the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"Even if the power capping logic cannot perfectly monitor and limit the power usage in the PD, because the power allotment of the PD is initially set to the maximum power allotment, the likelihood the PD inadvertently exceeds its allotted power is greatly reduced.\",\n \"At block 225, the PoE and the PD negotiate a reduction in the power allocated to the PD using layer 2 or greater communication signals.\",\n \"In one embodiment, block 225 occurs after the PD is operational and data communication (i.e., layer 2 or greater) is established between the PoE manager and the PD.\",\n \"In contrast to the detection and classification events at blocks 205, 210, and 215, the negotiation performed at block 225 occurs using data signals (e.g., logical bits) embodied in layer 2 or greater communication signals rather than layer 1 communication signals which rely on measuring discrete changes in voltages and/or currents.\",\n \"One example of a data communication technique for performing this negotiation is the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP).\",\n \"However, other variants of this protocol are also suitable, such as vendor-specific discovery protocols (e.g., Cisco Discovery Protocol or Microsoft's Link Layer Topology Discovery).\",\n \"These protocols use layer 2 or greater network traffic to change the power allotted to the PD.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the PD initiates the request to reduce its allocated power.\",\n \"Once operational, the state machine in the PD can determine that the hardware and software modules do not need the maximum power allotment to function properly.\",\n \"For example, the PD may be allocated 30 W, but only draws 20 W. Using LLDP, the PD transmits a message using the Ethernet cable to the PoE manager which processes the request and changes the power allotted to the PD—e.g., reduces the power allotment from 30 W to 20 W. If, for example, a USB device is plugged into the PD thereby increasing its power needs above its current allocated power, the PD may transmit another message to the PoE manager to increase its power allotment.\",\n \"If the PSE has additional power available, the PoE manager grants the request which permits the PD to draw additional power to power the USB.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the PoE manager initiates the request to reduce the power allocated to the PD.\",\n \"For example, a new PD may be coupled to the PSE, but the PSE may not have enough available power to supply the maximum power allotment to the new PD—e.g., the PSE may have only 25 W available.\",\n \"Instead of refusing to power up the PD (or allocating the PD less than the maximum power allotment), the PoE manager may transmit a request to a PD already coupled to the PSE that is still allotted the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"The PoE manager may inform the PD that the PoE manager is going to lower the power allocated to the PD.\",\n \"If the PD is drawing less power than the lower power allotment indicated by the PoE manager, then the PD does not need to change its operational state.\",\n \"However, if the PD draws more power than the lower power allotment, the PD may need to turn off certain functions or disable different software or hardware modules to reduce its power consumption.\",\n \"Once the PD confirms it is drawing power at, or below, the new lower power allocation, the PoE manager can allocate the newly available power to the new PD which may enable the PSE to provide the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is chart 300 illustrating multiple classification events performed when a PD is first coupled to a PSE, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"The y-axis of chart 300 illustrates the power allocated to a PD, while the x-axis illustrates the various events that determine the power allocated to the PD.\",\n \"The spacing between the events in the x-axis is not intended to indicate the amount of time required to perform each of the events as some events may take longer than others.\",\n \"At time 0 (e.g., the leftmost portion of the x-axis), the PD is not allocated any power.\",\n \"However, this does not mean the PSE does not supply some (nominal) amount of power to the PD.\",\n \"For example, during a detection event 305, the PSE drives a voltage on a cable coupling the PD to the PSE which generates a current through a resistor (e.g., a signature resistor) in the PD.\",\n \"As discussed in block 205 of method 200, the PoE manager can measure this current to identify the PD as a PoE enabled device.\",\n \"If the PD is a PoE device, the PoE manager performs a first classification event 310 and a second classification event 315 which were discussed at blocks 210 and 215 in method 200.Similar to the detection event 305, the PSE supplies voltage and/or current to the PD to perform the classification events 310, 315, although the PoE manager has not yet allocated power to the PD.\",\n \"Assuming the first and second classification events 310, 315 are successful, the PoE manager allocates the maximum power allotment to the PD—i.e., 30 W. Sometime later, the PoE manager and the PD perform a negotiation event 320 to reduce the power allocated to the PD as discussed in block 225 of method 200.Once the negotiation is complete, at time 325 the PoE manager reduces the power allocated to the PD.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flow chart 400 for classifying PDs using different classification techniques, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"At block 405, the PoE manager detects a PD which may be the same process as that discussed in block 205 of method 200.Once detected, at block 410, the PoE manager determines whether the PSE can allocate the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"For example, multiple PDs may be coupled to the PSE which have already been allocated power.\",\n \"As such, the remaining available power budget of the PSE may be less than the maximum power allotment.\",\n \"If the PSE has enough available power budget to provide the maximum power allotment, at block 415 the PoE manager performs a 2-event classification as described in blocks 210 and 215 of method 200.If the 2-event classification is successful, the PoE manager allocates the maximum power allotment to the PD which permits the PD to become fully operational.\",\n \"At block 420, the PoE manager and PD negotiate a reduction in the power allocated to the PD which may be similar to the techniques discussed at block 225 in method 200.Stated differently, the PoE manager performs the functions described in blocks 415 and 420 only after determining at block 410 that the PSE has sufficient power budget to allocate the maximum power allotment to the detected PD.\",\n \"If the PSE does not have sufficient power budget, method 400 proceeds to block 425 where the PoE manager performs a 1-event classification.\",\n \"For example, the PoE manager may perform only the first classification event discussed at block 210 of method 200.During the 1-event classification, the PSE provides a voltage to the PD which the PD uses to generate a current.\",\n \"By measuring this current, the PD determines the class type of the PD—e.g., class 0, 1, 2, etc.\",\n \"In one embodiment, each class type corresponds to a different initial power allocation—e.g., 7 W, 10 W, 15 W, etc.\",\n \"Once the PoE manager identifies the class type of the PD, the manager allocates the corresponding power to the PD.\",\n \"As discussed above, the PD may include power capping logic to ensure that the various hardware and software components in the PD do not draw more power than what was initially allocated by the PoE manager.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the 1-event classification and the 2-event classification in blocks 415 and 425 are the 1-event and 2-event classifications described in IEEE 802.3at.\",\n \"In one embodiment, before allocating the initial power allocation based on the class type identified at block 415, the PoE manager determines whether the PSE can allocate the initial power allocation to the PD.\",\n \"For example, the PSE may not have enough available power budget to allocate the initial power allocation.\",\n \"In response, the PoE manager may request that other PDs reduce their power consumption, or may elect not to allocate any power to the PD.\",\n \"After allocating the initial power allocation to the PD, at block 430, the PoE manager and PD may negotiate an increase in the power allocated to the PD.\",\n \"For example, the power capping logic in the PD may limit the number of hardware or software modules operating in the PD to keep the power drawn by the PD below the initial power allocation.\",\n \"In order to operate the remaining hardware or software modules, the PD may transmit a request to the PoE manager to increase its power allocation.\",\n \"Assuming the PSE has sufficient available power budget to satisfy the request, the PoE manager grants the PD's request and increases the power allocated to the device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a flow chart of a method 500 for classifying PDs using a 2-event classification, according to one embodiment described herein.\",\n \"Method 500 includes blocks 405, 410, 415, and 420 which are the same as the blocks illustrated in method 400, and thus, will not be described in detail here.\",\n \"Method 500 differs from method 400 in that the PoE manager does not power up the detected PD if the PSE cannot allocate the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"That is, if at block 410 the PoE manager determines the PSE does not have sufficient budget to allocate the maximum power allotment, method 500 proceeds to block 505 where the PSE stops transmitting power to the PD 505.In one embodiment, the PoE manager does not perform any type of classification of the PD and instructs the PSE to stop driving any voltage or currents onto the cable connecting the PSE to the PD.\",\n \"As a result, the PD remains unpowered.\",\n \"Method 500 returns to block 410 where the PoE manager again determines if the PSE can allocate the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"For example, a PD that was previously connected to the PSE may have been disconnected or powered down, thereby freeing additional power budget.\",\n \"Alternatively, the PoE manager may send requests to one or more PDs already coupled to the PSE requesting that the PDs reduce their power consumption.\",\n \"These request can either be compulsory (i.e., the PDs must lower their power consumption as instructed by the PoE manager) or voluntary (i.e., the PDs permit the PoE manager to reduce their power allocation only if the PDs are consuming less power than they are allocated).\",\n \"If at block 410 the PoE manager determines that the PSE now has available power budget to allocate the maximum power allotment, method 500 proceeds to block 415 where the 2-event classification is performed.\",\n \"One advantage of using method 500 rather than method 400 is that the PDs used in method 500 may not need to include the power capping logic used in the PDs operated according to method 400.That is, because in method 500 the PoE manager does not allocate an initial power allotment to the PDs based on the class type (which is less than the maximum power allotment), the PDs do not need power capping logic which ensures the PDs do not draw more power than the PDs are allocated when powering up since the likelihood the PDs will draw more than the maximum power allotment is very small.\",\n \"Instead, in method 500, the PoE manager either allocates the maximum power allotment to the PD or the PD remains unpowered.\",\n \"Using PDs that do not contain the power capping logic may mean the PDs operated using method 500 may be cheaper to design and manufacture than the PDs used in method 400.In contrast, one advantage of using method 400 rather than method 500 is that the PSE can potentially power more PDs.\",\n \"Method 500 only powers a PD if the maximum power allotment is available.\",\n \"In contrast, method 400 powers a PD according to the class of the PD even if the PSE lacks sufficient power to provide the maximum power allotment to the PD.\",\n \"For example, using method 400, if the PSE has 20 W of available power, a class 3 PD can still be allotted 15 W of power and powered on.\",\n \"However, using method 500, this PD would remain unpowered until an additional 10 W of power becomes available.\",\n \"In the following, reference is made to embodiments presented in this disclosure.\",\n \"However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments.\",\n \"Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice contemplated embodiments.\",\n \"Furthermore, although embodiments disclosed herein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).\",\n \"Likewise, reference to “the invention” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).\",\n \"As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.\",\n \"Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.)\",\n \"or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.\",\n \"The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.\",\n \"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 invention.\",\n \"Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized.\",\n \"The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium.\",\n \"A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.\",\n \"More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.\",\n \"In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium is any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device.\",\n \"A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave.\",\n \"Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof.\",\n \"A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.\",\n \"Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.\",\n \"Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.\",\n \"The program code 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.\",\n \"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).\",\n \"Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments presented in this disclosure.\",\n \"It 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.\",\n \"These computer 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 blocks.\",\n \"These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable 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 medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.\",\n \"The computer 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.\",\n \"The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments.\",\n \"In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).\",\n \"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.\",\n \"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.\",\n \"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.\",\n \"In view of the foregoing, the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872375"}}},{"rowIdx":4494064,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVISIONING MOBILE SUBSCRIBER IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION TO MULTIPLE DEVICES AND PROVISIONING NETWORK ELEMENTS","Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that manages utilization of mobile subscriber identity information including enabling use of such information by different communication devices.","The use of a same generic mobile subscriber identity information by multiple devices can be based on intercepting registration requests.","Other embodiments are disclosed."],["1.A communication device, comprising: a universal integrated circuit card storing a shared international mobile subscriber identity that was provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by equipment of an entity; a processing system including a processor and being coupled with the universal integrated circuit card; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: accessing the universal integrated circuit card to determine the shared international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) using a secret key, wherein the secret key is uniquely associated with the universal integrated circuit card; requesting registration with a network operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity, wherein the requesting of the registration includes providing a first registration request including the shared IMSI and identification information that is obtained by an identity proxy function of the network; receiving a second IMSI via an over-the-air interface with the network; storing the second IMSI in the universal integrated circuit card; and providing a second registration request including the second IMSI to the network to facilitate a registration process for the communication device, wherein completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.","2.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises an integrated circuit card identifier, wherein the first registration request is a first time that the communication device has requested registration with the network, and wherein the entity is a manufacturer of a group of universal integrated circuit cards that includes the universal integrated circuit card.","3.The communication device of claim 2, wherein the second IMSI is not shared with any other communication devices.","4.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: during a simulated registration initiated by the identity proxy function according to the shared international mobile subscriber identity, providing an authentication response to the identity proxy function, wherein the providing the authentication response enables the identity proxy function to cause a reassignment of the second IMSI to the communication device.","5.The communication device of claim 4, wherein the simulated registration and the registration process facilitated by the second registration request utilize the secret key uniquely associated with the universal integrated circuit card.","6.The communication device of claim 5, wherein the secret key is provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by the equipment of the entity and is distinct from other secret keys provisioned by the equipment of the entity.","7.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, and wherein the communication device is a machine-to-machine communication device.","8.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: storing a transport key, wherein the over-the-air interface utilizes the transport key.","9.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity is a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements and does not enable the subscriber services.","10.A method comprising: obtaining, from a communication device by an identity proxy function executed by a processing system including a processor, a registration request that includes a shared international mobile subscriber identity and identification information and uses a secret key uniquely associated with the communication device, wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity was provisioned to a universal integrated circuit card of the communication device by equipment of an entity, and wherein the identity proxy function is operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity; reassigning, via an over-the-air interface, a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device; and facilitating a registration process for the communication device based on the second international mobile subscriber identity, wherein completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.","11.The method of claim 10, wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity is a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements and does not enable the subscriber services.","12.The method of claim 10, wherein the identification information comprises an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, and wherein the communication device is a machine-to-machine communication device.","13.The method of claim 10, wherein the identification information comprises an integrated circuit card identifier, and wherein the entity is a manufacturer of a group of universal integrated circuit cards that includes the universal integrated circuit card.","14.The method of claim 10, further comprising: during a simulated registration initiated by the identity proxy function according to the shared international mobile subscriber identity, receiving, from the communication device by the identity proxy function, an authentication response, wherein the receiving the authentication response enables the identity proxy function to cause the reassigning of the second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device.","15.The method of claim 14, wherein the simulated registration and the registration process utilize the secret key uniquely associated with the universal integrated circuit card.","16.The method of claim 15, wherein the secret key is provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by the equipment of the entity and is distinct from other secret keys provisioned by the equipment of the entity.","17.The method of claim 16, comprising: receiving, by the identity proxy function, secret key mapping information indicating each of the other secret keys indexed to a corresponding one of a group of universal integrated circuit cards.","18.The method of claim 15, wherein the over-the-air interface utilizes a transport key stored by the communication device.","19.A method comprising: provisioning, by a server comprising a processor, each of a group of universal integrated circuit cards with a unique one of a plurality of secret keys, wherein each of the group of universal integrated circuit cards has stored thereon a shared international mobile subscriber identity; and providing, to equipment of a service provider by the server, secret key mapping information indicating each of the secret keys indexed to a corresponding one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards, wherein the server is operated by an entity that is distinct from the service provider, wherein the secret key mapping information is utilized by an identity proxy function operated by the service provider to respond to a registration request generated by a communication device that is utilizing one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards, wherein the identity proxy function causes a reassignment, via an over-the-air interface, of a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device responsive to the registration request, wherein the second international mobile subscriber identity is utilized in completion of a registration process that enables subscriber services for the communication device, and wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity is a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements of the service provider and does not enable the subscriber services.","20.The method of claim 19, wherein the entity is a manufacturer of the group of universal integrated circuit cards."],[" BACKGROUND Mobile communication devices register with networks so that the devices can provide communication services to subscribers.","The registration process requires exchanging messages between the mobile communication device and network device(s), as well as exchanging messages between network devices.","As an example as illustrated in FIG.","1 , a device can provide mobile subscriber identification information to the network at 101 which is received by a registration function (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)).","Various information can be exchanged on the network-side and an analysis of the mobile subscriber identification information can be performed resulting in a registration authorization being provided to the device at 102 ."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.","1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a registration process in the prior art; FIG.","2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIGS.","3-6 depict illustrative embodiments of registration processes used in portions of the system described in FIG.","1 ; FIG.","7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.","8 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.","9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device that can be utilized in either or both of the systems of FIGS.","2 and 8 and/or can be utilized during the method of FIG.","7 ; FIGS.","10-11 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for reuse of mobile subscriber identification information based on registration error messages; FIG.","12 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile subscriber identification information by other devices; FIG.","13 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for reassignment of mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.","14 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables reassigning mobile subscriber identification information to other devices; FIG.","15 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","16 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a database structure that can be utilized during use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","17 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","18 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIGS.","19-20 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device at different locations; FIG.","21 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices at different locations; FIG.","22 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","23 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIG.","24 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device according to registration errors; FIG.","25 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices according to registration errors; FIGS.","26-27 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for switching between generic and non-generic mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.","28 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of a generic mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; and FIG.","29 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/279,912, filed Sep. 29, 2016.The contents of the foregoing is hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in full.","FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for provisioning mobile subscriber identification information to multiple devices and provisioning network elements.","BACKGROUND Mobile communication devices register with networks so that the devices can provide communication services to subscribers.","The registration process requires exchanging messages between the mobile communication device and network device(s), as well as exchanging messages between network devices.","As an example as illustrated in FIG.","1, a device can provide mobile subscriber identification information to the network at 101 which is received by a registration function (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)).","Various information can be exchanged on the network-side and an analysis of the mobile subscriber identification information can be performed resulting in a registration authorization being provided to the device at 102.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.","1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a registration process in the prior art; FIG.","2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIGS.","3-6 depict illustrative embodiments of registration processes used in portions of the system described in FIG.","1; FIG.","7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.","8 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.","9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device that can be utilized in either or both of the systems of FIGS.","2 and 8 and/or can be utilized during the method of FIG.","7; FIGS.","10-11 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for reuse of mobile subscriber identification information based on registration error messages; FIG.","12 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile subscriber identification information by other devices; FIG.","13 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for reassignment of mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.","14 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables reassigning mobile subscriber identification information to other devices; FIG.","15 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","16 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a database structure that can be utilized during use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","17 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","18 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIGS.","19-20 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device at different locations; FIG.","21 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices at different locations; FIG.","22 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.","23 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIG.","24 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device according to registration errors; FIG.","25 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices according to registration errors; FIGS.","26-27 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for switching between generic and non-generic mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.","28 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of a generic mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; and FIG.","29 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for managing utilization of mobile subscriber identity information referred to herein as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).","The system and methods described herein can enable reuse of an IMSI by a different communication device and/or re-authorizing use by a communication device that previously was authorized to utilize the IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, the management of the IMSI reuse can be based at least in part on intercepting registration requests and/or registration error messages.","In one or more embodiments, the communication devices can be end user devices, or other devices including Machine-to-Machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices.","In one or more embodiments, a bootstrap IMSI can be utilized in a registration process by a communication device that has been flagged as inactive, where the limited use includes enabling communication with network elements for initiating a registration process without enabling user communication services at the communication device utilizing the bootstrap IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, a same IMSI can be utilized by more than one communication device according to distinguishing between device (e.g., during registration) based on unique device identification information.","In one or more embodiments, a same IMSI can be utilized by more than one communication device according to the devices being located in different registration areas.","Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.","One or more aspects of the subject disclosure is a communication device having a universal integrated circuit card storing a first international mobile subscriber identity that was provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by equipment of an entity, where the equipment of the entity provisions a group of universal integrated circuit cards with the first international mobile subscriber identity.","The communication device has a processing system including a processor and being coupled with the universal integrated circuit card.","The communication device has a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations.","The operations can include accessing the universal integrated circuit card to determine the first international mobile subscriber identity.","The operations can include requesting registration with a network operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity, where the requesting of the registration includes providing a first registration request including the first international mobile subscriber identity and identification information that is obtained by an identity proxy function of the network.","The operations can include, responsive to a determination by the identity proxy function that the first international mobile subscriber identity is a shared IMSI, receiving a second international mobile subscriber identity via an over-the-air interface with the network.","The operations can include storing the second international mobile subscriber identity in the universal integrated circuit card.","The operations can include providing a second registration request including the second international mobile subscriber identity to the network to facilitate a registration process for the communication device, where completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.","One or more aspects of the subject disclosure is a method including obtaining, from a communication device by an identity proxy function executed by a processing system including a processor, a registration request that includes a first international mobile subscriber identity and identification information associated with the communication device, where the first international mobile subscriber identity was provisioned to a universal integrated circuit card of the communication device by equipment of an entity, where the equipment of the entity provisions a group of universal integrated circuit cards with the first international mobile subscriber identity, and where the identity proxy function is operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity.","The method includes, responsive to a determination that the first international mobile subscriber identity is shared by the group of universal integrated circuit cards, reassigning, via an over-the-air interface, a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device.","The method includes facilitating a registration process for the communication device based on the second international mobile subscriber identity, where completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.","One or more aspects of the subject disclosure is a method including provisioning, by a server including a processor, a group of universal integrated circuit cards with a first international mobile subscriber identity.","The method includes provisioning, by the server, each of the group of universal integrated circuit cards with one of the secret keys.","The method includes providing, to equipment of a service provider by the server, secret key mapping information indicating each of the secret keys indexed to a corresponding one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards where the server is operated by an entity that is distinct from the service provider.","The secret key mapping information can be utilized by an identity proxy function operated by the service provider to respond to a registration request generated by a communication device that is utilizing one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards.","The identity proxy function can cause a reassignment, via an over-the-air interface, of a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device responsive to the registration request.","The second international mobile subscriber identity can be utilized in completion of a registration process that enables subscriber services for the communication device.","The first international mobile subscriber identity can be a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements of the service provider and does not enable the subscriber services.","FIG.","2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200 (e.g., a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system) that provides communication services such as to a communication device 210.The communication device 210 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 200 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 250 and an identity provisioning function 350.System 200 can include various components that facilitate providing the communication services, such as a Base Station Subsystem (BSS) that performs various functions (e.g., allocation of radio channels, paging, transmitting and receiving over the air interface).","The BSS can include a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 220 which can include equipment for transmitting and receiving radio signals, antennas, and equipment for encrypting and decrypting communications with a Base Station Controller (BSC) 230.The BSC 230 can serve several different frequencies and different sectors of a cell.","System 200 can include a core network with other components such as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 240, a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 245, a Home Location Register (HLR) 260, an Authentication Center (AUC) 270, and an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 270.The MSC 240 can be a primary service delivery node that is responsible for routing voice calls and SMS, as well as other services, such as conference calls, FAX and circuit switched data.","The VLR 245 can be a database of subscribers that have roamed into a jurisdiction of a particular MSC served by that VLR.","The VLR 245 is illustrated as a stand-alone device but can be integrated with the MSC 240.The HLR 260 can be a central database that contains details of each mobile phone subscriber that is authorized to use the core network.","In one or more embodiments, the HLRs can store details of Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICCs) (e.g., Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards) issued by the mobile phone operator.","In one or more embodiments, IMSIs can be unique identifiers which are the primary key to each HLR record.","In one or more embodiments, MSISDNs, which are the telephone numbers used by mobile phones to make and receive calls, can also be a primary key to a particular HLR record.","Other data can be stored in the HLR 260 (e.g., indexed to a particular IMSI), such as communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, a current location of subscriber call divert settings applicable for each associated MSISDN, and so forth.","The AUC 270 can perform a function to authenticate each UICC that attempts to connect to the core network (e.g., when the phone is powered on).","Once the authentication is successful, the HLR 260 can manage the UICC and authorized communication services.","The EIR 280 can maintain a list of mobile phones (e.g., identified by their International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI)) which are to be monitored or are to be prohibited from utilizing the network.","The EIR 280 can be a database that contains information about the identity of the mobile equipment that prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized or defective mobile stations.","In one or more embodiments, the EIR 280 can log handset attempts that are stored in a log file.","The EIR 280 is illustrated as a stand-alone device but can be integrated with the HLR 260.System 200 can include other features such as an Operations and Maintenance Center (OMC) that enables or otherwise facilitates the operation, administration and maintenance of a GSM network.","The communication system 200 can provide Over-The-Air (OTA) technology to communicate with, download applications to, and manage a UICC without being connected physically to the UICC.","As an example, an OTA gateway 280 can communicate with a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 290 for delivering provisioning information to the communication device 210, as well as propagating information to other network elements.","For instance, OTA gateway 280 can transform information (e.g., service requests, provisioning information, and so forth) into short messages which are provided to the SMSC 290 for delivery to the communication device 210.In one embodiment, the OTA gateway 280 receives service requests through a gateway API that indicates the actual UICC to modify, update, and/or activate.","In one embodiment, the OTA gateway 280 can have a UICC database that indicates for each UICC, the vendor, a UICC identification number, the IMSI and the MSISDN.","In one embodiment, the service request can be formatted by the OTA gateway 280 into a message that can be understood by the recipient UICC, such as through use of libraries accessible to (or stored by) the OTA gateway that contain the formats to use for each brand of UICC.","The resulting formatted message can then be sent to the SMSC 290 for delivery.","The identity proxy function 250 can be a stand-alone device (e.g., positioned between the BSS and the MSC 240), or can be integrated with other components of the system 200 such as being executed by a server that also executes the MSC/VLR functions.","In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 250 is configured so that information (e.g., a registration request) being sent to a registration function (e.g., the HLR 260) is intercepted or otherwise first received by the identity proxy function prior to being received by the MSC 240, the VLR 245 and the HLR 260.The particular positioning of the identity proxy function 250 with respect to other network elements can vary provided that the identity proxy function maintains its ability to manage use and re-use of IMSIs.","In one embodiment, a single identity proxy function 250 can be utilized for a set of MSC/VLR and HLR.","In another embodiment, multiple identity proxy functions 250 can be utilized for each set of MSC/VLR and HLR, where the identity proxy functions are positioned at various points in the core network such as between the BSS and the MSC 240 and between the VLR 245 and the HLR 260 (shown as dashed lines in FIG.","2).","In one embodiment where multiple identity proxy functions 250 are utilized, they can communicate with each other for implementing the management of the use and re-use of the IMSIs.","In one embodiment, an interface 255 can be established between the identity proxy function 250 and other network components, such as the HLR 260.For example, the interface 255 can enable the identity proxy function 250 to communicate directly with the HLR 260 so as to bypass communication with the VLR.","For instance and as described herein, the identity proxy function 250 can simulate function(s) of the VLR 245 such as SRES comparison, and the interface 255 can enable obtaining data needed for the SRES comparison.","System 200 can also include an identity provisioning function 350 for providing information to various devices including the communication device 210, and network element(s).","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can maintain a listing of the designated IMSIs and can provision identity proxy functions throughout the network with this listing.","The identity provisioning function 350 can be a separate device that is in communication with the identity proxy function 250.In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can provide for OTA provisioning of the communication device 210 via a registration simulation platform as described herein, as well as propagate other information to various network elements (e.g., communicating notices of reassigned IMSIs or other information to the HLR 260, the AUC 270 and/or the EIR 280).","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can be in communication with the OTA gateway 280 and can utilize the services of the SMSC 290 to provision communication devices.","The functions performed by the identity proxy function 250 and the identity provisioning function 350 in managing IMSI reuse can vary.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 can be utilized as a point of IMSI screening and further determinations as to what steps should be taken to manage the particular IMSI can be made by the identity provisioning function 350 based on a detection or screening message received by the identity provisioning function 350 from the identity proxy function 250.In other embodiments, the identity proxy function 250 can take a more active role in determinations of the appropriate steps to be taken to manage the particular IMSI.","Referring to FIG.","3 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, the identity proxy function 250 can have access to a list of IMSIs that are designated for potential reassignment or as having already been reassigned to another communication device.","For instance, the identity provisioning function 350 can maintain the listing of the designated IMSIs at 301 and can provision identity proxy functions throughout the network with this listing at 302.The listing of the designated IMSIs can be generated based on various criteria.","This provisioning information associated with the IMSIs can be utilized by the identity proxy function 250 to manage or otherwise facilitate registration by communication devices and reuse of IMSIs.","For example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine that an IMSI is not included in the listing of the designated IMSIs in which case a registration request associated with that IMSI would be forwarded to the MSC 240 for completing a registration process.","As another example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine that an IMSI is included in the listing of the designated IMSIs but is not included in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned in which case the identity proxy function 250 would know that an original device (which has been flagged as inactive) is attempting to register with the network.","The identity proxy function 250 could then take appropriate steps for providing service to the original device, such as causing (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) reauthorizing use of the IMSI if services are now authorized (e.g., payment of services has been received) or causing the providing of nullification information to the original device (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350, a registration simulation platform, the OTA 280 and/or the SMSC 290) to further cause use of the IMSI at the original device to be disabled if services are not authorized or the device/UICC are not compatible with current network service.","In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 250 can provide a notice to the identity provisioning function of detection of a particular IMSI and the identity provisioning function 350 can then take appropriate steps for managing the reuse of IMSIs.","As another example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine that an IMSI is included in the listing of the designated IMSIs and is also included in the subset of IMSIs (which have already been reassigned).","Responsive to these determinations, a further determination can be made as to whether the device is the original device associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment or whether the device is the new device that has been reassigned the IMSI.","The identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 could then take appropriate steps for allowing registration of the new device that has been reassigned the IMSI or for providing service to the original device.","For instance, another IMSI can be reassigned (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) to the original device from the listing of designated IMSIs (which has not already been reassigned) if services are now authorized (e.g., payment of services has been received).","In another embodiment, nullification information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) to cause use of the original IMSI at the original device to be disabled, such as where another IMSI is to be reassigned to the original device.","In one embodiment, IMSIs can be designated for potential re-use due to suspension of services for a subscriber such as for non-payment or for another reason.","In one embodiment, IMSIs can be designated for potential re-use due to a lack of use of the IMSI (or the device having a UICC that utilizes the IMSI) for a threshold time period, such as a mobile phone that has not attempted to register with a network (e.g., the GSM network or some other network including LTE or UMTS) in six months.","In one embodiment, IMSIs can be designated for potential re-use according to a confirmation that the UICC has been damaged, lost, stolen and so forth.","In one or more embodiments as the IMSIs are reassigned to other devices, those particular IMSIs can be further flagged as having been reassigned (i.e., flagged as a subset of the list of designated IMSIs).","The identity provisioning function 350 can keep the identity proxy function 250 (as well as other identity proxy functions throughout the network) apprised of the list of designated IMSIs as well as the subset of those IMSIs that have already been reassigned to another communication device so that the identity proxy function 250 can accurately perform an IMSI screening process when registration requests are received.","Referring to FIG.","4 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, another communication device 410 can be reassigned an IMSI from the designated IMSIs where the IMSI was previously associated with the communication device 210 (which has been flagged as inactive).","In this example at 401, the identity provisioning function 350 can receive a request, be instructed or otherwise determine that the IMSI (in the list of designated IMSIs) is to be reassigned to the communication device 410.The communication device 410 can be a new device that needs an IMSI to provide communication services or an existing device that requires another IMSI due to some other reason, such as having its own IMSI reassigned to a different device.","At 402, the identity provisioning function 350 can notify the HLR 260 that the communication device 410 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.","This can include deleting an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 410 and/or adding the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 410 in the database of the HLR 260.In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","At 403, the identity provisioning function 350 can notify the identity proxy function 250 that the communication device 410 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 can already be aware that the IMSI is part of a group of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment and can already be aware that the communication device 210 has been flagged as inactive.","In this example, the identity proxy function 250 can switch a designation of the particular IMSI to being flagged as within the subset of the designated IMSIs that have already been reassigned to another device (i.e., the communication device 410 in this example).","Referring to FIG.","5 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, the identity proxy function 250 facilitates registration of devices that have been reassigned IMSIs by intercepting or otherwise receiving registration requests, such as prior to the registration request being provided to the MSC 240, the VLR 245 and the HLR 260.For example at 501, the communication device 410 (which has been reassigned an IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs where the IMSI was previously associated with the communication device 210) can request registration with the network.","A registration request including the reassigned IMSI can be received by the identity proxy function 250 which determines whether or not the particular IMSI is part of the group of designated IMSIs and whether a reassignment to another device has already occurred.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.","For instance, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI) can be obtained for the communication device 410, such as being received from device 410 or from another source.","At 502, if the received IMSI is determined as having already been reassigned to another device and if the communication device 410 is determined to be that other device then identity proxy function 250 can forward the registration request to the MSC/VLR (or another registration function server) for processing of the registration of the communication device 410.At 503 and 504, messaging associated with the registration process can be exchanged such as between the HLR 260, the VLR 245, the identity proxy function 250, and/or the communication device 410.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request and the registration process can vary.","In one embodiment, the communication device 410 can send a Channel Request message to the BSS on a Random Access Channel (RACH) and the BSS can respond on an Access Grant Channel (AGCH) with an Immediate Assignment message while assigning a Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) to the communication device 410.The communication device 410 can switch to the assigned SDCCH and can send a Location Update Request to the BSS.","The communication device 410 can send its IMSI to the BSS.","The BSS can forward the Location Update Request/IMSI (i.e., a registration request) which is received or intercepted by the identity proxy function 250 which determines whether the received IMSI is already reassigned to another device and if the communication device 410 is that other device.","If so, then the registration request is forwarded by the identity proxy function 250 to the MSC 240/VLR 245 which in turns forwards the registration request to the HLR 260, along with a request for verification of the IMSI and a request for authentication triplets (RAND, Kc, SRES).","The HLR 260 can forward the IMSI to the AuC 270 and can request the authentication triplets.","The AuC 270 can generate the authentication triplets and can send them, along with the IMSI, back to the HLR 260.The HLR 260 can validate the IMSI by ensuring it is allowed on the network and it is authorized for subscriber services.","The HLR 260 can then forward the IMSI and the triplets to the VLR 245 which stores the SRES and the Kc, and can also forward the RAND to the BSS.","The VLR 245 can utilize the BSS to authenticate the communication device 410.The BSS can send the communication device 410 an Authentication Request message with the only authentication parameter being sent in the message being the RAND.","The communication device 410 can use the RAND to calculate the SRES and can send the SRES back to the BSS on the SDCCH in an Authentication Response.","The BSS can forward the SRES to the VLR 245 which compares the SRES generated by the AuC with the SRES generated by the communication device.","If the SRESs match then authentication is completed successfully.","The exemplary embodiments can also utilize other messaging techniques and paths for registration of the communication device 410.In one embodiment, the VLR 245 can forward the Kc for the communication device 410 to the BSS where the Kc is not sent across the air interface to the communication device.","The BSS can store the Kc and can forward a Set Cipher Mode command to the communication device 410 where the command only indicates which encryption to use.","The communication device 410 can switch to cipher mode using the particular encryption algorithm (e.g., A5) so that all transmissions are now enciphered and can send a Ciphering Mode Complete message to the BSS.","The VLR 245 can send a Location Updating Accept message to the BSS and also generate a new Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) for the communication device.","The BSS can send the TMSI to the communication device 410 which can respond with a TMSI Reallocation Complete message that is forwarded to the VLR 245.The BSS can instruct the communication device 245 to go into idle mode by sending it a Channel Release message and can then deassign the SDCCH.","The VLR 245 can send an Update Location message to the HLR 260 which records the particular MSC/VLR the communication device is currently associated with.","In one embodiment such as where the identity proxy function 250 is unable to obtain device identity information (e.g., the IMEI) for the communication device 410, the identity proxy function 250 can simulate the registration process to obtain information that enables discerning whether the communication device 410 is the device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.","As an example, the identity proxy function 250 can simulate the registration process so as to obtain an SRES generated by the communication device 410.From that generated SRES, the identity proxy function 250 can detect whether the communication device 410 is the device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.","In this example, the identity proxy function 250 can communicate with other necessary components for obtaining data that is utilized in the registration process such as bypassing the VLR 245 and communicating via the interface 255 with the HLR 260 to obtain the authentication triplets.","In this example, since the identity proxy function 250 requested the authentication triplets, the HLR 260 will obtain them from the AUC 270 and provide them back to the identity proxy function rather than providing them to the VLR 245.In one embodiment, the simulation of the registration process and the forcing of an SRES generation by the communication device 410 can be utilized to identify the particular device according to a secret key (in combination with the RAND provided by the identity proxy function 250) that the communication device would utilize in generating the SRES.","The secret keys can be known or otherwise accessible to the identity proxy function 250 so that the secret key could be utilized to detect which device is generating the registration request.","As an example, the secret key can be used during multiple cryptographic operations which can include the authentication of the device (e.g., in all networks) and the network (e.g., in UMTS and LTE).","In one embodiment, rather than utilizing the interface 255, system 200 can utilize first and second identity proxy functions 250 that are positioned between the communication device 210 and the MSC 240 and positioned between the VLR 245 and the HLR 260, respectively.","The first and second identity proxy functions 250 can communicate with each other, such as to bypass the VLR 245 when the identity proxy functions 250 are simulating a registration process and forcing the communication device 410 to generate an SRES.","In one embodiment, once the identity proxy function 250 has determined the identity of the device (original device vs. new device), the identity proxy function 250 can require that the communication device perform a re-registration.","Referring to FIG.","6 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, the identity proxy function 250 facilitates registration of devices where the particular IMSI has been designated for potential reassignment or has already been reassigned by intercepting or otherwise receiving registration requests, such as prior to the registration request being provided to the MSC 240, the VLR 245 and the HLR 260.For example at 601, the original device 210 can request registration with the network.","The original device 210 may have been flagged as inactive, such as for non-use over a threshold period of time, suspension of services for non-payment, a customer requesting discontinuation of services, and so forth.","A registration request including the IMSI can be received by the identity proxy function 250 which determines whether or not the particular IMSI is part of the group of designated IMSIs and whether a reassignment has already occurred.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.","For example, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI) can be obtained for the original device 210, such as being received from device 210 (e.g., in the registration request).","As another example, if the IMSI has not been reassigned but is part of the IMSIs designated for potential reassignment then the identity proxy function 250 can determine that the device requesting registration is the original device 210 that has been flagged as inactive.","The identification of the device can be based on simulating the registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES by the communication device 210, as described herein.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can determine whether the original device 210 is eligible for services.","If the original device 210 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 250 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) to the original device 210 to cause the original device to disable its use of the IMSI.","In this example, the IMSI can then be removed from the designated listing of IMSIs and can instead be included with other IMSIs (e.g., that have never been used before) that are eligible for assignment.","In one embodiment, if the IMSI has not yet been reassigned then the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can determine whether to allow the original device 210 to utilize that original IMSI, such as confirming that the subscriber is eligible for services (e.g., based on payment for services or other actions that removed a suspension of services).","If the original device 210 is permitted to utilize its IMSI, then identity proxy function 250 can forward the registration request (based on the original IMSI) to the MSC 240/VLR 245 and can provide a notification (e.g., to the identity provisioning function 350) to remove the IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs and to further adjust the status of the original device 210 from an inactive status to an active status.","In one embodiment, if the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device then the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can confirm that the subscriber of the original device 210 is eligible for services and can obtain reassignment of another IMSI (from the designated list of IMSIs) for the original device.","For example at 602, responsive to a determination that the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device and a determination that the subscriber of the original device 210 is eligible for services then the identity proxy function 250 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 350 for another IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs (which is not in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned) or the identity proxy function 250 can receive the other IMSI from the identity provisioning function 350 based on a determination made by the identity provisioning function 350.In one embodiment, the original device 210 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which is mapped to the original device by the network).","In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 350 such that the identity proxy function 250 transmits the request to the identity provisioning function 350 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device and the identity provisioning function 350 can approve or deny the request.","Continuing with this example at 603, the identity provisioning function 350 can notify various network elements (e.g., the HLR 260) that the communication device 210 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.","This can include the HLR 260 deleting an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 210 and/or adding the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 210 in its database.","In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","At 604, the identity provisioning function 350 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 210 via an OTA platform that causes the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI is now utilized by the device for communication services.","In one embodiment, to send an OTA provisioning message to a device that has not completed registration to a target network, a simulating network can be used to intercept (e.g., prior to being received by a VLR in GSM or an MME in LTE) and complete the registration.","The simulating network can send an OTA message to the device that can cause the modification of the device IMSI and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network.","For example, the simulating network can comprise a set of functional elements (e.g., registration simulation platform 675) that exist in the target network.","This can include an MSC/VLR, a MME, a HLR or HSS, an AUC, a SMSC, an OTA platform, a SGW, a PGW, an EIR and/or any combination thereof.","The AUC of registration simulation platform 675 can contain the secret key of the device and the HSS/HLR can be provisioned to allow the device to register.","Other pre-provisioning functions can be performed.","For instance, the registration simulation platform 675 can be integrated into the identity proxy function 250 (illustrated in FIG.","6), the identity provisioning function 350 and/or can exist as a standalone device.","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can become aware of the registration to the registration simulation platform 675 by notification from the registration simulation platform 675 and/or from the identity proxy function 250.In this example, the identity provisioning function 350 can instruct the registration simulation platform 675 to perform an OTA to modify an IMSI of that particular device.","The identity provisioning function 350 may provide an update to the identity proxy function 250 regarding the content of the requested OTA.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 350 can first detect an error message, then perform an action such as not forwarding the error to the device to cause the device to reattempt the registration, and finally intercept the reattempt and forward to the registration simulation platform 675.In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 210 via the OTA 280 and the SMSC 290 that causes the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI is now utilized by the device for communication services.","In another embodiment at 605, the communication device 210 can then attempt to re-register utilizing the reassigned IMSI.","The identity proxy function 250 can receive the registration request for the communication device 210, which now includes the reassigned IMSI and at 606-608 the registration process (via the VLR 245 and the HLR 260) can be completed based on the reassigned IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 350 can provision a National SIM Manager (NSM) with the reassigned IMSI for the original device where the secret key of the original device is already known.","In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.","In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270).","FIG.","7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 700 used by system 200 for facilitating the re-use of IMSIs.","One or more of the steps of method 700 can be performed by the identity proxy function 250, the identity provisioning function 350 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6.At 702, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a communication device.","For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device.","At 704, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.","For example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine whether the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs and if so can further determine whether the IMSI is included in a subset of the group which is further designated as having already been reassigned to another communication device.","If the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC 240/VLR 245 to perform the registration at 706.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 708 as to whether the registration request is for an original device that was associated with the IMSI (e.g., prior to being reassigned) or whether the registration request is for a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI.","The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.","If the registration request and the IMSI are from a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC240/VLR 245 to perform the registration at 706.If on the other hand the registration request and the IMSI are from an original device (e.g., a device that the IMSI was previously associated with prior to being added to the listing of designated IMSIs) then a determination can be made at 710 as to whether the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, and so forth.","If the subscriber of the original device is not eligible for communication services then at 712 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 350 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the original device.","In one embodiment, if the IMSI has not already been reassigned then it can be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs and provided to another communication device (e.g., the identity proxy function 250 can forward the IMSI automatically to the MSC240/VLR 245 for completion of registration associated with a new device that utilizes the IMSI).","If on the other hand the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services then at 714 the original device can be authorized to utilize the particular IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the particular IMSI has not yet been reassigned) or the original device can be provisioned with another IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device).","In one embodiment, the new IMSI reassigned to the original device can be selected from the listing of designated IMSI (which is not included in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned).","Method 700 can then proceed to 706 where the registration process is completed.","While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","7, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","In one or more embodiments, eligibility for services can be determined according to a viability of the UICC.","For example, if it is determined that the UICC is no longer compatible with the network (e.g., it cannot perform certain functions requested by the network or cannot facilitate certain communication services) then the device/UICC can be designated as being ineligible for service and provisioning information can be sent to the device (e.g., via registration simulation platform 675) to nullify or otherwise disable use of the IMSI by that device/UICC.","In one embodiment, if it is determined that the UICC is not viable or otherwise is incompatible with the network then the subscriber of the original device can be provided with a request to upgrade the UICC (which may or may not utilize the same IMSI), such as forwarding a message including an offer to the original device.","In this example, the IMSI can be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs.","One or more of the determinations described with respect to any of the exemplary embodiments can be made by the identity proxy function 250, the identity provisioning function 350, or another network device.","FIG.","8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 800 (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system) that provides communication services such as to a communication device 810.The communication device 810 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 800 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 850 and an identity provisioning function 899.System 800 can perform many of the same functions as described with respect to system 200 including intercepting a registration request with an IMSI, determining an identity of a device requesting registration, processing registration requests according to whether the IMSI is a designated IMSI and whether the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device, reassigning an IMSI to an original device that has come back online, reauthorizing use of an original IMSI for an original device that has returned to being service eligible, and so forth.","System 800 can utilize the identity proxy function 850 to perform functions similar to those described with respect to the identity proxy function 250 of system 200 for facilitating the re-use of IMSIs.","System 800 can include various components that facilitate providing the communication services, including an eNodeB (eNB) 825 that functions as hardware that communicates directly wirelessly with mobile handsets similar to the BSS of the GSM network of system 200, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 840 that functions as a control-node for the LTE access-network, and a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 860 that functions as a central database to contain user-related and subscription-related information and which provides user authentication and access authorization functionality.","The HSS 860 is similar to the HLR 260 and AUC 270 of the GSM network of system 200.Other components can also be included in the system 800 such as an EIR, S-GW, PDN GW, ePDG, SGSN and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 850 can be positioned between the eNB 825 and the MME 840 so that the IMSI is received by the identity proxy function 850 prior to being processed by the MME 840.In one embodiment, an interface 855 can be established between the identity proxy function 850 and other network components, such as the HSS 860.For example, the interface 855 can enable the identity proxy function 850 to communicate directly with the HSS 860 so as to bypass communication with the MME 840.For instance and as described herein, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate function(s) of the MME 840 such as RES comparison and the interface 855 can enable obtaining data needed for the RES comparison.","System 800 can utilize an identity provisioning function 899 for provisioning information to the communication device 810, such as a reassigned IMSI, nullification information that disables the use of an old IMSI at an original device, an offer to obtain a reassigned IMSI, and so forth.","In one embodiment, identity provisioning function 899 can also propagate other information to other network elements, such as notifications that an IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs has been reassigned or has been removed from the IMSI, an inactive or active status change for a device, and so forth to various network elements such as the HSS 860, the EIR, and so forth.","The provisioning or propagation of information to the communication device 810 can be performed in a number of different ways, including utilizing a registration simulation platform (e.g., performing function similar to that of registration simulation platform 675 in FIG.","6), an OTA gateway 880 and/or a messaging gateway 890.The functions performed by the identity proxy function 850 and the identity provisioning function 899 in managing IMSI reuse can vary.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can be utilized as a point of IMSI screening and further determinations as to what steps should be taken to manage the particular IMSI can be made by the identity provisioning function 899 based on a detection or screening message received by the identity provisioning function 899 from the identity proxy function 850.In other embodiments, the identity proxy function 850 can take a more active role in determinations of the appropriate steps to be taken to manage the particular IMSI.","In one embodiment, the HSS 860 can be provisioned with reassigned IMSIs to facilitate the registration of a new device that has received a reassigned IMSI from an original device.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate a registration process to force the communication device 810 to generate a RES (similar to the process described with respect to FIG.","5) so that the identity proxy function 850 can determine whether the device requesting registration is an original device or a new device.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can obtain an IMSI of the communication device 810 attempting to register and can determine the identity of that device.","Based upon the IMSI and the identity of the communication device 810, a determination can be made (e.g., by the identity proxy function 850 and/or the identity provisioning function 899) whether to allow the registration to proceed (to the MME 840), reassign an IMSI to the communication device, provide provisioning information that disables use of the IMSI by the communication device and/or take other appropriate actions to facilitate managing use and reuse of IMSI.","For example, the communication device 810 can initiate an attach procedure by transmitting an attach request to the eNB 825 so that the eNB can derive the appropriate MME from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameters carrying the old Globally Unique Mobility Management Entity Identifier (GUMMEI) and the indicated Selected Network.","The attach request (i.e., registration request) can be received by the identity proxy function 850 (e.g., from the eNB 825).","In one embodiment, the attach request can include a Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity (GUTI) which has the GUMMEI and also has the M-TMSI, which identifies the particular device.","This identification allows the identity proxy function 850 to ascertain whether the particular device is a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.","In this example, the identity proxy function 850 can obtain the IMSI in a number of different ways.","For example, if the communication device 810 identifies itself with a GUTI, then the GUTI can be used to derive the old MME/SGSN address, and an Identification Request can be sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI.","In another embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can send an Identity Request to the communication device 810 to request the IMSI.","In one embodiment such as where the identity proxy function 850 is unable to obtain device identity information (e.g., the GUTI) for the communication device 810, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate the registration process of the MME 840 to obtain information that enables discerning whether the communication device 810 is a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.","As an example, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate the registration process of the MME 840 so as to obtain a RES generated by the communication device 810 according to an EPS AKA algorithm.","From that generated RES, the identity proxy function 850 can detect whether the communication device 810 is the new device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.","In this example, the identity proxy function 850 can communicate with other necessary components for obtaining data that is utilized in the registration process (e.g.","a mutual authentication process) such as bypassing the MME 840 and communicating via the interface 855 with the HSS 860 to obtain authentication vectors (e.g., RAND, AUTN, XRES, KASME).","The HSS 860 generates authentication vector(s) using the EPS AKA algorithm and forwards them back to the identity proxy function 850.The identity proxy function 850 can select one of the authentication vectors (if more than one was received) and can use it to perform mutual authentication with the communication device 810 by forwarding the RAND and AUTNHSS to the communication device, which then computes RES, AUTNUE and KASME using the EPS AKA algorithm.","The communication device 810 can then compare its own AUTNUE and AUTNHSS received from the identity proxy function 850.Once authenticated, the communication device 810 can forward the RES to the identity proxy function 850, which can then determine from a comparison of the XRES received from the HSS 860 with the RES generated by the communication device whether the particular device is the original device or the new device since different RESs will be generated based on different secret keys (LTE K) stored at different UICCs.","In this example, since the identity proxy function 850 requested the authentication vectors, the HSS 860 will provide them back to the identity proxy function via interface 855 rather than providing them to the MME 840.In one embodiment, rather than utilizing the interface 855, system 800 can utilize first and second identity proxy functions 850 that are positioned between the communication device 810 and the MME 840 and positioned between the MME 840 and the HSS 260 (shown in dashed lines in FIG.","8), respectively.","The first and second identity proxy functions 850 can communicate with each other, such as to bypass the MME 840 when the identity proxy functions 850 are simulating a registration process of the MME 840 and forcing the communication device 810 to generate a RES.","In one embodiment, once the identity proxy function 850 has determined the identity of the device (original device vs. new device), the identity proxy function 850 can require that the communication device 810 perform a re-registration.","In one or more embodiments, system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, a registration request associated with the communication device 810 where the registration request includes an IMSI of the communication device.","System 800 enables accessing, by the identity proxy function 850, information that identifies a group of IMSIs and that indicates a subset of the group of IMSIs that have been reassigned to other communication devices.","Responsive to a first determination that the IMSI is not included in the group of IMSIs or a second determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, system 800 enables providing, by the identity proxy function 850, the registration request to a registration function (e.g., the MME 840 and/or the HSS 860) for completing a registration process for the communication device which allows for communication services at the communication device.","In one embodiment, system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, device identification data for the communication device 810.A third determination can then be performed as to whether the communication device 810 is one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of international mobile subscriber identities, where the third determination is based on the device identification data, and where the providing the registration request to the registration function for completing the registration process is according to the third determination.","In one embodiment, the device identification data comprises an IMEI.","In one embodiment, the IMEI is obtained from the communication device 810.In one embodiment responsive to a third determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs and that the communication device 810 is not one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, system 800 enables providing, via the identity provisioning function 899, the communication device with provisioning information.","The provisioning information causes one of disabling use of the IMSI by the communication device, reassignment of another IMSI from the group of IMSIs that is not included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, or a combination thereof.","In one embodiment, the system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, an IMEI from the communication device 810, wherein the third determination is based on the IMEI.","In one embodiment responsive to a third determination that the communication device 810 is eligible for service, that the IMSI is included in the group of IMSIs, and that the IMSI is not included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, the system 800 enables removal of the IMSI from the group of IMSIs and further enables providing, by the identity proxy function 850, the registration request to the registration function for completing the registration process for the communication device.","In one embodiment, system 800 enables determining a functionality of a universal integrated circuit card of the communication device 810 that stores the IMSI, where the removal of the IMSI from the group of IMSIs and the providing the registration request to the registration function are based on a fourth determination that the functionality of the universal integrated circuit card is compatible with the communication services associated with the communication device.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 is a stand-alone server located between the eNB 825 and the MME 840, and the registration function is performed by the MME 840 utilizing services of the HSS 860.In one embodiment, the provisioning information can be provided to the communication device by the identity provisioning function via an OTA interface, where the OTA instructions go through the identity proxy function 850.In one embodiment, the system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, a signed response message generated by the communication device 810 based on a random challenge; and performing, by the identity proxy function, a third determination that the communication device is one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, where the third determination is based on the signed response message, and where the providing the registration request to the registration function for completing the registration process is according to the third determination.","In one embodiment, the system 800 enables providing, by the identity proxy function 850, the random challenge to the communication device 810.FIG.","9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 900.Communication device 900 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS.","2-6 and 8 and can be configured to perform portions of method 700 of FIG.","7.Where communication device 900 is an end user device, it can include a UICC 975 that stores or otherwise manages use of an IMSI for registering the communication device.","In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can be an end user device that performs operations including: providing a registration request that is received by an identity proxy function operating in a server, where the registration request includes a first IMSI of the communication device; responsive to a determination that the first IMSI has been reassigned to another communication device and that the communication device 900 is not the other communication device, receiving provisioning information that includes a second IMSI; and facilitating a registration process that utilizes the second IMSI and that enables communication services at the communication device.","In one embodiment, the provisioning information includes disabling information that disables use of the first IMSI by the communication device 900, where the registration process utilizes a secret key that was previously associated with the first IMSI prior to the first IMSI being reassigned to the other communication device, and where the receiving of the provisioning information is responsive to determining that the communication device is eligible for the communication services.","In another embodiment, the communication device 900 can be a network device (e.g., a network server executing the identity proxy function 250, 850 and/or the identity provisioning function 350, 899) that performs operations including: receiving an IMSI of a communication device; accessing information that identifies a group of IMSIs and that indicates a subset of the group of IMSIs that have been reassigned to other communication devices; and, responsive to a first determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs and that the communication device is not one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, providing the communication device with provisioning information that disables use of the IMSI by the communication device.","In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, responsive to determining that use of the IMSI by the communication device has been nullified, provide a notification to or otherwise perform a removal of the IMSI from the group of IMSIs.","In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, receive an IMEI from the communication device, where the first determination is based on the IMEI.","In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, perform a second determination that the communication device is not service eligible, where the providing the communication device with the provisioning information is responsive to the second determination.","In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, responsive to a second determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs and that the communication device is one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, providing a registration request to a registration function for completing a registration process for the communication device that enables communication services at the communication device.","In one embodiment, the provisioning information enables reassignment of another IMSI from the group of IMSIs that is not included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, and where the communication device 900 can provide a registration request to a registration function for completing a registration process for the communication device utilizing the other IMSI.","In one embodiment, the registration process for the communication device utilizing the other IMSI is further based on a secret key that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment of the other IMSI to the communication device.","Communication device 900 can include more or less than the components described herein.","For example, communication device 900 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 902 (herein transceiver 902), a user interface (UI) 904, a power supply 914, a location receiver 916, a motion sensor 918, an orientation sensor 920, and a controller 906 for managing operations thereof.","The transceiver 902 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively).","Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.","The transceiver 902 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.","), and combinations thereof.","The UI 904 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 908 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device 900.The keypad 908 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®.","The keypad 908 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys.","The UI 904 can further include a display 910 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device 900.In an embodiment where the display 910 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 908 can be presented by way of the display 910 with navigation features.","The display 910 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input.","As a touch screen display, the communication device 900 can be adapted to present a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.","The touch screen display 910 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display.","This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface.","The display 910 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.","The UI 904 can also include an audio system 912 that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation).","The audio system 912 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user.","The audio system 912 can also be used for voice recognition applications.","The UI 904 can further include an image sensor 913 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.","The power supply 914 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 900 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications.","Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.","The location receiver 916 can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device 900 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation.","The motion sensor 918 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 900 in three-dimensional space.","The orientation sensor 920 can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 900 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).","The communication device 900 can use the transceiver 902 to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements.","The controller 906 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device 900.Other components not shown in FIG.","9 can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.","For instance, the communication device 900 can include a reset button (not shown).","The reset button can be used to reset the controller 906 of the communication device 900.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 900 can also include a factory default setting button positioned, for example, below a small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 900 to force the communication device 900 to re-establish factory settings.","In this embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.","The communication device 900 can also include a slot for adding or removing the UICC 975 (where it is not an embedded UICC).","The UICC 975 can be various types of UICCs and can be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.","The UICC 975 can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.","The communication device 900 as described herein can operate with more or less of the circuit components shown in FIG.","9.These variant embodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.","The communication device 900 can be adapted to perform the functions of the devices of FIGS.","2-6 and 8 including communication devices 210, 410, 810, as well as the identity proxy functions 250, 850, the identity provisioning functions 350, 899 and other network components described herein.","It will be appreciated that the communication device 900 can also represent other devices that can operate in systems 200 and 800.In addition, the controller 906 can be adapted in various embodiments to perform the functions 462 which enables management of the re-use of IMSIs.","Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of the claims described below.","For example, other factors can be utilized to determine whether an original device should receive an IMSI from the designated group of IMSIs (which has not yet been reassigned) or whether the original device should continue to utilize the original IMSI.","For instance, even though the original IMSI may not yet have been reassigned, the service provider may desire to reassign another IMSI (from the designated IMSI to be reassigned) such as to facilitate categorizing devices and/or subscribers based on particular groupings of IMSIs.","The exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to GSM and LTE networks 200, 800, respectively.","However, the exemplary embodiments can be utilized for managing use of IMSIs in various types of networks.","For example in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, IMSI management can be performed as described in the exemplary embodiments by intercepting a registration request utilizing an identity proxy function (e.g., positioned between the BSS and the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)).","In another example in a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, IMSI management can be performed as described in the exemplary embodiments by intercepting a registration request utilizing an identity proxy function.","In one or more embodiments, other steps or procedures can be implemented when an original device that has been flagged as inactive attempts to register with the network.","For example, when an original device whose original IMSI has been re-assigned to another device is detected during a registration request, the network can limit interaction of the original device with the network.","For instance, the UICC of the original device can be forced to use a default or bootstrap IMSI which has limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining a reassigned IMSI), a pay for service mode, and so forth.","For instance, a pay for service mode can be implemented by the default IMSI by allowing registration that enables access to a webpage for selecting and paying for particular communication services, such as messaging, voice calls, and so forth.","In one embodiment, the default IMSI can be stored by the UICC in addition to the original IMSI.","In one embodiment, the provisioning information provided to the UICC can cause the UICC to utilize the default IMSI instead of the original IMSI.","In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350, 899 can provision the default IMSI to the original device rather than provisioning an IMSI from the designated group of IMSIs.","The default or bootstrap IMSI can differ from an original IMSI in that the original IMSI can be utilized by a device (e.g., a new device reassigned the original IMSI or the original device that is re-authorized to utilize the IMSI) for accessing a full range of available services whereas the default or bootstrap IMSI does not provide access to the full range of available services, although the default or bootstrap IMSI could provide access to a webpage for pay for service mode.","In one embodiment, a same default or bootstrap IMSI can be utilized by numerous devices that have been flagged as inactive.","In one or more embodiments, the intercepting of the IMSI and determining whether to allow registration to continue by the identity proxy function 250, 850 prevents a failure or other error message from being generated and/or from being provided to the communication device which could have adverse effects on the communication device such as disabling OTA interface of the communication device.","In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 250, 850 can cache or otherwise store last successful registration processes for particular devices to utilize that information for determining whether a device requesting registration is an original device or a new device with a reassigned IMSI.","In one embodiment, the device identification information (e.g., an IMEI) can be sourced by one or more other network elements.","Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.","It should be understood that devices described in the exemplary embodiments can be in communication with each other via various wireless and/or wired methodologies.","The methodologies can be links that are described as coupled, connected and so forth, which can include unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless paths and/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols or methodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g., no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediary processing device such as a router).","FIG.","10 illustrates a portion of a system 1000 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 1010.System 1000 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 800 of FIG.","8 or another network such as a GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication device 1010 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 1000 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 1050 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 250, 850) and an identity provisioning function 1099 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 350, 899).","System 1000 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 1060, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 1000 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","In one embodiment, the communication device 1010 can be reassigned an IMSI from a listing of designated IMSIs where the IMSI was previously associated with a different communication device (e.g., which has been flagged as an inactive device).","In this example at 1001, the identity provisioning function 1099 can receive a request, be instructed or otherwise determine that an IMSI (in a list of designated IMSIs) is to be reassigned to the communication device 1010.The communication device 1010 can be a new device that needs an IMSI to provide communication services or can be an existing device that requires another IMSI due to some other reason, such as having its own IMSI reassigned to a different device.","At 1002, the identity provisioning function 1099 can notify the registration function 1060 (e.g., the HLR 260 in system 200 of FIG.","2 or the HSS 860 in system 800 of FIG.","8) that the communication device 1010 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.","This can include deleting an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 1010 and/or adding the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 1010 in a database, such as of the HLR 260 or the HSS 860.In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 or HSS 860 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","By notifying the registration function 1060 that the communication device 1010 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI, the communication device 1010 can now successfully register with the network.","At 1003, the identity provisioning function 1099 can notify the identity proxy function 1050 that the communication device 1010 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI or can notify the identity proxy function that an IMSI in the listing of designated IMSIs has been moved to the subset of designated IMSIs due to reassignment to another device (with or without indicating the particular new device that has been reassigned the IMSI).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1050 can already be aware that the IMSI is part of the group of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment and can already be aware that an original communication device associated with the particular IMSI has been flagged as inactive.","In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can switch a designation of the particular IMSI to being flagged as within the subset of the designated IMSIs that have already been reassigned to another device (i.e., the communication device 1010 in this example).","System 1000 also illustrates a successful registration of communication device 1010 utilizing the reassigned IMSI from steps 1001-1003.For example at 1011, the communication device 1010 (which has been reassigned the IMSI) can request registration with the network.","A registration request including the reassigned IMSI can be received by the registration function 1060 (e.g., an MSC/VLR in a GSM network or an MME in an LTE network).","In one embodiment, the registration request can also be received by the identity proxy function 1050.For instance, the registration request can be intercepted or otherwise received by the identity proxy function 1050 and then forwarded to the registration function 1060.A registration process can be performed according to the reassigned IMSI and a secret key that is associated with the communication device 1010.The registration function 1060 can be aware of the secret key associated with the communication device 1010 and can be aware of the reassigned IMSI that is now associated with the communication device.","The registration process can be similar to the processes described herein with respect to GSM or LTE networks, such as a comparison of SRES in GSM or a comparison of RES in LTE or a comparison of XRES in UMTS environment.","At 1012, a successful registration can be communicated to the communication device 1010.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request and the registration process can vary.","FIG.","11 illustrates a portion of a system 1100 that provides communication services to end user devices, such as communication device 1110.System 1100 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 800 of FIG.","8, system 1000 of FIG.","10 or another network such as a GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication device 1110 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 1100 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 1050 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 250, 850) and an identity provisioning function 1099 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 350, 899).","System 1100 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 1060, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 1100 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 1100 illustrates an attempted registration by the communication device 1110 utilizing an IMSI that is included in the listing of designated IMSIs (e.g., where the communication device 1110 is an original device that has been flagged as inactive).","For example at 1101, the communication device 1110 can request registration with the network.","A registration request (e.g., including an original IMSI that is among the listing of designated IMSIs for reassignment or has already been reassigned to another device or an IMSI that is not on the designated list) can be received by the registration function 1060 (e.g., an MSC/VLR in a GSM network or an MME in an LTE network).","In one embodiment, the registration request can also be received by the identity proxy function 1050.For instance, the registration request can be intercepted or otherwise received by the identity proxy function 1050 and then forwarded to the registration function 1060.A registration process can be performed according to the original IMSI and a secret key that is associated with the communication device 1110.The registration function 1060 can be aware of the secret key associated with the communication device 1110.The registration process can be similar to the processes described herein with respect to GSM or LTE networks, such as a comparison of SRES in GSM or a comparison of RES in LTE.","At 1102, a registration error can be generated by the registration function 1060 (e.g., an authentication failure message generated by the MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM or by the MME and/or HSS in LTE) and can be received by the identity proxy function 1050 from the registration function 1060.In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can intercept the authentication error message prior to or otherwise to avoid it being received by the communication device 1110.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request, the registration process and/or the registration error can vary.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1050 can determine that the registration error is a valid failure for a device that should not be attempting to use the IMSI (such as a third device that is not the original device and is not a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI).","For instance, an authentication failure can be received for a device that is not the original device and is not a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI.","In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can allow the error process (e.g., an authentication failure messaging) to proceed.","In another embodiment at 1103, a request for reassignment of another IMSI from the listing of the designated IMSIs or authorization to utilize the original IMSI can be provided to the identity provisioning function 1099 from the identity proxy function 1050.For instance, the identity proxy function 1050 can (e.g., in response to receiving the error message) compare the original IMSI associated with communication device 1110 to the list of designated IMSIs and the subset of the designated IMSIs to determine the status of the original IMSI (reassigned vs not reassigned).","The identity proxy function 1050 can further determine the identity of the communication device 1110 (original vs new device) based on device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, GUTI and so forth).","In one embodiment, where the error message does not include any device identification information and/or the IMSI, the identity proxy function 1050 can ascertain the device identification information and/or IMSI from the registration request that was previously received or intercepted.","For instance, when the identity proxy function 1050 detects a registration error message (e.g., an AUTHENTICATION REJECT message from an MME), the identity proxy function 1050 can detect within the message addressing information, message ID information, correlation ID information, and so forth, and can further correlate the error message with the stored registration request previously intercepted.","This enables the IMSI and/or device identification information (e.g., GUTI or IMEI) to be determined.","Continuing with this example and based on this information, reassignment of another IMSI from the listing of the designated IMSIs or authorization use of the original IMSI can be implemented.","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 1099 can notify the HLR or HSS that the user is valid and the HLR or HSS can perform a database update to enable a subsequent registration utilizing the reassigned IMSI by the device.","In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can also take action, such as preventing forwarding of the failed registration to the device, to cause the device to reattempt the registration.","In one embodiment, a determination of a subscriber's eligibility for services can be made.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors such as suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, the device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth.","In another embodiment, a determination of a compatibility of service with a UICC of the communication device 1110 can be made.","One or both of these determinations can be part of deciding whether to reassign another IMSI from the listing of the designated IMSIs, to authorize use of the original IMSI, or to deny services to the communication device 1110.These determinations can be made by the identity provisioning function 1099 or can be made by another network element.","If it is determined that an IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs (which has not yet been reassigned) is to be reassigned to the communication device 1110, then at 1104 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the registration function 1060 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the reassigned IMSI in conjunction with an original secret key that is associated with the communication device.","In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 1110 is to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI (where the original IMSI has not yet been reassigned to another device), then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the registration function 1060 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI in conjunction with the original secret key that is associated with the communication device.","If it is determined that a reassigned IMSI is to be provisioned to the communication device 1110, then at 1104 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the communication device 1110 which will include the reassigned IMSI.","As an example, the identity provisioning function 1099 can provide the reassigned IMSI to the communication device 1110 utilizing an OTA interface according to an SMS protocol such as through use of a registration simulation platform (e.g., performing function similar to that of registration simulation platform 675 in FIG.","6).","In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 1110 is not to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI (e.g., another IMSI is to be reassigned or the communication device 1110 is not eligible for services), then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the communication device 1110 to prevent the communication device from attempting to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI.","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 1099 can further communicate with various network elements (e.g., the identity proxy function 1050, HLR, HSS, EIR, and so forth) so that the network elements are informed of the current state of IMSIs and/or communication devices.","For example, if an original device is reassigned another IMSI or an original device is nullified from using the original IMSI via provisioning information then the identity provisioning function 1099 can remove the original IMSI (of that original device) from the listing of designated IMSIs.","In these examples, the original IMSI can also then be assigned to another device (if not already reassigned).","At 1106 if another IMSI has been reassigned to the communication device 1110 or reuse of the original IMSI has been authorized, then the communication device 1110 can re-register.","For example, the provisioning information provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the communication device 1110 can cause the communication device to initiate a re-registration.","The re-registration request can be received and processed by the registration function 1060 and based on the provisioning procedures at steps 1104 and 1105, a successful registration message can be provided to the communication device 1110 at 1107.FIG.","12 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 1200 used by systems 1000, 1100 for facilitating the re-use of IMSIs.","One or more of the steps of method 1200 can be performed by the identity proxy function 1050, the identity provisioning function 1099 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6 and 8-9.At 1202, an error message can be received that is associated with a communication device.","For instance, the error message can result from a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device utilizing an IMSI that is part of the listing of designated IMSIs.","As an example in GSM, the identity proxy function 1050 can receive an authentication failure message from a VLR.","As another example in LTE, the identity proxy function 1050 can receive an authentication failure message from an MME.","In one or more embodiments, the determination of an authentication failure (e.g., by an HLR or HSS) can be based on an IMSI and secret key combination for a device that is flagged as inactive.","If there is no determination of an error (e.g., the IMSI is not included in the listing of designated IMSIs or the IMSI has been reassigned to a new device and the registration request is from that new device) then method 1200 can proceed to 1216 so that the registration process can be completed which enables the communication device to obtain services via the network.","At 1204, a screening of the IMSI can be performed by the identity proxy function 1050.For example, the identity proxy function 1050 can determine whether the IMSI is included in the designated group of IMSIs and if so can further determine whether the IMSI is included in a subset of the group which is further designated as having already been reassigned to another communication device.","If the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then method 1200 can proceed to 1206 for the authentication failure message to be delivered to the communication device 1110.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 1206 as to whether the error message is for an original device that was associated with the IMSI (e.g., prior to being reassigned) or whether error message is for some other device.","The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI).","In one embodiment, where the error message does not include any device identification information and/or the IMSI, the identity proxy function 1050 can ascertain the device identification information and/or IMSI from the registration request that was previously received or intercepted.","For instance, when the identity proxy function 1050 detects a registration error message (e.g., an AUTHENTICATION REJECT message from an MME), the identity proxy function 1050 can detect within the message addressing information, message ID information, correlation ID information, and so forth, and can further correlate the error message with the stored registration request previously intercepted.","This enables the IMSI and/or device identification information (e.g., GUTI or IMEI) to be determined.","If the error message is not for the original device (e.g., a device that the IMSI was previously associated with prior to being added to the listing of designated IMSIs) then method 1200 can proceed to 1206 for the authentication failure message to be delivered to the communication device 1110.If on the other hand the error message is for the original device then a determination can be made at 1210 as to whether the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, and so forth.","If the subscriber of the original device is not eligible for communication services then at 1212 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 1099 such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the original IMSI by the original device.","In one embodiment, the IMSI can then be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs.","If on the other hand the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services then at 1214 the original device can be authorized to utilize the particular IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the particular IMSI has not yet been reassigned) or the original device can be provisioned, such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675, with another IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device) and registration of the device can be completed at 1216.In one embodiment, the new IMSI reassigned to the original device can be selected from the listing of designated IMSI (which is not included in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned).","In one embodiment, the communication device 1110 can be instructed to re-register utilizing the new IMSI if one has been reassigned or utilizing the original IMSI if reuse of that original IMSI has been authorized.","While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","12, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","FIG.","13 illustrates a portion of a system 1300 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 1310.System 1300 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 800 of FIG.","8, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11 or another network such as a GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication device 1310 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 1300 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 1350 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 250, 850, 1050) and an identity provisioning function 1399 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 350, 899, 1099).","System 1300 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 1360, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network, where an IMSI may or may not be reassigned to the communication device via the identity provisioning function 1399.System 1300 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 1300 illustrates an attempted registration by the communication device 1310 which has been flagged as inactive (e.g., services have been suspended, failure to register over threshold time period, and so forth).","The identity proxy function 1350 facilitates registration of devices where the particular IMSI is a bootstrap IMSI 1311 or an IMSI 1312 that the network does not want the communication device to utilize for registration, such as an IMSI that has already been reassigned to another device.","FIG.","13 illustrates both of IMSIs 1311, 1312, but the communication device 1310 can have one or the other of the IMSIs, such as stored in a UICC of the communication device.","In this embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI, such as based on intercepting a registration request (e.g., prior to the registration request being provided to an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM as illustrated in FIG.","2 or prior to the registration request being provided to an MME and/or HSS in LTE as illustrated in FIG.","8).","In another embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI which is associated with a registration error, such as an authentication failure message as illustrated in FIG.","11.A bootstrap IMSI 1311 can be an IMSI that provides for limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining a reassigned IMSI), a pay for service mode, and so forth.","For instance, a pay for service mode can be implemented by the bootstrap IMSI 1311 by allowing registration that enables access to a webpage for selecting and paying for particular communication services, such as messaging, voice calls, and so forth.","The bootstrap IMSI 1311 can differ from an original IMSI 1312 in that the original IMSI can be utilized by a device (e.g., a new device reassigned the original IMSI or the original device that is re-authorized to utilize the IMSI) for accessing a full range of available services whereas the default or bootstrap IMSI does not provide access to the full range of available services, although the default or bootstrap IMSI could provide access to a webpage for pay for service mode.","In one embodiment, a same bootstrap IMSI 1311 can be utilized by numerous devices that have been flagged as inactive.","In one embodiment at 1301, the original device 1310 can request registration with the network where the identity proxy function 1350 can determine whether or not the particular IMSI is part of a group of designated IMSIs.","In one embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs can include bootstrap IMSIs and/or IMSIs that the network does not want utilized by the original devices (e.g., where the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device).","In one embodiment, bootstrap IMSIs can be IMSIs that provide for limited use by a communication device.","For instance, the limited use of a bootstrap IMSI can include enabling communication with network element(s) for initiating or otherwise facilitating a registration process and/or provisioning of another IMSI without enabling user communication services (e.g., voice, video, data, messaging) at the communication device utilizing the bootstrap IMSI.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.","For example, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI or GUTI) can be obtained for the original device 1310, such as being received from device 1310 (e.g., in the registration request) or obtained from another network element (e.g., from an Identification Request sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI).","As another example, if the IMSI has not yet been reassigned but is part of a group of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment then the identity proxy function 1350 can determine that the device requesting registration is the original device 1310 that has been flagged as inactive.","In another embodiment, identification of the device can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES (in GSM) or RES (in LTE) by the communication device 1310, as described herein.","In one embodiment, registration simulation platform 675 can be utilized (e.g., positioned between the communication device 1310 and the VLR in GSM or positioned between the communication device and the MME in LTE).","As described herein, the simulating network can send an OTA message to the device that can cause the modification of the device IMSI and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network.","For example, the simulating network can comprise a set of functional elements that exist in the target network including an MSC/VLR, a MME, a HLR or HSS, an AUC, a SMSC, an OTA platform, a SGW, a PGW, an EIR and/or any combination thereof.","In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 1310, identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI) and/or can cause the communication device to change from the bootstrap IMSI 1311 to an active IMSI via OTA.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 and/or the identity provisioning function 1399 can determine whether the original device 1310 is eligible for services.","If the original device 1310 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 1350 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 1399) to the original device 1310 to cause the original device to disable its use of an original IMSI 1312.In this example, the original IMSI 1312 can then be removed from the designated listing of IMSIs and can instead be included with other IMSIs (e.g., that have never been used before) that are eligible for assignment.","In one embodiment, if the communication device 1310 is eligible for services then the identity provisioning function 1399 can implement a reassignment of another IMSI 1313 (e.g., from a listing of IMSIs that are designated for reassignment) for the device 1310.For example at 1302, responsive to a determination that an IMSI reassignment is warranted (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI is being utilized, the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device, and/or a subscriber of the original device 1310 is eligible for services) then the identity proxy function 1350 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 1399 for the other IMSI 1313 or the determination can be made by the identity provisioning function 1399.In one embodiment, the original device 1310 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which is mapped to the original device by the network such as in an HLR or HSS).","In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 1399 such that the identity proxy function 1350 automatically transmits the request to the identity provisioning function 1399 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the IMSI is in the listing of designated IMSIs and the identity provisioning function 1399 can approve or deny the request.","Continuing with this example at 1303, the identity provisioning function 1399 can notify various network elements (e.g., the HLR 260, the AUC 270, an EIR, the HSS 860, and/or a national SIM manager) that the communication device 1310 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 1313.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR 260 or HSS 860 to delete (or otherwise note the change of) an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 1310 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 1310 in its database.","In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 or the HSS 860 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, the HLR 260 and/or the HSS 860 may or may not have information corresponding to the bootstrap IMSI 1311.In one embodiment at 1304, the identity provisioning function 1399 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 1310, such as via an OTA interface (e.g., using an SMS protocol such as through registration simulation platform 675).","The provisioning information can cause the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI 1313 is now utilized by the communication device 1310 for communication services.","At 1305, the communication device 1310 can then attempt to re-register utilizing the reassigned IMSI 1313.The identity proxy function 1350 can receive the re-registration request for the communication device 1310, which now includes the reassigned IMSI 1313, and at 1306-1308 the registration process (e.g., via the VLR 245 and the HLR 260 in system 200 or via the MME 840 and the HSS 860 in LTE) can be completed based on the reassigned IMSI 1313.In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 1399 can provision an NSM with the reassigned IMSI 1313 for the original device where the secret key of the original device is already known.","In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 1399 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.","In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270, MME 840 and/or HSS 860).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 and/or the identity provisioning function 1399 can provide instructions to the communication device 1310 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 1313.FIG.","14 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 1400 used by system 1300 for facilitating the reassignment of IMSIs where a device is attempting to register utilizing a bootstrap IMSI or utilizing an IMSI that the network does not want the device to continue to utilize.","One or more of the steps of method 1400 can be performed by the identity proxy function 1350, the identity provisioning function 1399 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6, 8-11 and 13.At 1402, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a communication device.","For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device 1310 or can be associated with an authentication failure caused by use of the particular IMSI (e.g., the IMSI has been reassigned and the IMSI/original secret key combination is no longer valid and thus cannot be authenticated).","At 1404, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.","For example, the identity proxy function 1350 can determine whether the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI or an IMSI that the network does not want the device to continue to utilize).","In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the registration function 1360 (e.g., MSC/VLR in GSM or MME in LTE) to perform the registration at 1406.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 1408 as to whether the registration request is for an original device that was associated with the IMSI (e.g., prior to being reassigned) or whether the registration request is for another device (e.g., a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI).","The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.","In one embodiment, if the registration request and the IMSI are from a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC/VLR (in GSM) or the MME (in LTE) to perform the registration at 1406.In another embodiment, if the registration request and the IMSI are from another device that has not been authorized to utilize the IMSI (and which is not the original device associated with that IMSI) then an authentication failure can be generated.","In one embodiment, provisioning information can be sent to that particular communication device which is not authorized to utilize the IMSI, where the provisioning information causes nullification of the use of that particular IMSI by the UICC of that particular communication device.","If on the other hand the registration request and the IMSI are from an original device (e.g., a device that the IMSI was previously associated with prior to being added to the listing of designated IMSIs) then a determination can be made at 1410 as to whether the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, user requests, and so forth.","In one embodiment, if the subscriber of the original device is not eligible for communication services then at 1412 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 1399 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the original device (e.g., where the IMSI is not bootstrap IMSI 1311 but rather is original IMSI 1312).","In one embodiment, if the IMSI 1312 has not already been reassigned and the IMSI 1312 is not to be utilized by the communication device 1310 then it can be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs to be provided to another communication device.","If on the other hand the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services then at 1414 the original device can be authorized to utilize the particular IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the particular IMSI has not yet been reassigned) or the original device can be provisioned (e.g., utilizing registration simulation platform 675) with another IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device or if the IMSI is the bootstrap IMSI 1311).","In one embodiment, the new IMSI 1313 that is reassigned to the original device 1310 can be selected from a listing of designated IMSI that are to be reassigned to devices.","Method 1400 can then proceed to 1406 where the registration process is completed, such as by forwarding instructions to the communication device 1310 to cause a re-registration.","In one embodiment, if the original device 1310 is utilizing the bootstrap IMSI 1311 and eligibility for services is approved then a new IMSI or the original IMSI 1312 will need to be utilized by the original device to access services since the bootstrap IMSI does not provide direct access to the services.","While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","14, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","In one or more embodiments, eligibility for services can be determined according to a viability of the UICC, such as whether the UICC can comply with requirements of the network (e.g., it can perform certain security functions, provide certain notifications requested by the network, and/or can facilitate certain communication services).","In one embodiment, if it is determined that the UICC is not viable or otherwise is incompatible with the network then the subscriber of the original device can be provided with a request to upgrade the UICC (which may or may not utilize the same IMSI), such as forwarding a message including an offer to the original device.","In one embodiment, confirmation that a particular IMSI is no longer being utilized by a communication device can result in that particular IMSI being removed from the listing of designated IMSIs.","One or more of the determinations described with respect to any of the exemplary embodiments can be made by the identity proxy function 1350, the identity provisioning function 1399, or another network device.","In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1310 can have both a bootstrap IMSI 1311 and an original IMSI 1312 (e.g., stored in the UICC).","In one embodiment, the communication device 1310 or the UICC can switch from utilizing the original IMSI 1312 to utilizing the bootstrap IMSI 1311 responsive to detecting a triggering event.","For example, a communication device 1310 can monitor for a time period from a last successful registration of the communication device utilizing the original IMSI 1312.If the time period exceeds a particular threshold (e.g., six months) then the communication device and/or the UICC can switch to utilizing the bootstrap IMSI 1311.In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1310 can be provisioned with the bootstrap IMSI 1311 and may or may not continue to store and/or utilize the original IMSI 1312 (e.g., stored in the UICC).","For example, bootstrap IMSIs can be provisioned to all or some devices via the identity provisioning function 1399 utilizing an OTA interface, such as via SMS protocol (e.g., through use of registration simulation platform 675).","In one embodiment, particular communication devices can be selected for receiving bootstrap IMSIs based on various criteria, such as based on older devices that are predicted to be going offline in the near future, subscriber billing history, and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1310 can be provisioned with a bootstrap IMSI 1311 at the time that the device receives its IMSI such as a reassigned IMSI 1313.In one or more embodiments, the group of designated IMSIs can include a first subset of IMSIs designated for limited use (e.g., bootstrap IMSIs), a second subset of IMSIs designated as having been reassigned to other communication devices, and/or a third subset of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment but that have not yet been reassigned to other communication devices.","In one or more embodiments, the bootstrap IMSI 1311 can be utilized for providing a subscriber with an option to obtain a reassigned IMSI (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 1399 such as by utilizing registration simulation platform 675) and/or to obtain pay for services, such as access to a website that allows purchasing particular services for particular lengths of times, and so forth.","In one embodiment, the same bootstrap IMSI can be utilized for multiple device.","In another embodiment, different bootstrap IMSIs can be utilized for different devices.","FIG.","15 illustrates a portion of a system 1500 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1510-1510n.","System 1500 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11, system 1300 of FIG.","13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication devices 1510-1510n can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 1500 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device such as through use of a steering function in conjunction with unique device identifiers.","System 1500 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network.","System 1500 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 1500 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1510 utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1510n).","Each of the communication devices 1510-1510n can have unique device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, eUICC platform ID, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES).","In one embodiment at 1501, a first communication device 1510 can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MSC/VLR 1545.In this embodiment the MSC and VLR are shown as one device but in another embodiment could also be separate devices.","In one embodiment, the first communication device 1510 can send both an IMSI and a unique device identifier (e.g., an IMEI) to the MSC/VLR 1545.In another embodiment, this unique device identifier can be identification associated with an eUICC.","In another embodiment, a location update message can be utilized for delivering this information to the MSC/VLR 1545.Other techniques for obtaining the unique device identifier can also be employed by system 1500, including use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.","6.In one embodiment, the MSC/VLR 1545 can store the IMSI and the device identifier (e.g., indexed to each other), and can use them to uniquely identify the first communication device 1510 (against one or more other communication devices 1510n that may attempt to register utilizing the same IMSI but would have different device identifiers).","In one embodiment, the MSC/VLR 1545 can have the capability of distinguishing between a set of IMSI instances using the IMSI and a unique device identifier.","In one embodiment, the MSC/VLR 1545 can generate an authentication request directed to an HLR 260, such as using (or otherwise including) both the IMSI and the device identifier.","In one embodiment, a steering function 1575 can intercept the authentication request and at 1502 can steer it or otherwise transmit it to an HLR based on network policies for the IMSI and device identifier combination.","In one embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be integrated with the MSC/VLR 1545.In another embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be a separate device, such as interfacing with the MSC/VLR 1545 via a Diameter Routing Agent.","As an example and as illustrated in FIG.","15, multiple HLRs 260 can be utilized where each HLR contains a single instance of a shared IMSI.","In this example, the steering function 1575 can determine the appropriate HLR for receiving the authentication request according to the IMSI and the device identifier.","Continuing with this example, the HLR 260 may not need to utilize (and/or know) the unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI for its database lookup.","In another embodiment, a single HLR 260 can be used for shared IMSIs, where the single HLR has the capability of distinguishing communication devices based on an IMSI and a mapping to a unique device identifier as shown in the example of stored data at the HLR shown in FIG.","16.In one or more embodiments, the combination of IMSI and device identifier would be known by the MSC/VLR 1545, the steering function 1575 and/or the HLR 260 (e.g., where a single HLR is being utilized) prior to an attempt at registration.","Once the HLR 260 receives the authentication request, the target HLR can provide authentication triplets to the MSC/VLR 1545 based on the IMSI (e.g., where multiple HLRs are being utilized that each have only one instance of the IMSI) and/or based on the combination of IMSI and unique device identifier (e.g., where a single HLR is being utilized that has multiple instances of the IMSI that are each indexed by a different unique device identifier).","In one embodiment, the HLR 260 can communicate with the AUC 270 for obtaining the authentication triplets.","The MSC/VLR 1545 can receive the authentication triplets from the HLR 260 and can initiate the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1510.In one embodiment once authentication is successful, the MSC/VLR 1545 can assign a unique temporary ID, such as a P-TMSI, to the first communication device 1510.This unique temporary ID can allow each of the communication devices 1510-1510n using the shared IMSI to be paged on its own.","In one embodiment, system 1500 can operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.","6).","In another embodiment, system 1500 can operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 250 (e.g., illustrated in FIGS.","2 and 6) positioned between the MSC/VLR 1545 and the communication device 1510.In one embodiment, the functionality of the MSC/VLR 1545 and/or the HLR 260 can be adjusted so that IMSI use by different devices can be distinguished according to unique device identifiers (e.g., an IMEI).","In one embodiment, the combination of the IMSI and the unique device identifier is known and stored by various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MSC/VLR 1545, the steering function 1575, the HLR 260 and so forth) such as prior to any registration attempt.","In one or more embodiments, system 1500 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1599 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MSC/VLR 1545, the steering function 1575, the HLR 260 and so forth) with network provisioning data such as combinations of IMSIs and unique device identifiers.","FIG.","17 illustrates a portion of a system 1700 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1510-1510n.","System 1700 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.","8, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11, system 1300 of FIG.","13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","System 1700 can operate similar to system 1500 but can utilize protocols and components associated with LTE communications.","The communication devices 1510-1510n can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an lot device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 1700 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device such as through use of the steering function 1575 in conjunction with unique device identifiers.","System 1700 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 1700 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 1700 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1510 utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1510n).","Each of the communication devices 1510-1510n can have unique device identification information, such as a GUTI, and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process.","In one embodiment at 1701, a first communication device 1510 can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MME 1740.In one embodiment, the first communication device 1510 can send both an IMSI and a unique device identifier (e.g., a GUTI) to the MME 1740, such as during an initial Attach procedure.","In one embodiment, this unique device identifier can be an eUICC platform ID.","In another embodiment, multiple messages (Attach Request (IMSI) and Identify Response (GUTI)) can be utilized for delivering this information from the communication device 1510 to the MME 1740.Although, any number of messages can be utilized for obtaining the IMSI and unique device identification, such as a single message or two or more messages.","Other techniques can be utilized for obtaining the unique device identification, such as an Identification Request sent to an old MME/SGSN and/or use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.","6 for forcing a RES generation.","In one embodiment, the MME 1740 can store the IMSI and the device identifier together (e.g., mapped to each other), and can use them to uniquely identify the first communication device 1510 (against one or more other communication devices 1510n that may attempt to register utilizing the same IMSI but with different device identifiers).","In one embodiment, the MME 1740 can have the capability of distinguishing between a set of IMSI instances using the IMSI and a unique device identifier.","In one embodiment, the MME 1740 can generate an authentication request directed to an HSS 860, such as using (or otherwise including) both the IMSI and the device identifier.","In one embodiment, the steering function 1575 can intercept the authentication request and at 1702 can steer it or otherwise transmit it to an HSS based on policies for the IMSI and device identifier combination.","In one embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be integrated with the MME 1740.In another embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be a separate device, such as interfacing with the MME 1740 via a Diameter Routing Agent.","As an example and as illustrated in FIG.","17, multiple HSSs 860 can be utilized where each HSS contains a single instance of a shared IMSI.","In this example, the steering function 1575 can determine the appropriate HSS for receiving the authentication request according to the IMSI and device identifier.","Continuing with this example, the HSS 860 may not need to utilize (and/or know) the unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI.","In another embodiment, a single HSS 860 can be used for shared IMSIs, where the single HSS has the capability of distinguishing communication devices based on IMSI and a mapping to a unique device identifier (similar to the example of stored data shown in FIG.","16).","In one or more embodiments, the combination of IMSI and device identifier would be known by the MME 1740, the steering function 1575 and/or the HSS 860 (e.g., where a single HSS is being utilized), such as prior to an attempt at registration.","Once the HSS 860 receives the authentication request, the target HSS can provide authentication vectors to the MME 1740 based on the IMSI (e.g., where multiple HSSs are being utilized that each have only one instance of the IMSI) and/or based on the combination of IMSI and unique device identifier (e.g., where a single HSS is being utilized that has multiple instances of the IMSI that are each indexed by a unique device identifier).","The MME 1740 can receive the authentication vectors from the HSS 860 and can initiate the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1510.In one embodiment once authentication is successful, the MME 1740 can assign a unique temporary ID, such as a P-TMSI or GUIT, to the first communication device 1510.This unique temporary ID can allow each of the communication devices 1510-1510n using the shared IMSI to be paged on its own or to otherwise facilitate network services.","For instance the unique temporary ID can be assigned to the first communication device 1510 after a successful authentication or at some other time during or after registration.","In one embodiment, system 1700 can operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675.In another embodiment, system 1700 can operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 850 positioned between the MME 1740 and the communication device 1510.In one embodiment, the functionality of the MME 1740 and/or the HSS 860 can be adjusted so that IMSI use by different devices can be distinguished according to unique device identifiers (e.g., a GUTI).","In one embodiment, the combination of the IMSI and the unique device identifier is known and stored by various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MME 1740, the steering function 1575, the HSS 860 and so forth) such as prior to any registration attempt.","In one or more embodiments, system 1700 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1599 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MME 1740, the steering function 1575, the HSS 860 and so forth) with network provisioning data such as combinations of IMSIs and unique device identifiers.","FIG.","18 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 1800 used by systems 1500 and/or 1700 for facilitating the use of a same IMSI by more than one communication device.","One or more of the steps of method 1800 can be performed by various network elements, such as a steering function, a registration function, a VLR, an HLR, an MME, an HSS, and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6, 8-11, 13, 15 and 17.At 1802, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a first communication device attempting to register with a network, where the IMSI has been assigned to one or more other communication devices which may or may not be registered with that network.","The one or more other communication devices can be located remotely from the first communication device and/or can be located in proximity thereto, such as at the same premises.","In one embodiment, the IMSI can be shared by communication devices associated with the same subscriber.","In another embodiment, the IMSI can be shared by communication devices of a same type (e.g.","a smart meter) which may or may not be associated with the same subscriber and which may or may not be located in proximity or at the same premises.","In one embodiment, HLRs and/or HSSs can be established per subscriber and/or per groups of subscribers.","In another embodiment, HLRs and/or HSSs can be established per premises, per groups of premises and/or per geographic locations.","In another embodiment, the HLRs and/or HSSs can be established according to device types (e.g.","a smart meter) which may or may not be associated with the same subscriber and which may or may not be located in proximity or at the same premises.","For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device 1510.At 1804, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.","For example, a VLR or MME can determine that the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs that are shared by multiple devices.","In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued (with or without obtaining unique device identification information for the device) by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the registration function to perform the registration at 1806.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination of an identity of the particular device requesting registration can be performed.","For example, the identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as by receiving or requesting device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI) including via an Attach Request and/or Identify Response in an EPS system, simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.","In one embodiment at 1808 where multiple registration functions are being utilized that each include only one instance of the IMSI, a selection of a first registration function from among a group of registration functions according to the device identification information can be performed.","For instance, the group of registration functions (e.g., HLRs or HSSs) can store subscriber information including IMSIs that are indexed to device identifications.","At 1810, an authentication request can be transmitted to the selected first registration function (without being transmitted to any of the other registration functions), where the first registration function stores first subscriber information including the IMSI that is indexed to the first communication device and where a second registration function of the group of registration functions stores second subscriber information including the single IMSI that is indexed to the second communication device.","In this example, the second registration function does not store the first subscriber information and the first registration function does not store the second subscriber information.","The transmitting of the authentication request to the first registration function can enable the first communication device to complete a registration process.","The use of the same IMSI for more than one device as described with respect to FIGS.","15-18 can also be utilized with one or more features described with respect to other embodiments herein, such as OTA provisioning utilizing a registration simulation, bootstrap IMSIs for enabling provisioning of a same IMSI to more than one device, disabling devices from utilizing a shared IMSI such as for suspension of services, and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, an identity proxy function and/or an identity provisioning function can be used in conjunction with the steering function 1575 for enabling various features described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.","2-14.FIG.","19 illustrates a portion of a system 1900 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1910A and 1910B.","System 1900 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11, system 1300 of FIG.","13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication devices 1910A and 1910B can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 1900 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device by segregating the locations of the devices using the same IMSI.","System 1900 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network.","System 1900 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 1900 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1910A utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1910B).","Each of the communication devices 1910A and 1910B can have unique device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES).","In one embodiment at 1901, a first communication device 1910A can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MSC/VLR 1945A.","In this embodiment the MSC and VLR are shown as one device but in another embodiment could also be separate devices.","In one embodiment, the first communication device 1910A can send an IMSI to the MSC/VLR 1945A.","In one embodiment, system 1900 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MSC/VLR that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it (or otherwise designated to that registration service area).","For example, device 1910A can be operating in Location Area A where the MSC/VLR 1945A is not part of an overlapping pool of MSC/VLRs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Location Area B.","In one embodiment, the particular MSC/VLR 1945A can be selected from among a group of MSC/VLRs based on the IMSI (or an IMSI hash) and/or other determinative information including location data, such as by a Radio Network Controller (RNC).","The Location Area can be a non-overlapping grouping of cell sites within a VLR service area.","In this example, there can be only one instance of a shared IMSI per MSC/VLR registration service area such as a Location Area (e.g., location A or Location B).","In another embodiment, the particular communication device (e.g., device 1910A) can be intended to operate within that designated registration service area and/or movement of the particular communication can be monitored to detect if the particular device moves out of this designated registration service area.","In one embodiment, the mapping of the IMSI to an HLR can be static and hard coded in the selected MSC/VLR 1945A.","In another embodiment, the process utilized in system 1900 can be for GSM devices that do not support GPRS, LTE and/or EPS communications.","In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may not be initially obtained with the IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may be obtained to facilitate the registration process such as an IMEI, a unique device identifier associated with an eUICC, and so forth.","In another embodiment, a location update message can be utilized for delivering the device identification information to the MSC/VLR 1945A.","Other techniques for obtaining the unique device identifier can also be employed by system 1900, including use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.","6.In one embodiment at 1902, the MSC/VLR 1945A can generate an authentication request directed to an HLR 260A, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.","Continuing with this example, the HLR 260A may not need to utilize (and/or know) any unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI for its database lookup.","Once the HLR 260A receives the authentication request, the HLR can provide authentication triplets to the MSC/VLR 1945A based on the IMSI.","In one embodiment, the HLR 260A can communicate with the AUC 270 for obtaining the authentication triplets.","The MSC/VLR 1945A can receive the authentication triplets from the HLR 260A and can continue the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1910A to enable completion of the registration process.","In one embodiment, there can be one AUC per HLR.","In another embodiment, the AUC can have a mapping of the IMSI, HLR, and secret key.","In one embodiment, system 1900 may or may not operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.","6).","In another embodiment, system 1900 may or may not operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 250 (e.g., illustrated in FIGS.","2 and 6) positioned between the MSC/VLR 1945A and the communication device 1910A.","In one embodiment at 1903, a second communication device 1910B can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MSC/VLR 1945B.","In this embodiment the MSC and VLR are shown as one device but in another embodiment could also be separate devices.","In one embodiment, the second communication device 1910B can send an IMSI to the MSC/VLR 1945B.","In one or more embodiments, a same VLR can process multiple instances of an IMSI based on having access to and supporting additional information, such as device identity and/or location information.","In one embodiment, system 1900 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MSC/VLR that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it.","For example, device 1910B can be operating in Location B where the MSC/VLR 1945B is not part of an overlapping pool of MSC/VLRs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Location A.","In one embodiment at 1904, the MSC/VLR 1945B can generate an authentication request directed to an HLR 260B, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.","In this example, HLR 260A includes subscriber information for device 1910A (e.g., IMSI and IMEI1) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910B.","HLR 260B includes subscriber information for device 1910B (e.g., IMSI and IMEI2) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910A.","Authentication triplets can be obtained and the registration process can be completed for device 1910B.","In one or more embodiments, system 1900 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1999 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MSC/VLR 1945A, 1945B, the HLR 260A, 260B, and/or other network elements) with network provisioning data such one or more of IMSIs, unique device identifiers, and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, movement of a communication device can be monitored.","Responsive to a determination that the communication device has moved into a different registration service area (e.g., of an MSC/VLR or MME), actions can be taken to eliminate or mitigate any registration problems.","For example, another IMSI can be reassigned to the device that has newly moved into the registration service area if the previous IMSI is already being used by another device in that registration area.","In one embodiment, the reassigning of the new IMSI can be via an OTA interface, such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675.For example, an identity proxy function can determine that a device with a shared IMSI has moved into another registration service area.","In another embodiment, an MSC/VLR or MME can initiate an IMSI change.","In one or more embodiments, an RNC can select the MSC/VLR from a pool based on two factors, the IMSI and location area.","In one embodiment, the initial LOCATION UPDATE message can include the IMSI and location area.","In another embodiment, an address of the HLR can be hardcoded into the MSC/VLR for the IMSI.","In another embodiment, an address of the HLR can be hardcoded into the MSC/VLR for a combination of an IMSI and device location.","In one embodiment, if the AUC is separate from the HLR, then the AUC can be mapped to one and only one HLR or the AUC can able to distinguish subscribers/users through the combination of IMSI, HLR address, and secret keys.","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function can create the mappings between the IMSI, location, MSC/VLR, HLR, AUC (e.g., if separate), and/or any other device identifier.","In another embodiment, if the MSC/VLRs are not pooled, then the RNC can simply forward the registration message to the MSC/VLR it is attached to.","In another embodiment, the movement of devices with shared IMSIs across MSC/VLR borders can be supported with the identity proxy function.","If one of these devices is moved to the location of another device, the identity proxy function can prevent “duplicate registrations” if the MSC/VLR is not capable of supporting multiple instances of the same IMSI.","One or more of these examples described herein can be applied to an MME as opposed to the MSC/VLR.","FIG.","20 illustrates a portion of a system 2000 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1910A and 1910B.","System 2000 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.","8, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11, system 1300 of FIG.","13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication devices 1910A and 1910B can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","System 2000 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device by segregating the locations of the devices using the same IMSI.","System 2000 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 2000 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 2000 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1910A utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1910B).","Each of the communication devices 1910A and 1910B can have unique device identification information (e.g., a GUTI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an RES).","In one embodiment at 2001, a first communication device 1910A can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MME 2040A.","In one embodiment, the first communication device 1910A can send an IMSI to the MME 2040A.","In one embodiment, system 2000 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MME that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it (or otherwise designated to that registration service area).","In one embodiment, an identity proxy function can prevent or otherwise mitigate a shared IMSI from registration to an MME that already has the shared IMSI registered for a different device.","In one embodiment, there is only one IMSI per MME service area unless the MME can support multiple instances of an IMSI.","The constraint of one IMSI instance per Tracking Area (TA) can relate to the process in which an eNB selects the MME.","In one embodiment, device 1910A can be operating in Tracking Area A where the MME 2040A is not part of an overlapping pool of MMEs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Tracking Area B.","In another embodiment, the particular MME 2040A can be selected from among a group of MMEs based on the IMSI (or an IMSI hash) and/or other determinative information including location data (e.g., TA), such as by the eNB.","In this example, there can be only one instance of a shared IMSI per MME registration service area such as the TA area (e.g., Tracking Area A or Tracking Area n B).","In another embodiment, the particular communication device (e.g., device 1910A) can be intended to operate within that designated registration service area and/or movement of the particular communication can be monitored to detect if the particular device moves out of this designated registration service area.","In one embodiment, the mapping of the IMSI to an HSS can be static and hard coded in the selected MME 2040A.","In one embodiment as part of the UE Attach, the eNB can query a Domain Name Server (DNS) Server using the TA for the address of the MME it should provide to that UE.","In one embodiment, the query to the DNS server can be based on IMSI and TA.","In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may not be initially obtained with the IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may be obtained to facilitate the registration process such as a GUTI, a unique device identifier associated with an eUICC, and so forth.","In another embodiment, an Identify Response can be utilized for delivering this information from the communication device 1910A to the MME 2040A.","Other techniques for obtaining the unique device identifier can also be employed by system 2000, including use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.","8.In one embodiment at 2002, the MME 2040A can generate an authentication request directed to an HSS 860A, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.","Continuing with this example, the HSS 860A may not need to utilize (and/or know) any unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI for its database lookup.","Once the HSS 860A receives the authentication request, the HSS can provide authentication vectors to the MME 2040A based on the IMSI.","The MME 2040A can receive the authentication vectors from the HSS 860A and can continue the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1910A to enable completion of the registration process.","In one embodiment, system 2000 may or may not operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.","8).","In another embodiment, system 2000 may or may not operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 850 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.","8) positioned between the MME 2040A and the communication device 1910A.","In one embodiment at 2003, a second communication device 1910B can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MME 2040B.","In one embodiment, the second communication device 1910B can send an IMSI to the MME 2040B.","In one embodiment, system 2000 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MME that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it.","For example, device 1910B can be operating in Tracking Area B where the MME 2040B is not part of an overlapping pool of MMEs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Tracking Area B.","In one embodiment at 2004, the MME 2040B can generate an authentication request directed to an HSS 860B, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.","In this example, HSS 860A includes subscriber information for device 1910A (e.g., IMSI and device identification) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910B.","HSS 860B includes subscriber information for device 1910B (e.g., IMSI and device identification) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910A.","Authentication vectors can be obtained and the registration process can be completed for device 1910B.","In one or more embodiments, system 2000 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1999 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MME 1945A, 1945B, the HSS 860A, 860B, and/or other network elements) with network provisioning data such one or more of IMSIs, unique device identifiers, and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, movement of a communication device can be monitored.","Responsive to a determination that the communication device has moved into a different registration service area (e.g., of an MSC/VLR or MME), actions can be taken to eliminate or mitigate any registration problems.","For example, another IMSI can be reassigned to the device that has newly moved into the registration service area if the previous IMSI is already being used by another device in that registration area.","In one embodiment, the reassigning of the new IMSI can be via an OTA interface, such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675.FIG.","21 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2100 used by systems 1900 and/or 2000 for facilitating the use of a same IMSI by more than one communication device (e.g., lot devices, M2M devices, fixed communication devices, or other types of communication devices).","One or more of the steps of method 2100 can be performed by various network elements, such as a registration function, a VLR, an HLR, an MME, an HSS, and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20.At 2102, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a first communication device attempting to register with a network.","The IMSI can be assigned to more than one communication device.","The communication devices can be located remotely from each other, such as in different registration service areas.","In one embodiment, the IMSI can be shared by communication devices of a same type (e.g.","a smart meter).","In one embodiment, the HLRs and/or HSSs can be established according to device types (e.g.","utility reading devices).","For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by a communication device.","At 2104, an appropriate network element, registration function or other server (e.g., an MSC/VLR or MME) can be selected (e.g., from among an available group) for processing the registration request.","For example, the communication device can be operating in an area where either the MSC and/or MME are not part of an overlapping pool.","In another embodiment for EPS, the eNBs can use both TA and IMSI to select the MME (e.g., from among an available group).","In another embodiment, a selection of the MSC/VLR (e.g., from among an available group) can be based on the IMSI (or IMSI hash) by the RNC.","In these examples, there can be only one instance of a shared IMSI per MSC or MME area and the device corresponding to this IMSI is intended not to move from this area.","In one embodiment, a determination of whether the IMSI is a shared IMSI can be made such as based on provisioning data provided by an identity proxy function that notifies various network elements of shared IMSIs, intended device locations, and so forth.","For example, an MSC/VLR or MME can determine that the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs that are shared by multiple devices according to a list provided by the identity proxy function.","In this example, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued (with or without selecting a particular MSC/VLR or MME).","In one embodiment at 2106 the registration process can be performed such as by transmitting an authentication request from the selected MSC/VLR or MME to an HLR or HSS (respectively), where the HLR or HSS stores first subscriber information including the IMSI that is indexed to the first communication device without storing second subscriber information including the single IMSI that is indexed to a second communication device.","In this example, a second registration function can store the second subscriber information but does not store the first subscriber information.","The transmitting of the authentication request can enable the first communication device to complete a registration process.","The use of the same IMSI for more than one device as described with respect to FIGS.","19-21 can also be utilized with one or more features described with respect to other embodiments herein, such as OTA provisioning utilizing a registration simulation, bootstrap IMSIs for enabling provisioning of a same IMSI to more than one device, disabling devices from utilizing a shared IMSI such as for suspension of services, and so forth.","In one or more embodiments, an identity proxy function and/or an identity provisioning function can be used for enabling various features described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.","2-21.In one or more embodiments, the use of shared IMSIs can be subject to a screening process during registration to eliminate or mitigate any registration problems.","For example, an identity proxy function 250, 850 (illustrated in FIGS.","2 and 8, respectively) can be utilized so that if a device moves into a registration service area where that shared IMSI is already being utilized then the identity proxy function can take appropriate action, such as disabling use of the shared IMSI by the device that has moved and/or reassigned another IMSI to that particular device.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250, 850 can have a list of shared IMSIs and/or unique device identifiers for shared IMSIs and their corresponding devices that are being utilized in that registration service area.","This information can be utilized as part of the screening process by obtaining the necessary information for comparison to the listing as described herein in other embodiments.","In one or more embodiments, identity proxy and/or provisioning functions can be used for management of shared IMSIs among two or more devices, including where one of the devices moves into a service area (e.g., a registration service area of a VLR or MME) of another device.","For example, an identity proxy function can determine that a registration request is coming from a “new” device, such as a smart appliance that has been moved into a new service area (as opposed to a smart appliance that has already registered and/or is re-registering with the network).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function can intercept all registration attempts using a shared IMSI and can then determine or otherwise identify the device that is requesting registration.","For example, the identity proxy function can have policies (e.g., logic with registration rules) instructing it to do so.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function can simulate a registration and can cause the IMSI used by the device to be changed to another value (i.e., a new IMSI), such as where it is determined that the shared IMSI should not be used by the device (e.g., the shared IMSI is already being utilized by a device in the particular service area, a limited use or pay-for-service IMSI is intended to be used by the particular device, and so forth).","In one or more embodiments, devices can move “locally” (i.e., within a VLR or MME service area) and re-register with the network.","In this example, if there are no other instances of the shared IMSI in use (e.g., the IMSI is not already registered via the VLR or MME with the network) then the identity proxy function can verify the identity of the device and can allow the registration request to go through (e.g., to the VLR or MME) to complete the registration process.","If an IMSI adjustment is desired or needed, then an OTA can be implemented to change the IMSI if necessary.","In one or more embodiments, the device may move into a different VLR or MME service area.","The identity of the device seeking registration can be determined using the identity proxy function.","For example, the identity proxy function can be provisioned with logic to know that it needs to perform this check.","If the IMSI is not in use in this service area, and/or other requirements are met (e.g., the particular subscriber is authorized to move the device into this service area), the device can be permitted to register utilizing the IMSI.","If on the other hand there is another use of the same IMSI by another device in that service area, then the identity proxy function can cause a registration simulation to enable an OTA change of the IMSI for the new device seeking registration.","This OTA change information can also be propagated to other network elements to facilitate registration or a subsequent registration (at this service area or at a different service area).","In one or more embodiments, the “binding” or designation between a device and its intended location can be reflected in policies (e.g., information) that are provided to the identity proxy function.","In one or more embodiments, notification of movement by a device into a new service area and/or reassignment of a new IMSI to a device can be provided to the subscriber of the particular device, such as via a user interface of the device, a billing statement, a user interface of another device of the subscriber and so forth.","In another embodiment, the reassignment of the IMSI to a device can be performed seamlessly without any notification to the subscriber.","In one or more embodiments, the network can send out a single OTA message to two or more devices using a designated transport key (e.g., a single transport key), where the two or more devices are utilizing the same IMSI.","In this example, a first device can already be registered with the network and the second device can be the device that has moved into the service area and is registering.","Further to this example, only the device with the corresponding transport key can interpret the message (e.g., a message causing the UICC to change the IMSI).","The other device(s) will not have the correct transport key and will not be able to interpret the message so that their IMSI(s) remain unchanged.","In one embodiment, this OTA technique can be utilized with alternate access network such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and/or a wired broadband connection.","In one or more embodiments, paging a shared IMSI can result in a response(s) being rejected by the VLR or MME, which are then intercepted by the identity proxy function.","In one embodiment, paging a shared IMSI can be performed by the network to determine how many instances of the IMSI are in use in a particular area.","In one embodiment, the VLR or MME can ignore a duplicate paging response.","For instance, the identity proxy function can maintain a record of the initial page which can be correlated to a response from the intended recipient of the device (i.e., the device that is intended to be reassigned a different IMSI).","FIG.","22 illustrates a portion of a system 2200 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2210.System 2200 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.","8, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11, system 1300 of FIG.","13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication device 2210 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","In one embodiment, system 2200 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device based on intended locations of devices.","A Reassignment of an IMSI can be implemented where it is detected that two or more devices utilizing a same IMSI are present in a same area, such as if a smart appliance is moved to a different home that is in a same registration area of a VLR or MME of another smart appliance that utilizes the same IMSI.","System 2200 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MCS/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 2200 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 2200 illustrates a registration by the communication device 2210 utilizing an IMSI 2212 that is shared with one or more other communication devices (not shown).","Each of the communication devices sharing the same IMSI can have unique device identification information (e.g., a IMEI, GUTI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating a SRES or a RES).","In the example of system 2200, the IMSI 2212 being utilized by communication device 2210 is also being utilized by another communication device (which may or may not be already registered with the network).","In this embodiment, an identity proxy function 2250 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI, such as based on intercepting a registration request (e.g., prior to the registration request being provided to an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM as illustrated in FIG.","2 or prior to the registration request being provided to an MME and/or HSS in LTE as illustrated in FIG.","8).","In one embodiment, the IMSI 2212 can be a shared bootstrap IMSI that provides for limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining another IMSI), a pay for service mode, and so forth.","In one embodiment at 2201, the communication device 2210 can request registration with the network where the identity proxy function 2250 can determine whether or not the particular IMSI is part of a group of designated IMSIs.","In one embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs can include IMSIs that have been shared among more than one device.","In another embodiment, the shared IMSIs are intended to be utilized by devices that are in different locations so that registration conflicts do not arise.","For instance, the same IMSI can be utilized to register two different communication devices without creating a registration conflict where the devices are in different registration areas associated with different registration functions, such as different VLRs or different MMEs and different HLRs or different HSSs.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.","For example, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI or GUTI) can be obtained for the communication device 2210, such as being received from device 2210 (e.g., in the registration request) or obtained from another network element (e.g., from an Identification Request sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI).","In one embodiment, identification of the communication device 2210 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES (in GSM) or RES (in LTE) by the communication device 2210, as described herein.","In one embodiment, registration simulation platform 675 can be utilized (e.g., positioned between the communication device 2210 and the VLR in GSM or positioned between the communication device and the MME in LTE).","As described herein, the registration simulation platform 675 can send an OTA message to the communication device 2210 that can cause the modification of the device IMSI and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network.","For example, the registration simulation platform 675 can comprise a set of functional elements that exist in the target network including an MSC/VLR, a MME, a HLR or HSS, an AUC, a SMSC, an OTA platform, a SGW, a PGW, an EIR and/or any combination thereof.","In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 2210, identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI) and/or can cause the communication device to change from the IMSI 2211 to a new IMSI 2213 via OTA.","The new IMSI 2213 can be from various sources, such as from a listing of IMSIs that are designated for reassignment and not to be shared, a listing of IMSIs that are designated for reassignment and are to be shared such as a shared IMSI that is currently being utilized in a different service area, and so forth.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 and/or the identity provisioning function 2299 can determine whether the original device 2210 is eligible for services.","If the device 2210 is not eligible for services (e.g., device is not authorized to operate in the service area of the particular VLR or MME, suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 2250 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 2299) to the device 2210 to cause the device to disable its use of the IMSI 2212.In one embodiment, the IMSI 2212 can then be removed from the designated listing of shared IMSIs.","In one embodiment, if the communication device 2210 is eligible for services but the shared IMSI is already being utilized in the service area by another device then the identity provisioning function 2299 can implement a reassignment of another IMSI 2213 for the device 2210.For example at 2202, responsive to a determination that an IMSI reassignment is warranted, the identity proxy function 2250 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 2299 for the other IMSI 2213 or the determination can be made by the identity provisioning function 2299.In one embodiment, the device 2210 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which is mapped to the original device by the network such as in an HLR or HSS).","In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 2299 such that the identity proxy function 2250 automatically transmits the request to the identity provisioning function 2299 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the shared IMSI is being utilized by a device that is new to the service area and/or that another device is already registered with the shared IMSI, and the identity provisioning function 2299 can approve or deny the request.","Continuing with this example at 2203, the identity provisioning function 2299 can notify various network elements (e.g., the HLR 260, the AUC 270, an EIR, the HSS 860, and/or a national SIM manager) that the communication device 2210 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 2213.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR 260 or HSS 860 to delete (or otherwise note the change of) an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 2210 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 2210 in its database.","In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 or the HSS 860 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","In one embodiment at 2204, the identity provisioning function 2299 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 2210, such as via an OTA interface (e.g., using an SMS protocol such as through registration simulation platform 675).","The provisioning information can cause the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI 2213 is now utilized by the communication device 2210 for communication services.","At 2205, the communication device 2210 can then attempt to re-register utilizing the reassigned IMSI 2213.The identity proxy function 2250 can receive the re-registration request for the communication device 2210, which now includes the reassigned IMSI 2213, and at 2206-2208 the registration process (e.g., via the VLR 245 and the HLR 260 in system 200 or via the MME 840 and the HSS 860 in LTE) can be completed based on the reassigned IMSI 2213.In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 2299 can provision an NSM with the reassigned IMSI 2213 for the device 2210 where the secret key of the device 2210 is already known.","In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2299 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.","In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270, MME 840 and/or HSS 860).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 and/or the identity provisioning function 2299 can provide instructions to the communication device 2210 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 1313.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 and/or the identity provisioning function can determine that the communication device 2210 has been moved to a different location (i.e., a different service area of a VLR or MME).","The different location can be one where another device is using the same shared IMSI.","In one embodiment, a temporary or particular IMSI can be reassigned to devices entering the different location.","For instance, a reassigned temporary IMSI can limit services of the device while it is present in the different location, such as limiting type, amount and/or time of services.","In one embodiment, the device can be reassigned the previous shared IMSI upon returning to its original location.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 can determine whether the device has been moved based on information associated with a registration request, such as the location area, tracking area, etc.","FIG.","23 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2300 used by system 2200 for facilitating the reassignment of IMSIs where a device is attempting to register in a location where the same IMSI is being used by another device.","One or more of the steps of method 2300 can be performed by the identity proxy function 2250, the identity provisioning function 2299 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19-20, and 22.At 2302, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a communication device.","For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device 2210.At 2304, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.","For example, the identity proxy function 2250 can determine whether the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs that are shared amongst devices (e.g., devices that are intended to operate in different service areas of a VLR or MME).","In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the registration function 2260 (e.g., MSC/VLR in GSM or MME in LTE) to perform the registration at 2306.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 2308 as to whether the registration request is for a device that is operating in an authorized location.","The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 can have access to a mapping of devices that have shared IMSIs and that are authorized to operate in the particular service area of the VLR or MME.","In one embodiment at 2308, if the registration request and the IMSI are from a device that is authorized to operate in the service area then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC/VLR (in GSM) or the MME (in LTE) to perform the registration at 2306.For instance, a smart appliance may be moved within a premises or otherwise become unregistered with the network and may be seeking re-registration.","If on the other hand, the registration request and the IMSI are from another device that has not been authorized to operate in the service area then a determination can be made at 2310 as to whether the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, user requests, and so forth.","In one embodiment, if the subscriber of the device is not eligible for communication services then at 2312 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 2299 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the device.","If on the other hand, the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services then at 2314 the device can be provisioned (e.g., utilizing registration simulation platform 675) with another IMSI.","In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2213 that is reassigned to the device 2210 can be selected from a listing of designated IMSI that are to be reassigned to devices and/or that may be shared with another device in a different service area.","Method 2300 can then proceed to 2306 where the registration process is completed, such as by forwarding instructions to the communication device 2210 to cause a re-registration.","In one embodiment, the device 2210 upon detecting that it is outside of its intended service area can utilize a bootstrap IMSI for registration and a new IMSI can be utilized by the device to access services since the bootstrap IMSI may not provide direct access to the services.","In another embodiment, a second communication device can be re-assigned a temporary IMSI (with full or limited services) when a first communication device is already registered to the network using the shared IMSI.","In another embodiment, when the first communication device is no longer registered to the network then the second communication device can be reassigned the original IMSI that is previously had utilized.","While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","23, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","In one embodiment, a first device can register with a shared IMSI and the identity proxy function can intercept a registration request from a second device attempting to register with the same IMSI.","If the IMEI (or other device identification) of the second device is not provided during registration and/or is not in an accessible database, then the identity proxy function can simulate operations of a VLR or MME to cause an SRES or RES to identify the second device.","In one embodiment, the second device can register with a simulated VLR or MME.","The simulated VLR or MME can perform device paging.","In one embodiment, a paging area can be reduced to mitigate or avoid a registration conflict, where the paging area is focused on a particular location of the second device to avoid paging the first device.","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function can provide OTA provisioning to the second device using a transport key of the second device.","The first device can ignore the OTA message because the transport key of the first device is different from the transport key in the OTA message.","The second device can receive and comprehend the OTA messaging because it uses the corresponding transport key.","The OTA provisioning can cause a new IMSI (e.g., a temporary IMSI or another shared IMSI where it is shared with a device in a different service area) to be programmed in second device to avoid conflict while both devices are in the same service area (i.e., on the same VLR or MME).","In one embodiment, the reassignment of IMSIs is performed on devices having a UICC that is programmed with a transport key.","In another embodiment, the identity proxy function and/or identity provisioning function can determine whether a re-located device attempting to register with a shared IMSI has a transport key as a condition for reassignment of an IMSI.","In one embodiment, a first device has registered with the network and is pageable through its IMSI.","The first device may not be assigned a TMSI or GUTI.","If the first device is assigned a TMSI or GUTI, the network, after failed paging attempts, can page the largest area possible with the IMSI.","Continuing with this example, a second device attempts to register with the same IMSI.","This registration can be intercepted by the identity proxy function and can be diverted to a registration simulation platform 675.The registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration.","In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can assign a unique TMSI or GUTI, thus minimizing the likelihood of a duplicate page response.","In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can be set up to not page using the IMSI and to limit the size of the paging area it uses.","This can prevent or mitigate the first device from responding to a page intended for the second device.","In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can instruct the second device to change its IMSI.","This can happen during the simulated registration or after the simulated registration through the use of paging and OTA.","Once the second device has a different IMSI, then there is no longer a situation where paging either IMSI results in multiple responses.","In one or more embodiments, paging and OTA provisioning are facilitated by assignment of a TMSI or GUTI by the registration simulation platform 675 and by not using the IMSI for paging.","In one embodiment, once the second device successfully registers with the registration simulation platform 675 utilizing the original shared IMSI 2212, a trigger can be sent (e.g., via the identity proxy function 2250) to an OTA platform with its IMSI and/or other information.","The OTA platform can then send an update using the keys of the original IMSI (e.g., where there is no more than one additional IMSIs).","In one or more embodiments, the network and/or communication devices can be adapted to support paging where multiple devices are utilizing the same IMSI in a particular service area.","In one example, the paging can be performed utilizing the shared IMSI and also including some other information that is unique to the intended recipient device, such as a device identification.","In this example, a response to the page can be generated by the intended recipient device while another device using the same IMSI will not respond to the page because the unique identifier will not match this other device.","Continuing with this example, the network element(s) can be adapted to adjust paging techniques to include this unique device identification information and the communication devices can be adapted to respond to paging that is directed to the particular device.","In another embodiment, the network can be adapted to allow for paging via an IMSI where the network can distinguish which device is providing the response.","For instance, the network can have access to device identification information mapped to particular IMSIs and authorized locations can determine whether the responding device is the unauthorized device that is being reassigned a new IMSI.","In one embodiment, a first device can register with its IMSI and the IMSI is not changed by the network, and a second device registration with the same IMSI can be intercepted, simulated by a registration simulation platform 675, and the IMSI is not yet changed by the registration simulation platform 675.In this example, both devices are registered using their IMSIs.","In one embodiment, when either network pages the device, the exemplary embodiments can mitigate or prevent both devices responding to the page, such as paging using a unique device identifier or paging utilizing a TMSI or GUTI.","In one embodiment, if the registration simulation platform 675 pages the second device to change the IMSI, it can restrict its paging message to a small area (i.e., where the registration came from) to avoid the page being received by the first device.","If the first device were to respond to the page, it would be responding to the network, not the registration simulation platform 675.The network would have no record of paging the first device and therefore the network could ignore the page response from the first device.","In one or more embodiments, device location can be monitored by the network such as via the identity proxy function, the identity provisioning function or some other device to facilitate determining whether a device is authorized or otherwise intended to be operating in a particular location.","FIG.","24 illustrates a portion of a system 2400 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2410.System 2400 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.","8, system 1000 of FIG.","10, system 1100 of FIG.","11, system 1300 of FIG.","13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication device 2410 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","In one embodiment, system 2400 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device based on intended locations of devices where management of those IMSIs is based on registration error messages.","A reassignment of an IMSI can be implemented where it is detected that two or more devices utilizing a same IMSI are present in a same area, such as if a smart appliance is moved to a different home that is in a same registration area of a VLR or MME of another smart appliance that utilizes the same IMSI.","System 2400 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 2400 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 2400 illustrates an attempted registration by the communication device 2410 utilizing an IMSI 2412 that is shared with another communication devices (not shown).","The other communication device may or may not be registered with the network.","Each of the communication devices sharing the same IMSI can have unique device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, GUTI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating a SRES or a RES).","In one or more embodiments, the secret keys can be known to other network elements (e.g., various registration functions) and/or can be statically linked to, and maintained by, the communication devices.","In one embodiment at 2401, the communication device 2410 can request registration with the network.","A registration request (e.g., based upon a shared IMSI that is among a listing of designated shared IMSIs known to the network) can be received by the registration function 2460 (e.g., an MSC/VLR in a GSM network or an MME in an LTE network).","In one embodiment, the registration request can also be received by the identity proxy function 2450.For instance, the registration request can be intercepted, or otherwise received by, the identity proxy function 2450 and then forwarded to the registration function 2460.A registration process can be initiated according to the shared IMSI 2412 and a secret key that is associated with the communication device 2410.The registration function 2460 can be aware of, or otherwise have access to, the secret key that is associated with the communication device 2410.Various registration processes can be applied to ensure authentication of the device and/or subscriber, such as the registration processes described herein with respect to GSM or LTE networks, including a comparison of SRES in GSM or a comparison of RES in LTE or a comparison of XRES in UMTS environment.","In one embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs is limited to sharing IMSIs between only two devices.","In another embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs can include IMSIs that have been shared among more than two devices.","In one embodiment, the shared IMSIs are intended to be utilized by devices that are in different locations so that registration conflicts are avoided or otherwise mitigated.","For instance, the same IMSI can be utilized to register two different communication devices without creating a registration conflict where the devices are in different registration areas associated with different registration functions, such as different VLRs or different MMEs and different HLRs or different HSSs.","In one embodiment at 2402, a registration error can be generated by the registration function 2460 (e.g., an authentication failure message generated by the MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM or by the MME and/or HSS in LTE) and can be received by the identity proxy function 2450 from the registration function 2460.In this example, the identity proxy function 2450 can intercept the authentication failure message prior to it being received by the communication device 2410.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request, the registration process and/or the registration error can vary.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can determine that the registration error is a valid registration failure for a device that should not be attempting to use the IMSI, such as a third device that is not the original device authorized for the particular location and is not a new device that is new to the location and is sharing the IMSI.","In this example, the identity proxy function 2450 can allow the error process (e.g., an authentication failure messaging) to proceed, including delivering a registration error to this third device which is not authorized to be sharing the IMSI.","In one embodiment, where the error message does not include any device identification information and/or the IMSI, the identity proxy function 2450 can ascertain the device identification information and/or IMSI from the registration request that was previously received or intercepted.","For instance, when the identity proxy function 2450 detects a registration error message, the identity proxy function 2450 can detect within the message addressing information, message ID information, correlation ID information, and so forth, and can further correlate the error message with the stored registration request previously intercepted.","This enables the IMSI and/or device identification information (e.g., GUTI or IMEI) to be determined.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network according to device identification information (e.g., an IMEI or GUTI) obtained for the communication device 2410, such as being received from device 2410 (e.g., in the registration request) or obtained from another network element (e.g., from an Identification Request sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI).","In one embodiment, identification of the communication device 2410 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES (in GSM) or RES (in LTE) by the communication device 2410, as described herein.","In another embodiment at 2403, a request for reassignment of another IMSI (e.g., from the listing of the designated IMSIs) or authorization to utilize the shared IMSI 2412 can be provided to the identity provisioning function 2499 from the identity proxy function 2450.For instance, the identity proxy function 2450 can (e.g., in response to receiving the error message) compare the shared IMSI 2412 associated with communication device 2410 to the list of designated IMSIs.","The identity proxy function 2450 can further determine the identity of the communication device 2410 (authorized at the present location vs new to the present location) based on device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, GUTI and so forth).","Reassignment of another IMSI 2413 or authorization to use the shared IMSI 2412 (e.g., where the shared IMSI is not being utilized in the particular service area) can be implemented.","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2499 can notify the HLR or HSS that the user is valid and the HLR or HSS can perform a database update to enable a subsequent registration utilizing the reassigned IMSI 2413 by the device 2410.In this example, the identity proxy function 2450 can also take action, such as preventing forwarding of the failed registration to the device 2410, to cause the device to reattempt the registration.","In one embodiment, a determination of a subscriber's eligibility for services can be made.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors such as suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, the device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth.","In another embodiment, a determination of a compatibility of service with a UICC of the communication device 2410 can be made.","One or both of these determinations can be part of deciding whether to reassign another IMSI 2413, to authorize use of the original IMSI 2412, or to deny services at this particular location to the communication device 2410.These determinations can be made by the identity provisioning function 2499 or can be made by another network element.","If it is determined that the new IMSI 2413 is to be reassigned to the communication device 2410, then at 2404 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the registration function 2460 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the reassigned IMSI in conjunction with an original secret key that is associated with the communication device.","In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 2410 is to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI 2412 (where the original IMSI 2412 is not being used in this service area), then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the registration function 2460 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI 2412 in conjunction with the original secret key that is associated with the communication device.","If it is determined that the new IMSI 2413 is to be provisioned to the communication device 2410, then at 2405 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the communication device 2410 which will include the reassigned IMSI 2413.As an example, the identity provisioning function 2499 can provide the reassigned IMSI 2413 to the communication device 2410 utilizing an OTA interface according to an SMS protocol such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675.Other protocols can also be utilized for the OTA interface including being HTTP-based.","In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 2410 is not to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI 2412, then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the communication device 2410 to prevent the communication device from attempting to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI 2412.In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2499 can further communicate with various network elements (e.g., the identity proxy function 2450, HLR, HSS, EIR, and so forth) so that the network elements are informed of the current state of IMSIs and/or communication devices.","For example, if an original device is reassigned another IMSI 2413 or an original device is nullified from using the original IMSI 2412 via provisioning information then the identity provisioning function 2499 can remove the original IMSI (of that original device) from the listing of designated IMSIs.","In these examples, the original IMSI 2412 can also then be assigned to another device (if not already reassigned).","The device 2410 can be registered in order for the identity provisioning function to change the device's IMSI.","This can be part of a simulated registration.","In one embodiment, other techniques can be employed that enable OTA interfacing with devices, such as special registration.","For example, National Identity Register (NIR) equipment can register devices as warm devices (i.e., providing limited services for non-customers) that allow OTA (e.g.","via SMS protocol) to occur.","In one or more embodiments, the provisioning of the new IMSI can be performed by utilizing a limited registration that results in the device being a warm device while the IMSI is being provisioned via OTA to that device.","At 2406 if IMSI 2410 has been reassigned to the communication device 2410, then the communication device 2410 can re-register.","For example, the provisioning information provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the communication device 2410 can cause the communication device to initiate a re-registration.","The re-registration request can be received and processed by the registration function 2460 and based on the provisioning procedures at steps 2404 and 2405, a successful registration message can be provided to the communication device 2410 at 2407.In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 2499 can provision an NSM with the reassigned IMSI 2413 for the device 2410 where the secret key of the device 2410 is already known.","In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2499 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.","In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270, MME 840 and/or HSS 860).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 and/or the identity provisioning function 2499 can provide instructions to the communication device 2410 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 2413.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 and/or the identity provisioning function can determine that the communication device 2410 has been moved to a different location (i.e., a different service area of a VLR or MME).","The different location can be one where another device is using the same shared IMSI.","In one embodiment, a temporary or particular IMSI can be reassigned to devices entering the different location.","For instance, a reassigned temporary IMSI can limit services of the device while it is present in the different location, such as limiting type, amount and/or time of services.","In one embodiment, the device can be reassigned the previous shared IMSI upon returning to its original location.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can determine whether the device has been moved based on information associated with a registration request, such as the location area, tracking area, etc.","In one or more embodiments, paging and OTA provisioning are facilitated by assignment of a TMSI or GUTI by the registration simulation platform 675 and by not using the IMSI for paging.","In one embodiment, once a new device successfully registers with the registration simulation platform 675 utilizing the original shared IMSI 2412, a trigger can be sent (e.g., via the identity proxy function 2450) to an OTA platform.","The OTA platform can then send an update using the keys of the original IMSI (e.g., where there is no more than one additional IMSIs).","In one or more embodiments, the network and/or communication devices can be adapted to support paging where multiple devices are utilizing the same IMSI in a particular service area.","In one example, the paging can be performed utilizing the shared IMSI and also including some other information that is unique to the intended recipient device, such as a device identification.","In another embodiment, the network can be adapted to allow for paging via an IMSI where the network can distinguish which device is providing the response.","For instance, the network can have access to device identification information mapped to particular IMSIs and authorized locations, and can determine whether the responding device is the unauthorized device that is being reassigned a new IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, device location can be monitored by the network such as via the identity proxy function, the identity provisioning function or some other device to facilitate determining whether a device is authorized or otherwise intended to be operating in a particular location.","FIG.","25 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2500 used by system 2400 for facilitating the reassignment of IMSIs where a device is attempting to register in a location where the same IMSI is being used by another device.","One or more of the steps of method 2500 can be performed by the identity proxy function 2450, the identity provisioning function 2499 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19-20, 22, and 24.At 2502, a registration error message can be detect or intercepted.","For instance, the error message can result from a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by a communication device utilizing: one or more of a shared IMSI that is part of the listing of designated IMSIs, a shared IMSI which is already registered to the network at that particular location, a shared IMSI where the device is not authorized to register at that particular location, and so forth.","As an example in GSM, the identity proxy function 2450 can receive an authentication failure message from a VLR.","As another example in LTE, the identity proxy function 2450 can receive an authentication failure message from an MME.","In one or more embodiments if there is no determination of an error (e.g., the IMSI is not included in the listing of designated IMSIs or the IMSI is a shared IMSI being utilized by a device that is authorized to register at the particular location) then method 2500 can proceed to 2516 so that the registration process can be completed (using the original IMSI) which enables the communication device to obtain services via the network at that particular location.","At 2504, a determination can be made as to whether the error is based on a shared IMSI, such as comparing the IMSI to a list of designated shared IMSIs (e.g., being utilized by devices that are intended to operate in different service areas of a VLR or MME).","In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs or it is otherwise determined that the registration error was due to another reason (e.g., the IMSI is a shared IMSI but the device is an unauthorized device) then the registration can be prevented or otherwise terminated at 2505, such as via forwarding a registration failure message to the device and/or notifying a network administrator device of the registration error.","If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 2508 as to whether the registration request is for a device that is operating in an authorized location.","The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can have access to a mapping of devices that have shared IMSIs and that are authorized to operate in the particular service area of the VLR or MME.","In one embodiment, if the registration request and the IMSI are from a device that is authorized to operate in the service area then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC/VLR (in GSM) or the MME (in LTE) to perform the registration at 2506.For instance, a utility meter may become unregistered with the network and may be seeking re-registration.","If on the other hand, the registration request and the IMSI are from another device that has not been authorized to operate in the service area then a determination can be made at 2510 as to whether the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, user requests, and so forth.","In one embodiment, if the subscriber of the device is not eligible for communication services then at 2512 provisioning information can be provided to the device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 2599 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the device.","If on the other hand, the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services then at 2514 the device can be provisioned (e.g., utilizing registration simulation platform 675) with another IMSI.","In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2413 that is reassigned to the device 2410 can be selected from a listing of designated IMSI that are being shared with another device(s) in a different service area so that further registration conflicts are minimized or eliminated.","Method 2500 can then proceed to 2506 where the registration process is completed, such as by forwarding instructions to the communication device 2410 to cause a re-registration utilizing the new IMSI 2413.In one or more embodiments, reassignment of an IMSI for a device that has been re-located to a new service area can be based on other factors.","For instance, a type of device can be detected and the decision to reassign can be based on that type, such as allowing reassignment of IMSIs for a smart appliance that has moved to a new location but preventing reassignment of an IMSI for a utility meter that is being used in a new location.","In another embodiment, reassignment of IMSIs for devices that have re-located can be limited, such as allowing only a particular number of reassignments or reassigning an IMSI that provides for limited services.","While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","25, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","FIG.","26 illustrates a portion of a system 2600 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2610.System 2600 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 800 of FIG.","8, other systems described herein, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","The communication device 2610 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","In one embodiment, system 2600 provides for provisioning (e.g., via equipment 2601 of an entity such as a vendor or manufacturer of UICCs) of a generic IMSI 2612 (e.g., a single IMSI reserved for use by the manufacturer of the UICCs) to a group of UICCs.","The group of UICCs can then be provided to communication devices, such as UICC 2605 being provided to the communication device 2610 to enable the same IMSI 2612 to be utilized by more than one communication device during a registration process that results in reassignment of new IMSIs (e.g., IMSI 2613 reassigned to UICC 2605 of communication device 2610).","In one embodiment, the generic IMSI 2612 can be received by the equipment 2601 of the entity from equipment of a service provider (e.g., the service provider that is operating the identity proxy function 2650, the registration function 2660 and the identity provisioning function 2699).","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2699 can provide the generic IMSI 2612 to the equipment 2601 of the entity.","In one embodiment, the service provider can provide different generic IMSIs to different vendors or manufacturers of the UICCs.","In this example, new IMSIs are not assigned to a device until the device registers with the network (via the generic IMSI 2612) so that if a device (or UICC) does not register with the network (via the generic IMSI) the service provider is not losing use of an IMSI.","The new IMSI 2613 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.","In one or more embodiments, the generic IMSI 2612 can be a limited service IMSI (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI) that enables communication with network elements but does not enable subscriber services (which are enabled for the communication device 2610 after it registers with the network utilizing the new IMSI 2613).","In one or more embodiments, the equipment 2601 of the entity can receive multiple generic IMSIs and can assign different generic IMSIs to different types of UICCs (e.g., a first group of UICCs that are intended to be used in IoT devices receive generic IMSI X while a second group of UICCs that are intended to be used in mobile phone devices receive generic IMSI Y).","In one or more embodiments, other information can be provisioned to the UICCs (e.g., by the equipment 2601) such as secret keys that are to be utilized in registering with a network (e.g., a secret key that enables generating a RES, SRES, or XRES for authentication during registration).","In one or more embodiments, secret key mapping information can be provided by the equipment 2601 of the entity to the network, such as to the identity provisioning function 2699.In this example, the secret key mapping information can be utilized as part of an authentication process, such as comparison of a RES, SRES or XRES, confirmation of identification information being received in a registration request, and so forth.","In one embodiment, other mapping information (e.g., eUICC or UICC identification) can be provided by the equipment 2601 of the entity to the network with or without the secret key mapping information.","System 2600 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 2660, such as an MCS/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 2600 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 2600 illustrates a first registration by the communication device 2610 utilizing generic IMSI 2612 that is shared by other UICCs manufactured by the entity.","In one or more embodiments, each of the UICCs sharing the generic IMSI 2612 can have unique identification information (e.g., an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) or eUICC ID information) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES, RES or XRES).","As described herein, this unique information can be provided to the network so that the network can identify UICCs that are attempting to register with the network using the generic IMSI 2612.In the example of system 2600, the identity proxy function 2650 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI, such as based on intercepting a registration request (e.g., prior to the registration request being provided to an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM as illustrated in FIG.","2 or prior to the registration request being provided to an MME and/or HSS in LTE as illustrated in FIG.","8).","In one embodiment, the generic IMSI 2612 can be a shared bootstrap IMSI that provides for limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining another IMSI).","In one embodiment, the first registration request can include the identification information (e.g., ICCID or eUICC ID information) along with the generic IMSI 2612.In one embodiment, the device 2610 can be adapted so that it includes the identification information and/or the generic IMSI 2612 in the first registration request.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2650 can determine that the generic IMSI 2612 is a shared IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 2650 can identify (or confirm an identity of) the particular device and/or the particular UICC requesting registration with the network based on various techniques.","For example, the identity proxy function 2650 can have access to a mapping of information including the generic IMSI 2612, the identification information and/or secret key information.","In another embodiment, identification of (or confirmation of the identity of) the communication device 2610 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES, RES or XRES by the communication device 2610, as described herein.","In one embodiment, registration simulation platform 675 can be utilized (e.g., positioned between the communication device 2610 and the VLR in GSM or positioned between the communication device and the MME in LTE).","For example, the registration simulation platform 675 can comprise a set of functional elements that exist in the target network including an MSC/VLR, MME, HLR or HSS, AUC, SMSC, OTA platform, SGW, PGW, EIR and/or any combination thereof.","In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 2610 and can identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., ICCID or eUICC ID information).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2650 and/or the identity provisioning function 2699 can determine whether the communication device 2610 is eligible for services.","If the device 2610 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 2650 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 2699) to the device 2610 to cause the device to disable its use of the generic IMSI 2612.In one embodiment, this can be performed via a simulated registration (e.g., using the registration simulation platform 675) that utilizes the generic IMSI 2612.In one embodiment, if the communication device 2610 is eligible for services then the identity provisioning function 2699 can implement a reassignment of a new IMSI 2613 for the device 2610.The new IMSI 2613 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.","In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2613 can be an IMSI that is not shared by any other device or shared by any other UICC.","In another embodiment, the new IMSI 2613 can be a shared IMSI that is being shared by another device(s) that is located in a different registration service area, such as described with respect to systems 1900 and 2000 of FIGS.","19 and 20.In one embodiment, responsive to a determination that an IMSI reassignment is warranted, the identity proxy function 2650 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 2699 for the new IMSI 2613 or the determination can be made by the identity provisioning function 2699.In one embodiment, the communication device 2610 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which can be mapped to the communication device 2610 by the network such as in an HLR or HSS according to the secret key mapping information).","In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 2699.For example, the identity proxy function 2650 can automatically transmit a request to the identity provisioning function 2699 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the generic IMSI 2612 is being utilized by a device.","The determination to whether the new IMSI 2613 can be provisioned would then be made by the identity provisioning function 2699.As described herein, the registration simulation platform 675 can enable sending an OTA message to the communication device 2610 that can cause the modification of the device IMSI (e.g., storing the new IMSI 2613 in the UICC 2605 and/or disabling use of the generic IMSI 2612 by the device) and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network using the new IMSI 2613.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2650 and/or the identity provisioning function 2699 can provide instructions to the communication device 2610 that causes the communication device to initiate the re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 2613.In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed based on mapping information that was received by the network from the equipment 2601 of the entity.","For example, the identity proxy function 2650 can have access to mapping information that indicates what UICCs are using a particular generic IMSI 2612 and further indicates the secret key being utilized by that particular UICC.","Based on this information, the identity proxy function 2650 can facilitate the generation of a RES, SRES, XRES utilizing the correct secret key so that a comparison can be made to a received response which includes the RES, SRES, XRES generated by the communication device 2610.In one embodiment, the equipment 2601 of the entity can update the mapping information provided to the network responsive to additional manufacturing of UICCs (e.g., additional provisioning of the generic IMSI 2612 and other secret keys to other UICCs that have been manufactured).","Continuing with this example, the identity provisioning function 2699 can notify various network elements (e.g., an HLR, AUC, EIR, HSS, and/or NSM) that the communication device 2610 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 2613.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR or HSS to delete (or otherwise note the change of) a generic IMSI assignment for the communication device 2610 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 2610 in its database.","In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR or the HSS to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed by the registration simulation platform using the generic IMSI 2612 (without being performed by the registration function 2660) and the second registration can be performed by the registration function 2660 using the new IMSI 2613 (without being performed by the registration simulation platform 675).","FIG.","27 illustrates a portion of a system 2700 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2710.System 2700 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.","2, system 800 of FIG.","8, other systems described herein, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.","In one embodiment, system 2700 provides for provisioning (e.g., via equipment 2701 of an entity such as a vendor or manufacturer of IoT devices) of a generic IMSI 2712 (e.g., a single IMSI reserved for use by a device manufacturer) to a group of devices, such as communication device 2710 to enable the same IMSI 2712 to be utilized by more than one communication device during a registration process that results in reassignment of new IMSIs (e.g., IMSI 2713 reassigned to communication device 2710).","The communication device 2710 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.","The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.","In one embodiment, the generic IMSI 2712 can be received by the equipment 2701 of the entity from equipment of a service provider (e.g., the service provider that is operating the identity proxy function 2750, the registration function 2760 and the identity provisioning function 2799).","In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2699 can provide the generic IMSI 2712 to the equipment 2701 of the entity.","In one embodiment, the service provider can provide different generic IMSIs to different manufacturers of devices.","In this example, new IMSIs are not assigned to a device until the device registers with the network (via the generic IMSI 2712) so that if a device does not register with the network (via the generic IMSI) the service provider is not losing use of an IMSI.","The new IMSI 2713 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.","In one or more embodiments, the generic IMSI 2712 can be a limited service IMSI (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI) that enables communication with network elements but does not enable subscriber services (which are enabled for the communication device 2710 after it registers with the network utilizing the new IMSI 2713).","In one or more embodiments, the equipment 2701 of the entity can receive multiple generic IMSIs and can assign different generic IMSIs to different types of devices (e.g., a first group of smart utility meters receive generic IMSI X while a second group of smart washing machines receive generic IMSI Y).","In one or more embodiments, other information can be provisioned to the devices (e.g., by the equipment 2701) such as secret keys that are to be utilized in registering with a network (e.g., a secret key that enables generating a RES, SRES, or XRES for authentication during registration).","In one or more embodiments, secret key mapping information can be provided by the equipment 2701 of the entity to the network, such as to the identity provisioning function 2799.In this example, the secret key mapping information can be utilized as part of an authentication process, such as comparison of a RES, SRES or XRES, confirmation of identification information being received in a registration request, and so forth.","In one embodiment, other mapping information (e.g., eUICC, UICC, IMEI, GUTI, MAC address) can be provided by the equipment 2701 of the entity to the network with or without the secret key mapping information.","System 2700 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 2760, such as an MCS/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.","System 2700 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.","System 2700 illustrates a first registration by the communication device 2710 utilizing generic IMSI 2712 that is shared by other devices manufactured by the entity.","In one or more embodiments, each of the devices sharing the generic IMSI 2712 can have unique identification information (e.g., IMEI, GUTI, MAC address) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES, RES or XRES).","As described herein, this unique information can be provided to the network so that the network can identify devices that are attempting to register with the network using the generic IMSI 2712.In the example of system 2700, the identity proxy function 2750 can intercept or otherwise receive the generic IMSI 2712 such as in a first registration request which also includes the identification information (e.g., IMEI, GUTI, MAC address).","In one or more embodiments, separate messages can be utilized for delivering the generic IMSI 2712 and the unique device identification to the network.","In another embodiment, a single message (e.g., a registration request) can be utilized for delivering the generic IMSI 2712 and the unique device identification to the network, such as in different fields of the message.","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2750 can determine that the generic IMSI 2712 is a shared IMSI.","In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 2750 can identify (or confirm an identity of) the particular device requesting registration with the network based on various techniques.","For example, the identity proxy function 2750 can have access to a mapping of information including the generic IMSI 2712, the identification information and/or secret key information.","In another embodiment, identification of (or confirmation of the identity of) the communication device 2710 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES, RES or XRES by the communication device 2710, as described herein utilizing registration simulation platform 675.For instance, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 2710 and can identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., IMEI, GUTI, MAC address).","In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2750 and/or the identity provisioning function 2799 can determine whether the communication device 2710 is eligible for services.","If the device 2710 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 2750 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 2799) to the device 2710 to cause the device to disable its use of the generic IMSI 2712, such as via OTA messaging using the simulated registration.","In one embodiment, if the communication device 2710 is eligible for services then the identity provisioning function 2799 can implement a reassignment of a new IMSI 2713 for the device 2710.The new IMSI 2713 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.","In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2713 can be an IMSI that is not shared by any other device or any other UICC.","In another embodiment, the new IMSI 2713 can be a shared IMSI that is being shared by another device(s) that is located in a different registration service area, such as described with respect to systems 1900 and 2000 of FIGS.","19 and 20.In one embodiment, the communication device 2710 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which can be mapped to the communication device 2710 by the network such as in an HLR or HSS according to the secret key mapping information).","As described herein, the registration simulation platform 675 can enable sending an OTA message to the communication device 2710 that can cause the modification of the device IMSI (e.g., storing the new IMSI 2713 in a UICC of the device 2710 and/or disabling use of the generic IMSI 2712 by the device) and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network using the new IMSI 2713.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2750 and/or the identity provisioning function 2799 can provide instructions to the communication device 2710 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 2713.In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed by the registration simulation platform using the generic IMSI 2712 (without being performed by the registration function 2760) and the second registration can be performed by the registration function 2760 using the new IMSI 2713 (without being performed by the registration simulation platform 675).","In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed based on mapping information that was received by the network from the equipment 2701 of the entity.","For example, the identity proxy function 2750 can have access to mapping information that indicates what devices are using a particular generic IMSI 2712 and further indicates the secret key being utilized by that particular device.","Based on this information, the identity proxy function 2750 can facilitate the generation of a RES, SRES, XRES utilizing the correct secret key so that a comparison can be made to a received response which includes the RES, SRES, XRES generated by the communication device 2710.In one embodiment, the equipment 2701 of the entity can update the mapping information provided to the network responsive to additional manufacturing of device (e.g., additional provisioning of the generic IMSI 2712 and other secret keys to other IoT devices).","Continuing with this example, the identity provisioning function 2799 can notify various network elements (e.g., an HLR, AUC, EIR, HSS, and/or NSM) that the communication device 2710 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 2713.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR or HSS to delete (or otherwise note the change of) a generic IMSI assignment for the communication device 2710 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 2710 in its database.","In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR or the HSS to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.","FIG.","28 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2800 used by systems 2600 and 2700 for facilitating registration of communication devices and the reassignment of IMSIs.","One or more of the steps of method 2800 can be performed by an identity proxy function of a service provider, an identity provisioning function of the service provider, equipment of a vendor or manufacturer and/or by other devices described in FIGS.","2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19-20, 22, 24 and 26-27.In one or more embodiments, the entity and the service provider are distinct entities.","At 2802, a generic IMSI can be provided by the service provider to the entity so that the entity can provision UICCs and/or devices with the generic IMSI.","In one embodiment, the provisioning of the UICCs and/or devices can be part of a manufacturing process of the UICCs and/or devices.","Other information can be provisioned to the UICCs and/or device by equipment of the entity, such as a secret key for use in a registration/authentication process (e.g., to generate a RES, SRES, XRES response).","In one or more embodiments, the service provider can utilize different generic IMSIs for different entities that manufacture and/or provision UICCs and/or devices.","In one or more embodiments, the service provider can provide multiple generic IMSIs to a single entity for use in provisioning of the UICCs and/or devices.","For instance, the entity can apply different generic IMSIs to different types of UICCs and/or devices.","In another embodiment, the entity can apply different generic IMSIs to UICCs and/or devices that are expected to first register in a single registration service area.","By providing different generic IMSIs, this can reduce the likelihood of a registration problem that could arise from two devices that attempt to register at the same time with the same generic IMSI in the same registration service area.","At 2804, the entity (e.g., via equipment of the entity) can provide mapping information to the network that is associated with the generic IMSI(s).","For instance, the entity can transmit or otherwise provide the network (e.g., the identity provisioning function) with mapping information that indexes the generic IMSI to a unique identification and to a secret key for each of a group of UICCs and/or devices.","The mapping information can be updated as other UICCs and/or devices are manufactured, provisioned, sold or are otherwise made ready to register with the network.","In one or more embodiments, the information from the entity can include the IMSI and the secret key, and may include other information.","At 2806, a generic IMSI can be intercepted or otherwise obtained by the identity proxy function, such as in a registration request, and at 2808 the identity proxy function can determine that the received IMSI is a generic IMSI being shared among other UICCs and/or devices.","If the IMSI was not a generic IMSI then method 2800 can proceed to 2810 to register the device including performing an authentication utilizing the non-generic IMSI.","If on the other hand the IMSI is a generic IMSI, method 2800 can proceed to 2812 to confirm service eligibility.","Eligibility for services can be based on various factors such as suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, the device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth.","If the device or user is not eligible for service then at 2814 use of the generic IMSI at the device can be disabled.","For example, OTA messaging can be provided to the device that causes the device to disable the use of the generic IMSI.","In one embodiment, the OTA messaging can be enabled by simulating a registration (e.g., via registration simulation platform 675) using the generic IMSI and then disabling the subsequent use of that generic IMSI by the device via the OTA messaging.","If on the other hand the device or user is eligible for service, then at 2816 a new IMSI can be reassigned to the device via an OTA interface.","In one embodiment, the OTA messaging causes the device to store the new IMSI and causes the device to provide a second registration request to the network that utilizes the new IMSI in order to complete the registration at 2810.In one embodiment, the generic IMSI can be a limited service or bootstrap IMSI that does not enable access to subscriber services but rather enables communicating with network elements (e.g., the identity proxy function).","The new IMSI can be a full service IMSI that enables access to any services that the user is subscribed to upon completion of the registration.","In one or more embodiments, the OTA interface can utilize a transport key stored by the communication device.","While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.","28, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.","Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.","FIG.","29 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 2900 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described above.","One or more instances of the machine can operate, for example, as the identity proxy functions 250, 850, 1050, 1350, 2250, 2450, 2650, 2750, the identity provisioning functions 350, 899, 1099, 1399, 1599, 1999, 2299, 2499, 2599, 2699, the steering functions 1575, and/or other network elements (e.g., MSC/VLR, HLR, MME, HSS) or end user devices for switching between a generic IMSI and a full service IMSI, facilitating the use of the same IMSI by multiple devices, intercepting authentication requests, determining a particular device that is utilizing a shared IMSI, intercepting other messages such as registration requests or error messages, determining identities of devices, and/or managing the use and reassignment of the IMSIs, including through the use of a bootstrap IMSI, and so forth.","In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 2926) to other machines.","In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.","The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.","It will be understood that a communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.","Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.","The computer system 2900 may include a processor (or controller) 2902 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 2904 and a static memory 2906, which communicate with each other via a bus 2908.The computer system 2900 may further include a display unit 2910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display).","The computer system 2900 may include an input device 2912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 2914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 2916, a signal generation device 2918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 2920.In distributed environments, the embodiments described in the subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 2910 controlled by two or more computer systems 2900.In this configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of the display units 2910, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of the display units 2910.The disk drive unit 2916 may include a tangible computer-readable storage medium 2922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 2924) embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.","The instructions 2924 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 2904, the static memory 2906, and/or within the processor 2902 during execution thereof by the computer system 2900.The main memory 2904 and the processor 2902 also may constitute tangible computer-readable storage media.","Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein.","Application specific integrated circuits and programmable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executing state machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments of the subject disclosure.","Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems.","Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.","Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.","In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, the operations or methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs or instructions running on or executed by a computer processor or other computing device, and which may include other forms of instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in an application specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array.","Furthermore, software implementations (e.g., software programs, instructions, etc.)","including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.","Distributed processing environments can include multiple processors in a single machine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multiple processors in multiple machines.","It is further noted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to perform operations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.","While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 2922 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.","The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject disclosure.","The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitory computer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives, devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.","The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.","Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.","Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols.","Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.","Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.","Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, ZigBee®), and long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used by computer system 2900.In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can be generated including services being accessed, media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth.","This information can be obtained by various methods including user input, detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams, and so forth.","The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to an authorization provided by the user.","In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types of data, and so forth.","The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.","Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.","The exemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or steps from multiple embodiments.","Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.","Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.","Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.","Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.","Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure.","The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.","Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.","For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments.","In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional feature.","The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order.","The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure.","Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment can also be utilized.","Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more of the exemplary embodiments.","Further, the use of numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or function unless expressly stated so.","The use of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise.","Additionally, one or more devices or components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can include less than every step needed to perform the function or can include all of the steps needed to perform the function.","In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controller or circuit) has been described that performs various functions.","It should be understood that the processor can be multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines.","The processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing environment.","The virtual processing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices.","In such virtual machines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented.","The processor can include a state machine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmable gate array including a Field PGA.","In one or more embodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this can include the processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or component to perform the operations.","The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.","In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.","This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.","Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.","Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVISIONING MOBILE SUBSCRIBER IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION TO MULTIPLE DEVICES AND PROVISIONING NETWORK ELEMENTS\",\n \"Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that manages utilization of mobile subscriber identity information including enabling use of such information by different communication devices.\",\n \"The use of a same generic mobile subscriber identity information by multiple devices can be based on intercepting registration requests.\",\n \"Other embodiments are disclosed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A communication device, comprising: a universal integrated circuit card storing a shared international mobile subscriber identity that was provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by equipment of an entity; a processing system including a processor and being coupled with the universal integrated circuit card; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: accessing the universal integrated circuit card to determine the shared international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) using a secret key, wherein the secret key is uniquely associated with the universal integrated circuit card; requesting registration with a network operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity, wherein the requesting of the registration includes providing a first registration request including the shared IMSI and identification information that is obtained by an identity proxy function of the network; receiving a second IMSI via an over-the-air interface with the network; storing the second IMSI in the universal integrated circuit card; and providing a second registration request including the second IMSI to the network to facilitate a registration process for the communication device, wherein completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.\",\n \"2.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises an integrated circuit card identifier, wherein the first registration request is a first time that the communication device has requested registration with the network, and wherein the entity is a manufacturer of a group of universal integrated circuit cards that includes the universal integrated circuit card.\",\n \"3.The communication device of claim 2, wherein the second IMSI is not shared with any other communication devices.\",\n \"4.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: during a simulated registration initiated by the identity proxy function according to the shared international mobile subscriber identity, providing an authentication response to the identity proxy function, wherein the providing the authentication response enables the identity proxy function to cause a reassignment of the second IMSI to the communication device.\",\n \"5.The communication device of claim 4, wherein the simulated registration and the registration process facilitated by the second registration request utilize the secret key uniquely associated with the universal integrated circuit card.\",\n \"6.The communication device of claim 5, wherein the secret key is provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by the equipment of the entity and is distinct from other secret keys provisioned by the equipment of the entity.\",\n \"7.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, and wherein the communication device is a machine-to-machine communication device.\",\n \"8.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: storing a transport key, wherein the over-the-air interface utilizes the transport key.\",\n \"9.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity is a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements and does not enable the subscriber services.\",\n \"10.A method comprising: obtaining, from a communication device by an identity proxy function executed by a processing system including a processor, a registration request that includes a shared international mobile subscriber identity and identification information and uses a secret key uniquely associated with the communication device, wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity was provisioned to a universal integrated circuit card of the communication device by equipment of an entity, and wherein the identity proxy function is operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity; reassigning, via an over-the-air interface, a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device; and facilitating a registration process for the communication device based on the second international mobile subscriber identity, wherein completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 10, wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity is a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements and does not enable the subscriber services.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 10, wherein the identification information comprises an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, and wherein the communication device is a machine-to-machine communication device.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 10, wherein the identification information comprises an integrated circuit card identifier, and wherein the entity is a manufacturer of a group of universal integrated circuit cards that includes the universal integrated circuit card.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 10, further comprising: during a simulated registration initiated by the identity proxy function according to the shared international mobile subscriber identity, receiving, from the communication device by the identity proxy function, an authentication response, wherein the receiving the authentication response enables the identity proxy function to cause the reassigning of the second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 14, wherein the simulated registration and the registration process utilize the secret key uniquely associated with the universal integrated circuit card.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 15, wherein the secret key is provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by the equipment of the entity and is distinct from other secret keys provisioned by the equipment of the entity.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 16, comprising: receiving, by the identity proxy function, secret key mapping information indicating each of the other secret keys indexed to a corresponding one of a group of universal integrated circuit cards.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 15, wherein the over-the-air interface utilizes a transport key stored by the communication device.\",\n \"19.A method comprising: provisioning, by a server comprising a processor, each of a group of universal integrated circuit cards with a unique one of a plurality of secret keys, wherein each of the group of universal integrated circuit cards has stored thereon a shared international mobile subscriber identity; and providing, to equipment of a service provider by the server, secret key mapping information indicating each of the secret keys indexed to a corresponding one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards, wherein the server is operated by an entity that is distinct from the service provider, wherein the secret key mapping information is utilized by an identity proxy function operated by the service provider to respond to a registration request generated by a communication device that is utilizing one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards, wherein the identity proxy function causes a reassignment, via an over-the-air interface, of a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device responsive to the registration request, wherein the second international mobile subscriber identity is utilized in completion of a registration process that enables subscriber services for the communication device, and wherein the shared international mobile subscriber identity is a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements of the service provider and does not enable the subscriber services.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 19, wherein the entity is a manufacturer of the group of universal integrated circuit cards.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Mobile communication devices register with networks so that the devices can provide communication services to subscribers.\",\n \"The registration process requires exchanging messages between the mobile communication device and network device(s), as well as exchanging messages between network devices.\",\n \"As an example as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1 , a device can provide mobile subscriber identification information to the network at 101 which is received by a registration function (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)).\",\n \"Various information can be exchanged on the network-side and an analysis of the mobile subscriber identification information can be performed resulting in a registration authorization being provided to the device at 102 .\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a registration process in the prior art; FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIGS.\",\n \"3-6 depict illustrative embodiments of registration processes used in portions of the system described in FIG.\",\n \"1 ; FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.\",\n \"8 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.\",\n \"9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device that can be utilized in either or both of the systems of FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 8 and/or can be utilized during the method of FIG.\",\n \"7 ; FIGS.\",\n \"10-11 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for reuse of mobile subscriber identification information based on registration error messages; FIG.\",\n \"12 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile subscriber identification information by other devices; FIG.\",\n \"13 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for reassignment of mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.\",\n \"14 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables reassigning mobile subscriber identification information to other devices; FIG.\",\n \"15 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"16 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a database structure that can be utilized during use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"17 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"18 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIGS.\",\n \"19-20 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device at different locations; FIG.\",\n \"21 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices at different locations; FIG.\",\n \"22 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"23 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIG.\",\n \"24 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device according to registration errors; FIG.\",\n \"25 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices according to registration errors; FIGS.\",\n \"26-27 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for switching between generic and non-generic mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.\",\n \"28 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of a generic mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; and FIG.\",\n \"29 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/279,912, filed Sep. 29, 2016.The contents of the foregoing is hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in full.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for provisioning mobile subscriber identification information to multiple devices and provisioning network elements.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Mobile communication devices register with networks so that the devices can provide communication services to subscribers.\",\n \"The registration process requires exchanging messages between the mobile communication device and network device(s), as well as exchanging messages between network devices.\",\n \"As an example as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, a device can provide mobile subscriber identification information to the network at 101 which is received by a registration function (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)).\",\n \"Various information can be exchanged on the network-side and an analysis of the mobile subscriber identification information can be performed resulting in a registration authorization being provided to the device at 102.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a registration process in the prior art; FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIGS.\",\n \"3-6 depict illustrative embodiments of registration processes used in portions of the system described in FIG.\",\n \"1; FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.\",\n \"8 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile Subscriber Identification Information by other devices; FIG.\",\n \"9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device that can be utilized in either or both of the systems of FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 8 and/or can be utilized during the method of FIG.\",\n \"7; FIGS.\",\n \"10-11 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for reuse of mobile subscriber identification information based on registration error messages; FIG.\",\n \"12 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables re-using mobile subscriber identification information by other devices; FIG.\",\n \"13 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for reassignment of mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.\",\n \"14 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables reassigning mobile subscriber identification information to other devices; FIG.\",\n \"15 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"16 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a database structure that can be utilized during use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"17 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"18 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIGS.\",\n \"19-20 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device at different locations; FIG.\",\n \"21 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices at different locations; FIG.\",\n \"22 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device; FIG.\",\n \"23 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; FIG.\",\n \"24 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system that provides for use of a same mobile subscriber identification information by more than one communication device according to registration errors; FIG.\",\n \"25 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of the same mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices according to registration errors; FIGS.\",\n \"26-27 depict illustrative embodiments of systems that provide for switching between generic and non-generic mobile subscriber identification information; FIG.\",\n \"28 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method that provides communication services and enables use of a generic mobile subscriber identification information by multiple communication devices; and FIG.\",\n \"29 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for managing utilization of mobile subscriber identity information referred to herein as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).\",\n \"The system and methods described herein can enable reuse of an IMSI by a different communication device and/or re-authorizing use by a communication device that previously was authorized to utilize the IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the management of the IMSI reuse can be based at least in part on intercepting registration requests and/or registration error messages.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the communication devices can be end user devices, or other devices including Machine-to-Machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, a bootstrap IMSI can be utilized in a registration process by a communication device that has been flagged as inactive, where the limited use includes enabling communication with network elements for initiating a registration process without enabling user communication services at the communication device utilizing the bootstrap IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, a same IMSI can be utilized by more than one communication device according to distinguishing between device (e.g., during registration) based on unique device identification information.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, a same IMSI can be utilized by more than one communication device according to the devices being located in different registration areas.\",\n \"Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"One or more aspects of the subject disclosure is a communication device having a universal integrated circuit card storing a first international mobile subscriber identity that was provisioned to the universal integrated circuit card by equipment of an entity, where the equipment of the entity provisions a group of universal integrated circuit cards with the first international mobile subscriber identity.\",\n \"The communication device has a processing system including a processor and being coupled with the universal integrated circuit card.\",\n \"The communication device has a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations.\",\n \"The operations can include accessing the universal integrated circuit card to determine the first international mobile subscriber identity.\",\n \"The operations can include requesting registration with a network operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity, where the requesting of the registration includes providing a first registration request including the first international mobile subscriber identity and identification information that is obtained by an identity proxy function of the network.\",\n \"The operations can include, responsive to a determination by the identity proxy function that the first international mobile subscriber identity is a shared IMSI, receiving a second international mobile subscriber identity via an over-the-air interface with the network.\",\n \"The operations can include storing the second international mobile subscriber identity in the universal integrated circuit card.\",\n \"The operations can include providing a second registration request including the second international mobile subscriber identity to the network to facilitate a registration process for the communication device, where completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.\",\n \"One or more aspects of the subject disclosure is a method including obtaining, from a communication device by an identity proxy function executed by a processing system including a processor, a registration request that includes a first international mobile subscriber identity and identification information associated with the communication device, where the first international mobile subscriber identity was provisioned to a universal integrated circuit card of the communication device by equipment of an entity, where the equipment of the entity provisions a group of universal integrated circuit cards with the first international mobile subscriber identity, and where the identity proxy function is operated by a service provider that is distinct from the entity.\",\n \"The method includes, responsive to a determination that the first international mobile subscriber identity is shared by the group of universal integrated circuit cards, reassigning, via an over-the-air interface, a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device.\",\n \"The method includes facilitating a registration process for the communication device based on the second international mobile subscriber identity, where completion of the registration process enables subscriber services for the communication device.\",\n \"One or more aspects of the subject disclosure is a method including provisioning, by a server including a processor, a group of universal integrated circuit cards with a first international mobile subscriber identity.\",\n \"The method includes provisioning, by the server, each of the group of universal integrated circuit cards with one of the secret keys.\",\n \"The method includes providing, to equipment of a service provider by the server, secret key mapping information indicating each of the secret keys indexed to a corresponding one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards where the server is operated by an entity that is distinct from the service provider.\",\n \"The secret key mapping information can be utilized by an identity proxy function operated by the service provider to respond to a registration request generated by a communication device that is utilizing one of the group of universal integrated circuit cards.\",\n \"The identity proxy function can cause a reassignment, via an over-the-air interface, of a second international mobile subscriber identity to the communication device responsive to the registration request.\",\n \"The second international mobile subscriber identity can be utilized in completion of a registration process that enables subscriber services for the communication device.\",\n \"The first international mobile subscriber identity can be a limited service international mobile subscriber identity that enables communication with network elements of the service provider and does not enable the subscriber services.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200 (e.g., a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system) that provides communication services such as to a communication device 210.The communication device 210 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 200 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 250 and an identity provisioning function 350.System 200 can include various components that facilitate providing the communication services, such as a Base Station Subsystem (BSS) that performs various functions (e.g., allocation of radio channels, paging, transmitting and receiving over the air interface).\",\n \"The BSS can include a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 220 which can include equipment for transmitting and receiving radio signals, antennas, and equipment for encrypting and decrypting communications with a Base Station Controller (BSC) 230.The BSC 230 can serve several different frequencies and different sectors of a cell.\",\n \"System 200 can include a core network with other components such as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 240, a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 245, a Home Location Register (HLR) 260, an Authentication Center (AUC) 270, and an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 270.The MSC 240 can be a primary service delivery node that is responsible for routing voice calls and SMS, as well as other services, such as conference calls, FAX and circuit switched data.\",\n \"The VLR 245 can be a database of subscribers that have roamed into a jurisdiction of a particular MSC served by that VLR.\",\n \"The VLR 245 is illustrated as a stand-alone device but can be integrated with the MSC 240.The HLR 260 can be a central database that contains details of each mobile phone subscriber that is authorized to use the core network.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the HLRs can store details of Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICCs) (e.g., Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards) issued by the mobile phone operator.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, IMSIs can be unique identifiers which are the primary key to each HLR record.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, MSISDNs, which are the telephone numbers used by mobile phones to make and receive calls, can also be a primary key to a particular HLR record.\",\n \"Other data can be stored in the HLR 260 (e.g., indexed to a particular IMSI), such as communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, a current location of subscriber call divert settings applicable for each associated MSISDN, and so forth.\",\n \"The AUC 270 can perform a function to authenticate each UICC that attempts to connect to the core network (e.g., when the phone is powered on).\",\n \"Once the authentication is successful, the HLR 260 can manage the UICC and authorized communication services.\",\n \"The EIR 280 can maintain a list of mobile phones (e.g., identified by their International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI)) which are to be monitored or are to be prohibited from utilizing the network.\",\n \"The EIR 280 can be a database that contains information about the identity of the mobile equipment that prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized or defective mobile stations.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the EIR 280 can log handset attempts that are stored in a log file.\",\n \"The EIR 280 is illustrated as a stand-alone device but can be integrated with the HLR 260.System 200 can include other features such as an Operations and Maintenance Center (OMC) that enables or otherwise facilitates the operation, administration and maintenance of a GSM network.\",\n \"The communication system 200 can provide Over-The-Air (OTA) technology to communicate with, download applications to, and manage a UICC without being connected physically to the UICC.\",\n \"As an example, an OTA gateway 280 can communicate with a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 290 for delivering provisioning information to the communication device 210, as well as propagating information to other network elements.\",\n \"For instance, OTA gateway 280 can transform information (e.g., service requests, provisioning information, and so forth) into short messages which are provided to the SMSC 290 for delivery to the communication device 210.In one embodiment, the OTA gateway 280 receives service requests through a gateway API that indicates the actual UICC to modify, update, and/or activate.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the OTA gateway 280 can have a UICC database that indicates for each UICC, the vendor, a UICC identification number, the IMSI and the MSISDN.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the service request can be formatted by the OTA gateway 280 into a message that can be understood by the recipient UICC, such as through use of libraries accessible to (or stored by) the OTA gateway that contain the formats to use for each brand of UICC.\",\n \"The resulting formatted message can then be sent to the SMSC 290 for delivery.\",\n \"The identity proxy function 250 can be a stand-alone device (e.g., positioned between the BSS and the MSC 240), or can be integrated with other components of the system 200 such as being executed by a server that also executes the MSC/VLR functions.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 250 is configured so that information (e.g., a registration request) being sent to a registration function (e.g., the HLR 260) is intercepted or otherwise first received by the identity proxy function prior to being received by the MSC 240, the VLR 245 and the HLR 260.The particular positioning of the identity proxy function 250 with respect to other network elements can vary provided that the identity proxy function maintains its ability to manage use and re-use of IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a single identity proxy function 250 can be utilized for a set of MSC/VLR and HLR.\",\n \"In another embodiment, multiple identity proxy functions 250 can be utilized for each set of MSC/VLR and HLR, where the identity proxy functions are positioned at various points in the core network such as between the BSS and the MSC 240 and between the VLR 245 and the HLR 260 (shown as dashed lines in FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"In one embodiment where multiple identity proxy functions 250 are utilized, they can communicate with each other for implementing the management of the use and re-use of the IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, an interface 255 can be established between the identity proxy function 250 and other network components, such as the HLR 260.For example, the interface 255 can enable the identity proxy function 250 to communicate directly with the HLR 260 so as to bypass communication with the VLR.\",\n \"For instance and as described herein, the identity proxy function 250 can simulate function(s) of the VLR 245 such as SRES comparison, and the interface 255 can enable obtaining data needed for the SRES comparison.\",\n \"System 200 can also include an identity provisioning function 350 for providing information to various devices including the communication device 210, and network element(s).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can maintain a listing of the designated IMSIs and can provision identity proxy functions throughout the network with this listing.\",\n \"The identity provisioning function 350 can be a separate device that is in communication with the identity proxy function 250.In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can provide for OTA provisioning of the communication device 210 via a registration simulation platform as described herein, as well as propagate other information to various network elements (e.g., communicating notices of reassigned IMSIs or other information to the HLR 260, the AUC 270 and/or the EIR 280).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can be in communication with the OTA gateway 280 and can utilize the services of the SMSC 290 to provision communication devices.\",\n \"The functions performed by the identity proxy function 250 and the identity provisioning function 350 in managing IMSI reuse can vary.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 can be utilized as a point of IMSI screening and further determinations as to what steps should be taken to manage the particular IMSI can be made by the identity provisioning function 350 based on a detection or screening message received by the identity provisioning function 350 from the identity proxy function 250.In other embodiments, the identity proxy function 250 can take a more active role in determinations of the appropriate steps to be taken to manage the particular IMSI.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"3 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, the identity proxy function 250 can have access to a list of IMSIs that are designated for potential reassignment or as having already been reassigned to another communication device.\",\n \"For instance, the identity provisioning function 350 can maintain the listing of the designated IMSIs at 301 and can provision identity proxy functions throughout the network with this listing at 302.The listing of the designated IMSIs can be generated based on various criteria.\",\n \"This provisioning information associated with the IMSIs can be utilized by the identity proxy function 250 to manage or otherwise facilitate registration by communication devices and reuse of IMSIs.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine that an IMSI is not included in the listing of the designated IMSIs in which case a registration request associated with that IMSI would be forwarded to the MSC 240 for completing a registration process.\",\n \"As another example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine that an IMSI is included in the listing of the designated IMSIs but is not included in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned in which case the identity proxy function 250 would know that an original device (which has been flagged as inactive) is attempting to register with the network.\",\n \"The identity proxy function 250 could then take appropriate steps for providing service to the original device, such as causing (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) reauthorizing use of the IMSI if services are now authorized (e.g., payment of services has been received) or causing the providing of nullification information to the original device (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350, a registration simulation platform, the OTA 280 and/or the SMSC 290) to further cause use of the IMSI at the original device to be disabled if services are not authorized or the device/UICC are not compatible with current network service.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 250 can provide a notice to the identity provisioning function of detection of a particular IMSI and the identity provisioning function 350 can then take appropriate steps for managing the reuse of IMSIs.\",\n \"As another example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine that an IMSI is included in the listing of the designated IMSIs and is also included in the subset of IMSIs (which have already been reassigned).\",\n \"Responsive to these determinations, a further determination can be made as to whether the device is the original device associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment or whether the device is the new device that has been reassigned the IMSI.\",\n \"The identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 could then take appropriate steps for allowing registration of the new device that has been reassigned the IMSI or for providing service to the original device.\",\n \"For instance, another IMSI can be reassigned (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) to the original device from the listing of designated IMSIs (which has not already been reassigned) if services are now authorized (e.g., payment of services has been received).\",\n \"In another embodiment, nullification information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) to cause use of the original IMSI at the original device to be disabled, such as where another IMSI is to be reassigned to the original device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, IMSIs can be designated for potential re-use due to suspension of services for a subscriber such as for non-payment or for another reason.\",\n \"In one embodiment, IMSIs can be designated for potential re-use due to a lack of use of the IMSI (or the device having a UICC that utilizes the IMSI) for a threshold time period, such as a mobile phone that has not attempted to register with a network (e.g., the GSM network or some other network including LTE or UMTS) in six months.\",\n \"In one embodiment, IMSIs can be designated for potential re-use according to a confirmation that the UICC has been damaged, lost, stolen and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments as the IMSIs are reassigned to other devices, those particular IMSIs can be further flagged as having been reassigned (i.e., flagged as a subset of the list of designated IMSIs).\",\n \"The identity provisioning function 350 can keep the identity proxy function 250 (as well as other identity proxy functions throughout the network) apprised of the list of designated IMSIs as well as the subset of those IMSIs that have already been reassigned to another communication device so that the identity proxy function 250 can accurately perform an IMSI screening process when registration requests are received.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"4 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, another communication device 410 can be reassigned an IMSI from the designated IMSIs where the IMSI was previously associated with the communication device 210 (which has been flagged as inactive).\",\n \"In this example at 401, the identity provisioning function 350 can receive a request, be instructed or otherwise determine that the IMSI (in the list of designated IMSIs) is to be reassigned to the communication device 410.The communication device 410 can be a new device that needs an IMSI to provide communication services or an existing device that requires another IMSI due to some other reason, such as having its own IMSI reassigned to a different device.\",\n \"At 402, the identity provisioning function 350 can notify the HLR 260 that the communication device 410 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"This can include deleting an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 410 and/or adding the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 410 in the database of the HLR 260.In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"At 403, the identity provisioning function 350 can notify the identity proxy function 250 that the communication device 410 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 can already be aware that the IMSI is part of a group of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment and can already be aware that the communication device 210 has been flagged as inactive.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 250 can switch a designation of the particular IMSI to being flagged as within the subset of the designated IMSIs that have already been reassigned to another device (i.e., the communication device 410 in this example).\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, the identity proxy function 250 facilitates registration of devices that have been reassigned IMSIs by intercepting or otherwise receiving registration requests, such as prior to the registration request being provided to the MSC 240, the VLR 245 and the HLR 260.For example at 501, the communication device 410 (which has been reassigned an IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs where the IMSI was previously associated with the communication device 210) can request registration with the network.\",\n \"A registration request including the reassigned IMSI can be received by the identity proxy function 250 which determines whether or not the particular IMSI is part of the group of designated IMSIs and whether a reassignment to another device has already occurred.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.\",\n \"For instance, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI) can be obtained for the communication device 410, such as being received from device 410 or from another source.\",\n \"At 502, if the received IMSI is determined as having already been reassigned to another device and if the communication device 410 is determined to be that other device then identity proxy function 250 can forward the registration request to the MSC/VLR (or another registration function server) for processing of the registration of the communication device 410.At 503 and 504, messaging associated with the registration process can be exchanged such as between the HLR 260, the VLR 245, the identity proxy function 250, and/or the communication device 410.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request and the registration process can vary.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 410 can send a Channel Request message to the BSS on a Random Access Channel (RACH) and the BSS can respond on an Access Grant Channel (AGCH) with an Immediate Assignment message while assigning a Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) to the communication device 410.The communication device 410 can switch to the assigned SDCCH and can send a Location Update Request to the BSS.\",\n \"The communication device 410 can send its IMSI to the BSS.\",\n \"The BSS can forward the Location Update Request/IMSI (i.e., a registration request) which is received or intercepted by the identity proxy function 250 which determines whether the received IMSI is already reassigned to another device and if the communication device 410 is that other device.\",\n \"If so, then the registration request is forwarded by the identity proxy function 250 to the MSC 240/VLR 245 which in turns forwards the registration request to the HLR 260, along with a request for verification of the IMSI and a request for authentication triplets (RAND, Kc, SRES).\",\n \"The HLR 260 can forward the IMSI to the AuC 270 and can request the authentication triplets.\",\n \"The AuC 270 can generate the authentication triplets and can send them, along with the IMSI, back to the HLR 260.The HLR 260 can validate the IMSI by ensuring it is allowed on the network and it is authorized for subscriber services.\",\n \"The HLR 260 can then forward the IMSI and the triplets to the VLR 245 which stores the SRES and the Kc, and can also forward the RAND to the BSS.\",\n \"The VLR 245 can utilize the BSS to authenticate the communication device 410.The BSS can send the communication device 410 an Authentication Request message with the only authentication parameter being sent in the message being the RAND.\",\n \"The communication device 410 can use the RAND to calculate the SRES and can send the SRES back to the BSS on the SDCCH in an Authentication Response.\",\n \"The BSS can forward the SRES to the VLR 245 which compares the SRES generated by the AuC with the SRES generated by the communication device.\",\n \"If the SRESs match then authentication is completed successfully.\",\n \"The exemplary embodiments can also utilize other messaging techniques and paths for registration of the communication device 410.In one embodiment, the VLR 245 can forward the Kc for the communication device 410 to the BSS where the Kc is not sent across the air interface to the communication device.\",\n \"The BSS can store the Kc and can forward a Set Cipher Mode command to the communication device 410 where the command only indicates which encryption to use.\",\n \"The communication device 410 can switch to cipher mode using the particular encryption algorithm (e.g., A5) so that all transmissions are now enciphered and can send a Ciphering Mode Complete message to the BSS.\",\n \"The VLR 245 can send a Location Updating Accept message to the BSS and also generate a new Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) for the communication device.\",\n \"The BSS can send the TMSI to the communication device 410 which can respond with a TMSI Reallocation Complete message that is forwarded to the VLR 245.The BSS can instruct the communication device 245 to go into idle mode by sending it a Channel Release message and can then deassign the SDCCH.\",\n \"The VLR 245 can send an Update Location message to the HLR 260 which records the particular MSC/VLR the communication device is currently associated with.\",\n \"In one embodiment such as where the identity proxy function 250 is unable to obtain device identity information (e.g., the IMEI) for the communication device 410, the identity proxy function 250 can simulate the registration process to obtain information that enables discerning whether the communication device 410 is the device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.\",\n \"As an example, the identity proxy function 250 can simulate the registration process so as to obtain an SRES generated by the communication device 410.From that generated SRES, the identity proxy function 250 can detect whether the communication device 410 is the device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 250 can communicate with other necessary components for obtaining data that is utilized in the registration process such as bypassing the VLR 245 and communicating via the interface 255 with the HLR 260 to obtain the authentication triplets.\",\n \"In this example, since the identity proxy function 250 requested the authentication triplets, the HLR 260 will obtain them from the AUC 270 and provide them back to the identity proxy function rather than providing them to the VLR 245.In one embodiment, the simulation of the registration process and the forcing of an SRES generation by the communication device 410 can be utilized to identify the particular device according to a secret key (in combination with the RAND provided by the identity proxy function 250) that the communication device would utilize in generating the SRES.\",\n \"The secret keys can be known or otherwise accessible to the identity proxy function 250 so that the secret key could be utilized to detect which device is generating the registration request.\",\n \"As an example, the secret key can be used during multiple cryptographic operations which can include the authentication of the device (e.g., in all networks) and the network (e.g., in UMTS and LTE).\",\n \"In one embodiment, rather than utilizing the interface 255, system 200 can utilize first and second identity proxy functions 250 that are positioned between the communication device 210 and the MSC 240 and positioned between the VLR 245 and the HLR 260, respectively.\",\n \"The first and second identity proxy functions 250 can communicate with each other, such as to bypass the VLR 245 when the identity proxy functions 250 are simulating a registration process and forcing the communication device 410 to generate an SRES.\",\n \"In one embodiment, once the identity proxy function 250 has determined the identity of the device (original device vs. new device), the identity proxy function 250 can require that the communication device perform a re-registration.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"6 which illustrates a portion of system 200 and may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths, the identity proxy function 250 facilitates registration of devices where the particular IMSI has been designated for potential reassignment or has already been reassigned by intercepting or otherwise receiving registration requests, such as prior to the registration request being provided to the MSC 240, the VLR 245 and the HLR 260.For example at 601, the original device 210 can request registration with the network.\",\n \"The original device 210 may have been flagged as inactive, such as for non-use over a threshold period of time, suspension of services for non-payment, a customer requesting discontinuation of services, and so forth.\",\n \"A registration request including the IMSI can be received by the identity proxy function 250 which determines whether or not the particular IMSI is part of the group of designated IMSIs and whether a reassignment has already occurred.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.\",\n \"For example, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI) can be obtained for the original device 210, such as being received from device 210 (e.g., in the registration request).\",\n \"As another example, if the IMSI has not been reassigned but is part of the IMSIs designated for potential reassignment then the identity proxy function 250 can determine that the device requesting registration is the original device 210 that has been flagged as inactive.\",\n \"The identification of the device can be based on simulating the registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES by the communication device 210, as described herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can determine whether the original device 210 is eligible for services.\",\n \"If the original device 210 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 250 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 350) to the original device 210 to cause the original device to disable its use of the IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, the IMSI can then be removed from the designated listing of IMSIs and can instead be included with other IMSIs (e.g., that have never been used before) that are eligible for assignment.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI has not yet been reassigned then the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can determine whether to allow the original device 210 to utilize that original IMSI, such as confirming that the subscriber is eligible for services (e.g., based on payment for services or other actions that removed a suspension of services).\",\n \"If the original device 210 is permitted to utilize its IMSI, then identity proxy function 250 can forward the registration request (based on the original IMSI) to the MSC 240/VLR 245 and can provide a notification (e.g., to the identity provisioning function 350) to remove the IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs and to further adjust the status of the original device 210 from an inactive status to an active status.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device then the identity proxy function 250 and/or the identity provisioning function 350 can confirm that the subscriber of the original device 210 is eligible for services and can obtain reassignment of another IMSI (from the designated list of IMSIs) for the original device.\",\n \"For example at 602, responsive to a determination that the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device and a determination that the subscriber of the original device 210 is eligible for services then the identity proxy function 250 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 350 for another IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs (which is not in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned) or the identity proxy function 250 can receive the other IMSI from the identity provisioning function 350 based on a determination made by the identity provisioning function 350.In one embodiment, the original device 210 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which is mapped to the original device by the network).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 350 such that the identity proxy function 250 transmits the request to the identity provisioning function 350 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device and the identity provisioning function 350 can approve or deny the request.\",\n \"Continuing with this example at 603, the identity provisioning function 350 can notify various network elements (e.g., the HLR 260) that the communication device 210 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"This can include the HLR 260 deleting an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 210 and/or adding the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 210 in its database.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"At 604, the identity provisioning function 350 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 210 via an OTA platform that causes the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI is now utilized by the device for communication services.\",\n \"In one embodiment, to send an OTA provisioning message to a device that has not completed registration to a target network, a simulating network can be used to intercept (e.g., prior to being received by a VLR in GSM or an MME in LTE) and complete the registration.\",\n \"The simulating network can send an OTA message to the device that can cause the modification of the device IMSI and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network.\",\n \"For example, the simulating network can comprise a set of functional elements (e.g., registration simulation platform 675) that exist in the target network.\",\n \"This can include an MSC/VLR, a MME, a HLR or HSS, an AUC, a SMSC, an OTA platform, a SGW, a PGW, an EIR and/or any combination thereof.\",\n \"The AUC of registration simulation platform 675 can contain the secret key of the device and the HSS/HLR can be provisioned to allow the device to register.\",\n \"Other pre-provisioning functions can be performed.\",\n \"For instance, the registration simulation platform 675 can be integrated into the identity proxy function 250 (illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6), the identity provisioning function 350 and/or can exist as a standalone device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can become aware of the registration to the registration simulation platform 675 by notification from the registration simulation platform 675 and/or from the identity proxy function 250.In this example, the identity provisioning function 350 can instruct the registration simulation platform 675 to perform an OTA to modify an IMSI of that particular device.\",\n \"The identity provisioning function 350 may provide an update to the identity proxy function 250 regarding the content of the requested OTA.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 350 can first detect an error message, then perform an action such as not forwarding the error to the device to cause the device to reattempt the registration, and finally intercept the reattempt and forward to the registration simulation platform 675.In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 210 via the OTA 280 and the SMSC 290 that causes the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI is now utilized by the device for communication services.\",\n \"In another embodiment at 605, the communication device 210 can then attempt to re-register utilizing the reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"The identity proxy function 250 can receive the registration request for the communication device 210, which now includes the reassigned IMSI and at 606-608 the registration process (via the VLR 245 and the HLR 260) can be completed based on the reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 350 can provision a National SIM Manager (NSM) with the reassigned IMSI for the original device where the secret key of the original device is already known.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 700 used by system 200 for facilitating the re-use of IMSIs.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 700 can be performed by the identity proxy function 250, the identity provisioning function 350 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6.At 702, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a communication device.\",\n \"For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device.\",\n \"At 704, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 250 can determine whether the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs and if so can further determine whether the IMSI is included in a subset of the group which is further designated as having already been reassigned to another communication device.\",\n \"If the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC 240/VLR 245 to perform the registration at 706.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 708 as to whether the registration request is for an original device that was associated with the IMSI (e.g., prior to being reassigned) or whether the registration request is for a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI.\",\n \"The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.\",\n \"If the registration request and the IMSI are from a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC240/VLR 245 to perform the registration at 706.If on the other hand the registration request and the IMSI are from an original device (e.g., a device that the IMSI was previously associated with prior to being added to the listing of designated IMSIs) then a determination can be made at 710 as to whether the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, and so forth.\",\n \"If the subscriber of the original device is not eligible for communication services then at 712 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 350 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the original device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI has not already been reassigned then it can be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs and provided to another communication device (e.g., the identity proxy function 250 can forward the IMSI automatically to the MSC240/VLR 245 for completion of registration associated with a new device that utilizes the IMSI).\",\n \"If on the other hand the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services then at 714 the original device can be authorized to utilize the particular IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the particular IMSI has not yet been reassigned) or the original device can be provisioned with another IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the new IMSI reassigned to the original device can be selected from the listing of designated IMSI (which is not included in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned).\",\n \"Method 700 can then proceed to 706 where the registration process is completed.\",\n \"While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"7, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, eligibility for services can be determined according to a viability of the UICC.\",\n \"For example, if it is determined that the UICC is no longer compatible with the network (e.g., it cannot perform certain functions requested by the network or cannot facilitate certain communication services) then the device/UICC can be designated as being ineligible for service and provisioning information can be sent to the device (e.g., via registration simulation platform 675) to nullify or otherwise disable use of the IMSI by that device/UICC.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if it is determined that the UICC is not viable or otherwise is incompatible with the network then the subscriber of the original device can be provided with a request to upgrade the UICC (which may or may not utilize the same IMSI), such as forwarding a message including an offer to the original device.\",\n \"In this example, the IMSI can be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"One or more of the determinations described with respect to any of the exemplary embodiments can be made by the identity proxy function 250, the identity provisioning function 350, or another network device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 800 (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system) that provides communication services such as to a communication device 810.The communication device 810 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 800 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 850 and an identity provisioning function 899.System 800 can perform many of the same functions as described with respect to system 200 including intercepting a registration request with an IMSI, determining an identity of a device requesting registration, processing registration requests according to whether the IMSI is a designated IMSI and whether the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device, reassigning an IMSI to an original device that has come back online, reauthorizing use of an original IMSI for an original device that has returned to being service eligible, and so forth.\",\n \"System 800 can utilize the identity proxy function 850 to perform functions similar to those described with respect to the identity proxy function 250 of system 200 for facilitating the re-use of IMSIs.\",\n \"System 800 can include various components that facilitate providing the communication services, including an eNodeB (eNB) 825 that functions as hardware that communicates directly wirelessly with mobile handsets similar to the BSS of the GSM network of system 200, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 840 that functions as a control-node for the LTE access-network, and a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 860 that functions as a central database to contain user-related and subscription-related information and which provides user authentication and access authorization functionality.\",\n \"The HSS 860 is similar to the HLR 260 and AUC 270 of the GSM network of system 200.Other components can also be included in the system 800 such as an EIR, S-GW, PDN GW, ePDG, SGSN and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 850 can be positioned between the eNB 825 and the MME 840 so that the IMSI is received by the identity proxy function 850 prior to being processed by the MME 840.In one embodiment, an interface 855 can be established between the identity proxy function 850 and other network components, such as the HSS 860.For example, the interface 855 can enable the identity proxy function 850 to communicate directly with the HSS 860 so as to bypass communication with the MME 840.For instance and as described herein, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate function(s) of the MME 840 such as RES comparison and the interface 855 can enable obtaining data needed for the RES comparison.\",\n \"System 800 can utilize an identity provisioning function 899 for provisioning information to the communication device 810, such as a reassigned IMSI, nullification information that disables the use of an old IMSI at an original device, an offer to obtain a reassigned IMSI, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, identity provisioning function 899 can also propagate other information to other network elements, such as notifications that an IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs has been reassigned or has been removed from the IMSI, an inactive or active status change for a device, and so forth to various network elements such as the HSS 860, the EIR, and so forth.\",\n \"The provisioning or propagation of information to the communication device 810 can be performed in a number of different ways, including utilizing a registration simulation platform (e.g., performing function similar to that of registration simulation platform 675 in FIG.\",\n \"6), an OTA gateway 880 and/or a messaging gateway 890.The functions performed by the identity proxy function 850 and the identity provisioning function 899 in managing IMSI reuse can vary.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can be utilized as a point of IMSI screening and further determinations as to what steps should be taken to manage the particular IMSI can be made by the identity provisioning function 899 based on a detection or screening message received by the identity provisioning function 899 from the identity proxy function 850.In other embodiments, the identity proxy function 850 can take a more active role in determinations of the appropriate steps to be taken to manage the particular IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the HSS 860 can be provisioned with reassigned IMSIs to facilitate the registration of a new device that has received a reassigned IMSI from an original device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate a registration process to force the communication device 810 to generate a RES (similar to the process described with respect to FIG.\",\n \"5) so that the identity proxy function 850 can determine whether the device requesting registration is an original device or a new device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can obtain an IMSI of the communication device 810 attempting to register and can determine the identity of that device.\",\n \"Based upon the IMSI and the identity of the communication device 810, a determination can be made (e.g., by the identity proxy function 850 and/or the identity provisioning function 899) whether to allow the registration to proceed (to the MME 840), reassign an IMSI to the communication device, provide provisioning information that disables use of the IMSI by the communication device and/or take other appropriate actions to facilitate managing use and reuse of IMSI.\",\n \"For example, the communication device 810 can initiate an attach procedure by transmitting an attach request to the eNB 825 so that the eNB can derive the appropriate MME from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameters carrying the old Globally Unique Mobility Management Entity Identifier (GUMMEI) and the indicated Selected Network.\",\n \"The attach request (i.e., registration request) can be received by the identity proxy function 850 (e.g., from the eNB 825).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the attach request can include a Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity (GUTI) which has the GUMMEI and also has the M-TMSI, which identifies the particular device.\",\n \"This identification allows the identity proxy function 850 to ascertain whether the particular device is a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 850 can obtain the IMSI in a number of different ways.\",\n \"For example, if the communication device 810 identifies itself with a GUTI, then the GUTI can be used to derive the old MME/SGSN address, and an Identification Request can be sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 can send an Identity Request to the communication device 810 to request the IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment such as where the identity proxy function 850 is unable to obtain device identity information (e.g., the GUTI) for the communication device 810, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate the registration process of the MME 840 to obtain information that enables discerning whether the communication device 810 is a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.\",\n \"As an example, the identity proxy function 850 can simulate the registration process of the MME 840 so as to obtain a RES generated by the communication device 810 according to an EPS AKA algorithm.\",\n \"From that generated RES, the identity proxy function 850 can detect whether the communication device 810 is the new device that has been reassigned the IMSI or is the original device that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 850 can communicate with other necessary components for obtaining data that is utilized in the registration process (e.g.\",\n \"a mutual authentication process) such as bypassing the MME 840 and communicating via the interface 855 with the HSS 860 to obtain authentication vectors (e.g., RAND, AUTN, XRES, KASME).\",\n \"The HSS 860 generates authentication vector(s) using the EPS AKA algorithm and forwards them back to the identity proxy function 850.The identity proxy function 850 can select one of the authentication vectors (if more than one was received) and can use it to perform mutual authentication with the communication device 810 by forwarding the RAND and AUTNHSS to the communication device, which then computes RES, AUTNUE and KASME using the EPS AKA algorithm.\",\n \"The communication device 810 can then compare its own AUTNUE and AUTNHSS received from the identity proxy function 850.Once authenticated, the communication device 810 can forward the RES to the identity proxy function 850, which can then determine from a comparison of the XRES received from the HSS 860 with the RES generated by the communication device whether the particular device is the original device or the new device since different RESs will be generated based on different secret keys (LTE K) stored at different UICCs.\",\n \"In this example, since the identity proxy function 850 requested the authentication vectors, the HSS 860 will provide them back to the identity proxy function via interface 855 rather than providing them to the MME 840.In one embodiment, rather than utilizing the interface 855, system 800 can utilize first and second identity proxy functions 850 that are positioned between the communication device 810 and the MME 840 and positioned between the MME 840 and the HSS 260 (shown in dashed lines in FIG.\",\n \"8), respectively.\",\n \"The first and second identity proxy functions 850 can communicate with each other, such as to bypass the MME 840 when the identity proxy functions 850 are simulating a registration process of the MME 840 and forcing the communication device 810 to generate a RES.\",\n \"In one embodiment, once the identity proxy function 850 has determined the identity of the device (original device vs. new device), the identity proxy function 850 can require that the communication device 810 perform a re-registration.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, a registration request associated with the communication device 810 where the registration request includes an IMSI of the communication device.\",\n \"System 800 enables accessing, by the identity proxy function 850, information that identifies a group of IMSIs and that indicates a subset of the group of IMSIs that have been reassigned to other communication devices.\",\n \"Responsive to a first determination that the IMSI is not included in the group of IMSIs or a second determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, system 800 enables providing, by the identity proxy function 850, the registration request to a registration function (e.g., the MME 840 and/or the HSS 860) for completing a registration process for the communication device which allows for communication services at the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, device identification data for the communication device 810.A third determination can then be performed as to whether the communication device 810 is one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of international mobile subscriber identities, where the third determination is based on the device identification data, and where the providing the registration request to the registration function for completing the registration process is according to the third determination.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the device identification data comprises an IMEI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the IMEI is obtained from the communication device 810.In one embodiment responsive to a third determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs and that the communication device 810 is not one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, system 800 enables providing, via the identity provisioning function 899, the communication device with provisioning information.\",\n \"The provisioning information causes one of disabling use of the IMSI by the communication device, reassignment of another IMSI from the group of IMSIs that is not included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, an IMEI from the communication device 810, wherein the third determination is based on the IMEI.\",\n \"In one embodiment responsive to a third determination that the communication device 810 is eligible for service, that the IMSI is included in the group of IMSIs, and that the IMSI is not included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, the system 800 enables removal of the IMSI from the group of IMSIs and further enables providing, by the identity proxy function 850, the registration request to the registration function for completing the registration process for the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 800 enables determining a functionality of a universal integrated circuit card of the communication device 810 that stores the IMSI, where the removal of the IMSI from the group of IMSIs and the providing the registration request to the registration function are based on a fourth determination that the functionality of the universal integrated circuit card is compatible with the communication services associated with the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 850 is a stand-alone server located between the eNB 825 and the MME 840, and the registration function is performed by the MME 840 utilizing services of the HSS 860.In one embodiment, the provisioning information can be provided to the communication device by the identity provisioning function via an OTA interface, where the OTA instructions go through the identity proxy function 850.In one embodiment, the system 800 enables receiving, by the identity proxy function 850, a signed response message generated by the communication device 810 based on a random challenge; and performing, by the identity proxy function, a third determination that the communication device is one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, where the third determination is based on the signed response message, and where the providing the registration request to the registration function for completing the registration process is according to the third determination.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the system 800 enables providing, by the identity proxy function 850, the random challenge to the communication device 810.FIG.\",\n \"9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 900.Communication device 900 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 8 and can be configured to perform portions of method 700 of FIG.\",\n \"7.Where communication device 900 is an end user device, it can include a UICC 975 that stores or otherwise manages use of an IMSI for registering the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can be an end user device that performs operations including: providing a registration request that is received by an identity proxy function operating in a server, where the registration request includes a first IMSI of the communication device; responsive to a determination that the first IMSI has been reassigned to another communication device and that the communication device 900 is not the other communication device, receiving provisioning information that includes a second IMSI; and facilitating a registration process that utilizes the second IMSI and that enables communication services at the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the provisioning information includes disabling information that disables use of the first IMSI by the communication device 900, where the registration process utilizes a secret key that was previously associated with the first IMSI prior to the first IMSI being reassigned to the other communication device, and where the receiving of the provisioning information is responsive to determining that the communication device is eligible for the communication services.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the communication device 900 can be a network device (e.g., a network server executing the identity proxy function 250, 850 and/or the identity provisioning function 350, 899) that performs operations including: receiving an IMSI of a communication device; accessing information that identifies a group of IMSIs and that indicates a subset of the group of IMSIs that have been reassigned to other communication devices; and, responsive to a first determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs and that the communication device is not one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, providing the communication device with provisioning information that disables use of the IMSI by the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, responsive to determining that use of the IMSI by the communication device has been nullified, provide a notification to or otherwise perform a removal of the IMSI from the group of IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, receive an IMEI from the communication device, where the first determination is based on the IMEI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, perform a second determination that the communication device is not service eligible, where the providing the communication device with the provisioning information is responsive to the second determination.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 900 can, responsive to a second determination that the IMSI is included in the subset of the group of IMSIs and that the communication device is one of the other communication devices that has received a reassignment of one of the subset of the group of IMSIs, providing a registration request to a registration function for completing a registration process for the communication device that enables communication services at the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the provisioning information enables reassignment of another IMSI from the group of IMSIs that is not included in the subset of the group of IMSIs, and where the communication device 900 can provide a registration request to a registration function for completing a registration process for the communication device utilizing the other IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration process for the communication device utilizing the other IMSI is further based on a secret key that was previously associated with the IMSI prior to the reassignment of the other IMSI to the communication device.\",\n \"Communication device 900 can include more or less than the components described herein.\",\n \"For example, communication device 900 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 902 (herein transceiver 902), a user interface (UI) 904, a power supply 914, a location receiver 916, a motion sensor 918, an orientation sensor 920, and a controller 906 for managing operations thereof.\",\n \"The transceiver 902 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively).\",\n \"Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.\",\n \"The transceiver 902 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.\",\n \"), and combinations thereof.\",\n \"The UI 904 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 908 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device 900.The keypad 908 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®.\",\n \"The keypad 908 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys.\",\n \"The UI 904 can further include a display 910 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device 900.In an embodiment where the display 910 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 908 can be presented by way of the display 910 with navigation features.\",\n \"The display 910 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input.\",\n \"As a touch screen display, the communication device 900 can be adapted to present a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.\",\n \"The touch screen display 910 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display.\",\n \"This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface.\",\n \"The display 910 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.\",\n \"The UI 904 can also include an audio system 912 that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation).\",\n \"The audio system 912 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user.\",\n \"The audio system 912 can also be used for voice recognition applications.\",\n \"The UI 904 can further include an image sensor 913 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.\",\n \"The power supply 914 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 900 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications.\",\n \"Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.\",\n \"The location receiver 916 can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device 900 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation.\",\n \"The motion sensor 918 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 900 in three-dimensional space.\",\n \"The orientation sensor 920 can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 900 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).\",\n \"The communication device 900 can use the transceiver 902 to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements.\",\n \"The controller 906 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device 900.Other components not shown in FIG.\",\n \"9 can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"For instance, the communication device 900 can include a reset button (not shown).\",\n \"The reset button can be used to reset the controller 906 of the communication device 900.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 900 can also include a factory default setting button positioned, for example, below a small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 900 to force the communication device 900 to re-establish factory settings.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.\",\n \"The communication device 900 can also include a slot for adding or removing the UICC 975 (where it is not an embedded UICC).\",\n \"The UICC 975 can be various types of UICCs and can be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.\",\n \"The UICC 975 can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.\",\n \"The communication device 900 as described herein can operate with more or less of the circuit components shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.These variant embodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"The communication device 900 can be adapted to perform the functions of the devices of FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 8 including communication devices 210, 410, 810, as well as the identity proxy functions 250, 850, the identity provisioning functions 350, 899 and other network components described herein.\",\n \"It will be appreciated that the communication device 900 can also represent other devices that can operate in systems 200 and 800.In addition, the controller 906 can be adapted in various embodiments to perform the functions 462 which enables management of the re-use of IMSIs.\",\n \"Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of the claims described below.\",\n \"For example, other factors can be utilized to determine whether an original device should receive an IMSI from the designated group of IMSIs (which has not yet been reassigned) or whether the original device should continue to utilize the original IMSI.\",\n \"For instance, even though the original IMSI may not yet have been reassigned, the service provider may desire to reassign another IMSI (from the designated IMSI to be reassigned) such as to facilitate categorizing devices and/or subscribers based on particular groupings of IMSIs.\",\n \"The exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to GSM and LTE networks 200, 800, respectively.\",\n \"However, the exemplary embodiments can be utilized for managing use of IMSIs in various types of networks.\",\n \"For example in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, IMSI management can be performed as described in the exemplary embodiments by intercepting a registration request utilizing an identity proxy function (e.g., positioned between the BSS and the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)).\",\n \"In another example in a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, IMSI management can be performed as described in the exemplary embodiments by intercepting a registration request utilizing an identity proxy function.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, other steps or procedures can be implemented when an original device that has been flagged as inactive attempts to register with the network.\",\n \"For example, when an original device whose original IMSI has been re-assigned to another device is detected during a registration request, the network can limit interaction of the original device with the network.\",\n \"For instance, the UICC of the original device can be forced to use a default or bootstrap IMSI which has limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining a reassigned IMSI), a pay for service mode, and so forth.\",\n \"For instance, a pay for service mode can be implemented by the default IMSI by allowing registration that enables access to a webpage for selecting and paying for particular communication services, such as messaging, voice calls, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the default IMSI can be stored by the UICC in addition to the original IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the provisioning information provided to the UICC can cause the UICC to utilize the default IMSI instead of the original IMSI.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 350, 899 can provision the default IMSI to the original device rather than provisioning an IMSI from the designated group of IMSIs.\",\n \"The default or bootstrap IMSI can differ from an original IMSI in that the original IMSI can be utilized by a device (e.g., a new device reassigned the original IMSI or the original device that is re-authorized to utilize the IMSI) for accessing a full range of available services whereas the default or bootstrap IMSI does not provide access to the full range of available services, although the default or bootstrap IMSI could provide access to a webpage for pay for service mode.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a same default or bootstrap IMSI can be utilized by numerous devices that have been flagged as inactive.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the intercepting of the IMSI and determining whether to allow registration to continue by the identity proxy function 250, 850 prevents a failure or other error message from being generated and/or from being provided to the communication device which could have adverse effects on the communication device such as disabling OTA interface of the communication device.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 250, 850 can cache or otherwise store last successful registration processes for particular devices to utilize that information for determining whether a device requesting registration is an original device or a new device with a reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the device identification information (e.g., an IMEI) can be sourced by one or more other network elements.\",\n \"Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"It should be understood that devices described in the exemplary embodiments can be in communication with each other via various wireless and/or wired methodologies.\",\n \"The methodologies can be links that are described as coupled, connected and so forth, which can include unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless paths and/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols or methodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g., no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediary processing device such as a router).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates a portion of a system 1000 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 1010.System 1000 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8 or another network such as a GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication device 1010 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 1000 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 1050 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 250, 850) and an identity provisioning function 1099 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 350, 899).\",\n \"System 1000 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 1060, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 1000 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 1010 can be reassigned an IMSI from a listing of designated IMSIs where the IMSI was previously associated with a different communication device (e.g., which has been flagged as an inactive device).\",\n \"In this example at 1001, the identity provisioning function 1099 can receive a request, be instructed or otherwise determine that an IMSI (in a list of designated IMSIs) is to be reassigned to the communication device 1010.The communication device 1010 can be a new device that needs an IMSI to provide communication services or can be an existing device that requires another IMSI due to some other reason, such as having its own IMSI reassigned to a different device.\",\n \"At 1002, the identity provisioning function 1099 can notify the registration function 1060 (e.g., the HLR 260 in system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2 or the HSS 860 in system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8) that the communication device 1010 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"This can include deleting an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 1010 and/or adding the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 1010 in a database, such as of the HLR 260 or the HSS 860.In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 or HSS 860 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"By notifying the registration function 1060 that the communication device 1010 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI, the communication device 1010 can now successfully register with the network.\",\n \"At 1003, the identity provisioning function 1099 can notify the identity proxy function 1050 that the communication device 1010 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI or can notify the identity proxy function that an IMSI in the listing of designated IMSIs has been moved to the subset of designated IMSIs due to reassignment to another device (with or without indicating the particular new device that has been reassigned the IMSI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1050 can already be aware that the IMSI is part of the group of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment and can already be aware that an original communication device associated with the particular IMSI has been flagged as inactive.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can switch a designation of the particular IMSI to being flagged as within the subset of the designated IMSIs that have already been reassigned to another device (i.e., the communication device 1010 in this example).\",\n \"System 1000 also illustrates a successful registration of communication device 1010 utilizing the reassigned IMSI from steps 1001-1003.For example at 1011, the communication device 1010 (which has been reassigned the IMSI) can request registration with the network.\",\n \"A registration request including the reassigned IMSI can be received by the registration function 1060 (e.g., an MSC/VLR in a GSM network or an MME in an LTE network).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration request can also be received by the identity proxy function 1050.For instance, the registration request can be intercepted or otherwise received by the identity proxy function 1050 and then forwarded to the registration function 1060.A registration process can be performed according to the reassigned IMSI and a secret key that is associated with the communication device 1010.The registration function 1060 can be aware of the secret key associated with the communication device 1010 and can be aware of the reassigned IMSI that is now associated with the communication device.\",\n \"The registration process can be similar to the processes described herein with respect to GSM or LTE networks, such as a comparison of SRES in GSM or a comparison of RES in LTE or a comparison of XRES in UMTS environment.\",\n \"At 1012, a successful registration can be communicated to the communication device 1010.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request and the registration process can vary.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a portion of a system 1100 that provides communication services to end user devices, such as communication device 1110.System 1100 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10 or another network such as a GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication device 1110 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 1100 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 1050 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 250, 850) and an identity provisioning function 1099 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 350, 899).\",\n \"System 1100 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 1060, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 1100 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 1100 illustrates an attempted registration by the communication device 1110 utilizing an IMSI that is included in the listing of designated IMSIs (e.g., where the communication device 1110 is an original device that has been flagged as inactive).\",\n \"For example at 1101, the communication device 1110 can request registration with the network.\",\n \"A registration request (e.g., including an original IMSI that is among the listing of designated IMSIs for reassignment or has already been reassigned to another device or an IMSI that is not on the designated list) can be received by the registration function 1060 (e.g., an MSC/VLR in a GSM network or an MME in an LTE network).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration request can also be received by the identity proxy function 1050.For instance, the registration request can be intercepted or otherwise received by the identity proxy function 1050 and then forwarded to the registration function 1060.A registration process can be performed according to the original IMSI and a secret key that is associated with the communication device 1110.The registration function 1060 can be aware of the secret key associated with the communication device 1110.The registration process can be similar to the processes described herein with respect to GSM or LTE networks, such as a comparison of SRES in GSM or a comparison of RES in LTE.\",\n \"At 1102, a registration error can be generated by the registration function 1060 (e.g., an authentication failure message generated by the MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM or by the MME and/or HSS in LTE) and can be received by the identity proxy function 1050 from the registration function 1060.In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can intercept the authentication error message prior to or otherwise to avoid it being received by the communication device 1110.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request, the registration process and/or the registration error can vary.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1050 can determine that the registration error is a valid failure for a device that should not be attempting to use the IMSI (such as a third device that is not the original device and is not a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI).\",\n \"For instance, an authentication failure can be received for a device that is not the original device and is not a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can allow the error process (e.g., an authentication failure messaging) to proceed.\",\n \"In another embodiment at 1103, a request for reassignment of another IMSI from the listing of the designated IMSIs or authorization to utilize the original IMSI can be provided to the identity provisioning function 1099 from the identity proxy function 1050.For instance, the identity proxy function 1050 can (e.g., in response to receiving the error message) compare the original IMSI associated with communication device 1110 to the list of designated IMSIs and the subset of the designated IMSIs to determine the status of the original IMSI (reassigned vs not reassigned).\",\n \"The identity proxy function 1050 can further determine the identity of the communication device 1110 (original vs new device) based on device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, GUTI and so forth).\",\n \"In one embodiment, where the error message does not include any device identification information and/or the IMSI, the identity proxy function 1050 can ascertain the device identification information and/or IMSI from the registration request that was previously received or intercepted.\",\n \"For instance, when the identity proxy function 1050 detects a registration error message (e.g., an AUTHENTICATION REJECT message from an MME), the identity proxy function 1050 can detect within the message addressing information, message ID information, correlation ID information, and so forth, and can further correlate the error message with the stored registration request previously intercepted.\",\n \"This enables the IMSI and/or device identification information (e.g., GUTI or IMEI) to be determined.\",\n \"Continuing with this example and based on this information, reassignment of another IMSI from the listing of the designated IMSIs or authorization use of the original IMSI can be implemented.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 1099 can notify the HLR or HSS that the user is valid and the HLR or HSS can perform a database update to enable a subsequent registration utilizing the reassigned IMSI by the device.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 1050 can also take action, such as preventing forwarding of the failed registration to the device, to cause the device to reattempt the registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a determination of a subscriber's eligibility for services can be made.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors such as suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, the device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a determination of a compatibility of service with a UICC of the communication device 1110 can be made.\",\n \"One or both of these determinations can be part of deciding whether to reassign another IMSI from the listing of the designated IMSIs, to authorize use of the original IMSI, or to deny services to the communication device 1110.These determinations can be made by the identity provisioning function 1099 or can be made by another network element.\",\n \"If it is determined that an IMSI from the listing of designated IMSIs (which has not yet been reassigned) is to be reassigned to the communication device 1110, then at 1104 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the registration function 1060 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the reassigned IMSI in conjunction with an original secret key that is associated with the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 1110 is to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI (where the original IMSI has not yet been reassigned to another device), then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the registration function 1060 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI in conjunction with the original secret key that is associated with the communication device.\",\n \"If it is determined that a reassigned IMSI is to be provisioned to the communication device 1110, then at 1104 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the communication device 1110 which will include the reassigned IMSI.\",\n \"As an example, the identity provisioning function 1099 can provide the reassigned IMSI to the communication device 1110 utilizing an OTA interface according to an SMS protocol such as through use of a registration simulation platform (e.g., performing function similar to that of registration simulation platform 675 in FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 1110 is not to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI (e.g., another IMSI is to be reassigned or the communication device 1110 is not eligible for services), then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the communication device 1110 to prevent the communication device from attempting to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 1099 can further communicate with various network elements (e.g., the identity proxy function 1050, HLR, HSS, EIR, and so forth) so that the network elements are informed of the current state of IMSIs and/or communication devices.\",\n \"For example, if an original device is reassigned another IMSI or an original device is nullified from using the original IMSI via provisioning information then the identity provisioning function 1099 can remove the original IMSI (of that original device) from the listing of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"In these examples, the original IMSI can also then be assigned to another device (if not already reassigned).\",\n \"At 1106 if another IMSI has been reassigned to the communication device 1110 or reuse of the original IMSI has been authorized, then the communication device 1110 can re-register.\",\n \"For example, the provisioning information provided by the identity provisioning function 1099 to the communication device 1110 can cause the communication device to initiate a re-registration.\",\n \"The re-registration request can be received and processed by the registration function 1060 and based on the provisioning procedures at steps 1104 and 1105, a successful registration message can be provided to the communication device 1110 at 1107.FIG.\",\n \"12 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 1200 used by systems 1000, 1100 for facilitating the re-use of IMSIs.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 1200 can be performed by the identity proxy function 1050, the identity provisioning function 1099 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6 and 8-9.At 1202, an error message can be received that is associated with a communication device.\",\n \"For instance, the error message can result from a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device utilizing an IMSI that is part of the listing of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"As an example in GSM, the identity proxy function 1050 can receive an authentication failure message from a VLR.\",\n \"As another example in LTE, the identity proxy function 1050 can receive an authentication failure message from an MME.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the determination of an authentication failure (e.g., by an HLR or HSS) can be based on an IMSI and secret key combination for a device that is flagged as inactive.\",\n \"If there is no determination of an error (e.g., the IMSI is not included in the listing of designated IMSIs or the IMSI has been reassigned to a new device and the registration request is from that new device) then method 1200 can proceed to 1216 so that the registration process can be completed which enables the communication device to obtain services via the network.\",\n \"At 1204, a screening of the IMSI can be performed by the identity proxy function 1050.For example, the identity proxy function 1050 can determine whether the IMSI is included in the designated group of IMSIs and if so can further determine whether the IMSI is included in a subset of the group which is further designated as having already been reassigned to another communication device.\",\n \"If the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then method 1200 can proceed to 1206 for the authentication failure message to be delivered to the communication device 1110.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 1206 as to whether the error message is for an original device that was associated with the IMSI (e.g., prior to being reassigned) or whether error message is for some other device.\",\n \"The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, where the error message does not include any device identification information and/or the IMSI, the identity proxy function 1050 can ascertain the device identification information and/or IMSI from the registration request that was previously received or intercepted.\",\n \"For instance, when the identity proxy function 1050 detects a registration error message (e.g., an AUTHENTICATION REJECT message from an MME), the identity proxy function 1050 can detect within the message addressing information, message ID information, correlation ID information, and so forth, and can further correlate the error message with the stored registration request previously intercepted.\",\n \"This enables the IMSI and/or device identification information (e.g., GUTI or IMEI) to be determined.\",\n \"If the error message is not for the original device (e.g., a device that the IMSI was previously associated with prior to being added to the listing of designated IMSIs) then method 1200 can proceed to 1206 for the authentication failure message to be delivered to the communication device 1110.If on the other hand the error message is for the original device then a determination can be made at 1210 as to whether the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, and so forth.\",\n \"If the subscriber of the original device is not eligible for communication services then at 1212 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 1099 such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the original IMSI by the original device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the IMSI can then be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"If on the other hand the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services then at 1214 the original device can be authorized to utilize the particular IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the particular IMSI has not yet been reassigned) or the original device can be provisioned, such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675, with another IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device) and registration of the device can be completed at 1216.In one embodiment, the new IMSI reassigned to the original device can be selected from the listing of designated IMSI (which is not included in the subset of IMSIs that has already been reassigned).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 1110 can be instructed to re-register utilizing the new IMSI if one has been reassigned or utilizing the original IMSI if reuse of that original IMSI has been authorized.\",\n \"While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"12, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates a portion of a system 1300 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 1310.System 1300 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11 or another network such as a GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication device 1310 can be various types of devices such as a mobile phone or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 1300 enables IMSI re-use by the same or other communication devices through use of an identity proxy function 1350 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 250, 850, 1050) and an identity provisioning function 1399 (which can perform some or all of the functions described with respect to identity proxy functions 350, 899, 1099).\",\n \"System 1300 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 1360, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network, where an IMSI may or may not be reassigned to the communication device via the identity provisioning function 1399.System 1300 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 1300 illustrates an attempted registration by the communication device 1310 which has been flagged as inactive (e.g., services have been suspended, failure to register over threshold time period, and so forth).\",\n \"The identity proxy function 1350 facilitates registration of devices where the particular IMSI is a bootstrap IMSI 1311 or an IMSI 1312 that the network does not want the communication device to utilize for registration, such as an IMSI that has already been reassigned to another device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates both of IMSIs 1311, 1312, but the communication device 1310 can have one or the other of the IMSIs, such as stored in a UICC of the communication device.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI, such as based on intercepting a registration request (e.g., prior to the registration request being provided to an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2 or prior to the registration request being provided to an MME and/or HSS in LTE as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI which is associated with a registration error, such as an authentication failure message as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11.A bootstrap IMSI 1311 can be an IMSI that provides for limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining a reassigned IMSI), a pay for service mode, and so forth.\",\n \"For instance, a pay for service mode can be implemented by the bootstrap IMSI 1311 by allowing registration that enables access to a webpage for selecting and paying for particular communication services, such as messaging, voice calls, and so forth.\",\n \"The bootstrap IMSI 1311 can differ from an original IMSI 1312 in that the original IMSI can be utilized by a device (e.g., a new device reassigned the original IMSI or the original device that is re-authorized to utilize the IMSI) for accessing a full range of available services whereas the default or bootstrap IMSI does not provide access to the full range of available services, although the default or bootstrap IMSI could provide access to a webpage for pay for service mode.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a same bootstrap IMSI 1311 can be utilized by numerous devices that have been flagged as inactive.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1301, the original device 1310 can request registration with the network where the identity proxy function 1350 can determine whether or not the particular IMSI is part of a group of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs can include bootstrap IMSIs and/or IMSIs that the network does not want utilized by the original devices (e.g., where the IMSI has already been reassigned to another device).\",\n \"In one embodiment, bootstrap IMSIs can be IMSIs that provide for limited use by a communication device.\",\n \"For instance, the limited use of a bootstrap IMSI can include enabling communication with network element(s) for initiating or otherwise facilitating a registration process and/or provisioning of another IMSI without enabling user communication services (e.g., voice, video, data, messaging) at the communication device utilizing the bootstrap IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.\",\n \"For example, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI or GUTI) can be obtained for the original device 1310, such as being received from device 1310 (e.g., in the registration request) or obtained from another network element (e.g., from an Identification Request sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI).\",\n \"As another example, if the IMSI has not yet been reassigned but is part of a group of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment then the identity proxy function 1350 can determine that the device requesting registration is the original device 1310 that has been flagged as inactive.\",\n \"In another embodiment, identification of the device can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES (in GSM) or RES (in LTE) by the communication device 1310, as described herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, registration simulation platform 675 can be utilized (e.g., positioned between the communication device 1310 and the VLR in GSM or positioned between the communication device and the MME in LTE).\",\n \"As described herein, the simulating network can send an OTA message to the device that can cause the modification of the device IMSI and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network.\",\n \"For example, the simulating network can comprise a set of functional elements that exist in the target network including an MSC/VLR, a MME, a HLR or HSS, an AUC, a SMSC, an OTA platform, a SGW, a PGW, an EIR and/or any combination thereof.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 1310, identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI) and/or can cause the communication device to change from the bootstrap IMSI 1311 to an active IMSI via OTA.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 and/or the identity provisioning function 1399 can determine whether the original device 1310 is eligible for services.\",\n \"If the original device 1310 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 1350 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 1399) to the original device 1310 to cause the original device to disable its use of an original IMSI 1312.In this example, the original IMSI 1312 can then be removed from the designated listing of IMSIs and can instead be included with other IMSIs (e.g., that have never been used before) that are eligible for assignment.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the communication device 1310 is eligible for services then the identity provisioning function 1399 can implement a reassignment of another IMSI 1313 (e.g., from a listing of IMSIs that are designated for reassignment) for the device 1310.For example at 1302, responsive to a determination that an IMSI reassignment is warranted (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI is being utilized, the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device, and/or a subscriber of the original device 1310 is eligible for services) then the identity proxy function 1350 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 1399 for the other IMSI 1313 or the determination can be made by the identity provisioning function 1399.In one embodiment, the original device 1310 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which is mapped to the original device by the network such as in an HLR or HSS).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 1399 such that the identity proxy function 1350 automatically transmits the request to the identity provisioning function 1399 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the IMSI is in the listing of designated IMSIs and the identity provisioning function 1399 can approve or deny the request.\",\n \"Continuing with this example at 1303, the identity provisioning function 1399 can notify various network elements (e.g., the HLR 260, the AUC 270, an EIR, the HSS 860, and/or a national SIM manager) that the communication device 1310 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 1313.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR 260 or HSS 860 to delete (or otherwise note the change of) an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 1310 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 1310 in its database.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 or the HSS 860 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the HLR 260 and/or the HSS 860 may or may not have information corresponding to the bootstrap IMSI 1311.In one embodiment at 1304, the identity provisioning function 1399 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 1310, such as via an OTA interface (e.g., using an SMS protocol such as through registration simulation platform 675).\",\n \"The provisioning information can cause the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI 1313 is now utilized by the communication device 1310 for communication services.\",\n \"At 1305, the communication device 1310 can then attempt to re-register utilizing the reassigned IMSI 1313.The identity proxy function 1350 can receive the re-registration request for the communication device 1310, which now includes the reassigned IMSI 1313, and at 1306-1308 the registration process (e.g., via the VLR 245 and the HLR 260 in system 200 or via the MME 840 and the HSS 860 in LTE) can be completed based on the reassigned IMSI 1313.In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 1399 can provision an NSM with the reassigned IMSI 1313 for the original device where the secret key of the original device is already known.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 1399 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270, MME 840 and/or HSS 860).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 1350 and/or the identity provisioning function 1399 can provide instructions to the communication device 1310 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 1313.FIG.\",\n \"14 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 1400 used by system 1300 for facilitating the reassignment of IMSIs where a device is attempting to register utilizing a bootstrap IMSI or utilizing an IMSI that the network does not want the device to continue to utilize.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 1400 can be performed by the identity proxy function 1350, the identity provisioning function 1399 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6, 8-11 and 13.At 1402, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a communication device.\",\n \"For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device 1310 or can be associated with an authentication failure caused by use of the particular IMSI (e.g., the IMSI has been reassigned and the IMSI/original secret key combination is no longer valid and thus cannot be authenticated).\",\n \"At 1404, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 1350 can determine whether the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI or an IMSI that the network does not want the device to continue to utilize).\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the registration function 1360 (e.g., MSC/VLR in GSM or MME in LTE) to perform the registration at 1406.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 1408 as to whether the registration request is for an original device that was associated with the IMSI (e.g., prior to being reassigned) or whether the registration request is for another device (e.g., a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI).\",\n \"The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the registration request and the IMSI are from a new device that has been reassigned the IMSI then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC/VLR (in GSM) or the MME (in LTE) to perform the registration at 1406.In another embodiment, if the registration request and the IMSI are from another device that has not been authorized to utilize the IMSI (and which is not the original device associated with that IMSI) then an authentication failure can be generated.\",\n \"In one embodiment, provisioning information can be sent to that particular communication device which is not authorized to utilize the IMSI, where the provisioning information causes nullification of the use of that particular IMSI by the UICC of that particular communication device.\",\n \"If on the other hand the registration request and the IMSI are from an original device (e.g., a device that the IMSI was previously associated with prior to being added to the listing of designated IMSIs) then a determination can be made at 1410 as to whether the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, user requests, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the subscriber of the original device is not eligible for communication services then at 1412 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 1399 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the original device (e.g., where the IMSI is not bootstrap IMSI 1311 but rather is original IMSI 1312).\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI 1312 has not already been reassigned and the IMSI 1312 is not to be utilized by the communication device 1310 then it can be removed from the listing of designated IMSIs to be provided to another communication device.\",\n \"If on the other hand the subscriber of the original device is eligible for communication services then at 1414 the original device can be authorized to utilize the particular IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the particular IMSI has not yet been reassigned) or the original device can be provisioned (e.g., utilizing registration simulation platform 675) with another IMSI (e.g., if it is determined that the original IMSI has already been reassigned to another device or if the IMSI is the bootstrap IMSI 1311).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the new IMSI 1313 that is reassigned to the original device 1310 can be selected from a listing of designated IMSI that are to be reassigned to devices.\",\n \"Method 1400 can then proceed to 1406 where the registration process is completed, such as by forwarding instructions to the communication device 1310 to cause a re-registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the original device 1310 is utilizing the bootstrap IMSI 1311 and eligibility for services is approved then a new IMSI or the original IMSI 1312 will need to be utilized by the original device to access services since the bootstrap IMSI does not provide direct access to the services.\",\n \"While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"14, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, eligibility for services can be determined according to a viability of the UICC, such as whether the UICC can comply with requirements of the network (e.g., it can perform certain security functions, provide certain notifications requested by the network, and/or can facilitate certain communication services).\",\n \"In one embodiment, if it is determined that the UICC is not viable or otherwise is incompatible with the network then the subscriber of the original device can be provided with a request to upgrade the UICC (which may or may not utilize the same IMSI), such as forwarding a message including an offer to the original device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, confirmation that a particular IMSI is no longer being utilized by a communication device can result in that particular IMSI being removed from the listing of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"One or more of the determinations described with respect to any of the exemplary embodiments can be made by the identity proxy function 1350, the identity provisioning function 1399, or another network device.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1310 can have both a bootstrap IMSI 1311 and an original IMSI 1312 (e.g., stored in the UICC).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication device 1310 or the UICC can switch from utilizing the original IMSI 1312 to utilizing the bootstrap IMSI 1311 responsive to detecting a triggering event.\",\n \"For example, a communication device 1310 can monitor for a time period from a last successful registration of the communication device utilizing the original IMSI 1312.If the time period exceeds a particular threshold (e.g., six months) then the communication device and/or the UICC can switch to utilizing the bootstrap IMSI 1311.In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1310 can be provisioned with the bootstrap IMSI 1311 and may or may not continue to store and/or utilize the original IMSI 1312 (e.g., stored in the UICC).\",\n \"For example, bootstrap IMSIs can be provisioned to all or some devices via the identity provisioning function 1399 utilizing an OTA interface, such as via SMS protocol (e.g., through use of registration simulation platform 675).\",\n \"In one embodiment, particular communication devices can be selected for receiving bootstrap IMSIs based on various criteria, such as based on older devices that are predicted to be going offline in the near future, subscriber billing history, and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1310 can be provisioned with a bootstrap IMSI 1311 at the time that the device receives its IMSI such as a reassigned IMSI 1313.In one or more embodiments, the group of designated IMSIs can include a first subset of IMSIs designated for limited use (e.g., bootstrap IMSIs), a second subset of IMSIs designated as having been reassigned to other communication devices, and/or a third subset of IMSIs designated for potential reassignment but that have not yet been reassigned to other communication devices.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the bootstrap IMSI 1311 can be utilized for providing a subscriber with an option to obtain a reassigned IMSI (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 1399 such as by utilizing registration simulation platform 675) and/or to obtain pay for services, such as access to a website that allows purchasing particular services for particular lengths of times, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the same bootstrap IMSI can be utilized for multiple device.\",\n \"In another embodiment, different bootstrap IMSIs can be utilized for different devices.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates a portion of a system 1500 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1510-1510n.\",\n \"System 1500 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11, system 1300 of FIG.\",\n \"13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication devices 1510-1510n can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 1500 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device such as through use of a steering function in conjunction with unique device identifiers.\",\n \"System 1500 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network.\",\n \"System 1500 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 1500 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1510 utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1510n).\",\n \"Each of the communication devices 1510-1510n can have unique device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, eUICC platform ID, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES).\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1501, a first communication device 1510 can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MSC/VLR 1545.In this embodiment the MSC and VLR are shown as one device but in another embodiment could also be separate devices.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the first communication device 1510 can send both an IMSI and a unique device identifier (e.g., an IMEI) to the MSC/VLR 1545.In another embodiment, this unique device identifier can be identification associated with an eUICC.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a location update message can be utilized for delivering this information to the MSC/VLR 1545.Other techniques for obtaining the unique device identifier can also be employed by system 1500, including use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.\",\n \"6.In one embodiment, the MSC/VLR 1545 can store the IMSI and the device identifier (e.g., indexed to each other), and can use them to uniquely identify the first communication device 1510 (against one or more other communication devices 1510n that may attempt to register utilizing the same IMSI but would have different device identifiers).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the MSC/VLR 1545 can have the capability of distinguishing between a set of IMSI instances using the IMSI and a unique device identifier.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the MSC/VLR 1545 can generate an authentication request directed to an HLR 260, such as using (or otherwise including) both the IMSI and the device identifier.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a steering function 1575 can intercept the authentication request and at 1502 can steer it or otherwise transmit it to an HLR based on network policies for the IMSI and device identifier combination.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be integrated with the MSC/VLR 1545.In another embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be a separate device, such as interfacing with the MSC/VLR 1545 via a Diameter Routing Agent.\",\n \"As an example and as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15, multiple HLRs 260 can be utilized where each HLR contains a single instance of a shared IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, the steering function 1575 can determine the appropriate HLR for receiving the authentication request according to the IMSI and the device identifier.\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the HLR 260 may not need to utilize (and/or know) the unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI for its database lookup.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a single HLR 260 can be used for shared IMSIs, where the single HLR has the capability of distinguishing communication devices based on an IMSI and a mapping to a unique device identifier as shown in the example of stored data at the HLR shown in FIG.\",\n \"16.In one or more embodiments, the combination of IMSI and device identifier would be known by the MSC/VLR 1545, the steering function 1575 and/or the HLR 260 (e.g., where a single HLR is being utilized) prior to an attempt at registration.\",\n \"Once the HLR 260 receives the authentication request, the target HLR can provide authentication triplets to the MSC/VLR 1545 based on the IMSI (e.g., where multiple HLRs are being utilized that each have only one instance of the IMSI) and/or based on the combination of IMSI and unique device identifier (e.g., where a single HLR is being utilized that has multiple instances of the IMSI that are each indexed by a different unique device identifier).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the HLR 260 can communicate with the AUC 270 for obtaining the authentication triplets.\",\n \"The MSC/VLR 1545 can receive the authentication triplets from the HLR 260 and can initiate the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1510.In one embodiment once authentication is successful, the MSC/VLR 1545 can assign a unique temporary ID, such as a P-TMSI, to the first communication device 1510.This unique temporary ID can allow each of the communication devices 1510-1510n using the shared IMSI to be paged on its own.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 1500 can operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"In another embodiment, system 1500 can operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 250 (e.g., illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 6) positioned between the MSC/VLR 1545 and the communication device 1510.In one embodiment, the functionality of the MSC/VLR 1545 and/or the HLR 260 can be adjusted so that IMSI use by different devices can be distinguished according to unique device identifiers (e.g., an IMEI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the combination of the IMSI and the unique device identifier is known and stored by various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MSC/VLR 1545, the steering function 1575, the HLR 260 and so forth) such as prior to any registration attempt.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, system 1500 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1599 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MSC/VLR 1545, the steering function 1575, the HLR 260 and so forth) with network provisioning data such as combinations of IMSIs and unique device identifiers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates a portion of a system 1700 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1510-1510n.\",\n \"System 1700 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11, system 1300 of FIG.\",\n \"13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"System 1700 can operate similar to system 1500 but can utilize protocols and components associated with LTE communications.\",\n \"The communication devices 1510-1510n can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an lot device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 1700 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device such as through use of the steering function 1575 in conjunction with unique device identifiers.\",\n \"System 1700 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 1700 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 1700 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1510 utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1510n).\",\n \"Each of the communication devices 1510-1510n can have unique device identification information, such as a GUTI, and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1701, a first communication device 1510 can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MME 1740.In one embodiment, the first communication device 1510 can send both an IMSI and a unique device identifier (e.g., a GUTI) to the MME 1740, such as during an initial Attach procedure.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this unique device identifier can be an eUICC platform ID.\",\n \"In another embodiment, multiple messages (Attach Request (IMSI) and Identify Response (GUTI)) can be utilized for delivering this information from the communication device 1510 to the MME 1740.Although, any number of messages can be utilized for obtaining the IMSI and unique device identification, such as a single message or two or more messages.\",\n \"Other techniques can be utilized for obtaining the unique device identification, such as an Identification Request sent to an old MME/SGSN and/or use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.\",\n \"6 for forcing a RES generation.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the MME 1740 can store the IMSI and the device identifier together (e.g., mapped to each other), and can use them to uniquely identify the first communication device 1510 (against one or more other communication devices 1510n that may attempt to register utilizing the same IMSI but with different device identifiers).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the MME 1740 can have the capability of distinguishing between a set of IMSI instances using the IMSI and a unique device identifier.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the MME 1740 can generate an authentication request directed to an HSS 860, such as using (or otherwise including) both the IMSI and the device identifier.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the steering function 1575 can intercept the authentication request and at 1702 can steer it or otherwise transmit it to an HSS based on policies for the IMSI and device identifier combination.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be integrated with the MME 1740.In another embodiment, the steering function 1575 can be a separate device, such as interfacing with the MME 1740 via a Diameter Routing Agent.\",\n \"As an example and as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17, multiple HSSs 860 can be utilized where each HSS contains a single instance of a shared IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, the steering function 1575 can determine the appropriate HSS for receiving the authentication request according to the IMSI and device identifier.\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the HSS 860 may not need to utilize (and/or know) the unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a single HSS 860 can be used for shared IMSIs, where the single HSS has the capability of distinguishing communication devices based on IMSI and a mapping to a unique device identifier (similar to the example of stored data shown in FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the combination of IMSI and device identifier would be known by the MME 1740, the steering function 1575 and/or the HSS 860 (e.g., where a single HSS is being utilized), such as prior to an attempt at registration.\",\n \"Once the HSS 860 receives the authentication request, the target HSS can provide authentication vectors to the MME 1740 based on the IMSI (e.g., where multiple HSSs are being utilized that each have only one instance of the IMSI) and/or based on the combination of IMSI and unique device identifier (e.g., where a single HSS is being utilized that has multiple instances of the IMSI that are each indexed by a unique device identifier).\",\n \"The MME 1740 can receive the authentication vectors from the HSS 860 and can initiate the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1510.In one embodiment once authentication is successful, the MME 1740 can assign a unique temporary ID, such as a P-TMSI or GUIT, to the first communication device 1510.This unique temporary ID can allow each of the communication devices 1510-1510n using the shared IMSI to be paged on its own or to otherwise facilitate network services.\",\n \"For instance the unique temporary ID can be assigned to the first communication device 1510 after a successful authentication or at some other time during or after registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 1700 can operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675.In another embodiment, system 1700 can operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 850 positioned between the MME 1740 and the communication device 1510.In one embodiment, the functionality of the MME 1740 and/or the HSS 860 can be adjusted so that IMSI use by different devices can be distinguished according to unique device identifiers (e.g., a GUTI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the combination of the IMSI and the unique device identifier is known and stored by various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MME 1740, the steering function 1575, the HSS 860 and so forth) such as prior to any registration attempt.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, system 1700 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1599 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MME 1740, the steering function 1575, the HSS 860 and so forth) with network provisioning data such as combinations of IMSIs and unique device identifiers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 1800 used by systems 1500 and/or 1700 for facilitating the use of a same IMSI by more than one communication device.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 1800 can be performed by various network elements, such as a steering function, a registration function, a VLR, an HLR, an MME, an HSS, and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6, 8-11, 13, 15 and 17.At 1802, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a first communication device attempting to register with a network, where the IMSI has been assigned to one or more other communication devices which may or may not be registered with that network.\",\n \"The one or more other communication devices can be located remotely from the first communication device and/or can be located in proximity thereto, such as at the same premises.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the IMSI can be shared by communication devices associated with the same subscriber.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the IMSI can be shared by communication devices of a same type (e.g.\",\n \"a smart meter) which may or may not be associated with the same subscriber and which may or may not be located in proximity or at the same premises.\",\n \"In one embodiment, HLRs and/or HSSs can be established per subscriber and/or per groups of subscribers.\",\n \"In another embodiment, HLRs and/or HSSs can be established per premises, per groups of premises and/or per geographic locations.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the HLRs and/or HSSs can be established according to device types (e.g.\",\n \"a smart meter) which may or may not be associated with the same subscriber and which may or may not be located in proximity or at the same premises.\",\n \"For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device 1510.At 1804, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.\",\n \"For example, a VLR or MME can determine that the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs that are shared by multiple devices.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued (with or without obtaining unique device identification information for the device) by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the registration function to perform the registration at 1806.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination of an identity of the particular device requesting registration can be performed.\",\n \"For example, the identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as by receiving or requesting device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI) including via an Attach Request and/or Identify Response in an EPS system, simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1808 where multiple registration functions are being utilized that each include only one instance of the IMSI, a selection of a first registration function from among a group of registration functions according to the device identification information can be performed.\",\n \"For instance, the group of registration functions (e.g., HLRs or HSSs) can store subscriber information including IMSIs that are indexed to device identifications.\",\n \"At 1810, an authentication request can be transmitted to the selected first registration function (without being transmitted to any of the other registration functions), where the first registration function stores first subscriber information including the IMSI that is indexed to the first communication device and where a second registration function of the group of registration functions stores second subscriber information including the single IMSI that is indexed to the second communication device.\",\n \"In this example, the second registration function does not store the first subscriber information and the first registration function does not store the second subscriber information.\",\n \"The transmitting of the authentication request to the first registration function can enable the first communication device to complete a registration process.\",\n \"The use of the same IMSI for more than one device as described with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"15-18 can also be utilized with one or more features described with respect to other embodiments herein, such as OTA provisioning utilizing a registration simulation, bootstrap IMSIs for enabling provisioning of a same IMSI to more than one device, disabling devices from utilizing a shared IMSI such as for suspension of services, and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, an identity proxy function and/or an identity provisioning function can be used in conjunction with the steering function 1575 for enabling various features described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"2-14.FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates a portion of a system 1900 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1910A and 1910B.\",\n \"System 1900 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11, system 1300 of FIG.\",\n \"13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication devices 1910A and 1910B can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 1900 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device by segregating the locations of the devices using the same IMSI.\",\n \"System 1900 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network.\",\n \"System 1900 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 1900 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1910A utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1910B).\",\n \"Each of the communication devices 1910A and 1910B can have unique device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES).\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1901, a first communication device 1910A can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MSC/VLR 1945A.\",\n \"In this embodiment the MSC and VLR are shown as one device but in another embodiment could also be separate devices.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the first communication device 1910A can send an IMSI to the MSC/VLR 1945A.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 1900 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MSC/VLR that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it (or otherwise designated to that registration service area).\",\n \"For example, device 1910A can be operating in Location Area A where the MSC/VLR 1945A is not part of an overlapping pool of MSC/VLRs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Location Area B.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the particular MSC/VLR 1945A can be selected from among a group of MSC/VLRs based on the IMSI (or an IMSI hash) and/or other determinative information including location data, such as by a Radio Network Controller (RNC).\",\n \"The Location Area can be a non-overlapping grouping of cell sites within a VLR service area.\",\n \"In this example, there can be only one instance of a shared IMSI per MSC/VLR registration service area such as a Location Area (e.g., location A or Location B).\",\n \"In another embodiment, the particular communication device (e.g., device 1910A) can be intended to operate within that designated registration service area and/or movement of the particular communication can be monitored to detect if the particular device moves out of this designated registration service area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the mapping of the IMSI to an HLR can be static and hard coded in the selected MSC/VLR 1945A.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the process utilized in system 1900 can be for GSM devices that do not support GPRS, LTE and/or EPS communications.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may not be initially obtained with the IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may be obtained to facilitate the registration process such as an IMEI, a unique device identifier associated with an eUICC, and so forth.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a location update message can be utilized for delivering the device identification information to the MSC/VLR 1945A.\",\n \"Other techniques for obtaining the unique device identifier can also be employed by system 1900, including use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.\",\n \"6.In one embodiment at 1902, the MSC/VLR 1945A can generate an authentication request directed to an HLR 260A, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the HLR 260A may not need to utilize (and/or know) any unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI for its database lookup.\",\n \"Once the HLR 260A receives the authentication request, the HLR can provide authentication triplets to the MSC/VLR 1945A based on the IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the HLR 260A can communicate with the AUC 270 for obtaining the authentication triplets.\",\n \"The MSC/VLR 1945A can receive the authentication triplets from the HLR 260A and can continue the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1910A to enable completion of the registration process.\",\n \"In one embodiment, there can be one AUC per HLR.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the AUC can have a mapping of the IMSI, HLR, and secret key.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 1900 may or may not operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"In another embodiment, system 1900 may or may not operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 250 (e.g., illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 6) positioned between the MSC/VLR 1945A and the communication device 1910A.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1903, a second communication device 1910B can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MSC/VLR 1945B.\",\n \"In this embodiment the MSC and VLR are shown as one device but in another embodiment could also be separate devices.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the second communication device 1910B can send an IMSI to the MSC/VLR 1945B.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, a same VLR can process multiple instances of an IMSI based on having access to and supporting additional information, such as device identity and/or location information.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 1900 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MSC/VLR that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it.\",\n \"For example, device 1910B can be operating in Location B where the MSC/VLR 1945B is not part of an overlapping pool of MSC/VLRs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Location A.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 1904, the MSC/VLR 1945B can generate an authentication request directed to an HLR 260B, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, HLR 260A includes subscriber information for device 1910A (e.g., IMSI and IMEI1) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910B.\",\n \"HLR 260B includes subscriber information for device 1910B (e.g., IMSI and IMEI2) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910A.\",\n \"Authentication triplets can be obtained and the registration process can be completed for device 1910B.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, system 1900 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1999 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MSC/VLR 1945A, 1945B, the HLR 260A, 260B, and/or other network elements) with network provisioning data such one or more of IMSIs, unique device identifiers, and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, movement of a communication device can be monitored.\",\n \"Responsive to a determination that the communication device has moved into a different registration service area (e.g., of an MSC/VLR or MME), actions can be taken to eliminate or mitigate any registration problems.\",\n \"For example, another IMSI can be reassigned to the device that has newly moved into the registration service area if the previous IMSI is already being used by another device in that registration area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the reassigning of the new IMSI can be via an OTA interface, such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675.For example, an identity proxy function can determine that a device with a shared IMSI has moved into another registration service area.\",\n \"In another embodiment, an MSC/VLR or MME can initiate an IMSI change.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, an RNC can select the MSC/VLR from a pool based on two factors, the IMSI and location area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the initial LOCATION UPDATE message can include the IMSI and location area.\",\n \"In another embodiment, an address of the HLR can be hardcoded into the MSC/VLR for the IMSI.\",\n \"In another embodiment, an address of the HLR can be hardcoded into the MSC/VLR for a combination of an IMSI and device location.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the AUC is separate from the HLR, then the AUC can be mapped to one and only one HLR or the AUC can able to distinguish subscribers/users through the combination of IMSI, HLR address, and secret keys.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function can create the mappings between the IMSI, location, MSC/VLR, HLR, AUC (e.g., if separate), and/or any other device identifier.\",\n \"In another embodiment, if the MSC/VLRs are not pooled, then the RNC can simply forward the registration message to the MSC/VLR it is attached to.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the movement of devices with shared IMSIs across MSC/VLR borders can be supported with the identity proxy function.\",\n \"If one of these devices is moved to the location of another device, the identity proxy function can prevent “duplicate registrations” if the MSC/VLR is not capable of supporting multiple instances of the same IMSI.\",\n \"One or more of these examples described herein can be applied to an MME as opposed to the MSC/VLR.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates a portion of a system 2000 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication devices 1910A and 1910B.\",\n \"System 2000 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11, system 1300 of FIG.\",\n \"13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication devices 1910A and 1910B can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"System 2000 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device by segregating the locations of the devices using the same IMSI.\",\n \"System 2000 provides for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 2000 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 2000 illustrates a registration by a communication device 1910A utilizing an IMSI that is shared with one or more other communication devices (illustrated as 1910B).\",\n \"Each of the communication devices 1910A and 1910B can have unique device identification information (e.g., a GUTI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an RES).\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2001, a first communication device 1910A can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MME 2040A.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the first communication device 1910A can send an IMSI to the MME 2040A.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2000 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MME that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it (or otherwise designated to that registration service area).\",\n \"In one embodiment, an identity proxy function can prevent or otherwise mitigate a shared IMSI from registration to an MME that already has the shared IMSI registered for a different device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, there is only one IMSI per MME service area unless the MME can support multiple instances of an IMSI.\",\n \"The constraint of one IMSI instance per Tracking Area (TA) can relate to the process in which an eNB selects the MME.\",\n \"In one embodiment, device 1910A can be operating in Tracking Area A where the MME 2040A is not part of an overlapping pool of MMEs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Tracking Area B.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the particular MME 2040A can be selected from among a group of MMEs based on the IMSI (or an IMSI hash) and/or other determinative information including location data (e.g., TA), such as by the eNB.\",\n \"In this example, there can be only one instance of a shared IMSI per MME registration service area such as the TA area (e.g., Tracking Area A or Tracking Area n B).\",\n \"In another embodiment, the particular communication device (e.g., device 1910A) can be intended to operate within that designated registration service area and/or movement of the particular communication can be monitored to detect if the particular device moves out of this designated registration service area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the mapping of the IMSI to an HSS can be static and hard coded in the selected MME 2040A.\",\n \"In one embodiment as part of the UE Attach, the eNB can query a Domain Name Server (DNS) Server using the TA for the address of the MME it should provide to that UE.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the query to the DNS server can be based on IMSI and TA.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may not be initially obtained with the IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, unique device identification information may be obtained to facilitate the registration process such as a GUTI, a unique device identifier associated with an eUICC, and so forth.\",\n \"In another embodiment, an Identify Response can be utilized for delivering this information from the communication device 1910A to the MME 2040A.\",\n \"Other techniques for obtaining the unique device identifier can also be employed by system 2000, including use of registration simulation platform 675 of FIG.\",\n \"8.In one embodiment at 2002, the MME 2040A can generate an authentication request directed to an HSS 860A, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the HSS 860A may not need to utilize (and/or know) any unique device identifier since it only has one instance of the IMSI and can rely on that IMSI for its database lookup.\",\n \"Once the HSS 860A receives the authentication request, the HSS can provide authentication vectors to the MME 2040A based on the IMSI.\",\n \"The MME 2040A can receive the authentication vectors from the HSS 860A and can continue the authentication procedure with the first communication device 1910A to enable completion of the registration process.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2000 may or may not operate without utilizing the registration simulation platform 675 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"In another embodiment, system 2000 may or may not operate without utilizing the identity proxy function 850 (e.g., illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8) positioned between the MME 2040A and the communication device 1910A.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2003, a second communication device 1910B can request registration with the network where the registration request is received by the MME 2040B.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the second communication device 1910B can send an IMSI to the MME 2040B.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2000 can be configured such that a device with a shared IMSI does not or should not register with an MME that already has a device with the same IMSI registered to it.\",\n \"For example, device 1910B can be operating in Tracking Area B where the MME 2040B is not part of an overlapping pool of MMEs into (or otherwise does not have a registration service area that covers) Tracking Area B.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2004, the MME 2040B can generate an authentication request directed to an HSS 860B, such as using (or otherwise including) the IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, HSS 860A includes subscriber information for device 1910A (e.g., IMSI and device identification) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910B.\",\n \"HSS 860B includes subscriber information for device 1910B (e.g., IMSI and device identification) and does not include subscriber information for device 1910A.\",\n \"Authentication vectors can be obtained and the registration process can be completed for device 1910B.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, system 2000 can utilize an identity provisioning function 1999 to provide various network elements (e.g., one or more of the MME 1945A, 1945B, the HSS 860A, 860B, and/or other network elements) with network provisioning data such one or more of IMSIs, unique device identifiers, and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, movement of a communication device can be monitored.\",\n \"Responsive to a determination that the communication device has moved into a different registration service area (e.g., of an MSC/VLR or MME), actions can be taken to eliminate or mitigate any registration problems.\",\n \"For example, another IMSI can be reassigned to the device that has newly moved into the registration service area if the previous IMSI is already being used by another device in that registration area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the reassigning of the new IMSI can be via an OTA interface, such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675.FIG.\",\n \"21 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2100 used by systems 1900 and/or 2000 for facilitating the use of a same IMSI by more than one communication device (e.g., lot devices, M2M devices, fixed communication devices, or other types of communication devices).\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 2100 can be performed by various network elements, such as a registration function, a VLR, an HLR, an MME, an HSS, and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20.At 2102, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a first communication device attempting to register with a network.\",\n \"The IMSI can be assigned to more than one communication device.\",\n \"The communication devices can be located remotely from each other, such as in different registration service areas.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the IMSI can be shared by communication devices of a same type (e.g.\",\n \"a smart meter).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the HLRs and/or HSSs can be established according to device types (e.g.\",\n \"utility reading devices).\",\n \"For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by a communication device.\",\n \"At 2104, an appropriate network element, registration function or other server (e.g., an MSC/VLR or MME) can be selected (e.g., from among an available group) for processing the registration request.\",\n \"For example, the communication device can be operating in an area where either the MSC and/or MME are not part of an overlapping pool.\",\n \"In another embodiment for EPS, the eNBs can use both TA and IMSI to select the MME (e.g., from among an available group).\",\n \"In another embodiment, a selection of the MSC/VLR (e.g., from among an available group) can be based on the IMSI (or IMSI hash) by the RNC.\",\n \"In these examples, there can be only one instance of a shared IMSI per MSC or MME area and the device corresponding to this IMSI is intended not to move from this area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a determination of whether the IMSI is a shared IMSI can be made such as based on provisioning data provided by an identity proxy function that notifies various network elements of shared IMSIs, intended device locations, and so forth.\",\n \"For example, an MSC/VLR or MME can determine that the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs that are shared by multiple devices according to a list provided by the identity proxy function.\",\n \"In this example, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued (with or without selecting a particular MSC/VLR or MME).\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2106 the registration process can be performed such as by transmitting an authentication request from the selected MSC/VLR or MME to an HLR or HSS (respectively), where the HLR or HSS stores first subscriber information including the IMSI that is indexed to the first communication device without storing second subscriber information including the single IMSI that is indexed to a second communication device.\",\n \"In this example, a second registration function can store the second subscriber information but does not store the first subscriber information.\",\n \"The transmitting of the authentication request can enable the first communication device to complete a registration process.\",\n \"The use of the same IMSI for more than one device as described with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"19-21 can also be utilized with one or more features described with respect to other embodiments herein, such as OTA provisioning utilizing a registration simulation, bootstrap IMSIs for enabling provisioning of a same IMSI to more than one device, disabling devices from utilizing a shared IMSI such as for suspension of services, and so forth.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, an identity proxy function and/or an identity provisioning function can be used for enabling various features described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"2-21.In one or more embodiments, the use of shared IMSIs can be subject to a screening process during registration to eliminate or mitigate any registration problems.\",\n \"For example, an identity proxy function 250, 850 (illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 8, respectively) can be utilized so that if a device moves into a registration service area where that shared IMSI is already being utilized then the identity proxy function can take appropriate action, such as disabling use of the shared IMSI by the device that has moved and/or reassigned another IMSI to that particular device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 250, 850 can have a list of shared IMSIs and/or unique device identifiers for shared IMSIs and their corresponding devices that are being utilized in that registration service area.\",\n \"This information can be utilized as part of the screening process by obtaining the necessary information for comparison to the listing as described herein in other embodiments.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, identity proxy and/or provisioning functions can be used for management of shared IMSIs among two or more devices, including where one of the devices moves into a service area (e.g., a registration service area of a VLR or MME) of another device.\",\n \"For example, an identity proxy function can determine that a registration request is coming from a “new” device, such as a smart appliance that has been moved into a new service area (as opposed to a smart appliance that has already registered and/or is re-registering with the network).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function can intercept all registration attempts using a shared IMSI and can then determine or otherwise identify the device that is requesting registration.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function can have policies (e.g., logic with registration rules) instructing it to do so.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function can simulate a registration and can cause the IMSI used by the device to be changed to another value (i.e., a new IMSI), such as where it is determined that the shared IMSI should not be used by the device (e.g., the shared IMSI is already being utilized by a device in the particular service area, a limited use or pay-for-service IMSI is intended to be used by the particular device, and so forth).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, devices can move “locally” (i.e., within a VLR or MME service area) and re-register with the network.\",\n \"In this example, if there are no other instances of the shared IMSI in use (e.g., the IMSI is not already registered via the VLR or MME with the network) then the identity proxy function can verify the identity of the device and can allow the registration request to go through (e.g., to the VLR or MME) to complete the registration process.\",\n \"If an IMSI adjustment is desired or needed, then an OTA can be implemented to change the IMSI if necessary.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the device may move into a different VLR or MME service area.\",\n \"The identity of the device seeking registration can be determined using the identity proxy function.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function can be provisioned with logic to know that it needs to perform this check.\",\n \"If the IMSI is not in use in this service area, and/or other requirements are met (e.g., the particular subscriber is authorized to move the device into this service area), the device can be permitted to register utilizing the IMSI.\",\n \"If on the other hand there is another use of the same IMSI by another device in that service area, then the identity proxy function can cause a registration simulation to enable an OTA change of the IMSI for the new device seeking registration.\",\n \"This OTA change information can also be propagated to other network elements to facilitate registration or a subsequent registration (at this service area or at a different service area).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the “binding” or designation between a device and its intended location can be reflected in policies (e.g., information) that are provided to the identity proxy function.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, notification of movement by a device into a new service area and/or reassignment of a new IMSI to a device can be provided to the subscriber of the particular device, such as via a user interface of the device, a billing statement, a user interface of another device of the subscriber and so forth.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the reassignment of the IMSI to a device can be performed seamlessly without any notification to the subscriber.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the network can send out a single OTA message to two or more devices using a designated transport key (e.g., a single transport key), where the two or more devices are utilizing the same IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, a first device can already be registered with the network and the second device can be the device that has moved into the service area and is registering.\",\n \"Further to this example, only the device with the corresponding transport key can interpret the message (e.g., a message causing the UICC to change the IMSI).\",\n \"The other device(s) will not have the correct transport key and will not be able to interpret the message so that their IMSI(s) remain unchanged.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this OTA technique can be utilized with alternate access network such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and/or a wired broadband connection.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, paging a shared IMSI can result in a response(s) being rejected by the VLR or MME, which are then intercepted by the identity proxy function.\",\n \"In one embodiment, paging a shared IMSI can be performed by the network to determine how many instances of the IMSI are in use in a particular area.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the VLR or MME can ignore a duplicate paging response.\",\n \"For instance, the identity proxy function can maintain a record of the initial page which can be correlated to a response from the intended recipient of the device (i.e., the device that is intended to be reassigned a different IMSI).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates a portion of a system 2200 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2210.System 2200 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11, system 1300 of FIG.\",\n \"13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication device 2210 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2200 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device based on intended locations of devices.\",\n \"A Reassignment of an IMSI can be implemented where it is detected that two or more devices utilizing a same IMSI are present in a same area, such as if a smart appliance is moved to a different home that is in a same registration area of a VLR or MME of another smart appliance that utilizes the same IMSI.\",\n \"System 2200 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MCS/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 2200 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 2200 illustrates a registration by the communication device 2210 utilizing an IMSI 2212 that is shared with one or more other communication devices (not shown).\",\n \"Each of the communication devices sharing the same IMSI can have unique device identification information (e.g., a IMEI, GUTI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating a SRES or a RES).\",\n \"In the example of system 2200, the IMSI 2212 being utilized by communication device 2210 is also being utilized by another communication device (which may or may not be already registered with the network).\",\n \"In this embodiment, an identity proxy function 2250 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI, such as based on intercepting a registration request (e.g., prior to the registration request being provided to an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2 or prior to the registration request being provided to an MME and/or HSS in LTE as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the IMSI 2212 can be a shared bootstrap IMSI that provides for limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining another IMSI), a pay for service mode, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2201, the communication device 2210 can request registration with the network where the identity proxy function 2250 can determine whether or not the particular IMSI is part of a group of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs can include IMSIs that have been shared among more than one device.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the shared IMSIs are intended to be utilized by devices that are in different locations so that registration conflicts do not arise.\",\n \"For instance, the same IMSI can be utilized to register two different communication devices without creating a registration conflict where the devices are in different registration areas associated with different registration functions, such as different VLRs or different MMEs and different HLRs or different HSSs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network.\",\n \"For example, device identification information (e.g., an IMEI or GUTI) can be obtained for the communication device 2210, such as being received from device 2210 (e.g., in the registration request) or obtained from another network element (e.g., from an Identification Request sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, identification of the communication device 2210 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES (in GSM) or RES (in LTE) by the communication device 2210, as described herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, registration simulation platform 675 can be utilized (e.g., positioned between the communication device 2210 and the VLR in GSM or positioned between the communication device and the MME in LTE).\",\n \"As described herein, the registration simulation platform 675 can send an OTA message to the communication device 2210 that can cause the modification of the device IMSI and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network.\",\n \"For example, the registration simulation platform 675 can comprise a set of functional elements that exist in the target network including an MSC/VLR, a MME, a HLR or HSS, an AUC, a SMSC, an OTA platform, a SGW, a PGW, an EIR and/or any combination thereof.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 2210, identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI) and/or can cause the communication device to change from the IMSI 2211 to a new IMSI 2213 via OTA.\",\n \"The new IMSI 2213 can be from various sources, such as from a listing of IMSIs that are designated for reassignment and not to be shared, a listing of IMSIs that are designated for reassignment and are to be shared such as a shared IMSI that is currently being utilized in a different service area, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 and/or the identity provisioning function 2299 can determine whether the original device 2210 is eligible for services.\",\n \"If the device 2210 is not eligible for services (e.g., device is not authorized to operate in the service area of the particular VLR or MME, suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 2250 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 2299) to the device 2210 to cause the device to disable its use of the IMSI 2212.In one embodiment, the IMSI 2212 can then be removed from the designated listing of shared IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the communication device 2210 is eligible for services but the shared IMSI is already being utilized in the service area by another device then the identity provisioning function 2299 can implement a reassignment of another IMSI 2213 for the device 2210.For example at 2202, responsive to a determination that an IMSI reassignment is warranted, the identity proxy function 2250 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 2299 for the other IMSI 2213 or the determination can be made by the identity provisioning function 2299.In one embodiment, the device 2210 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which is mapped to the original device by the network such as in an HLR or HSS).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 2299 such that the identity proxy function 2250 automatically transmits the request to the identity provisioning function 2299 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the shared IMSI is being utilized by a device that is new to the service area and/or that another device is already registered with the shared IMSI, and the identity provisioning function 2299 can approve or deny the request.\",\n \"Continuing with this example at 2203, the identity provisioning function 2299 can notify various network elements (e.g., the HLR 260, the AUC 270, an EIR, the HSS 860, and/or a national SIM manager) that the communication device 2210 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 2213.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR 260 or HSS 860 to delete (or otherwise note the change of) an original IMSI assignment for the communication device 2210 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 2210 in its database.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR 260 or the HSS 860 to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2204, the identity provisioning function 2299 can provide provisioning information to the communication device 2210, such as via an OTA interface (e.g., using an SMS protocol such as through registration simulation platform 675).\",\n \"The provisioning information can cause the UICC to be adjusted so that the reassigned IMSI 2213 is now utilized by the communication device 2210 for communication services.\",\n \"At 2205, the communication device 2210 can then attempt to re-register utilizing the reassigned IMSI 2213.The identity proxy function 2250 can receive the re-registration request for the communication device 2210, which now includes the reassigned IMSI 2213, and at 2206-2208 the registration process (e.g., via the VLR 245 and the HLR 260 in system 200 or via the MME 840 and the HSS 860 in LTE) can be completed based on the reassigned IMSI 2213.In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 2299 can provision an NSM with the reassigned IMSI 2213 for the device 2210 where the secret key of the device 2210 is already known.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2299 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270, MME 840 and/or HSS 860).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 and/or the identity provisioning function 2299 can provide instructions to the communication device 2210 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 1313.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 and/or the identity provisioning function can determine that the communication device 2210 has been moved to a different location (i.e., a different service area of a VLR or MME).\",\n \"The different location can be one where another device is using the same shared IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a temporary or particular IMSI can be reassigned to devices entering the different location.\",\n \"For instance, a reassigned temporary IMSI can limit services of the device while it is present in the different location, such as limiting type, amount and/or time of services.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the device can be reassigned the previous shared IMSI upon returning to its original location.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 can determine whether the device has been moved based on information associated with a registration request, such as the location area, tracking area, etc.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2300 used by system 2200 for facilitating the reassignment of IMSIs where a device is attempting to register in a location where the same IMSI is being used by another device.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 2300 can be performed by the identity proxy function 2250, the identity provisioning function 2299 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19-20, and 22.At 2302, an IMSI can be received that is associated with a communication device.\",\n \"For instance, the IMSI can be part of a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by the communication device 2210.At 2304, a determination of the status of the IMSI can be made.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 2250 can determine whether the IMSI is included in a designated group of IMSIs that are shared amongst devices (e.g., devices that are intended to operate in different service areas of a VLR or MME).\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the registration function 2260 (e.g., MSC/VLR in GSM or MME in LTE) to perform the registration at 2306.If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 2308 as to whether the registration request is for a device that is operating in an authorized location.\",\n \"The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2250 can have access to a mapping of devices that have shared IMSIs and that are authorized to operate in the particular service area of the VLR or MME.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2308, if the registration request and the IMSI are from a device that is authorized to operate in the service area then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC/VLR (in GSM) or the MME (in LTE) to perform the registration at 2306.For instance, a smart appliance may be moved within a premises or otherwise become unregistered with the network and may be seeking re-registration.\",\n \"If on the other hand, the registration request and the IMSI are from another device that has not been authorized to operate in the service area then a determination can be made at 2310 as to whether the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, user requests, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the subscriber of the device is not eligible for communication services then at 2312 provisioning information can be provided to the original device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 2299 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the device.\",\n \"If on the other hand, the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services then at 2314 the device can be provisioned (e.g., utilizing registration simulation platform 675) with another IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2213 that is reassigned to the device 2210 can be selected from a listing of designated IMSI that are to be reassigned to devices and/or that may be shared with another device in a different service area.\",\n \"Method 2300 can then proceed to 2306 where the registration process is completed, such as by forwarding instructions to the communication device 2210 to cause a re-registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the device 2210 upon detecting that it is outside of its intended service area can utilize a bootstrap IMSI for registration and a new IMSI can be utilized by the device to access services since the bootstrap IMSI may not provide direct access to the services.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a second communication device can be re-assigned a temporary IMSI (with full or limited services) when a first communication device is already registered to the network using the shared IMSI.\",\n \"In another embodiment, when the first communication device is no longer registered to the network then the second communication device can be reassigned the original IMSI that is previously had utilized.\",\n \"While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"23, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a first device can register with a shared IMSI and the identity proxy function can intercept a registration request from a second device attempting to register with the same IMSI.\",\n \"If the IMEI (or other device identification) of the second device is not provided during registration and/or is not in an accessible database, then the identity proxy function can simulate operations of a VLR or MME to cause an SRES or RES to identify the second device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the second device can register with a simulated VLR or MME.\",\n \"The simulated VLR or MME can perform device paging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a paging area can be reduced to mitigate or avoid a registration conflict, where the paging area is focused on a particular location of the second device to avoid paging the first device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function can provide OTA provisioning to the second device using a transport key of the second device.\",\n \"The first device can ignore the OTA message because the transport key of the first device is different from the transport key in the OTA message.\",\n \"The second device can receive and comprehend the OTA messaging because it uses the corresponding transport key.\",\n \"The OTA provisioning can cause a new IMSI (e.g., a temporary IMSI or another shared IMSI where it is shared with a device in a different service area) to be programmed in second device to avoid conflict while both devices are in the same service area (i.e., on the same VLR or MME).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the reassignment of IMSIs is performed on devices having a UICC that is programmed with a transport key.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity proxy function and/or identity provisioning function can determine whether a re-located device attempting to register with a shared IMSI has a transport key as a condition for reassignment of an IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a first device has registered with the network and is pageable through its IMSI.\",\n \"The first device may not be assigned a TMSI or GUTI.\",\n \"If the first device is assigned a TMSI or GUTI, the network, after failed paging attempts, can page the largest area possible with the IMSI.\",\n \"Continuing with this example, a second device attempts to register with the same IMSI.\",\n \"This registration can be intercepted by the identity proxy function and can be diverted to a registration simulation platform 675.The registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can assign a unique TMSI or GUTI, thus minimizing the likelihood of a duplicate page response.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can be set up to not page using the IMSI and to limit the size of the paging area it uses.\",\n \"This can prevent or mitigate the first device from responding to a page intended for the second device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can instruct the second device to change its IMSI.\",\n \"This can happen during the simulated registration or after the simulated registration through the use of paging and OTA.\",\n \"Once the second device has a different IMSI, then there is no longer a situation where paging either IMSI results in multiple responses.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, paging and OTA provisioning are facilitated by assignment of a TMSI or GUTI by the registration simulation platform 675 and by not using the IMSI for paging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, once the second device successfully registers with the registration simulation platform 675 utilizing the original shared IMSI 2212, a trigger can be sent (e.g., via the identity proxy function 2250) to an OTA platform with its IMSI and/or other information.\",\n \"The OTA platform can then send an update using the keys of the original IMSI (e.g., where there is no more than one additional IMSIs).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the network and/or communication devices can be adapted to support paging where multiple devices are utilizing the same IMSI in a particular service area.\",\n \"In one example, the paging can be performed utilizing the shared IMSI and also including some other information that is unique to the intended recipient device, such as a device identification.\",\n \"In this example, a response to the page can be generated by the intended recipient device while another device using the same IMSI will not respond to the page because the unique identifier will not match this other device.\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the network element(s) can be adapted to adjust paging techniques to include this unique device identification information and the communication devices can be adapted to respond to paging that is directed to the particular device.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the network can be adapted to allow for paging via an IMSI where the network can distinguish which device is providing the response.\",\n \"For instance, the network can have access to device identification information mapped to particular IMSIs and authorized locations can determine whether the responding device is the unauthorized device that is being reassigned a new IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a first device can register with its IMSI and the IMSI is not changed by the network, and a second device registration with the same IMSI can be intercepted, simulated by a registration simulation platform 675, and the IMSI is not yet changed by the registration simulation platform 675.In this example, both devices are registered using their IMSIs.\",\n \"In one embodiment, when either network pages the device, the exemplary embodiments can mitigate or prevent both devices responding to the page, such as paging using a unique device identifier or paging utilizing a TMSI or GUTI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the registration simulation platform 675 pages the second device to change the IMSI, it can restrict its paging message to a small area (i.e., where the registration came from) to avoid the page being received by the first device.\",\n \"If the first device were to respond to the page, it would be responding to the network, not the registration simulation platform 675.The network would have no record of paging the first device and therefore the network could ignore the page response from the first device.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, device location can be monitored by the network such as via the identity proxy function, the identity provisioning function or some other device to facilitate determining whether a device is authorized or otherwise intended to be operating in a particular location.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 illustrates a portion of a system 2400 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2410.System 2400 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, system 1000 of FIG.\",\n \"10, system 1100 of FIG.\",\n \"11, system 1300 of FIG.\",\n \"13, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication device 2410 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2400 enables the same IMSI to be utilized by more than one communication device based on intended locations of devices where management of those IMSIs is based on registration error messages.\",\n \"A reassignment of an IMSI can be implemented where it is detected that two or more devices utilizing a same IMSI are present in a same area, such as if a smart appliance is moved to a different home that is in a same registration area of a VLR or MME of another smart appliance that utilizes the same IMSI.\",\n \"System 2400 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function, such as an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 2400 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 2400 illustrates an attempted registration by the communication device 2410 utilizing an IMSI 2412 that is shared with another communication devices (not shown).\",\n \"The other communication device may or may not be registered with the network.\",\n \"Each of the communication devices sharing the same IMSI can have unique device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, GUTI, eUICC ID information, MAC address, and so forth) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating a SRES or a RES).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the secret keys can be known to other network elements (e.g., various registration functions) and/or can be statically linked to, and maintained by, the communication devices.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2401, the communication device 2410 can request registration with the network.\",\n \"A registration request (e.g., based upon a shared IMSI that is among a listing of designated shared IMSIs known to the network) can be received by the registration function 2460 (e.g., an MSC/VLR in a GSM network or an MME in an LTE network).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration request can also be received by the identity proxy function 2450.For instance, the registration request can be intercepted, or otherwise received by, the identity proxy function 2450 and then forwarded to the registration function 2460.A registration process can be initiated according to the shared IMSI 2412 and a secret key that is associated with the communication device 2410.The registration function 2460 can be aware of, or otherwise have access to, the secret key that is associated with the communication device 2410.Various registration processes can be applied to ensure authentication of the device and/or subscriber, such as the registration processes described herein with respect to GSM or LTE networks, including a comparison of SRES in GSM or a comparison of RES in LTE or a comparison of XRES in UMTS environment.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs is limited to sharing IMSIs between only two devices.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the group of designated IMSIs can include IMSIs that have been shared among more than two devices.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the shared IMSIs are intended to be utilized by devices that are in different locations so that registration conflicts are avoided or otherwise mitigated.\",\n \"For instance, the same IMSI can be utilized to register two different communication devices without creating a registration conflict where the devices are in different registration areas associated with different registration functions, such as different VLRs or different MMEs and different HLRs or different HSSs.\",\n \"In one embodiment at 2402, a registration error can be generated by the registration function 2460 (e.g., an authentication failure message generated by the MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM or by the MME and/or HSS in LTE) and can be received by the identity proxy function 2450 from the registration function 2460.In this example, the identity proxy function 2450 can intercept the authentication failure message prior to it being received by the communication device 2410.The particular messaging that makes up the registration request, the registration process and/or the registration error can vary.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can determine that the registration error is a valid registration failure for a device that should not be attempting to use the IMSI, such as a third device that is not the original device authorized for the particular location and is not a new device that is new to the location and is sharing the IMSI.\",\n \"In this example, the identity proxy function 2450 can allow the error process (e.g., an authentication failure messaging) to proceed, including delivering a registration error to this third device which is not authorized to be sharing the IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, where the error message does not include any device identification information and/or the IMSI, the identity proxy function 2450 can ascertain the device identification information and/or IMSI from the registration request that was previously received or intercepted.\",\n \"For instance, when the identity proxy function 2450 detects a registration error message, the identity proxy function 2450 can detect within the message addressing information, message ID information, correlation ID information, and so forth, and can further correlate the error message with the stored registration request previously intercepted.\",\n \"This enables the IMSI and/or device identification information (e.g., GUTI or IMEI) to be determined.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can identify the particular device requesting registration with the network according to device identification information (e.g., an IMEI or GUTI) obtained for the communication device 2410, such as being received from device 2410 (e.g., in the registration request) or obtained from another network element (e.g., from an Identification Request sent to the old MME/SGSN to request the IMSI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, identification of the communication device 2410 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES (in GSM) or RES (in LTE) by the communication device 2410, as described herein.\",\n \"In another embodiment at 2403, a request for reassignment of another IMSI (e.g., from the listing of the designated IMSIs) or authorization to utilize the shared IMSI 2412 can be provided to the identity provisioning function 2499 from the identity proxy function 2450.For instance, the identity proxy function 2450 can (e.g., in response to receiving the error message) compare the shared IMSI 2412 associated with communication device 2410 to the list of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"The identity proxy function 2450 can further determine the identity of the communication device 2410 (authorized at the present location vs new to the present location) based on device identification information (e.g., an IMEI, GUTI and so forth).\",\n \"Reassignment of another IMSI 2413 or authorization to use the shared IMSI 2412 (e.g., where the shared IMSI is not being utilized in the particular service area) can be implemented.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2499 can notify the HLR or HSS that the user is valid and the HLR or HSS can perform a database update to enable a subsequent registration utilizing the reassigned IMSI 2413 by the device 2410.In this example, the identity proxy function 2450 can also take action, such as preventing forwarding of the failed registration to the device 2410, to cause the device to reattempt the registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a determination of a subscriber's eligibility for services can be made.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors such as suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, the device/UICC is no longer compatible with network or services, and so forth.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a determination of a compatibility of service with a UICC of the communication device 2410 can be made.\",\n \"One or both of these determinations can be part of deciding whether to reassign another IMSI 2413, to authorize use of the original IMSI 2412, or to deny services at this particular location to the communication device 2410.These determinations can be made by the identity provisioning function 2499 or can be made by another network element.\",\n \"If it is determined that the new IMSI 2413 is to be reassigned to the communication device 2410, then at 2404 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the registration function 2460 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the reassigned IMSI in conjunction with an original secret key that is associated with the communication device.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 2410 is to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI 2412 (where the original IMSI 2412 is not being used in this service area), then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the registration function 2460 which will enable the communication device to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI 2412 in conjunction with the original secret key that is associated with the communication device.\",\n \"If it is determined that the new IMSI 2413 is to be provisioned to the communication device 2410, then at 2405 provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the communication device 2410 which will include the reassigned IMSI 2413.As an example, the identity provisioning function 2499 can provide the reassigned IMSI 2413 to the communication device 2410 utilizing an OTA interface according to an SMS protocol such as through use of the registration simulation platform 675.Other protocols can also be utilized for the OTA interface including being HTTP-based.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if it is determined that the communication device 2410 is not to be permitted to reuse its original IMSI 2412, then provisioning information can be provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the communication device 2410 to prevent the communication device from attempting to register with the network utilizing the original IMSI 2412.In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2499 can further communicate with various network elements (e.g., the identity proxy function 2450, HLR, HSS, EIR, and so forth) so that the network elements are informed of the current state of IMSIs and/or communication devices.\",\n \"For example, if an original device is reassigned another IMSI 2413 or an original device is nullified from using the original IMSI 2412 via provisioning information then the identity provisioning function 2499 can remove the original IMSI (of that original device) from the listing of designated IMSIs.\",\n \"In these examples, the original IMSI 2412 can also then be assigned to another device (if not already reassigned).\",\n \"The device 2410 can be registered in order for the identity provisioning function to change the device's IMSI.\",\n \"This can be part of a simulated registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, other techniques can be employed that enable OTA interfacing with devices, such as special registration.\",\n \"For example, National Identity Register (NIR) equipment can register devices as warm devices (i.e., providing limited services for non-customers) that allow OTA (e.g.\",\n \"via SMS protocol) to occur.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the provisioning of the new IMSI can be performed by utilizing a limited registration that results in the device being a warm device while the IMSI is being provisioned via OTA to that device.\",\n \"At 2406 if IMSI 2410 has been reassigned to the communication device 2410, then the communication device 2410 can re-register.\",\n \"For example, the provisioning information provided by the identity provisioning function 2499 to the communication device 2410 can cause the communication device to initiate a re-registration.\",\n \"The re-registration request can be received and processed by the registration function 2460 and based on the provisioning procedures at steps 2404 and 2405, a successful registration message can be provided to the communication device 2410 at 2407.In one or more embodiments, the identity provisioning function 2499 can provision an NSM with the reassigned IMSI 2413 for the device 2410 where the secret key of the device 2410 is already known.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2499 can be integrated with equipment of the NSM.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a billing system can detect the change in IMSI for the UICC and can provision some or all other network elements necessary for enabling call processing (e.g., HLR 260, AUC 270, MME 840 and/or HSS 860).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 and/or the identity provisioning function 2499 can provide instructions to the communication device 2410 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 2413.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 and/or the identity provisioning function can determine that the communication device 2410 has been moved to a different location (i.e., a different service area of a VLR or MME).\",\n \"The different location can be one where another device is using the same shared IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a temporary or particular IMSI can be reassigned to devices entering the different location.\",\n \"For instance, a reassigned temporary IMSI can limit services of the device while it is present in the different location, such as limiting type, amount and/or time of services.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the device can be reassigned the previous shared IMSI upon returning to its original location.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can determine whether the device has been moved based on information associated with a registration request, such as the location area, tracking area, etc.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, paging and OTA provisioning are facilitated by assignment of a TMSI or GUTI by the registration simulation platform 675 and by not using the IMSI for paging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, once a new device successfully registers with the registration simulation platform 675 utilizing the original shared IMSI 2412, a trigger can be sent (e.g., via the identity proxy function 2450) to an OTA platform.\",\n \"The OTA platform can then send an update using the keys of the original IMSI (e.g., where there is no more than one additional IMSIs).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the network and/or communication devices can be adapted to support paging where multiple devices are utilizing the same IMSI in a particular service area.\",\n \"In one example, the paging can be performed utilizing the shared IMSI and also including some other information that is unique to the intended recipient device, such as a device identification.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the network can be adapted to allow for paging via an IMSI where the network can distinguish which device is providing the response.\",\n \"For instance, the network can have access to device identification information mapped to particular IMSIs and authorized locations, and can determine whether the responding device is the unauthorized device that is being reassigned a new IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, device location can be monitored by the network such as via the identity proxy function, the identity provisioning function or some other device to facilitate determining whether a device is authorized or otherwise intended to be operating in a particular location.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2500 used by system 2400 for facilitating the reassignment of IMSIs where a device is attempting to register in a location where the same IMSI is being used by another device.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 2500 can be performed by the identity proxy function 2450, the identity provisioning function 2499 and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19-20, 22, and 24.At 2502, a registration error message can be detect or intercepted.\",\n \"For instance, the error message can result from a registration request that is generated by or caused to be generated by a communication device utilizing: one or more of a shared IMSI that is part of the listing of designated IMSIs, a shared IMSI which is already registered to the network at that particular location, a shared IMSI where the device is not authorized to register at that particular location, and so forth.\",\n \"As an example in GSM, the identity proxy function 2450 can receive an authentication failure message from a VLR.\",\n \"As another example in LTE, the identity proxy function 2450 can receive an authentication failure message from an MME.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments if there is no determination of an error (e.g., the IMSI is not included in the listing of designated IMSIs or the IMSI is a shared IMSI being utilized by a device that is authorized to register at the particular location) then method 2500 can proceed to 2516 so that the registration process can be completed (using the original IMSI) which enables the communication device to obtain services via the network at that particular location.\",\n \"At 2504, a determination can be made as to whether the error is based on a shared IMSI, such as comparing the IMSI to a list of designated shared IMSIs (e.g., being utilized by devices that are intended to operate in different service areas of a VLR or MME).\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the IMSI is not part of the designated group of IMSIs or it is otherwise determined that the registration error was due to another reason (e.g., the IMSI is a shared IMSI but the device is an unauthorized device) then the registration can be prevented or otherwise terminated at 2505, such as via forwarding a registration failure message to the device and/or notifying a network administrator device of the registration error.\",\n \"If on the other hand the IMSI is part of the designated group of IMSIs then a determination can be made at 2508 as to whether the registration request is for a device that is operating in an authorized location.\",\n \"The identification of the particular device can be performed in a number of different ways, such as based on device identification information (e.g., IMEI or GUTI), simulating a registration process to force an SRES or RES generation by the device from which the device identification can be determined, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2450 can have access to a mapping of devices that have shared IMSIs and that are authorized to operate in the particular service area of the VLR or MME.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the registration request and the IMSI are from a device that is authorized to operate in the service area then the registration process can be continued by forwarding the registration request and/or IMSI to the MSC/VLR (in GSM) or the MME (in LTE) to perform the registration at 2506.For instance, a utility meter may become unregistered with the network and may be seeking re-registration.\",\n \"If on the other hand, the registration request and the IMSI are from another device that has not been authorized to operate in the service area then a determination can be made at 2510 as to whether the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors and can be determined by various components or a combination of components, such as based on billing, device hardware requirements, device software requirements, user requests, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the subscriber of the device is not eligible for communication services then at 2512 provisioning information can be provided to the device (e.g., via OTA provisioning by the identity provisioning function 2599 such as through use of registration simulation platform 675) that causes disabling the use of the particular IMSI by the device.\",\n \"If on the other hand, the subscriber of the device is eligible for communication services then at 2514 the device can be provisioned (e.g., utilizing registration simulation platform 675) with another IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2413 that is reassigned to the device 2410 can be selected from a listing of designated IMSI that are being shared with another device(s) in a different service area so that further registration conflicts are minimized or eliminated.\",\n \"Method 2500 can then proceed to 2506 where the registration process is completed, such as by forwarding instructions to the communication device 2410 to cause a re-registration utilizing the new IMSI 2413.In one or more embodiments, reassignment of an IMSI for a device that has been re-located to a new service area can be based on other factors.\",\n \"For instance, a type of device can be detected and the decision to reassign can be based on that type, such as allowing reassignment of IMSIs for a smart appliance that has moved to a new location but preventing reassignment of an IMSI for a utility meter that is being used in a new location.\",\n \"In another embodiment, reassignment of IMSIs for devices that have re-located can be limited, such as allowing only a particular number of reassignments or reassigning an IMSI that provides for limited services.\",\n \"While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"25, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"26 illustrates a portion of a system 2600 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2610.System 2600 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, other systems described herein, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"The communication device 2610 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2600 provides for provisioning (e.g., via equipment 2601 of an entity such as a vendor or manufacturer of UICCs) of a generic IMSI 2612 (e.g., a single IMSI reserved for use by the manufacturer of the UICCs) to a group of UICCs.\",\n \"The group of UICCs can then be provided to communication devices, such as UICC 2605 being provided to the communication device 2610 to enable the same IMSI 2612 to be utilized by more than one communication device during a registration process that results in reassignment of new IMSIs (e.g., IMSI 2613 reassigned to UICC 2605 of communication device 2610).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the generic IMSI 2612 can be received by the equipment 2601 of the entity from equipment of a service provider (e.g., the service provider that is operating the identity proxy function 2650, the registration function 2660 and the identity provisioning function 2699).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2699 can provide the generic IMSI 2612 to the equipment 2601 of the entity.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the service provider can provide different generic IMSIs to different vendors or manufacturers of the UICCs.\",\n \"In this example, new IMSIs are not assigned to a device until the device registers with the network (via the generic IMSI 2612) so that if a device (or UICC) does not register with the network (via the generic IMSI) the service provider is not losing use of an IMSI.\",\n \"The new IMSI 2613 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the generic IMSI 2612 can be a limited service IMSI (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI) that enables communication with network elements but does not enable subscriber services (which are enabled for the communication device 2610 after it registers with the network utilizing the new IMSI 2613).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the equipment 2601 of the entity can receive multiple generic IMSIs and can assign different generic IMSIs to different types of UICCs (e.g., a first group of UICCs that are intended to be used in IoT devices receive generic IMSI X while a second group of UICCs that are intended to be used in mobile phone devices receive generic IMSI Y).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, other information can be provisioned to the UICCs (e.g., by the equipment 2601) such as secret keys that are to be utilized in registering with a network (e.g., a secret key that enables generating a RES, SRES, or XRES for authentication during registration).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, secret key mapping information can be provided by the equipment 2601 of the entity to the network, such as to the identity provisioning function 2699.In this example, the secret key mapping information can be utilized as part of an authentication process, such as comparison of a RES, SRES or XRES, confirmation of identification information being received in a registration request, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, other mapping information (e.g., eUICC or UICC identification) can be provided by the equipment 2601 of the entity to the network with or without the secret key mapping information.\",\n \"System 2600 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 2660, such as an MCS/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 2600 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 2600 illustrates a first registration by the communication device 2610 utilizing generic IMSI 2612 that is shared by other UICCs manufactured by the entity.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, each of the UICCs sharing the generic IMSI 2612 can have unique identification information (e.g., an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) or eUICC ID information) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES, RES or XRES).\",\n \"As described herein, this unique information can be provided to the network so that the network can identify UICCs that are attempting to register with the network using the generic IMSI 2612.In the example of system 2600, the identity proxy function 2650 can intercept or otherwise receive the IMSI, such as based on intercepting a registration request (e.g., prior to the registration request being provided to an MSC/VLR and/or HLR in GSM as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2 or prior to the registration request being provided to an MME and/or HSS in LTE as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the generic IMSI 2612 can be a shared bootstrap IMSI that provides for limited functionality such as being limited to bootstrap functions (e.g., functions that enable communicating with the network for administrative reasons including obtaining another IMSI).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the first registration request can include the identification information (e.g., ICCID or eUICC ID information) along with the generic IMSI 2612.In one embodiment, the device 2610 can be adapted so that it includes the identification information and/or the generic IMSI 2612 in the first registration request.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2650 can determine that the generic IMSI 2612 is a shared IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 2650 can identify (or confirm an identity of) the particular device and/or the particular UICC requesting registration with the network based on various techniques.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 2650 can have access to a mapping of information including the generic IMSI 2612, the identification information and/or secret key information.\",\n \"In another embodiment, identification of (or confirmation of the identity of) the communication device 2610 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES, RES or XRES by the communication device 2610, as described herein.\",\n \"In one embodiment, registration simulation platform 675 can be utilized (e.g., positioned between the communication device 2610 and the VLR in GSM or positioned between the communication device and the MME in LTE).\",\n \"For example, the registration simulation platform 675 can comprise a set of functional elements that exist in the target network including an MSC/VLR, MME, HLR or HSS, AUC, SMSC, OTA platform, SGW, PGW, EIR and/or any combination thereof.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 2610 and can identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., ICCID or eUICC ID information).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2650 and/or the identity provisioning function 2699 can determine whether the communication device 2610 is eligible for services.\",\n \"If the device 2610 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 2650 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 2699) to the device 2610 to cause the device to disable its use of the generic IMSI 2612.In one embodiment, this can be performed via a simulated registration (e.g., using the registration simulation platform 675) that utilizes the generic IMSI 2612.In one embodiment, if the communication device 2610 is eligible for services then the identity provisioning function 2699 can implement a reassignment of a new IMSI 2613 for the device 2610.The new IMSI 2613 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2613 can be an IMSI that is not shared by any other device or shared by any other UICC.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the new IMSI 2613 can be a shared IMSI that is being shared by another device(s) that is located in a different registration service area, such as described with respect to systems 1900 and 2000 of FIGS.\",\n \"19 and 20.In one embodiment, responsive to a determination that an IMSI reassignment is warranted, the identity proxy function 2650 can provide a request to the identity provisioning function 2699 for the new IMSI 2613 or the determination can be made by the identity provisioning function 2699.In one embodiment, the communication device 2610 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which can be mapped to the communication device 2610 by the network such as in an HLR or HSS according to the secret key mapping information).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the determination of eligibility for services can be made by the identity provisioning function 2699.For example, the identity proxy function 2650 can automatically transmit a request to the identity provisioning function 2699 for another IMSI responsive to a determination that the generic IMSI 2612 is being utilized by a device.\",\n \"The determination to whether the new IMSI 2613 can be provisioned would then be made by the identity provisioning function 2699.As described herein, the registration simulation platform 675 can enable sending an OTA message to the communication device 2610 that can cause the modification of the device IMSI (e.g., storing the new IMSI 2613 in the UICC 2605 and/or disabling use of the generic IMSI 2612 by the device) and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network using the new IMSI 2613.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2650 and/or the identity provisioning function 2699 can provide instructions to the communication device 2610 that causes the communication device to initiate the re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 2613.In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed based on mapping information that was received by the network from the equipment 2601 of the entity.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 2650 can have access to mapping information that indicates what UICCs are using a particular generic IMSI 2612 and further indicates the secret key being utilized by that particular UICC.\",\n \"Based on this information, the identity proxy function 2650 can facilitate the generation of a RES, SRES, XRES utilizing the correct secret key so that a comparison can be made to a received response which includes the RES, SRES, XRES generated by the communication device 2610.In one embodiment, the equipment 2601 of the entity can update the mapping information provided to the network responsive to additional manufacturing of UICCs (e.g., additional provisioning of the generic IMSI 2612 and other secret keys to other UICCs that have been manufactured).\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the identity provisioning function 2699 can notify various network elements (e.g., an HLR, AUC, EIR, HSS, and/or NSM) that the communication device 2610 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 2613.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR or HSS to delete (or otherwise note the change of) a generic IMSI assignment for the communication device 2610 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 2610 in its database.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR or the HSS to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed by the registration simulation platform using the generic IMSI 2612 (without being performed by the registration function 2660) and the second registration can be performed by the registration function 2660 using the new IMSI 2613 (without being performed by the registration simulation platform 675).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"27 illustrates a portion of a system 2700 that provides communication services to end user devices or other devices, such as communication device 2710.System 2700 can be part of or combined with all or a portion of system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2, system 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8, other systems described herein, or another network such as an EPS, GPRS or UMTS network.\",\n \"In one embodiment, system 2700 provides for provisioning (e.g., via equipment 2701 of an entity such as a vendor or manufacturer of IoT devices) of a generic IMSI 2712 (e.g., a single IMSI reserved for use by a device manufacturer) to a group of devices, such as communication device 2710 to enable the same IMSI 2712 to be utilized by more than one communication device during a registration process that results in reassignment of new IMSIs (e.g., IMSI 2713 reassigned to communication device 2710).\",\n \"The communication device 2710 can be various types of devices such as an M2M device, an IoT device, a smart appliance, a utility meter, a fixed device, a mobile device, a vehicle communication system, or other devices that utilize an IMSI for establishing communication services.\",\n \"The types of communication services can vary including voice services, video, data and/or messaging.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the generic IMSI 2712 can be received by the equipment 2701 of the entity from equipment of a service provider (e.g., the service provider that is operating the identity proxy function 2750, the registration function 2760 and the identity provisioning function 2799).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity provisioning function 2699 can provide the generic IMSI 2712 to the equipment 2701 of the entity.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the service provider can provide different generic IMSIs to different manufacturers of devices.\",\n \"In this example, new IMSIs are not assigned to a device until the device registers with the network (via the generic IMSI 2712) so that if a device does not register with the network (via the generic IMSI) the service provider is not losing use of an IMSI.\",\n \"The new IMSI 2713 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the generic IMSI 2712 can be a limited service IMSI (e.g., a bootstrap IMSI) that enables communication with network elements but does not enable subscriber services (which are enabled for the communication device 2710 after it registers with the network utilizing the new IMSI 2713).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the equipment 2701 of the entity can receive multiple generic IMSIs and can assign different generic IMSIs to different types of devices (e.g., a first group of smart utility meters receive generic IMSI X while a second group of smart washing machines receive generic IMSI Y).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, other information can be provisioned to the devices (e.g., by the equipment 2701) such as secret keys that are to be utilized in registering with a network (e.g., a secret key that enables generating a RES, SRES, or XRES for authentication during registration).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, secret key mapping information can be provided by the equipment 2701 of the entity to the network, such as to the identity provisioning function 2799.In this example, the secret key mapping information can be utilized as part of an authentication process, such as comparison of a RES, SRES or XRES, confirmation of identification information being received in a registration request, and so forth.\",\n \"In one embodiment, other mapping information (e.g., eUICC, UICC, IMEI, GUTI, MAC address) can be provided by the equipment 2701 of the entity to the network with or without the secret key mapping information.\",\n \"System 2700 can provide for registration of communication devices through use of a registration function 2760, such as an MCS/VLR and/or HLR in a GSM network or an MME and/or HSS in an LTE network.\",\n \"System 2700 may or may not include intermediate network components in the message exchange paths.\",\n \"System 2700 illustrates a first registration by the communication device 2710 utilizing generic IMSI 2712 that is shared by other devices manufactured by the entity.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, each of the devices sharing the generic IMSI 2712 can have unique identification information (e.g., IMEI, GUTI, MAC address) and can also utilize their own secret keys for initiating and/or performing the registration process (e.g., generating an SRES, RES or XRES).\",\n \"As described herein, this unique information can be provided to the network so that the network can identify devices that are attempting to register with the network using the generic IMSI 2712.In the example of system 2700, the identity proxy function 2750 can intercept or otherwise receive the generic IMSI 2712 such as in a first registration request which also includes the identification information (e.g., IMEI, GUTI, MAC address).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, separate messages can be utilized for delivering the generic IMSI 2712 and the unique device identification to the network.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a single message (e.g., a registration request) can be utilized for delivering the generic IMSI 2712 and the unique device identification to the network, such as in different fields of the message.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2750 can determine that the generic IMSI 2712 is a shared IMSI.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the identity proxy function 2750 can identify (or confirm an identity of) the particular device requesting registration with the network based on various techniques.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 2750 can have access to a mapping of information including the generic IMSI 2712, the identification information and/or secret key information.\",\n \"In another embodiment, identification of (or confirmation of the identity of) the communication device 2710 can be based on simulating a registration process and forcing a generation of an SRES, RES or XRES by the communication device 2710, as described herein utilizing registration simulation platform 675.For instance, the registration simulation platform 675 can simulate a registration of the communication device 2710 and can identify the communication device from the secret key and/or from other identification information (e.g., IMEI, GUTI, MAC address).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2750 and/or the identity provisioning function 2799 can determine whether the communication device 2710 is eligible for services.\",\n \"If the device 2710 is not eligible for services (e.g., suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth) then the identity proxy function 2750 can cause or otherwise facilitate or enable provisioning information to be provided (e.g., via the identity provisioning function 2799) to the device 2710 to cause the device to disable its use of the generic IMSI 2712, such as via OTA messaging using the simulated registration.\",\n \"In one embodiment, if the communication device 2710 is eligible for services then the identity provisioning function 2799 can implement a reassignment of a new IMSI 2713 for the device 2710.The new IMSI 2713 can be a full service IMSI which enables any services at the communication device for which the user of the device is subscribed.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the new IMSI 2713 can be an IMSI that is not shared by any other device or any other UICC.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the new IMSI 2713 can be a shared IMSI that is being shared by another device(s) that is located in a different registration service area, such as described with respect to systems 1900 and 2000 of FIGS.\",\n \"19 and 20.In one embodiment, the communication device 2710 can continue to utilize its original secret key (which can be mapped to the communication device 2710 by the network such as in an HLR or HSS according to the secret key mapping information).\",\n \"As described herein, the registration simulation platform 675 can enable sending an OTA message to the communication device 2710 that can cause the modification of the device IMSI (e.g., storing the new IMSI 2713 in a UICC of the device 2710 and/or disabling use of the generic IMSI 2712 by the device) and can cause the device to perform a re-registration to the target network using the new IMSI 2713.In one embodiment, the identity proxy function 2750 and/or the identity provisioning function 2799 can provide instructions to the communication device 2710 that causes the communication device to initiate a re-registration utilizing the re-assigned IMSI 2713.In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed by the registration simulation platform using the generic IMSI 2712 (without being performed by the registration function 2760) and the second registration can be performed by the registration function 2760 using the new IMSI 2713 (without being performed by the registration simulation platform 675).\",\n \"In one embodiment, the simulated registration can be performed based on mapping information that was received by the network from the equipment 2701 of the entity.\",\n \"For example, the identity proxy function 2750 can have access to mapping information that indicates what devices are using a particular generic IMSI 2712 and further indicates the secret key being utilized by that particular device.\",\n \"Based on this information, the identity proxy function 2750 can facilitate the generation of a RES, SRES, XRES utilizing the correct secret key so that a comparison can be made to a received response which includes the RES, SRES, XRES generated by the communication device 2710.In one embodiment, the equipment 2701 of the entity can update the mapping information provided to the network responsive to additional manufacturing of device (e.g., additional provisioning of the generic IMSI 2712 and other secret keys to other IoT devices).\",\n \"Continuing with this example, the identity provisioning function 2799 can notify various network elements (e.g., an HLR, AUC, EIR, HSS, and/or NSM) that the communication device 2710 is now associated with the particular reassigned IMSI 2713.In one embodiment, this transmitting of network provisioning data can cause the HLR or HSS to delete (or otherwise note the change of) a generic IMSI assignment for the communication device 2710 and/or add the new IMSI assignment for the communication device 2710 in its database.\",\n \"In one embodiment, this notification can cause the HLR or the HSS to perform a database update such as re-mapping to particular HLR records, adjusting mapping with respect to MSISDNs, adjusting an identification of available communication services that the subscriber has requested or is authorized to utilize, adjusting GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services, and so forth.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"28 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 2800 used by systems 2600 and 2700 for facilitating registration of communication devices and the reassignment of IMSIs.\",\n \"One or more of the steps of method 2800 can be performed by an identity proxy function of a service provider, an identity provisioning function of the service provider, equipment of a vendor or manufacturer and/or by other devices described in FIGS.\",\n \"2-6, 8-11, 13, 15, 17, 19-20, 22, 24 and 26-27.In one or more embodiments, the entity and the service provider are distinct entities.\",\n \"At 2802, a generic IMSI can be provided by the service provider to the entity so that the entity can provision UICCs and/or devices with the generic IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the provisioning of the UICCs and/or devices can be part of a manufacturing process of the UICCs and/or devices.\",\n \"Other information can be provisioned to the UICCs and/or device by equipment of the entity, such as a secret key for use in a registration/authentication process (e.g., to generate a RES, SRES, XRES response).\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the service provider can utilize different generic IMSIs for different entities that manufacture and/or provision UICCs and/or devices.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the service provider can provide multiple generic IMSIs to a single entity for use in provisioning of the UICCs and/or devices.\",\n \"For instance, the entity can apply different generic IMSIs to different types of UICCs and/or devices.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the entity can apply different generic IMSIs to UICCs and/or devices that are expected to first register in a single registration service area.\",\n \"By providing different generic IMSIs, this can reduce the likelihood of a registration problem that could arise from two devices that attempt to register at the same time with the same generic IMSI in the same registration service area.\",\n \"At 2804, the entity (e.g., via equipment of the entity) can provide mapping information to the network that is associated with the generic IMSI(s).\",\n \"For instance, the entity can transmit or otherwise provide the network (e.g., the identity provisioning function) with mapping information that indexes the generic IMSI to a unique identification and to a secret key for each of a group of UICCs and/or devices.\",\n \"The mapping information can be updated as other UICCs and/or devices are manufactured, provisioned, sold or are otherwise made ready to register with the network.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the information from the entity can include the IMSI and the secret key, and may include other information.\",\n \"At 2806, a generic IMSI can be intercepted or otherwise obtained by the identity proxy function, such as in a registration request, and at 2808 the identity proxy function can determine that the received IMSI is a generic IMSI being shared among other UICCs and/or devices.\",\n \"If the IMSI was not a generic IMSI then method 2800 can proceed to 2810 to register the device including performing an authentication utilizing the non-generic IMSI.\",\n \"If on the other hand the IMSI is a generic IMSI, method 2800 can proceed to 2812 to confirm service eligibility.\",\n \"Eligibility for services can be based on various factors such as suspension of services for non-payment or other reasons, the device/UICC is not compatible with network or services, and so forth.\",\n \"If the device or user is not eligible for service then at 2814 use of the generic IMSI at the device can be disabled.\",\n \"For example, OTA messaging can be provided to the device that causes the device to disable the use of the generic IMSI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the OTA messaging can be enabled by simulating a registration (e.g., via registration simulation platform 675) using the generic IMSI and then disabling the subsequent use of that generic IMSI by the device via the OTA messaging.\",\n \"If on the other hand the device or user is eligible for service, then at 2816 a new IMSI can be reassigned to the device via an OTA interface.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the OTA messaging causes the device to store the new IMSI and causes the device to provide a second registration request to the network that utilizes the new IMSI in order to complete the registration at 2810.In one embodiment, the generic IMSI can be a limited service or bootstrap IMSI that does not enable access to subscriber services but rather enables communicating with network elements (e.g., the identity proxy function).\",\n \"The new IMSI can be a full service IMSI that enables access to any services that the user is subscribed to upon completion of the registration.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, the OTA interface can utilize a transport key stored by the communication device.\",\n \"While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG.\",\n \"28, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.\",\n \"Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"29 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 2900 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described above.\",\n \"One or more instances of the machine can operate, for example, as the identity proxy functions 250, 850, 1050, 1350, 2250, 2450, 2650, 2750, the identity provisioning functions 350, 899, 1099, 1399, 1599, 1999, 2299, 2499, 2599, 2699, the steering functions 1575, and/or other network elements (e.g., MSC/VLR, HLR, MME, HSS) or end user devices for switching between a generic IMSI and a full service IMSI, facilitating the use of the same IMSI by multiple devices, intercepting authentication requests, determining a particular device that is utilizing a shared IMSI, intercepting other messages such as registration requests or error messages, determining identities of devices, and/or managing the use and reassignment of the IMSIs, including through the use of a bootstrap IMSI, and so forth.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 2926) to other machines.\",\n \"In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.\",\n \"The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.\",\n \"It will be understood that a communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.\",\n \"Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.\",\n \"The computer system 2900 may include a processor (or controller) 2902 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 2904 and a static memory 2906, which communicate with each other via a bus 2908.The computer system 2900 may further include a display unit 2910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display).\",\n \"The computer system 2900 may include an input device 2912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 2914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 2916, a signal generation device 2918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 2920.In distributed environments, the embodiments described in the subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 2910 controlled by two or more computer systems 2900.In this configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of the display units 2910, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of the display units 2910.The disk drive unit 2916 may include a tangible computer-readable storage medium 2922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 2924) embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.\",\n \"The instructions 2924 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 2904, the static memory 2906, and/or within the processor 2902 during execution thereof by the computer system 2900.The main memory 2904 and the processor 2902 also may constitute tangible computer-readable storage media.\",\n \"Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"Application specific integrated circuits and programmable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executing state machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems.\",\n \"Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.\",\n \"Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.\",\n \"In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, the operations or methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs or instructions running on or executed by a computer processor or other computing device, and which may include other forms of instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in an application specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array.\",\n \"Furthermore, software implementations (e.g., software programs, instructions, etc.)\",\n \"including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.\",\n \"Distributed processing environments can include multiple processors in a single machine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multiple processors in multiple machines.\",\n \"It is further noted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to perform operations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.\",\n \"While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 2922 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.\",\n \"The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject disclosure.\",\n \"The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitory computer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives, devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.\",\n \"The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.\",\n \"Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols.\",\n \"Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.\",\n \"Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.\",\n \"Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, ZigBee®), and long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used by computer system 2900.In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can be generated including services being accessed, media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth.\",\n \"This information can be obtained by various methods including user input, detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams, and so forth.\",\n \"The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to an authorization provided by the user.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types of data, and so forth.\",\n \"The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.\",\n \"Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.\",\n \"The exemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or steps from multiple embodiments.\",\n \"Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.\",\n \"Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.\",\n \"Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.\",\n \"Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.\",\n \"Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure.\",\n \"The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.\",\n \"Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional feature.\",\n \"The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order.\",\n \"The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure.\",\n \"Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment can also be utilized.\",\n \"Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more of the exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"Further, the use of numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or function unless expressly stated so.\",\n \"The use of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise.\",\n \"Additionally, one or more devices or components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can include less than every step needed to perform the function or can include all of the steps needed to perform the function.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controller or circuit) has been described that performs various functions.\",\n \"It should be understood that the processor can be multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines.\",\n \"The processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing environment.\",\n \"The virtual processing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices.\",\n \"In such virtual machines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented.\",\n \"The processor can include a state machine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmable gate array including a Field PGA.\",\n \"In one or more embodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this can include the processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or component to perform the operations.\",\n \"The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.\",\n \"In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.\",\n \"This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.\",\n \"Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.\",\n \"Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872377"}}},{"rowIdx":4494065,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Enhanced Separation of Corn Oil from the Ethanol Manufacturing Process","An ethanol production process and system for recovering high value oil products.","The invention includes adding a heated lipid (oil) stream to a thin stillage stream to break the water/oil emulsion and free bound oil then recovering the oil.","The lipid stream may be heated by use of existing process steam or other process energy source, or may be heated by the introduction of energy from an external source.","The process uses oil as the heat transfer mechanism to increase both the volume and quality of the oil recovered."],["1.A process for the recovery of oil from an ethanol process comprising: processing a feedstock to create a process stream; fermenting the process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream; separating the post-fermentation process stream into an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream, wherein the thin stillage stream includes bound oil; heating the lipid stream by means of indirect heat transfer; obtaining an oil product from the oil flow stream.","2.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is heated by use of heat exchangers.","3.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is heated by heating of the piping through which the lipid stream passes.","4.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is heated by heating a vessel in which the lipid stream resides.","5.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is obtained from the thin stillage stream.","6.A process for the recovery of oil from an ethanol process comprising: processing a feedstock to create a process stream; fermenting the process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream; separating the post-fermentation process stream into an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream, wherein the thin stillage stream includes bound oil; heating the lipid stream by means of direct introduction of energy into the lipid stream; obtaining an oil product from the oil flow stream.","7.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated by the direct infusion of steam into the stream.","8.The process of claim 7 wherein the steam is at atmospheric pressure.","9.The process of claim 7 wherein the steam is at an elevated pressure immediately prior to the introduction into the lipid stream.","10.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated by use of electrical heaters.","11.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated by the introduction of microwave energy.","12.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is obtained from the thin stillage stream.","13.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is taken from the oil storage tank.","14.The process of claim 6 wherein lipids are recovered from a point in the ethanol process to create the lipid stream.","15.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is separated from the process stream prior to fermentation.","16.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated in a heat exchanger prior to being introduced to the thin stillage stream.","17.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid is heated to a temperature of between about 190 degrees F. and 325 degrees F. before being introduced to the thin stillage stream.","18.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid is heated to a temperature of between about 205 degrees F. and 215 degrees F. before being introduced to the thin stillage stream.","19.The process of claim 6 wherein the thin stillage stream is separated from the whole stillage stream using distillation.","20.The process of claim 6 wherein the oil product is separated from the oil flow stream using a centrifuge.","21.The process of claim 6 wherein upon introducing the heated lipid stream to the thin stillage stream, the heated lipid stream breaks emulsions in the thin stillage releasing bound oil.","22.The process of claim 6 wherein upon introducing the heated lipid stream to the thin stillage stream, the heated lipid stream decreases the viscosity of the thin stillage.","23.The process of claim 6 wherein upon introducing the heated lipid stream to the thin stillage stream, the heated lipid stream vaporizes water from the thin stillage."],[" BACKGROUND A conventional dry grind milling process is shown in FIG.","1 .","As shown, the modern ethanol dry milled facility begins with a feedstock at step 10 , such as field corn or sorghum, grinds that feedstock into flour with a hammer mill 12 then wets that flour to create a mash 14 .","Customarily, the mash is heated to about 180° F. and is cooled to about 90° F. prior to fermentation.","The mash is customarily at a pH of between about 4.0 to 5.5.The mash 14 may be further ground in a fine grinding operation 16 or it may be transferred directly to a liquefaction tank 18 where enzymes are added to convert the starches in the mash to sugars 18 .","These sugars are thereafter converted into ethanol through fermentation 22 .","Following fermentation 22 , the entire mix from the fermentation vessel is delivered to a distillation process 24 where it is further heated with the alcohol removed from the mix by vaporization which is recaptured by condensation thereby providing the primary product, ethanol 28 , 30 .","Other purification steps, such as the use of molecular sieves 26 , may also be employed in the process.","The process mix remaining after the distillation step 24 is generally referred to as whole stillage.","The focus of the ethanol industry has traditionally been on the output of alcohol and maximization of production from the available starch for conversion.","This conversion was accomplished in the front end of an ethanol plant, and once the alcohol was removed from the process stream, the plant was left with the task of disposing of large volumes of whole stillage.","Traditionally, the “front end” of the process refers to the process steps which occur before fermentation and the “back end” refers to the process steps which occur after fermentation.","In the early days of the modern ethanol production industry, this problem was simply addressed by removing water from the whole stillage and selling the remainder as a by-product for use as animal feed.","This by-product was called distiller's dried grain (DDG) or distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS).","Beginning about the early 2000s, the industry began to also focus on the potential products presented by the whole stillage.","As a result of sheer volume and water content, the industry focus was and remains on dewatering of whole stillage which, in the past, presented the opportunity to sell DDG or DDGS and, more recently, presents the opportunity to fraction the contents of the whole stillage to recover more useful by-products.","The dewatering process of the whole stillage follows distillation.","The whole stillage is sent to a separation step 32 .","At the separation step 32 , often involving the use of large horizontal centrifuges, the whole stillage is separated into a primarily heavy solids stream referred to as wet cake.","The wet cake was historically sent to driers 36 for further dewatering in the production of DDGS.","The second stream emerging from the separation step 32 is a primarily liquid stream which contained mostly water with dissolved solubles and, also, a small percentage of solids.","This liquid stream was referred to as the thin stillage steam.","A portion of the liquid/thin stillage is recirculated back to the slurry mix 14 (stream labeled “back set” in the figures) so as to reduce the amount of fresh water introduced into the process and, further, to reduce the amount of thin stillage that required processing via the evaporators.","Historically, the thin stillage is sent to the evaporation step 34 where it was subjected to a series of dewatering processes by circulation through multiple evaporators 34 .","One of the historic ethanol plant designs used a series of eight evaporators through which the thin stillage stream flowed, usually in series.","In early ethanol plant designs, after completing the evaporation step 34 , the resulting concentrated thin stillage stream was generally referred to as syrup, and the syrup was customarily added to the wet cake content in the drier 36 where further dewatering occurred in the production and recovery of DDGS 38 .","Optionally, if a nearby market existed, the syrup could be sold separately as a liquid animal feed supplement and, as it was not added to the wet cake in the drier 36 , the resulting solid feed product that emerged from the driers was DDG.","Also, with nearby markets, the wet cake could bypass the drier operation and be sold as wet DDG or the syrup could be sprayed upon the wet cake, with this mix bypassing the driers and sold as wet DDGS for use as animal feed.","In the 1950s, it was understood that the content of oil available from corn harvested in the United States was highly variable.","In the article by Lofland, et.","al., Distribution of Fatty Acids in Corn Oil, The Journal of the American Chemists Society, Vol.","31, 412-413 (October 1954), oil content in corn was found to vary from 1.13% to 13.80%.","Also, when ethanol plants began operations in earnest, there was no ready market for corn oil and, further, there were no specifications utilized by plants that mandated the corn feedstock material contain a particular percentage of corn oil.","This was in line with the industry focus on alcohol output and efficiencies of fermentation (i.e.—implementation of fine grind operations on the mash to expose more surface area of starch in the resultant mash which would undergo fermentation).","As the focus in the industry was beginning to expand to include matters other than the efficiency and output of alcohol, the infant biodiesel industry began to move away from the use of soybean oil as its feedstock replacing it with corn oil.","This emerging market propelled the ethanol industry to add well known processes of oil separation using centrifuges to their backside operations which processes were used to separate oil from the thin stillage stream.","This oil separation process was most often implemented near the evaporators as it afforded the plant the opportunity to control the water content of the in-feed stream to the centrifuge so as to facilitate the mechanical separation of the corn oil.","In operation, the thin stillage stream was frequently diverted from the piping connecting two of the evaporators; it was sent to centrifuges where it was processed with oil separating from the stream, and the thin stillage stream was thereafter returned to the piping system so as to flow into the evaporation unit where it was headed prior to diversion.","As noted above, this stream would frequently thereafter be sent to the drier to become a part of the DDGS.","The oil portion separated from the thin stillage stream was often further processed by storage in vessels that allowed the solids captured by centrifugation to separate with the remainder sold as corn oil.","One problem with traditional processes is that the thin stillage includes emulsions which capture and bind oil.","The bound oil is difficult to separate from the thin stillage.","Therefore, there is a need for a process which increases the amount of oil recovered from ethanol plants."],[" SUMMARY One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process for recovering high value oil products.","The process includes adding a heated stream of lipids (oils) to a thin stillage stream to break the water/oil emulsion in a way that does not damage the quality of the oil or add moisture to the system.","The process uses oil as the heat transfer medium to increase both the volume and quality of the oil recovered.","One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products wherein a stream of finished corn oil is drawn from the finished oil tank (i.e., it is recycled upstream) to create a lipid stream.","The lipid stream is heated then reintroduced to the thin stillage stream to free bound oil and increase quality and quality of recovered oil.","More specifically, the process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then fermenting the mash to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol.","The post-fermentation process stream is separated to create an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream.","A thin stillage stream is separated from the whole stillage stream then oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream using centrifuges or other mechanical separators.","The oil is heated and recycled back into the process (upstream) as a lipid stream which is introduced to the thin stillage stream.","The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.","The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.","A portion of the recovered oil may (again) be recycled into the process (as described above) and a portion may be recovered for sale or further processing.","One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.","The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank.","Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.","The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is sent to a fermentation tank where the sugars are converted into ethanol through fermentation.","The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream.","Oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream and stored in a finished oil tank.","A lipid stream is taken from a finished oil tank and heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.","The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.","One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products.","The process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then separating a lipid stream from the mash.","The lipid stream is directed downstream to the back end of the process where it is heated and, thereafter, introduced into a thin stillage stream which has been recovered from an intermediate stage of the evaporation process or, depending upon moisture content of the syrup stream, recovered from the end of the evaporation process.","The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.","The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.","One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.","The process includes grinding and wetting the feedstock to create a corn flow process stream comprising a fine grind mash; separating a lipid stream from the corn flow process stream; fermenting the corn flow process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol; separating the alcohol from the post-fermentation process stream leaving a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream; heating the lipid stream; introducing the lipid stream to the thin stillage stream to create a corn oil process stream; and separating finished oil from the corn oil process stream.","One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.","The process is similar to the ones described above, however, the lipid stream is directed to the thin stillage stream from a different point in the ethanol process or from an outside source that is separate from the ethanol process.","In one embodiment the lipid stream is taken from an outside oil source and introduced to the thin stillage stream.","One aspect of the invention includes products produced by the processes described above.","One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.","The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank, then further grinding the mash with a fine grinding mill.","Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.","The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is separated in a separation unit into a sugar stream and a lipid stream.","The sugars are directed to a fermentation tank where they are converted into ethanol through fermentation.","The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream which is directed to a blending tank.","The lipid stream is heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.","The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream."],["This application is a continuation of application Ser.","No.","15/063,023.BACKGROUND A conventional dry grind milling process is shown in FIG.","1.As shown, the modern ethanol dry milled facility begins with a feedstock at step 10, such as field corn or sorghum, grinds that feedstock into flour with a hammer mill 12 then wets that flour to create a mash 14.Customarily, the mash is heated to about 180° F. and is cooled to about 90° F. prior to fermentation.","The mash is customarily at a pH of between about 4.0 to 5.5.The mash 14 may be further ground in a fine grinding operation 16 or it may be transferred directly to a liquefaction tank 18 where enzymes are added to convert the starches in the mash to sugars 18.These sugars are thereafter converted into ethanol through fermentation 22.Following fermentation 22, the entire mix from the fermentation vessel is delivered to a distillation process 24 where it is further heated with the alcohol removed from the mix by vaporization which is recaptured by condensation thereby providing the primary product, ethanol 28, 30.Other purification steps, such as the use of molecular sieves 26, may also be employed in the process.","The process mix remaining after the distillation step 24 is generally referred to as whole stillage.","The focus of the ethanol industry has traditionally been on the output of alcohol and maximization of production from the available starch for conversion.","This conversion was accomplished in the front end of an ethanol plant, and once the alcohol was removed from the process stream, the plant was left with the task of disposing of large volumes of whole stillage.","Traditionally, the “front end” of the process refers to the process steps which occur before fermentation and the “back end” refers to the process steps which occur after fermentation.","In the early days of the modern ethanol production industry, this problem was simply addressed by removing water from the whole stillage and selling the remainder as a by-product for use as animal feed.","This by-product was called distiller's dried grain (DDG) or distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS).","Beginning about the early 2000s, the industry began to also focus on the potential products presented by the whole stillage.","As a result of sheer volume and water content, the industry focus was and remains on dewatering of whole stillage which, in the past, presented the opportunity to sell DDG or DDGS and, more recently, presents the opportunity to fraction the contents of the whole stillage to recover more useful by-products.","The dewatering process of the whole stillage follows distillation.","The whole stillage is sent to a separation step 32.At the separation step 32, often involving the use of large horizontal centrifuges, the whole stillage is separated into a primarily heavy solids stream referred to as wet cake.","The wet cake was historically sent to driers 36 for further dewatering in the production of DDGS.","The second stream emerging from the separation step 32 is a primarily liquid stream which contained mostly water with dissolved solubles and, also, a small percentage of solids.","This liquid stream was referred to as the thin stillage steam.","A portion of the liquid/thin stillage is recirculated back to the slurry mix 14 (stream labeled “back set” in the figures) so as to reduce the amount of fresh water introduced into the process and, further, to reduce the amount of thin stillage that required processing via the evaporators.","Historically, the thin stillage is sent to the evaporation step 34 where it was subjected to a series of dewatering processes by circulation through multiple evaporators 34.One of the historic ethanol plant designs used a series of eight evaporators through which the thin stillage stream flowed, usually in series.","In early ethanol plant designs, after completing the evaporation step 34, the resulting concentrated thin stillage stream was generally referred to as syrup, and the syrup was customarily added to the wet cake content in the drier 36 where further dewatering occurred in the production and recovery of DDGS 38.Optionally, if a nearby market existed, the syrup could be sold separately as a liquid animal feed supplement and, as it was not added to the wet cake in the drier 36, the resulting solid feed product that emerged from the driers was DDG.","Also, with nearby markets, the wet cake could bypass the drier operation and be sold as wet DDG or the syrup could be sprayed upon the wet cake, with this mix bypassing the driers and sold as wet DDGS for use as animal feed.","In the 1950s, it was understood that the content of oil available from corn harvested in the United States was highly variable.","In the article by Lofland, et.","al., Distribution of Fatty Acids in Corn Oil, The Journal of the American Chemists Society, Vol.","31, 412-413 (October 1954), oil content in corn was found to vary from 1.13% to 13.80%.","Also, when ethanol plants began operations in earnest, there was no ready market for corn oil and, further, there were no specifications utilized by plants that mandated the corn feedstock material contain a particular percentage of corn oil.","This was in line with the industry focus on alcohol output and efficiencies of fermentation (i.e.—implementation of fine grind operations on the mash to expose more surface area of starch in the resultant mash which would undergo fermentation).","As the focus in the industry was beginning to expand to include matters other than the efficiency and output of alcohol, the infant biodiesel industry began to move away from the use of soybean oil as its feedstock replacing it with corn oil.","This emerging market propelled the ethanol industry to add well known processes of oil separation using centrifuges to their backside operations which processes were used to separate oil from the thin stillage stream.","This oil separation process was most often implemented near the evaporators as it afforded the plant the opportunity to control the water content of the in-feed stream to the centrifuge so as to facilitate the mechanical separation of the corn oil.","In operation, the thin stillage stream was frequently diverted from the piping connecting two of the evaporators; it was sent to centrifuges where it was processed with oil separating from the stream, and the thin stillage stream was thereafter returned to the piping system so as to flow into the evaporation unit where it was headed prior to diversion.","As noted above, this stream would frequently thereafter be sent to the drier to become a part of the DDGS.","The oil portion separated from the thin stillage stream was often further processed by storage in vessels that allowed the solids captured by centrifugation to separate with the remainder sold as corn oil.","One problem with traditional processes is that the thin stillage includes emulsions which capture and bind oil.","The bound oil is difficult to separate from the thin stillage.","Therefore, there is a need for a process which increases the amount of oil recovered from ethanol plants.","SUMMARY One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process for recovering high value oil products.","The process includes adding a heated stream of lipids (oils) to a thin stillage stream to break the water/oil emulsion in a way that does not damage the quality of the oil or add moisture to the system.","The process uses oil as the heat transfer medium to increase both the volume and quality of the oil recovered.","One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products wherein a stream of finished corn oil is drawn from the finished oil tank (i.e., it is recycled upstream) to create a lipid stream.","The lipid stream is heated then reintroduced to the thin stillage stream to free bound oil and increase quality and quality of recovered oil.","More specifically, the process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then fermenting the mash to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol.","The post-fermentation process stream is separated to create an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream.","A thin stillage stream is separated from the whole stillage stream then oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream using centrifuges or other mechanical separators.","The oil is heated and recycled back into the process (upstream) as a lipid stream which is introduced to the thin stillage stream.","The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.","The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.","A portion of the recovered oil may (again) be recycled into the process (as described above) and a portion may be recovered for sale or further processing.","One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.","The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank.","Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.","The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is sent to a fermentation tank where the sugars are converted into ethanol through fermentation.","The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream.","Oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream and stored in a finished oil tank.","A lipid stream is taken from a finished oil tank and heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.","The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.","One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products.","The process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then separating a lipid stream from the mash.","The lipid stream is directed downstream to the back end of the process where it is heated and, thereafter, introduced into a thin stillage stream which has been recovered from an intermediate stage of the evaporation process or, depending upon moisture content of the syrup stream, recovered from the end of the evaporation process.","The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.","The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.","One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.","The process includes grinding and wetting the feedstock to create a corn flow process stream comprising a fine grind mash; separating a lipid stream from the corn flow process stream; fermenting the corn flow process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol; separating the alcohol from the post-fermentation process stream leaving a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream; heating the lipid stream; introducing the lipid stream to the thin stillage stream to create a corn oil process stream; and separating finished oil from the corn oil process stream.","One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.","The process is similar to the ones described above, however, the lipid stream is directed to the thin stillage stream from a different point in the ethanol process or from an outside source that is separate from the ethanol process.","In one embodiment the lipid stream is taken from an outside oil source and introduced to the thin stillage stream.","One aspect of the invention includes products produced by the processes described above.","One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.","The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank, then further grinding the mash with a fine grinding mill.","Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.","The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is separated in a separation unit into a sugar stream and a lipid stream.","The sugars are directed to a fermentation tank where they are converted into ethanol through fermentation.","The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream which is directed to a blending tank.","The lipid stream is heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.","The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages of the technology described may be better understood by referring to the descriptions below with the accompanying drawings.","The drawings are not to scale and represent exemplary configurations that depict general principles of the technology which are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.","FIG.","1 is a flow chart showing an exemplary prior art ethanol production process.","FIG.","2 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process where the lipid stream is taken from oil recovered from the ethanol process.","FIG.","3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process where the lipid stream is taken from an outside oil source.","FIG.","4 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process where the lipid stream is recovered from the front end of the process then introduced to the thin stillage stream at the back end of the process.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The processes of the present invention will now be described in detail by reference to various non-limiting embodiments, including the figures which are exemplary only.","Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing dimensions, capacities, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Without limiting the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.","The present invention may be practiced by implementing process steps in different orders than as specifically set forth herein.","All references to a “step” may include multiple steps (or substeps) within the meaning of a step.","Likewise, all references to “steps” in plural form may also be construed as a single process step or various combinations of steps.","The present invention may be practiced by implementing process units in different orders than as specifically set forth herein.","All references to a “unit” may include multiple units (or subunits) within the meaning of a unit.","Likewise, all references to “units” in plural form may also be construed as a single process unit or various combinations of units.","As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.","Corn is used as an exemplary feedstock for the processes described herein.","It should be noted, however, that other feedstocks such as sorghum may be used and the exemplary uses of the terms “corn flow”, “corn oil”, and other terms including the word “corn” should be read broad enough to include all suitable feedstocks.","One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.","More specifically, the invention includes heating a lipid such as oil then introducing the heated lipid stream to a thin stillage stream to break emulsions and release bound oil from the thin stillage for recovery of the oil.","FIG.","2 shows one embodiment of the invention, which may include many of the traditional ethanol production steps discussed above and shown in FIG.","1.First, a feedstock such as corn or sorghum is introduced into a feedstock receiving vessel 10 to begin the feedstock flow stream (labeled “CF” in the figures).","The feedstock is ground into flour with a hammer mill 12 then the flour is wet to create a mash 14.A fine grinding unit 16 may be used to further grind the mash which helps expose more surface area of the starch to enzymatic reactions and increases the yield.","Other benefits associated with implementing the fine grinding operation in the front end of an ethanol process include the release of other useful components of the corn kernel including various lipids and other light density fractions.","Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank 18 to convert the starches in the corn mash to sugars 18.These sugars are thereafter converted into ethanol through fermentation 22.Following fermentation 22, the product stream from the fermentation vessel 22 is delivered to a separation unit such as distillation units 24 where it is further heated with the alcohol removed from the fermentation product stream by vaporization, and is recaptured by condensation.","As shown in FIG.","2, the distillation process 24 separates the corn flow stream into an ethanol flow stream (EF) comprising primarily alcohol and a DDGS flow stream (DF) comprising primarily fiber, protein, oil, and water.","The ethanol flow stream is directed to further purification 26 and recovery 28, 30 processes, as is known in the art.","The DDGS flow stream separated from the fermentation product stream is generally referred to as whole stillage.","The whole stillage is sent to a separation unit such a de-watering centrifuge 32 where the whole stillage is separated into a primarily heavy solids stream referred to as wet cake, which may be directed to driers 36 for further dewatering in the production and recovery of DDGS 38.The second stream separated from the whole stillage at separation step 32 is a primarily liquid stream which contains primarily dissolved solubles and, also, a small percentage of solids.","This liquid stream is referred to as the thin stillage steam.","The thin stillage may be sent to the evaporation step 34 where it is subjected to a series of dewatering processes by circulation through multiple evaporators 34.The thin stillage stream is then introduced to a heated lipid stream.","As shown in FIG.","2, the lipid stream is introduced into the thin stillage stream at unit 46, which may be a blending tank (as shown) adapted to receive the two streams and allow them to mix.","In an alternate embodiment the lipid stream is introduced into the pipe carrying the thin stillage (instead of into a blending tank) before introduction to the centrifuge 42.In this alternate embodiment the two streams mix within the pipes as the combined stream travels toward the next process unit.","In one embodiment, the lipid stream includes about between 98-100% oil.","In another embodiment the lipids stream includes more than about 80% oil with the rest being primarily a mix of gums and other phosphatides.","In another embodiment the lipid stream includes between about 70% and 90% lipids (oil) with the rest being primarily a mix of gums and other phosphatides.","The pH may be between about 4.0 and about 5.5, with a preferred range tending more acidic—about 4.0 to 5.2.This chemical construct of the lipid stream (i.e., its high oil content) allows it to remain very stable under high heat conditions.","This allows the heated lipid to facilitate the breaking of emulsions latter in the process (as described below).","In order to effectively heat the lipid stream, however, it is preferred that its moisture content be not more than about 5%.","Various additives are known and available that could be introduced into the lipid stream to increase stability when heated.","In one embodiment, the lipid stream is heated at step 40 before it is introduced to the thin stillage stream at 46.The lipid stream is heated at step 40 to between about one hundred ninety (190) degrees F. to three hundred twenty-five (325) degrees F. In one embodiment the lipid stream is heated at step 40 to about between two hundred and five (205) degrees F. and two hundred and fifteen (215) degrees F. The heating step 40 can be done using any suitable device, including a plate and frame heat exchanger or in a tube and shell heat exchanger.","The heating step 40 may include one or more separate heating steps or heat exchangers.","The heating step 40 of the lipid stream may further be accomplished by the use of other heating mechanisms.","In addition to the transfer of heat by passing the lipid stream though one or more heat exchangers, direct heating of the lipid stream may be employed.","This direct heating may include electrical, steam or other methods of heating of the piping or of a vessel similar to a heat exchanger through which the lipid stream passes, or simply the introduction of steam, non-pressurized or pressurized, into the process stream immediately before separating or otherwise obtaining the free and freed oil from the process stream.","Further, the lipid stream contains water and would be susceptible to selective heating or superheating by the introduction of microwave energy which would allow for a highly energy efficient method to heat the lipid stream immediately prior to introduction into the oil carrying process stream.","After heating, the lipid stream is introduced into the process stream at step 46 (which is now primarily a thin stillage stream that has been separated from the whole stillage).","In one embodiment the thin stillage stream has a larger flow volume than the lipid stream which helps prevent degradation, which may otherwise occur if the thin stillage was subject to a continuous and prolonged temperature increase.","The larger flow volume of the thin stillage stream allows it to experience a fleeting but sharp rise in temperature at the point of contact 46 with the lipid stream.","As a result of process operations resulting in the agitation and churning of the process stream, pH, and the presence of small, insoluble solids in the process stream, a portion of the corn oil in the thin stillage is bound in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion which operates to impede the mechanical separation of the oil from the stream.","The addition of the hot lipid stream to the thin stillage at step 46 results in a dynamic energy imbalance in the O/W emulsion which causes the water of the emulsion to vaporize or flash off.","This operation frees the bound oil 44 in the thin stillage which is available to be removed in the back end centrifuges or other mechanical separators 42.The hot lipid also decreases the viscosity of the total flow and weakens any emulsion so that more thin stillage can be processed through the backend mechanical separators 42 to recover more oil 44.In one embodiment, the corn oil flow (COF) stream exiting the blend tank 46 is directed to a holding tank 48 to allow for gravity separation before the stream is further directed to a mechanical separator 42 such as a centrifuge.","The mechanical separator 42 separates the corn oil flow stream into a finished oil product stream and a thin stillage stream.","The thin stillage stream is thereafter directed into evaporation 34 or drying 36 units where it is eventually recovered as DDGS 38.The finished oil product stream is recovered at step 44 and stored in an oil storage tank or directed to further purification processes.","In one embodiment shown in FIG.","2, the lipid stream is taken from the storage tank 44 holding the finished oil product which has already been recovered from thin stillage in the ethanol process.","This oil can be safely heated up to the desired temperature as it is free of the solubles present in thin stillage.","It is introduced to the thin stillage stream at step 46 in order to free bound oil and break the resident emulsion in that stream (as described above) for downstream recovery of the oil.","In this embodiment, the lipid stream is taken from the back end of the process (finished oil tank 44) and recycled upstream to another part of the back end of the process.","Alternate embodiments include alternate sources of the lipid stream.","FIG.","3 shows an alternate embodiment wherein the lipid stream is taken from an outside source (i.e., a source unrelated to the ethanol production process).","As described above, the lipid stream is introduced to the thin stillage stream at step 46 in order to free bound oil and break the resident emulsion in that stream for downstream recovery of the oil.","In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG.","4, the lipids and other light density fractions are separated from the mash (referred to in FIG.","4 as the corn flow stream) at separation unit 20 prior to fermentation to form the lipid stream and a mash stream.","The mash stream is directed to the fermentation tank 22 as described above.","Separation step 20 removes one or more nonfermentable components (i.e., oil) from the corn flow stream which, in turn, results in the increase of alcohol yield per volume within the fermentation vessel 22.Additional benefits to the removal of the lipid stream from the mash/corn flow stream include the reduction or elimination of downstream fouling of equipment, particularly within the evaporation units 34 wherein deposits of the lipid material within the piping system requiring shutdown and cleaning operations on a periodic basis.","After separation from the mash/corn flow stream, the lipid stream is directed downstream where it is reintroduced into the process stream at step 46 as shown in FIG.","2.In this embodiment, the lipid stream is taken from the front end of the ethanol production process and reintroduced to the back end of the process.","Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.","It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included within the scope of the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Enhanced Separation of Corn Oil from the Ethanol Manufacturing Process\",\n \"An ethanol production process and system for recovering high value oil products.\",\n \"The invention includes adding a heated lipid (oil) stream to a thin stillage stream to break the water/oil emulsion and free bound oil then recovering the oil.\",\n \"The lipid stream may be heated by use of existing process steam or other process energy source, or may be heated by the introduction of energy from an external source.\",\n \"The process uses oil as the heat transfer mechanism to increase both the volume and quality of the oil recovered.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A process for the recovery of oil from an ethanol process comprising: processing a feedstock to create a process stream; fermenting the process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream; separating the post-fermentation process stream into an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream, wherein the thin stillage stream includes bound oil; heating the lipid stream by means of indirect heat transfer; obtaining an oil product from the oil flow stream.\",\n \"2.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is heated by use of heat exchangers.\",\n \"3.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is heated by heating of the piping through which the lipid stream passes.\",\n \"4.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is heated by heating a vessel in which the lipid stream resides.\",\n \"5.The process of claim 1 wherein the lipid stream is obtained from the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"6.A process for the recovery of oil from an ethanol process comprising: processing a feedstock to create a process stream; fermenting the process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream; separating the post-fermentation process stream into an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream, wherein the thin stillage stream includes bound oil; heating the lipid stream by means of direct introduction of energy into the lipid stream; obtaining an oil product from the oil flow stream.\",\n \"7.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated by the direct infusion of steam into the stream.\",\n \"8.The process of claim 7 wherein the steam is at atmospheric pressure.\",\n \"9.The process of claim 7 wherein the steam is at an elevated pressure immediately prior to the introduction into the lipid stream.\",\n \"10.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated by use of electrical heaters.\",\n \"11.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated by the introduction of microwave energy.\",\n \"12.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is obtained from the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"13.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is taken from the oil storage tank.\",\n \"14.The process of claim 6 wherein lipids are recovered from a point in the ethanol process to create the lipid stream.\",\n \"15.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is separated from the process stream prior to fermentation.\",\n \"16.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid stream is heated in a heat exchanger prior to being introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"17.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid is heated to a temperature of between about 190 degrees F. and 325 degrees F. before being introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"18.The process of claim 6 wherein the lipid is heated to a temperature of between about 205 degrees F. and 215 degrees F. before being introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"19.The process of claim 6 wherein the thin stillage stream is separated from the whole stillage stream using distillation.\",\n \"20.The process of claim 6 wherein the oil product is separated from the oil flow stream using a centrifuge.\",\n \"21.The process of claim 6 wherein upon introducing the heated lipid stream to the thin stillage stream, the heated lipid stream breaks emulsions in the thin stillage releasing bound oil.\",\n \"22.The process of claim 6 wherein upon introducing the heated lipid stream to the thin stillage stream, the heated lipid stream decreases the viscosity of the thin stillage.\",\n \"23.The process of claim 6 wherein upon introducing the heated lipid stream to the thin stillage stream, the heated lipid stream vaporizes water from the thin stillage.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND A conventional dry grind milling process is shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 .\",\n \"As shown, the modern ethanol dry milled facility begins with a feedstock at step 10 , such as field corn or sorghum, grinds that feedstock into flour with a hammer mill 12 then wets that flour to create a mash 14 .\",\n \"Customarily, the mash is heated to about 180° F. and is cooled to about 90° F. prior to fermentation.\",\n \"The mash is customarily at a pH of between about 4.0 to 5.5.The mash 14 may be further ground in a fine grinding operation 16 or it may be transferred directly to a liquefaction tank 18 where enzymes are added to convert the starches in the mash to sugars 18 .\",\n \"These sugars are thereafter converted into ethanol through fermentation 22 .\",\n \"Following fermentation 22 , the entire mix from the fermentation vessel is delivered to a distillation process 24 where it is further heated with the alcohol removed from the mix by vaporization which is recaptured by condensation thereby providing the primary product, ethanol 28 , 30 .\",\n \"Other purification steps, such as the use of molecular sieves 26 , may also be employed in the process.\",\n \"The process mix remaining after the distillation step 24 is generally referred to as whole stillage.\",\n \"The focus of the ethanol industry has traditionally been on the output of alcohol and maximization of production from the available starch for conversion.\",\n \"This conversion was accomplished in the front end of an ethanol plant, and once the alcohol was removed from the process stream, the plant was left with the task of disposing of large volumes of whole stillage.\",\n \"Traditionally, the “front end” of the process refers to the process steps which occur before fermentation and the “back end” refers to the process steps which occur after fermentation.\",\n \"In the early days of the modern ethanol production industry, this problem was simply addressed by removing water from the whole stillage and selling the remainder as a by-product for use as animal feed.\",\n \"This by-product was called distiller's dried grain (DDG) or distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS).\",\n \"Beginning about the early 2000s, the industry began to also focus on the potential products presented by the whole stillage.\",\n \"As a result of sheer volume and water content, the industry focus was and remains on dewatering of whole stillage which, in the past, presented the opportunity to sell DDG or DDGS and, more recently, presents the opportunity to fraction the contents of the whole stillage to recover more useful by-products.\",\n \"The dewatering process of the whole stillage follows distillation.\",\n \"The whole stillage is sent to a separation step 32 .\",\n \"At the separation step 32 , often involving the use of large horizontal centrifuges, the whole stillage is separated into a primarily heavy solids stream referred to as wet cake.\",\n \"The wet cake was historically sent to driers 36 for further dewatering in the production of DDGS.\",\n \"The second stream emerging from the separation step 32 is a primarily liquid stream which contained mostly water with dissolved solubles and, also, a small percentage of solids.\",\n \"This liquid stream was referred to as the thin stillage steam.\",\n \"A portion of the liquid/thin stillage is recirculated back to the slurry mix 14 (stream labeled “back set” in the figures) so as to reduce the amount of fresh water introduced into the process and, further, to reduce the amount of thin stillage that required processing via the evaporators.\",\n \"Historically, the thin stillage is sent to the evaporation step 34 where it was subjected to a series of dewatering processes by circulation through multiple evaporators 34 .\",\n \"One of the historic ethanol plant designs used a series of eight evaporators through which the thin stillage stream flowed, usually in series.\",\n \"In early ethanol plant designs, after completing the evaporation step 34 , the resulting concentrated thin stillage stream was generally referred to as syrup, and the syrup was customarily added to the wet cake content in the drier 36 where further dewatering occurred in the production and recovery of DDGS 38 .\",\n \"Optionally, if a nearby market existed, the syrup could be sold separately as a liquid animal feed supplement and, as it was not added to the wet cake in the drier 36 , the resulting solid feed product that emerged from the driers was DDG.\",\n \"Also, with nearby markets, the wet cake could bypass the drier operation and be sold as wet DDG or the syrup could be sprayed upon the wet cake, with this mix bypassing the driers and sold as wet DDGS for use as animal feed.\",\n \"In the 1950s, it was understood that the content of oil available from corn harvested in the United States was highly variable.\",\n \"In the article by Lofland, et.\",\n \"al., Distribution of Fatty Acids in Corn Oil, The Journal of the American Chemists Society, Vol.\",\n \"31, 412-413 (October 1954), oil content in corn was found to vary from 1.13% to 13.80%.\",\n \"Also, when ethanol plants began operations in earnest, there was no ready market for corn oil and, further, there were no specifications utilized by plants that mandated the corn feedstock material contain a particular percentage of corn oil.\",\n \"This was in line with the industry focus on alcohol output and efficiencies of fermentation (i.e.—implementation of fine grind operations on the mash to expose more surface area of starch in the resultant mash which would undergo fermentation).\",\n \"As the focus in the industry was beginning to expand to include matters other than the efficiency and output of alcohol, the infant biodiesel industry began to move away from the use of soybean oil as its feedstock replacing it with corn oil.\",\n \"This emerging market propelled the ethanol industry to add well known processes of oil separation using centrifuges to their backside operations which processes were used to separate oil from the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"This oil separation process was most often implemented near the evaporators as it afforded the plant the opportunity to control the water content of the in-feed stream to the centrifuge so as to facilitate the mechanical separation of the corn oil.\",\n \"In operation, the thin stillage stream was frequently diverted from the piping connecting two of the evaporators; it was sent to centrifuges where it was processed with oil separating from the stream, and the thin stillage stream was thereafter returned to the piping system so as to flow into the evaporation unit where it was headed prior to diversion.\",\n \"As noted above, this stream would frequently thereafter be sent to the drier to become a part of the DDGS.\",\n \"The oil portion separated from the thin stillage stream was often further processed by storage in vessels that allowed the solids captured by centrifugation to separate with the remainder sold as corn oil.\",\n \"One problem with traditional processes is that the thin stillage includes emulsions which capture and bind oil.\",\n \"The bound oil is difficult to separate from the thin stillage.\",\n \"Therefore, there is a need for a process which increases the amount of oil recovered from ethanol plants.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process for recovering high value oil products.\",\n \"The process includes adding a heated stream of lipids (oils) to a thin stillage stream to break the water/oil emulsion in a way that does not damage the quality of the oil or add moisture to the system.\",\n \"The process uses oil as the heat transfer medium to increase both the volume and quality of the oil recovered.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products wherein a stream of finished corn oil is drawn from the finished oil tank (i.e., it is recycled upstream) to create a lipid stream.\",\n \"The lipid stream is heated then reintroduced to the thin stillage stream to free bound oil and increase quality and quality of recovered oil.\",\n \"More specifically, the process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then fermenting the mash to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol.\",\n \"The post-fermentation process stream is separated to create an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream.\",\n \"A thin stillage stream is separated from the whole stillage stream then oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream using centrifuges or other mechanical separators.\",\n \"The oil is heated and recycled back into the process (upstream) as a lipid stream which is introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.\",\n \"A portion of the recovered oil may (again) be recycled into the process (as described above) and a portion may be recovered for sale or further processing.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.\",\n \"The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank.\",\n \"Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.\",\n \"The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is sent to a fermentation tank where the sugars are converted into ethanol through fermentation.\",\n \"The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream.\",\n \"Oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream and stored in a finished oil tank.\",\n \"A lipid stream is taken from a finished oil tank and heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.\",\n \"The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products.\",\n \"The process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then separating a lipid stream from the mash.\",\n \"The lipid stream is directed downstream to the back end of the process where it is heated and, thereafter, introduced into a thin stillage stream which has been recovered from an intermediate stage of the evaporation process or, depending upon moisture content of the syrup stream, recovered from the end of the evaporation process.\",\n \"The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.\",\n \"The process includes grinding and wetting the feedstock to create a corn flow process stream comprising a fine grind mash; separating a lipid stream from the corn flow process stream; fermenting the corn flow process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol; separating the alcohol from the post-fermentation process stream leaving a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream; heating the lipid stream; introducing the lipid stream to the thin stillage stream to create a corn oil process stream; and separating finished oil from the corn oil process stream.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.\",\n \"The process is similar to the ones described above, however, the lipid stream is directed to the thin stillage stream from a different point in the ethanol process or from an outside source that is separate from the ethanol process.\",\n \"In one embodiment the lipid stream is taken from an outside oil source and introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes products produced by the processes described above.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.\",\n \"The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank, then further grinding the mash with a fine grinding mill.\",\n \"Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.\",\n \"The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is separated in a separation unit into a sugar stream and a lipid stream.\",\n \"The sugars are directed to a fermentation tank where they are converted into ethanol through fermentation.\",\n \"The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream which is directed to a blending tank.\",\n \"The lipid stream is heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.\",\n \"The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.\"\n ],\n [\n \"This application is a continuation of application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/063,023.BACKGROUND A conventional dry grind milling process is shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.As shown, the modern ethanol dry milled facility begins with a feedstock at step 10, such as field corn or sorghum, grinds that feedstock into flour with a hammer mill 12 then wets that flour to create a mash 14.Customarily, the mash is heated to about 180° F. and is cooled to about 90° F. prior to fermentation.\",\n \"The mash is customarily at a pH of between about 4.0 to 5.5.The mash 14 may be further ground in a fine grinding operation 16 or it may be transferred directly to a liquefaction tank 18 where enzymes are added to convert the starches in the mash to sugars 18.These sugars are thereafter converted into ethanol through fermentation 22.Following fermentation 22, the entire mix from the fermentation vessel is delivered to a distillation process 24 where it is further heated with the alcohol removed from the mix by vaporization which is recaptured by condensation thereby providing the primary product, ethanol 28, 30.Other purification steps, such as the use of molecular sieves 26, may also be employed in the process.\",\n \"The process mix remaining after the distillation step 24 is generally referred to as whole stillage.\",\n \"The focus of the ethanol industry has traditionally been on the output of alcohol and maximization of production from the available starch for conversion.\",\n \"This conversion was accomplished in the front end of an ethanol plant, and once the alcohol was removed from the process stream, the plant was left with the task of disposing of large volumes of whole stillage.\",\n \"Traditionally, the “front end” of the process refers to the process steps which occur before fermentation and the “back end” refers to the process steps which occur after fermentation.\",\n \"In the early days of the modern ethanol production industry, this problem was simply addressed by removing water from the whole stillage and selling the remainder as a by-product for use as animal feed.\",\n \"This by-product was called distiller's dried grain (DDG) or distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS).\",\n \"Beginning about the early 2000s, the industry began to also focus on the potential products presented by the whole stillage.\",\n \"As a result of sheer volume and water content, the industry focus was and remains on dewatering of whole stillage which, in the past, presented the opportunity to sell DDG or DDGS and, more recently, presents the opportunity to fraction the contents of the whole stillage to recover more useful by-products.\",\n \"The dewatering process of the whole stillage follows distillation.\",\n \"The whole stillage is sent to a separation step 32.At the separation step 32, often involving the use of large horizontal centrifuges, the whole stillage is separated into a primarily heavy solids stream referred to as wet cake.\",\n \"The wet cake was historically sent to driers 36 for further dewatering in the production of DDGS.\",\n \"The second stream emerging from the separation step 32 is a primarily liquid stream which contained mostly water with dissolved solubles and, also, a small percentage of solids.\",\n \"This liquid stream was referred to as the thin stillage steam.\",\n \"A portion of the liquid/thin stillage is recirculated back to the slurry mix 14 (stream labeled “back set” in the figures) so as to reduce the amount of fresh water introduced into the process and, further, to reduce the amount of thin stillage that required processing via the evaporators.\",\n \"Historically, the thin stillage is sent to the evaporation step 34 where it was subjected to a series of dewatering processes by circulation through multiple evaporators 34.One of the historic ethanol plant designs used a series of eight evaporators through which the thin stillage stream flowed, usually in series.\",\n \"In early ethanol plant designs, after completing the evaporation step 34, the resulting concentrated thin stillage stream was generally referred to as syrup, and the syrup was customarily added to the wet cake content in the drier 36 where further dewatering occurred in the production and recovery of DDGS 38.Optionally, if a nearby market existed, the syrup could be sold separately as a liquid animal feed supplement and, as it was not added to the wet cake in the drier 36, the resulting solid feed product that emerged from the driers was DDG.\",\n \"Also, with nearby markets, the wet cake could bypass the drier operation and be sold as wet DDG or the syrup could be sprayed upon the wet cake, with this mix bypassing the driers and sold as wet DDGS for use as animal feed.\",\n \"In the 1950s, it was understood that the content of oil available from corn harvested in the United States was highly variable.\",\n \"In the article by Lofland, et.\",\n \"al., Distribution of Fatty Acids in Corn Oil, The Journal of the American Chemists Society, Vol.\",\n \"31, 412-413 (October 1954), oil content in corn was found to vary from 1.13% to 13.80%.\",\n \"Also, when ethanol plants began operations in earnest, there was no ready market for corn oil and, further, there were no specifications utilized by plants that mandated the corn feedstock material contain a particular percentage of corn oil.\",\n \"This was in line with the industry focus on alcohol output and efficiencies of fermentation (i.e.—implementation of fine grind operations on the mash to expose more surface area of starch in the resultant mash which would undergo fermentation).\",\n \"As the focus in the industry was beginning to expand to include matters other than the efficiency and output of alcohol, the infant biodiesel industry began to move away from the use of soybean oil as its feedstock replacing it with corn oil.\",\n \"This emerging market propelled the ethanol industry to add well known processes of oil separation using centrifuges to their backside operations which processes were used to separate oil from the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"This oil separation process was most often implemented near the evaporators as it afforded the plant the opportunity to control the water content of the in-feed stream to the centrifuge so as to facilitate the mechanical separation of the corn oil.\",\n \"In operation, the thin stillage stream was frequently diverted from the piping connecting two of the evaporators; it was sent to centrifuges where it was processed with oil separating from the stream, and the thin stillage stream was thereafter returned to the piping system so as to flow into the evaporation unit where it was headed prior to diversion.\",\n \"As noted above, this stream would frequently thereafter be sent to the drier to become a part of the DDGS.\",\n \"The oil portion separated from the thin stillage stream was often further processed by storage in vessels that allowed the solids captured by centrifugation to separate with the remainder sold as corn oil.\",\n \"One problem with traditional processes is that the thin stillage includes emulsions which capture and bind oil.\",\n \"The bound oil is difficult to separate from the thin stillage.\",\n \"Therefore, there is a need for a process which increases the amount of oil recovered from ethanol plants.\",\n \"SUMMARY One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process for recovering high value oil products.\",\n \"The process includes adding a heated stream of lipids (oils) to a thin stillage stream to break the water/oil emulsion in a way that does not damage the quality of the oil or add moisture to the system.\",\n \"The process uses oil as the heat transfer medium to increase both the volume and quality of the oil recovered.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products wherein a stream of finished corn oil is drawn from the finished oil tank (i.e., it is recycled upstream) to create a lipid stream.\",\n \"The lipid stream is heated then reintroduced to the thin stillage stream to free bound oil and increase quality and quality of recovered oil.\",\n \"More specifically, the process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then fermenting the mash to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol.\",\n \"The post-fermentation process stream is separated to create an alcohol stream and a whole stillage stream.\",\n \"A thin stillage stream is separated from the whole stillage stream then oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream using centrifuges or other mechanical separators.\",\n \"The oil is heated and recycled back into the process (upstream) as a lipid stream which is introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.\",\n \"A portion of the recovered oil may (again) be recycled into the process (as described above) and a portion may be recovered for sale or further processing.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.\",\n \"The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank.\",\n \"Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.\",\n \"The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is sent to a fermentation tank where the sugars are converted into ethanol through fermentation.\",\n \"The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream.\",\n \"Oil is recovered from the thin stillage stream and stored in a finished oil tank.\",\n \"A lipid stream is taken from a finished oil tank and heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.\",\n \"The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes an ethanol production process capable of recovering high value oil products.\",\n \"The process includes taking a feedstock, wetting and grinding the feedstock to create a mash, then separating a lipid stream from the mash.\",\n \"The lipid stream is directed downstream to the back end of the process where it is heated and, thereafter, introduced into a thin stillage stream which has been recovered from an intermediate stage of the evaporation process or, depending upon moisture content of the syrup stream, recovered from the end of the evaporation process.\",\n \"The heated lipid stream may be introduced to the thin stillage stream in a flash chamber, flash vented piping, or other apparatus known to the art, so that there is no resistance or disruption to the vaporization of the water and so as to facilitate maximized emulsion breaking within the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The thin stillage lipid mixture is thereafter introduced to centrifuges or other mechanical separators where finished feedstock oil (such as corn oil) is separated and recovered.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.\",\n \"The process includes grinding and wetting the feedstock to create a corn flow process stream comprising a fine grind mash; separating a lipid stream from the corn flow process stream; fermenting the corn flow process stream to create a post-fermentation process stream having an alcohol; separating the alcohol from the post-fermentation process stream leaving a whole stillage stream; separating a thin stillage stream from the whole stillage stream; heating the lipid stream; introducing the lipid stream to the thin stillage stream to create a corn oil process stream; and separating finished oil from the corn oil process stream.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from ethanol plants.\",\n \"The process is similar to the ones described above, however, the lipid stream is directed to the thin stillage stream from a different point in the ethanol process or from an outside source that is separate from the ethanol process.\",\n \"In one embodiment the lipid stream is taken from an outside oil source and introduced to the thin stillage stream.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes products produced by the processes described above.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a system for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.\",\n \"The system includes grinding the feedstock into flour with a hammer mill, wetting the flour to create a mash in a slurry tank, then further grinding the mash with a fine grinding mill.\",\n \"Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank to convert the starches in the feedstock mash to sugars.\",\n \"The stream exiting the liquefaction tank is separated in a separation unit into a sugar stream and a lipid stream.\",\n \"The sugars are directed to a fermentation tank where they are converted into ethanol through fermentation.\",\n \"The whole stillage in the post-fermentation stream is separated in a separation unit to create an alcohol stream and a thin stillage stream which is directed to a blending tank.\",\n \"The lipid stream is heated in a heat exchanger then introduced to the blending tank where it is mixed with the thin stillage stream to create a feedstock oil process stream.\",\n \"The feedstock oil process stream is introduced to mechanical separators which separate and recover a finished oil stream.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages of the technology described may be better understood by referring to the descriptions below with the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"The drawings are not to scale and represent exemplary configurations that depict general principles of the technology which are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a flow chart showing an exemplary prior art ethanol production process.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process where the lipid stream is taken from oil recovered from the ethanol process.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process where the lipid stream is taken from an outside oil source.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the process where the lipid stream is recovered from the front end of the process then introduced to the thin stillage stream at the back end of the process.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The processes of the present invention will now be described in detail by reference to various non-limiting embodiments, including the figures which are exemplary only.\",\n \"Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing dimensions, capacities, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Without limiting the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.\",\n \"The present invention may be practiced by implementing process steps in different orders than as specifically set forth herein.\",\n \"All references to a “step” may include multiple steps (or substeps) within the meaning of a step.\",\n \"Likewise, all references to “steps” in plural form may also be construed as a single process step or various combinations of steps.\",\n \"The present invention may be practiced by implementing process units in different orders than as specifically set forth herein.\",\n \"All references to a “unit” may include multiple units (or subunits) within the meaning of a unit.\",\n \"Likewise, all references to “units” in plural form may also be construed as a single process unit or various combinations of units.\",\n \"As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.\",\n \"Corn is used as an exemplary feedstock for the processes described herein.\",\n \"It should be noted, however, that other feedstocks such as sorghum may be used and the exemplary uses of the terms “corn flow”, “corn oil”, and other terms including the word “corn” should be read broad enough to include all suitable feedstocks.\",\n \"One aspect of the invention includes a process for recovering high value co-products from an ethanol process.\",\n \"More specifically, the invention includes heating a lipid such as oil then introducing the heated lipid stream to a thin stillage stream to break emulsions and release bound oil from the thin stillage for recovery of the oil.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows one embodiment of the invention, which may include many of the traditional ethanol production steps discussed above and shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.First, a feedstock such as corn or sorghum is introduced into a feedstock receiving vessel 10 to begin the feedstock flow stream (labeled “CF” in the figures).\",\n \"The feedstock is ground into flour with a hammer mill 12 then the flour is wet to create a mash 14.A fine grinding unit 16 may be used to further grind the mash which helps expose more surface area of the starch to enzymatic reactions and increases the yield.\",\n \"Other benefits associated with implementing the fine grinding operation in the front end of an ethanol process include the release of other useful components of the corn kernel including various lipids and other light density fractions.\",\n \"Next, enzymes are added in a liquefaction tank 18 to convert the starches in the corn mash to sugars 18.These sugars are thereafter converted into ethanol through fermentation 22.Following fermentation 22, the product stream from the fermentation vessel 22 is delivered to a separation unit such as distillation units 24 where it is further heated with the alcohol removed from the fermentation product stream by vaporization, and is recaptured by condensation.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, the distillation process 24 separates the corn flow stream into an ethanol flow stream (EF) comprising primarily alcohol and a DDGS flow stream (DF) comprising primarily fiber, protein, oil, and water.\",\n \"The ethanol flow stream is directed to further purification 26 and recovery 28, 30 processes, as is known in the art.\",\n \"The DDGS flow stream separated from the fermentation product stream is generally referred to as whole stillage.\",\n \"The whole stillage is sent to a separation unit such a de-watering centrifuge 32 where the whole stillage is separated into a primarily heavy solids stream referred to as wet cake, which may be directed to driers 36 for further dewatering in the production and recovery of DDGS 38.The second stream separated from the whole stillage at separation step 32 is a primarily liquid stream which contains primarily dissolved solubles and, also, a small percentage of solids.\",\n \"This liquid stream is referred to as the thin stillage steam.\",\n \"The thin stillage may be sent to the evaporation step 34 where it is subjected to a series of dewatering processes by circulation through multiple evaporators 34.The thin stillage stream is then introduced to a heated lipid stream.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, the lipid stream is introduced into the thin stillage stream at unit 46, which may be a blending tank (as shown) adapted to receive the two streams and allow them to mix.\",\n \"In an alternate embodiment the lipid stream is introduced into the pipe carrying the thin stillage (instead of into a blending tank) before introduction to the centrifuge 42.In this alternate embodiment the two streams mix within the pipes as the combined stream travels toward the next process unit.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the lipid stream includes about between 98-100% oil.\",\n \"In another embodiment the lipids stream includes more than about 80% oil with the rest being primarily a mix of gums and other phosphatides.\",\n \"In another embodiment the lipid stream includes between about 70% and 90% lipids (oil) with the rest being primarily a mix of gums and other phosphatides.\",\n \"The pH may be between about 4.0 and about 5.5, with a preferred range tending more acidic—about 4.0 to 5.2.This chemical construct of the lipid stream (i.e., its high oil content) allows it to remain very stable under high heat conditions.\",\n \"This allows the heated lipid to facilitate the breaking of emulsions latter in the process (as described below).\",\n \"In order to effectively heat the lipid stream, however, it is preferred that its moisture content be not more than about 5%.\",\n \"Various additives are known and available that could be introduced into the lipid stream to increase stability when heated.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the lipid stream is heated at step 40 before it is introduced to the thin stillage stream at 46.The lipid stream is heated at step 40 to between about one hundred ninety (190) degrees F. to three hundred twenty-five (325) degrees F. In one embodiment the lipid stream is heated at step 40 to about between two hundred and five (205) degrees F. and two hundred and fifteen (215) degrees F. The heating step 40 can be done using any suitable device, including a plate and frame heat exchanger or in a tube and shell heat exchanger.\",\n \"The heating step 40 may include one or more separate heating steps or heat exchangers.\",\n \"The heating step 40 of the lipid stream may further be accomplished by the use of other heating mechanisms.\",\n \"In addition to the transfer of heat by passing the lipid stream though one or more heat exchangers, direct heating of the lipid stream may be employed.\",\n \"This direct heating may include electrical, steam or other methods of heating of the piping or of a vessel similar to a heat exchanger through which the lipid stream passes, or simply the introduction of steam, non-pressurized or pressurized, into the process stream immediately before separating or otherwise obtaining the free and freed oil from the process stream.\",\n \"Further, the lipid stream contains water and would be susceptible to selective heating or superheating by the introduction of microwave energy which would allow for a highly energy efficient method to heat the lipid stream immediately prior to introduction into the oil carrying process stream.\",\n \"After heating, the lipid stream is introduced into the process stream at step 46 (which is now primarily a thin stillage stream that has been separated from the whole stillage).\",\n \"In one embodiment the thin stillage stream has a larger flow volume than the lipid stream which helps prevent degradation, which may otherwise occur if the thin stillage was subject to a continuous and prolonged temperature increase.\",\n \"The larger flow volume of the thin stillage stream allows it to experience a fleeting but sharp rise in temperature at the point of contact 46 with the lipid stream.\",\n \"As a result of process operations resulting in the agitation and churning of the process stream, pH, and the presence of small, insoluble solids in the process stream, a portion of the corn oil in the thin stillage is bound in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion which operates to impede the mechanical separation of the oil from the stream.\",\n \"The addition of the hot lipid stream to the thin stillage at step 46 results in a dynamic energy imbalance in the O/W emulsion which causes the water of the emulsion to vaporize or flash off.\",\n \"This operation frees the bound oil 44 in the thin stillage which is available to be removed in the back end centrifuges or other mechanical separators 42.The hot lipid also decreases the viscosity of the total flow and weakens any emulsion so that more thin stillage can be processed through the backend mechanical separators 42 to recover more oil 44.In one embodiment, the corn oil flow (COF) stream exiting the blend tank 46 is directed to a holding tank 48 to allow for gravity separation before the stream is further directed to a mechanical separator 42 such as a centrifuge.\",\n \"The mechanical separator 42 separates the corn oil flow stream into a finished oil product stream and a thin stillage stream.\",\n \"The thin stillage stream is thereafter directed into evaporation 34 or drying 36 units where it is eventually recovered as DDGS 38.The finished oil product stream is recovered at step 44 and stored in an oil storage tank or directed to further purification processes.\",\n \"In one embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, the lipid stream is taken from the storage tank 44 holding the finished oil product which has already been recovered from thin stillage in the ethanol process.\",\n \"This oil can be safely heated up to the desired temperature as it is free of the solubles present in thin stillage.\",\n \"It is introduced to the thin stillage stream at step 46 in order to free bound oil and break the resident emulsion in that stream (as described above) for downstream recovery of the oil.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the lipid stream is taken from the back end of the process (finished oil tank 44) and recycled upstream to another part of the back end of the process.\",\n \"Alternate embodiments include alternate sources of the lipid stream.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows an alternate embodiment wherein the lipid stream is taken from an outside source (i.e., a source unrelated to the ethanol production process).\",\n \"As described above, the lipid stream is introduced to the thin stillage stream at step 46 in order to free bound oil and break the resident emulsion in that stream for downstream recovery of the oil.\",\n \"In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, the lipids and other light density fractions are separated from the mash (referred to in FIG.\",\n \"4 as the corn flow stream) at separation unit 20 prior to fermentation to form the lipid stream and a mash stream.\",\n \"The mash stream is directed to the fermentation tank 22 as described above.\",\n \"Separation step 20 removes one or more nonfermentable components (i.e., oil) from the corn flow stream which, in turn, results in the increase of alcohol yield per volume within the fermentation vessel 22.Additional benefits to the removal of the lipid stream from the mash/corn flow stream include the reduction or elimination of downstream fouling of equipment, particularly within the evaporation units 34 wherein deposits of the lipid material within the piping system requiring shutdown and cleaning operations on a periodic basis.\",\n \"After separation from the mash/corn flow stream, the lipid stream is directed downstream where it is reintroduced into the process stream at step 46 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.In this embodiment, the lipid stream is taken from the front end of the ethanol production process and reintroduced to the back end of the process.\",\n \"Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.\",\n \"It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included within the scope of the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872379"}}},{"rowIdx":4494066,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["AUTOMATED PROFILING OF THE HARDNESS OF WOOD","The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure.","More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure."],["1-20.","(canceled) 21.A device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising: a shaft, the shaft comprising an at least partially hollow interior and a hole; a blade coupled to said shaft, wherein said blade is configured to extend out of said hole; a resistance mechanism coupled to said blade; and a mechanical sensor coupled to said blade, wherein said mechanical sensor is capable of measuring an amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at said location.","22.The device of claim 21, wherein said resistance mechanism is oriented such that said blade is retractable into said shaft in response to a force on said blade.","23.The device of claim 22, wherein said resistance mechanism comprises a spring.","24.The device of claim 21, wherein said shaft has a first end and a second end and said blade is coupled to said shaft in proximity to said second end.","25.The device of claim 21, wherein said shaft further comprises a probing tip that surrounds said blade.","26.A method for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a blade into said wooden structure, wherein said blade is coupled to a resistance mechanism; (b) determining a location of said blade in said wooden structure; (c) measuring an amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at said location using a mechanical sensor; and (d) repeating steps (b) through (c) at a second location.","27.The method of claim 26, wherein said resistance mechanism is oriented such that said blade is retractable according to a force on said blade.","28.The method of claim 26, wherein said amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure is correlated with the hardness of said wooden structure at a location within said wooden structure.","29.The method of claim 26, wherein the hardness of said wooden structure at one or more locations within said structure is correlated with the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.","30.The method of claim 26, wherein said method comprises measuring the hardness of an outer surface of said structure.","31.The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: measuring a plurality of amounts that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at a plurality of locations within said structure, to create a hardness profile of said wooden structure; and comparing said hardness profile of said wooden structure to a hardness profile of a reference wood.","32.The method of claim 31, wherein said measuring step and said comparing step are automated.","33.A system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising: a device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure, the device comprising: a tube; a blade coupled to said tube; a resistance mechanism coupled to said blade; and a mechanical sensor coupled to said blade, wherein said mechanical sensor is capable of measuring an amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at said location; and a computing device for receiving and processing data from said device.","34.The system of claim 33, further comprising a device configured to create a hole in said wooden structure.","35.The system of claim 33, wherein said computing device receives from said device of claim 1 data indicating said amount that said blade penetrates said structure at said location in said structure.","36.The system of claim 35, wherein said computing device is configured to determine the hardness of said structure from said amount that said blade penetrates said structure at said location.","37.The system of claim 33, wherein said computing device is programmed to create a hardness profile of said wooden structure.","38.The system of claim 37, wherein said computing device is programmed to compare the hardness profile of said wooden structure to a hardness profile of a reference wood to determine the condition of the structure.","39.The device of claim 21, wherein said shaft comprises a probing tip to guide, align, or center the shaft within a hole created in said wooden structure.","40.The method of claim 30, wherein said outer surface is below ground level."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The regular inspection of wooden structures such as utility poles, support pilings, and other timber structures is an essential part of the maintenance and upkeep of such structures.","Aging wood can suffer from internal decay and/or rot as a result of insect and fungal infestations, as well as the presence of excessive moisture in the wood, and can develop voids, cracks, and cavities in its structure.","Such flaws in the structural integrity of a utility pole or other wooden structure can lead to a loss of strength in the structure, decreasing the load that can be borne by the structure and in some cases necessitating restoration or even replacement.","Therefore, accurate and repeatable methods of assessing the condition of wooden structures are required to minimize the risks associated with the aging of these structures.","The keys to utility pole inspection are identifying decay, measuring defects and estimating the percent remaining strength to determine whether the utility pole passes or fails the inspection, or requires remedial attention, such as supplemental wood preservative treatment, or reinforcement or restoration.","Attempts to develop pole inspection instruments have not yet fully succeeded to add value or lower costs, and there is a need in the art for alternatives to the methods and devices that currently exist for the evaluation of utility poles.","Wood is a highly variable material and there are many possible decay patterns that are possible in any particular utility pole.","These decay patterns also differ by the species of wood.","The most accurate option for pole inspection remains a highly trained, professional inspector using time-proven procedures and tools.","Some of these procedures include the following: Visual inspection, or visual inspection combined with sound inspection procedures are typically suitable for identifying gross defects in utility poles that may be visible above the ground level.","Using the visual inspection technique, trained personnel inspect the exterior of a utility pole or other wooden structure looking for structural deficiencies such as visible cracks, fissures, and splits in the surface of the structure, plant life or algae growing on the wood, and holes bored by woodpeckers or insects.","Visual inspection, alone, can be suitable for identifying gross defects visible in a wooden structure, but can produce variable results that depend on the experience and the diligence of the particular inspector.","Sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to bore inspection holes after hammer sounding identifies areas where decay may exist in a utility pole.","A shell thickness indicator may also be used to measure internal decay.","For example, “sound and prod” and “sound and bore” techniques involve inspection personnel “sounding” the structure by striking it with a hammer, spike, or other instrument and listening to the resulting sound for hollow-sounding noises or other audible indications of internal deficiencies.","The inspection personnel next may engage in “prodding” or “probing” the pole by inserting a screwdriver, drill, or other boring tool to sample the interior of the pole or other structure in a search for decay or damage.","Personnel may also scrape the exterior of the wood to look for surface decay.","Partial excavation plus sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to access a portion of the pole below ground.","These procedures are useful for the identification of external decay and termites.","Excavation to a depth of 18 inches to 24 inches plus sound and bore techniques allow the most complete access to the decay-prone region of poles, where moisture and oxygen encourage decay.","Electronic inspection devices are instruments that typically depend on theories, such as frequency or time of flight of a sonic wave, or physical characteristics such as hardness of wood to identify anomalies in a utility pole.","For example, the Shigometer can identify early stages of decay, but it is not a pass/fail device.","Other non-invasive or minimally-invasive inspection methods use equipment such as the Resistograph®, which measures the energy required to maintain a constant drilling speed in a wooden structure, or the Pilodyn penetrometer, which measures the depth into which a pre-loaded spring forces a pin into the surface of a wooden structure.","There remains a need in the art for alternative minimally-invasive techniques to complement existing techniques for the inspection of utility poles and other wooden structures, particularly for the detection of incipient decay and external decay below ground without excavation.","The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention are designed to meet this and other needs."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a probing device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure comprising a shaft, a distance sensor, a blade, a resistance mechanism, and a mechanical sensor.","In certain embodiments, the distance sensor of the probing device is mounted to the shaft and measures a location of the blade in a wooden structure.","In further embodiments, the distance sensor is mounted to the shaft such that the distance sensor is oriented with respect to the shaft at an angle between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees.","In certain embodiments, the angle between the distance sensor and the shaft is adjustable.","In certain preferred embodiments, the distance sensor comprises short-range sonar or a potentiometer.","In certain embodiments, the blade of the probing device is attached to the shaft, and coupled to the resistance mechanism, such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle.","In certain embodiments the blade protrudes from the shaft at an angle of about 90 degrees, such that the blade is substantially perpendicular to the shaft.","In certain embodiments, the blade penetrates a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is irregular, compared to a reference wood.","In other embodiments, the blade does not penetrate a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is normal, compared to a reference wood.","In certain embodiments, the blade is substantially triangular in shape.","In certain embodiments, the probing device comprises more than one blade.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft, according to an applied force on the blade.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a spring or a tensioned wire.","In certain embodiments, the amount of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the blade may be adjusted by a user.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade and measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is a load cell or a displacement transducer.","In certain embodiments the shaft is substantially rigid.","In further embodiments, the shaft is electrically non-conductive.","In certain embodiments, the shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein the distance sensor is mounted to the first end of the shaft, and the blade is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the distance sensor measures a location of the blade within a wooden structure.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism is mechanically coupled to the blade such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle, wherein the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft according to a predetermined applied force on the blade.","In certain embodiments, the amount that the blade retracts into the shaft when inserted into the structure (or alternatively, the amount that the blade penetrates the structure), indicates the change in hardness of the wood surrounding the blade.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade, wherein the mechanical sensor measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.","The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to a system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure comprising: a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor; and a machine for receiving and processing data from the probing device, wherein the machine is linked to the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine receives from the probing device an amount that the blade of the probing device penetrates the wood at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments of the invention, the machine is mounted on the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine is physically remote from the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine includes a display screen indicating the penetration resistance and/or hardness of the wood surrounding the blade, among other data.","In certain embodiments, the machine includes a printer that provides such data.","In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a boring operation to create a hole in the wooden structure for introduction of the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine receives a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure.","In certain embodiments, the machine compares the hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.","The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods of assessing a wooden structure using a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor.","In certain embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a hole into a wooden structure, or using an existing hole, and introducing the probing device.","The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising inserting a blade into the structure, the blade being coupled to a resistance mechanism; determining a location of the blade within the wooden structure with a distance sensor; measuring an amount the blade penetrates the structure at a given location using a mechanical sensor coupled to the blade and the resistance mechanism; and moving the blade deeper in the wooden structure while continuing to determine the location of the blade within the structure and measuring the amount the blade penetrates the structure.","By way of example, when a wooden structure is first placed into service, the condition of the wood therein is expected to be essentially homogenous.","As used herein, “condition” refers to the state of a structure relative to “reference wood.” The term “reference wood” refers to wood that is substantially undegraded.","Different states of a structure relative to reference wood include but are not limited to intact, dried wood, such as the type of wood present in a wooden structure when said structure is first placed into service, wood with elevated moisture content, which is one indication of pre-decay, decayed wood, damaged wood (including but not limited to mechanical damage), and the like.","Changes in the hardness of wood within a wooden structure are indicative of a change in the condition of the wood within the structure.","When the hardness of the wood surrounding the mechanical sensor is essentially the same as the hardness of the reference wood, the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “normal.” As used herein, “normal” or “normal wood” refers to wood that displays essentially the same hardness profile as a reference wood.","“Normal wood” has the same condition as “reference wood.” When the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade is different (not essentially the same) than “reference wood,” the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “decayed,” “damaged” or “altered.” In certain embodiments, the blade, the resistance mechanism, the distance sensor, and the mechanical sensor are components of a single device.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract according to an applied force on the blade.","In certain embodiments, the step of inserting the blade into the structure comprises inserting the blade into a hole in the structure.","In certain embodiments, the hole in the structure is bored by an operator.","In certain embodiments, the amount the blade penetrates the wooden structure indicates the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the hardness of the structure indicates the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the step of moving the blade deeper into the structure comprises moving the blade completely through the structure, to measure the hardness of one or more outer layers, or shell layers, of the structure.","In certain embodiments, the methods further comprising recording a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the wooden structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure; and, in certain embodiments, further comprising comparing a hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.","The present invention also provides methods for determining the capacity remaining in a structure or determining whether a structure is suitable for a particular load.","In one aspect of the invention, said methods comprise the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to estimate the remaining strength of the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying structures for remedial preservative treatment comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to determine whether the wooden structure should be rehabilitated.","The present invention also provides methods for the regular inspection and maintenance of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of selecting a wooden structure as a representative wooden structure; determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; and comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for the planning of future inspection and maintenance actions of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and determining whether to accelerate or decelerate a schedule for future inspection and maintenance actions for the wooden structure based on the profile of the condition of the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying a serviceable in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and applying at least one remedial treatment selected from the group consisting of an external preservative, a liquid internal preservative, a solid internal preservative, and a fumigant, to the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying a reinforceable in-place wooden structure that has been rejected due to no longer meeting code strength requirements comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing the wooden structure by splinting or stubbing the wooden structure with at least one of steel channel, fiberglass, and epoxy.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying a remedial preservative treatment, reinforcement or replacement candidate in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing and/or treating the wooden structure with a preservative paste or bandage, fumigant, liquid treatment, or solid rod, or replacing the wooden structure with a structure having a sufficient level of strength."],["This application claims priority to U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/941,882, filed Feb. 19, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.","TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure.","More particularly, embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The regular inspection of wooden structures such as utility poles, support pilings, and other timber structures is an essential part of the maintenance and upkeep of such structures.","Aging wood can suffer from internal decay and/or rot as a result of insect and fungal infestations, as well as the presence of excessive moisture in the wood, and can develop voids, cracks, and cavities in its structure.","Such flaws in the structural integrity of a utility pole or other wooden structure can lead to a loss of strength in the structure, decreasing the load that can be borne by the structure and in some cases necessitating restoration or even replacement.","Therefore, accurate and repeatable methods of assessing the condition of wooden structures are required to minimize the risks associated with the aging of these structures.","The keys to utility pole inspection are identifying decay, measuring defects and estimating the percent remaining strength to determine whether the utility pole passes or fails the inspection, or requires remedial attention, such as supplemental wood preservative treatment, or reinforcement or restoration.","Attempts to develop pole inspection instruments have not yet fully succeeded to add value or lower costs, and there is a need in the art for alternatives to the methods and devices that currently exist for the evaluation of utility poles.","Wood is a highly variable material and there are many possible decay patterns that are possible in any particular utility pole.","These decay patterns also differ by the species of wood.","The most accurate option for pole inspection remains a highly trained, professional inspector using time-proven procedures and tools.","Some of these procedures include the following: Visual inspection, or visual inspection combined with sound inspection procedures are typically suitable for identifying gross defects in utility poles that may be visible above the ground level.","Using the visual inspection technique, trained personnel inspect the exterior of a utility pole or other wooden structure looking for structural deficiencies such as visible cracks, fissures, and splits in the surface of the structure, plant life or algae growing on the wood, and holes bored by woodpeckers or insects.","Visual inspection, alone, can be suitable for identifying gross defects visible in a wooden structure, but can produce variable results that depend on the experience and the diligence of the particular inspector.","Sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to bore inspection holes after hammer sounding identifies areas where decay may exist in a utility pole.","A shell thickness indicator may also be used to measure internal decay.","For example, “sound and prod” and “sound and bore” techniques involve inspection personnel “sounding” the structure by striking it with a hammer, spike, or other instrument and listening to the resulting sound for hollow-sounding noises or other audible indications of internal deficiencies.","The inspection personnel next may engage in “prodding” or “probing” the pole by inserting a screwdriver, drill, or other boring tool to sample the interior of the pole or other structure in a search for decay or damage.","Personnel may also scrape the exterior of the wood to look for surface decay.","Partial excavation plus sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to access a portion of the pole below ground.","These procedures are useful for the identification of external decay and termites.","Excavation to a depth of 18 inches to 24 inches plus sound and bore techniques allow the most complete access to the decay-prone region of poles, where moisture and oxygen encourage decay.","Electronic inspection devices are instruments that typically depend on theories, such as frequency or time of flight of a sonic wave, or physical characteristics such as hardness of wood to identify anomalies in a utility pole.","For example, the Shigometer can identify early stages of decay, but it is not a pass/fail device.","Other non-invasive or minimally-invasive inspection methods use equipment such as the Resistograph®, which measures the energy required to maintain a constant drilling speed in a wooden structure, or the Pilodyn penetrometer, which measures the depth into which a pre-loaded spring forces a pin into the surface of a wooden structure.","There remains a need in the art for alternative minimally-invasive techniques to complement existing techniques for the inspection of utility poles and other wooden structures, particularly for the detection of incipient decay and external decay below ground without excavation.","The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention are designed to meet this and other needs.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a probing device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure comprising a shaft, a distance sensor, a blade, a resistance mechanism, and a mechanical sensor.","In certain embodiments, the distance sensor of the probing device is mounted to the shaft and measures a location of the blade in a wooden structure.","In further embodiments, the distance sensor is mounted to the shaft such that the distance sensor is oriented with respect to the shaft at an angle between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees.","In certain embodiments, the angle between the distance sensor and the shaft is adjustable.","In certain preferred embodiments, the distance sensor comprises short-range sonar or a potentiometer.","In certain embodiments, the blade of the probing device is attached to the shaft, and coupled to the resistance mechanism, such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle.","In certain embodiments the blade protrudes from the shaft at an angle of about 90 degrees, such that the blade is substantially perpendicular to the shaft.","In certain embodiments, the blade penetrates a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is irregular, compared to a reference wood.","In other embodiments, the blade does not penetrate a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is normal, compared to a reference wood.","In certain embodiments, the blade is substantially triangular in shape.","In certain embodiments, the probing device comprises more than one blade.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft, according to an applied force on the blade.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a spring or a tensioned wire.","In certain embodiments, the amount of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the blade may be adjusted by a user.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade and measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is a load cell or a displacement transducer.","In certain embodiments the shaft is substantially rigid.","In further embodiments, the shaft is electrically non-conductive.","In certain embodiments, the shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein the distance sensor is mounted to the first end of the shaft, and the blade is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the distance sensor measures a location of the blade within a wooden structure.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism is mechanically coupled to the blade such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle, wherein the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft according to a predetermined applied force on the blade.","In certain embodiments, the amount that the blade retracts into the shaft when inserted into the structure (or alternatively, the amount that the blade penetrates the structure), indicates the change in hardness of the wood surrounding the blade.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade, wherein the mechanical sensor measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.","The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to a system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure comprising: a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor; and a machine for receiving and processing data from the probing device, wherein the machine is linked to the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine receives from the probing device an amount that the blade of the probing device penetrates the wood at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments of the invention, the machine is mounted on the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine is physically remote from the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine includes a display screen indicating the penetration resistance and/or hardness of the wood surrounding the blade, among other data.","In certain embodiments, the machine includes a printer that provides such data.","In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a boring operation to create a hole in the wooden structure for introduction of the probing device.","In certain embodiments, the machine receives a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure.","In certain embodiments, the machine compares the hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.","The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods of assessing a wooden structure using a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor.","In certain embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a hole into a wooden structure, or using an existing hole, and introducing the probing device.","The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising inserting a blade into the structure, the blade being coupled to a resistance mechanism; determining a location of the blade within the wooden structure with a distance sensor; measuring an amount the blade penetrates the structure at a given location using a mechanical sensor coupled to the blade and the resistance mechanism; and moving the blade deeper in the wooden structure while continuing to determine the location of the blade within the structure and measuring the amount the blade penetrates the structure.","By way of example, when a wooden structure is first placed into service, the condition of the wood therein is expected to be essentially homogenous.","As used herein, “condition” refers to the state of a structure relative to “reference wood.” The term “reference wood” refers to wood that is substantially undegraded.","Different states of a structure relative to reference wood include but are not limited to intact, dried wood, such as the type of wood present in a wooden structure when said structure is first placed into service, wood with elevated moisture content, which is one indication of pre-decay, decayed wood, damaged wood (including but not limited to mechanical damage), and the like.","Changes in the hardness of wood within a wooden structure are indicative of a change in the condition of the wood within the structure.","When the hardness of the wood surrounding the mechanical sensor is essentially the same as the hardness of the reference wood, the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “normal.” As used herein, “normal” or “normal wood” refers to wood that displays essentially the same hardness profile as a reference wood.","“Normal wood” has the same condition as “reference wood.” When the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade is different (not essentially the same) than “reference wood,” the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “decayed,” “damaged” or “altered.” In certain embodiments, the blade, the resistance mechanism, the distance sensor, and the mechanical sensor are components of a single device.","In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract according to an applied force on the blade.","In certain embodiments, the step of inserting the blade into the structure comprises inserting the blade into a hole in the structure.","In certain embodiments, the hole in the structure is bored by an operator.","In certain embodiments, the amount the blade penetrates the wooden structure indicates the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the hardness of the structure indicates the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the step of moving the blade deeper into the structure comprises moving the blade completely through the structure, to measure the hardness of one or more outer layers, or shell layers, of the structure.","In certain embodiments, the methods further comprising recording a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the wooden structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure; and, in certain embodiments, further comprising comparing a hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.","The present invention also provides methods for determining the capacity remaining in a structure or determining whether a structure is suitable for a particular load.","In one aspect of the invention, said methods comprise the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to estimate the remaining strength of the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying structures for remedial preservative treatment comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to determine whether the wooden structure should be rehabilitated.","The present invention also provides methods for the regular inspection and maintenance of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of selecting a wooden structure as a representative wooden structure; determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; and comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for the planning of future inspection and maintenance actions of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and determining whether to accelerate or decelerate a schedule for future inspection and maintenance actions for the wooden structure based on the profile of the condition of the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying a serviceable in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and applying at least one remedial treatment selected from the group consisting of an external preservative, a liquid internal preservative, a solid internal preservative, and a fumigant, to the wooden structure.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying a reinforceable in-place wooden structure that has been rejected due to no longer meeting code strength requirements comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing the wooden structure by splinting or stubbing the wooden structure with at least one of steel channel, fiberglass, and epoxy.","The present invention also provides methods for identifying a remedial preservative treatment, reinforcement or replacement candidate in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing and/or treating the wooden structure with a preservative paste or bandage, fumigant, liquid treatment, or solid rod, or replacing the wooden structure with a structure having a sufficient level of strength.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Appended FIGS.","1-25 depict certain non-limiting embodiments of the probing device, the system for evaluating wooden structures comprising the probing device, and the methods of evaluating and maintaining wooden structures using the probing device and/or system.","The figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but, instead, are intended to provide depictions of specific embodiments, features, and non-limiting characteristics of the devices, systems, and methods described herein.","FIG.","1 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","2 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the shaft comprises a probing tip that surrounds the blade.","FIG.","3 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor and a handle are attached to the shaft.","FIG.","4 depicts an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, with the shaft removed from the distance sensor and handle.","FIG.","5 depicts the manner in which a removable shaft may be connected to the handle and distance sensor.","FIG.","6 depicts the probing tip removed from the shaft.","FIG.","7 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","8 depicts an angled view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention having two blades.","FIG.","9 depicts a short-range sonar at a non-zero angle to the shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIGS.","10A and 10B depict a spring-loaded blade protruding from a shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","11 depicts a spring-loaded blade refracted into a shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","12 depicts a displacement transducer connected to a spring-loaded blade on a shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIGS.","13A and 13B depict an exemplary system of an embodiment of the present invention for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure.","FIG.","14 depicts results from an evaluation of the hardness of an inspection hole in a utility pole.","FIG.","15 depicts a flow chart outlining steps of exemplary methods of embodiments of the present invention to assess and maintain a utility pole.","FIG.","16 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the shaft comprises a tube, a probing tip that surrounds the blade, and pins securing the device together.","FIG.","17 depicts an internal assembly of the end of the exemplary device shown in FIG.","16, wherein the tube portion of the shaft is removed.","FIG.","18 depicts a blade attached to a pivot arm that connects the blade to a spring and a shaft of an exemplary device of the present invention.","FIG.","19 depicts a spring of an exemplary device of the present invention.","FIG.","20 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor, a handle, and a dial are attached to the shaft.","FIG.","21 depicts an electronics unit of an exemplary device of the present invention.","FIG.","22 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor is a string potentiometer, and the shaft is angled downward.","FIG.","23 depicts an overhead view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","24 depicts an overhead view of a distance sensor, using collapsible scissors and potentiometer, of an embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","25 depicts a side view of a distance sensor, using a compression sleeve and string potentiometer, of an embodiment of the present invention.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.","1 depicts a side view of an exemplary probing device 100 of an embodiment of the present invention.","The probing device 100 includes a horizontal handle 103, an electronics unit 105, a wireless transmitter 124, a distance sensor 104, a shaft 106, a mechanical sensor 114, a blade 108, and a probing tip 122.Although the handle is depicted in FIG.","1 as being horizontal, other orientations are envisioned as being within the scope of the invention.","For example, the handle could be oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the shaft.","On the first end, a substantially rigid cylindrical shaft 106 is connected to the electronics unit 105, which includes a wireless transmitter 124 that enables data acquired by the probing device to be transmitted to a remote computing device wirelessly.","In certain embodiments, the wireless transmitter 124 has Bluetooth capability.","The horizontal handle 103 is attached to the electronics unit 105, and the shaft 106, such that the horizontal handle 103 is parallel to the shaft, so that an operator can insert the probing device 100 into a hole in a wooden structure.","The distance sensor 104 may be a short-range sonar instrument, which emits sonar signals parallel to the shaft 106 that ping off of a wooden structure back to the distance sensor to provide the distance between the distance sensor 104 and a structure being inspected.","As shown in FIG.","1, the angle of the distance sensor 104 may be adjusted by loosening a dial 107 on the side of the distance sensor 104, shifting the sensor up, and then tightening the dial to secure the distance sensor 104 at the adjusted angle.","The distance sensor 104 calculates a location of the blade 108 within a structure based on the distance to the structure, the angle between the distance sensor 104 and the shaft 106, and the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108.On the second end of the shaft 106, a steel blade is secured to the shaft 106 such that the sharp side of the blade 108 protrudes substantially perpendicular from the shaft 106.The shaft 106 further includes a probing tip 122 on the second end, which may, for example, slide over the blade 108, while continuing to permit the blade 108 to protrude from the shaft 106, or connect to the shaft 106 adjacent the blade 108.The probing tip 122 and the substantial remainder of the shaft 106 can be made of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, fiberglass, other composite material, or combinations thereof.","The probing tip 122 can be used to guide, align, or center the shaft within a hole bored in a wooden structure.","The probing tip 122 can also be used to clean out debris in a bored hole.","When the probing tip 122 end of the device is inserted into a hole of a wooden structure having a slightly larger diameter than the probing tip, a resistance mechanism coupled to the blade 108 permits the blade 108 to be pushed back into the shaft 106 if the wood is of sufficient hardness to counteract the force of the resistance mechanism.","The blade 108 is connected to a mechanical sensor 114 incorporated into the shaft 106.In this embodiment the mechanical sensor 114 is a strain gauge that measures the amount of strain on the resistance mechanism, which correlates to a resistance to penetration and the hardness of the wood contacting the blade 108.The strain gauge is electrically connected to the electronics unit 105, including the wireless transmitter 124, which can transmit the acquired strain data and the location data to a computing device for further processing.","Alternatively, or in addition to transmitting the data, the strain data and location data can be automatically displayed on a visual display attached to the probing device 100, for example on the side of the electronics unit 105 or on top of the distance sensor 104.In certain embodiments, the visual display is an LCD indicator, which may also be used to show operating instructions.","FIG.","2 depicts a close-up of the second end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, where the shaft 106 comprises a probing tip 122 that surrounds the blade 108.The probing tip 122 is slightly larger in diameter than the substantial length of the shaft 106.For example, the probing tip 122 has a diameter of about 0.35 inches and the main portion of the shaft 106 has a diameter of about 0.30 inches.","The probing tip 122 fits over the blade 108 and is secured to the remainder of the shaft 106 by a fitted adhesive sleeve, though any securing mechanism may be used.","The probing tip 122 may be conically shaped for self-alignment within inspection hole 160 (not depicted).","The mechanical sensor 114 is wired to the blade 108 and relays the amount the blade 108 penetrates wood at each location, quantified in this embodiment by a resistance to penetration, to the electronics unit 105 at the base of the shaft 106.FIG.","3 depicts a close-up of the first end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor 104, a horizontal handle 103, and an electronics unit 105 are attached to the shaft 106.The distance sensor 104 has two sound transmitters/receivers 130 facing in the direction of the shaft 106.The distance sensor 104 has a power button to activate the device and may be battery-operated.","FIG.","4 depicts an exemplary device of an embodiment, with the shaft 106 removed from the electronics unit 105, distance sensor 104, and horizontal handle 103.The shaft 106 can be removed to facilitate transport of the probing device 100, or to switch out shafts of different lengths or diameters, depending on the intended inspection hole and structure.","In this example, the base of the shaft 106 has a larger diameter than the rest of the shaft 106, including the probing tip 122, to support the mechanical connection between the shaft 106 and the electronics unit 105.FIG.","5 depicts a connections between the removable shaft and the electronics unit 105.The enlarged base of the shaft 106 is fitted to snap into the electronics unit 105, and the three metal prongs provide the electrical connections between the components in the shaft 106 (e.g., the mechanical sensor) and the electronics unit 105.The two transmitters/receivers 130 of the distance sensor 104 are shown, as is the dial 107 permitting adjustment of the angle of the distance sensor 104.FIG.","6 depicts how a probing tip 122 can be removed from and reattached to the shaft 106.In this embodiment, the blade 108 is secured to the shaft using a resistance mechanism 110, which in this embodiment comprises a metal spring mechanism.","The mechanical sensor 114 is wired to the blade 108 and relays the amount the blade 108 penetrates wood at each location.","The probing tip 122 has a hole designed to allow the blade 108 to protrude out from the shaft 106.FIG.","7 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention in operation.","The probing device 100 is shown inspecting the hardness of a wooden structure 112.The distance sensor 104 is powered on and then sends a sonar signal off the surface of the wooden structure 112, which is then reflected back and received by the distance sensor 104.The end of the shaft 106 closest to the blade 108 is inserted into a bored hole in the wooden structure 112.The distance sensor 104 determines the location of the blade 108 using a calculation based on the distance between the transmitter/receiver 130 of the distance sensor 104 and the wooden structure 112, the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108, and the angle between the distance sensor 104 and the shaft 106.The mechanical sensor 114, which is coupled to a resistance mechanism 110, measures the resistance to penetration applied to the blade 108 by the location in the wooden structure 112.The location and resistance to penetration data from the inspection are stored in the electronics unit 105, visually displayed on the device using visual display 150, and/or transmitted to a remote computing device, using the wireless transmitter 124.In this embodiment, the vertical handle 102 is not parallel to the shaft 106.FIG.","8 depicts an angled view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention having two blades.","When inserted into a bored hole, the distance sensor 104, in conjunction with a processor in the electronics unit 105, can determine the location of the blade 108, and the location of the second blade 118, within the wooden structure 112.Each blade is connected to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114.In this embodiment, the probing device 100 can obtain two sets of location and penetration resistance data simultaneously.","FIG.","9 depicts a distance sensor 104 at a non-zero angle to the shaft 106 of an embodiment of the present invention.","This exemplary configuration may be useful in inspecting the hardness and condition of portions of a wooden structure 112 below the ground-line 170.The distance sensor 104 can calculate the location of the blade 108 within the wooden structure 112 using the distance provided by the sonar signal, the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108, and the angle between the sonar signal of the distance sensor 104 and the shaft 106.FIGS.","10A and 10B depict a blade 108 protruding from a shaft 106 of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","In FIG.","10A, the probing tip 122 end of the shaft 106 is shown.","FIGURE 10B shows a cross-sectional view of the area indicated as 10B in FIG.","10A viewed from the end of the probing tip 122.A pin 119, which can be a small metal elongated cylinder, is secured to the probing tip 122.The pin 119 slides through a fitted hole in the blade 108, such that the blade 108 can rotate about the pin 119.The resistance mechanism 110 is a spring-loaded mechanism, which, when connected to the blade 108 and tensioned, secures the blade 108 to the shaft 106 such that the blade 108 rotates upward and protrudes from the shaft 106.The metal wire of the resistance mechanism 110 is also connected to a mechanical sensor 114.When the blade 108 is inserted into a bored hole of a wooden structure, the blade 108 rotates down about the pin 119, for example when contacting portions of wood having sufficient hardness compared to a reference wood, or remains protruded, for example when contacting areas of significant decay, depending on the force provided by the resistance mechanism 110.The mechanical sensor 114 determines the amount of penetration of the blade 108 in the wood, by measuring, for example, the displacement value of the blade 108 compared to its fully protruded position.","FIG.","11 depicts a blade 108 retracted into a probing tip 122 of a shaft 106 of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","The blade 108 in FIG.","11 is fully retracted into the shaft 106, which may occur for instance when the blade 108 contacts a portion of an inspection hole having the hardness of a reference wood.","The mechanical sensor would then measure the displacement value or resistance to penetration, which in this example would correlate to a portion of wood having sufficient hardness compared to a reference wood.","FIG.","12 depicts a mechanical sensor 114 connected to a spring-loaded blade 108 within the probing tip 122 of the shaft 106 of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.","In this example, the mechanical sensor 114 is a displacement transducer, which, when connected to the resistance mechanism 110, can measure the amount the blade 108 penetrates wood.","Both the mechanical sensor 114 and the resistance mechanism 110 are fitted within the probing tip 122 of the shaft 106.FIGS.","13A and 13B depict an exemplary system of an embodiment of the present invention for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure.","The system includes a probing device 100, a wooden structure 112, an operator 120, and a computing device 116.The wooden structure 112 includes an inspection hole 160, which may be pre-drilled or drilled by the operator 120 or other individual during the inspection.","The probing device 100 then measures the amount that the blade is able to penetrate the wood when inserted into, and through the inspection hole 160.The data obtained by the probing device 100 is then transmitted to a computing device 116, via a physical connection or download as shown in FIG.","13A, or wirelessly as shown in FIG.","13B.","The computing device 116 can then sort and analyze the data to provide a hardness profile of the wood surrounding the inspection hole 160, or multiple inspection holes, within the wooden structure 112, to determine whether the wooden structure 112 requires any immediate or future remedial treatment, reinforcement, or replacement.","FIGS.","16-17 depict the assembly of one end of an exemplary device of the present invention.","FIG.","16 shows an external view of the assembly, wherein the shaft 106 comprises a tube 106a and a probing tip 122.The probing tip 122, which has a conically shaped end, is secured to one end the tube 106a, and the other end of the tube 106a is secured to the substantial remainder of the shaft 106.The tube 106a fits over the blade 108 with an opening to allow the blade to protrude out from the shaft, and the probing tip 122 is adjacent to the blade.","The probing tip 122 also has a slot (not depicted) for wood particles to be removed.","In this embodiment, multiple pins 119 are used to secure components of the device together.","FIG.","17 depicts the assembly shown in FIG.","16, wherein the tube 106a portion of the shaft 106 has been removed.","The blade 108 is secured to a pivot arm 109, which is secured to the shaft by a pin 119 that slides through a fitted hole on the end of the pivot arm opposite the blade.","The blade 108 and the pivot arm 109 sit atop a spring, which is the resistance mechanism 110 in this embodiment.","In this assembly, when the blade 108 is inserted into a bored hole of a wooden structure, the blade 108 can retract into the shaft as the pivot arm 109 rotates down about a pin 119, for example when contacting portions of wood having sufficient hardness compared to a reference wood, or the blade 108 can remain protruded, for example when contacting areas of significant decay.","The tension loaded into the spring can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of force necessary to partially and/or completely retract the blade 108 into the shaft, and thus help optimize the sensitivity of the measurement.","FIG.","18 depicts a close-up of the blade 108 secured to the pivot arm 109, which will be positioned on top of and in contact with the spring depicted in FIG.","19.FIG.","20 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor 104, a raised handle 101, an electronics unit 105 and a dial 107 are attached to the shaft 106.FIG.","21 depicts how the housing of the electronics unit 105 can be opened to allow electronics access, for example, by a field operator after inspecting a utility pole.","The housing of the electronics unit 105 may be made of plastic, fiberglass, or more preferably metal, and in certain embodiments the housing and the raised handle 101 can be manufactured using 3-dimensional printing.","FIG.","22 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor 104 is a string potentiometer, and the shaft 106 is angled downward to inspect the area of a wooden structure 112 below ground-line 170.The angle of the shaft to the ground-line is measured using an inclinometer in this embodiment.","The string potentiometer determines the distance that the blade 108 has traveled within the wooden structure 112 using a cable or string tethered to a stable support, for example, the wooden structure.","As the blade 108 moves further into the structure, the corresponding movement of the cable produces a voltage range, which is converted from an analog signal, in this case variable voltage, to the digital output, in this case distance, using an analog-to-digital converter, and the digital output is recorded.","Using the distance measured by the string potentiometer and the angle of the shaft measured by the inclinometer, the location of the blade 108 within the structure can be automatically determined.","In preferred embodiments, the angle measured by the inclinometer is with respect to the horizontal plane, typically perpendicular to the vertical axis of the pole.","FIG.","23 depicts an overhead view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor 104 comprises a sonar instrument with two sound transmitters/receivers 130 facing in the direction of the shaft 106.The device further comprises an electronics unit 105 within a metal housing attached to the shaft 106.In this embodiment, the dual-grip handle 115 comprises two rubber grips, one on each side of the shaft 106, which permit a user to operate the device with two hands to ensure careful and stable insertion of the probing tip 122 into and through a hole in a wooden structure.","FIG.","24 depicts an overhead view of a distance sensor 104, which in this embodiment comprises a potentiometer connected to collapsible scissors 111.The collapsible scissors 111 are bolted to the base of the shaft 106 and expanded along the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108 (not depicted) using a spring 117.When the probing tip 122 of this embodiment is inserted into a wooden structure, the collapsible scissors 111 press against the surface of the wooden structure and fold back towards the base of the shaft 106 in a magnitude corresponding to the distance that the blade 108 has traveled into the wooden structure.","A potentiometer is connected to the collapsible scissors 111.In this illustration, the potentiometer is connected to the end of the collapsible scissors 111 opposite the probing tip 122.The potentiometer rotates as the collapsible scissors 111 fold back towards the base of the shaft 106 and outputs a variable voltage corresponding to the degree of rotation.","The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure.","In this embodiment, a spring 117 is secured to the collapsible scissors 111 so that the collapsible scissors 111 fold back according to the movement of the shaft 106 into a hole in a wooden structure.","The tension of the spring 117 is optimized to ensure accurate and repeatable distance or location measurements.","As the probing tip 122 moves forward through a hole in a wooden structure, the collapsible scissors 111 are folded or compressed between the base of the shaft 106 and the wooden structure.","An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the collapsible scissors 111 and the potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure.","FIG.","25 depicts a side view of a distance sensor 104, which in this embodiment comprises a potentiometer and a compression sleeve 113 around the shaft 106.The compression sleeve 113 comprises an elongated spring affixed to the base of the shaft 106 and expanded along the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108.A stop wire 121 is secured to the dual-grip handle 115 and the end of the compression sleeve 113 closest to the blade 108 to prevent the compression sleeve 113 from extending beyond the end of the shaft 106.The potentiometer has a string or cable 104a attached to the end of the elongated spring closest to the blade 108, or attached to an encasement around the elongated spring.","When the blade 108 is inserted into a hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, the compression sleeve 113 presses against the surface of the wooden structure 112 and compresses back towards the base of the shaft 106 in a magnitude corresponding to the distance that the blade 108 has traveled into the wooden structure.","The string or cable 104a of the potentiometer recoils into the potentiometer as the compression sleeve 113 compresses back toward the base of the shaft 106.The potentiometer outputs a variable voltage corresponding to the movement of the string or cable 104a.","The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure 112.The tension of the elongated spring in the compression sleeve 113 is optimized to ensure accurate and repeatable distance or location measurements.","As the blade 108 and/or probing tip 122 (not depicted) moves forward through a hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, the compression sleeve 113 is compressed between the base of the shaft 106 and the wooden structure 112.An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the compression sleeve 113 and the string potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.Overview of the Devices, Systems and Methods of the Invention Changes in the hardness of a wooden structure are often indicative of the condition of that structure.","For example, decay and decomposition of a wooden structure alter the structure of the wood and reduce the hardness of the structure, as compared to normal wood (for example, no decay and decomposition or mechanical damage).","As used herein, the term “wooden structure” refers to a structure comprising wood, such as, but not limited to utility poles.","Moisture penetration into a wooden structure (one indicator of pre-decay) also alters the hardness of the wooden structure, compared to a dry reference.","The hardness of wood can be determined by measuring the wood's resistance to penetration.","The exemplary probing devices, systems, and methods of the instant invention may be used to evaluate the condition of a wooden structure, by measuring and recording a resistance to penetration by a blade, as quantified by for example a displacement value of a blade or the force applied to the blade by the surrounding wood, which helps indicate the hardness of wood at a given location.","Hardness profiles can be assessed by conducting such measurements and recordings at various locations within the structure.","The condition or strength of a wooden structure can be assessed by determining whether there are changes in hardness throughout the structure and/or whether the hardness at various locations within the structure differs compared to the hardness of reference wood.","Wooden structures may on occasion comprise voids or pockets of air.","The probes and devices of the present invention aid in the detection of voids or pockets in the wooden structures by noting the lack of hardness or density in a particular portion or region of the wood.","The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention allow users to repeatedly and accurately profile the hardness and condition of wooden structures without the need for specialized and expensive drilling equipment.","The exemplary probing devices, systems, and methods of the instant invention may be used to detect distinct hardness conditions in wooden structure, including sound wood, incipient decay, and advanced decay.","The term “incipient decay” as used herein refers to an early stage of the decay process where the wood fibers have begun to lose strength but the decay has not proceeded far enough to evidently soften or otherwise perceptibly reduce the hardness of the wood.","Areas of incipient decay detected in wooden structures by the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention may be treated with fumigants, or other materials, compositions, or treatments, to stop or slow down infection or invasion by, for example, wood decay fungi, thereby extending the useful life of the wooden structure.","A characteristic of incipient decay is that it can be arrested if the appropriate intervention or treatment is applied while the incipient decay is still in its early stages.","The term “hardness” as used herein refers to resistance to pressure, or resistance to penetration, or rigidity.","For example, those of skill in the art will readily understand that resistance to penetration, or the displacement value of a blade based on a known applied force, among other measures, can be used to assess the hardness of wood.","In addition, those of skill will understand that “hardness” may be assessed as a unitless measure of the relationship of resistance to pressure, resistance to penetration, displacement value of a blade, or other measure correlating resistance to pressure, or the rigidity of a wooden structure being inspected compared to a reference wood.","In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 comprises a vertical handle 102, a distance sensor 104, a shaft 106, and a blade 108, as shown in FIG.","7.In certain embodiments, a resistance mechanism 110 is coupled to the blade 108 and a mechanical sensor 114 is coupled to the resistance mechanism 110 and the blade 108.In certain embodiments, the device is a handheld device.","In an exemplary aspect, the device 100 is used to automatically profile the hardness, and as a result indicate the condition or strength, of a wooden structure 112.When introduced into a wooden structure 112, the blade 108 is capable of penetrating the surrounding wood.","In certain embodiments, the amount that the blade 108 penetrates the wooden structure 112 is measured by a displacement value of the blade 108.In certain aspects, if the displacement value is lower than a predetermined “normal” displacement value, an operator can conclude that the hardness of the wood within a wooden structure 112 at the location examined is less than the hardness of a reference wood.","In another embodiment, the device 100 comprises a vertical handle 102, a distance sensor 104, a shaft 106, a blade 108, and a second blade 118, as shown in FIG.","8.In this embodiment, each blade is coupled to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114.In certain aspects, when inserted into a wooden structure 112, the embodiment shown in FIG.","8 is capable of measuring the hardness of wood at two locations within the structure simultaneously.","In certain aspects of the invention, the wooden structure 112 to be inspected is comprised primarily of wood.","In certain exemplary aspects, the wooden structure 112 can consist of a utility pole, a piling, a beam, a board, a timber, or any other type of wooden structure.","The wooden structure 112 can consist of Western red cedar, Douglas-fir, southern pine, lodgepole pine, or any other species of wood.","Shaft of the Device In exemplary embodiments, the shaft 106 of the probing device 100 permits the blade 108 to be inserted into an inspection hole 160 in a wooden structure 112.The shaft 106 may be sufficiently long to allow inspection of underground portions of a wooden structure 112.When the shaft 106 is inserted into a wooden structure 112 at an angle toward the ground, as illustrated for example in FIG.","9, the shaft can probe portions of the structure underground, without the need to excavate the structure.","Preferably, the shaft 106 of the probing device is substantially rigid.","The rigidity of the shaft 106 may be optimized, for example to help ensure accuracy and reliability of the measurements of a distance sensor 104 mounted to the shaft regarding the location of a blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.Further, a substantially rigid shaft can help the resistance mechanism protrude the blade 108 from the shaft, and the blade 108 to retract according to an applied force from within the structure.","The shaft 106 is preferably electrically non-conductive, but not necessarily so.","Examples of material suitable for use as a shaft 106 include, but are not limited to, metals, carbon fiber, polyester, fiberglass, polyester impregnated with fiberglass, and the like.","However, the shaft 106 could be comprised of a number of different materials, including electrically non-conductive or conductive materials.","Any material that is resistant to both compression and tension would be suitable.","For example, thermal and non-thermally formed plastics (PLA, ABS), or wood.","In other words, any material that is strong enough to push the tip through the inspection hole 160 is suitable.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the inspection hole, for example having a diameter that is about 1% to about 10% less than the diameter of the inspection hole.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may have a diameter of between the range of about 0.1875 to about 0.375 inches, more preferably between the range of about 0.200 to about 0.300 inches.","In certain embodiments, the diameter of the shaft 106 is sufficiently large to support the blade 108 and resistance mechanism 110, but small enough to be inserted into holes bored into a wooden structure 112 that are unlikely to harm the structural integrity of the wooden structure 112.Shafts having different diameters may be used to fit into various hole sizes (e.g., fume and inspection holes).","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be non-cylindrical and capable of being inserted into bored inspection holes having an appropriate diameter, as described above.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be adjustable in length.","In embodiments of the present invention, the length of the shaft 106 may be sufficient to enable inspection of a wooden structure 112, such as a utility pole.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 is sufficiently long to permit inspection of the portion of a utility pole underground, including the shell layers of the utility pole opposite the shell layers where the probing device is inserted into the utility pole.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 is sufficiently long to enable inspection across the entire diameter of a utility pole at a 45 degree angle to the pole.","As an example, the shaft may be about 24 to about 30 inches in length.","In certain embodiments, the length of the shaft is adjustable.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be designed to fold for ease of transport.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be removable, or may comprise multiple removable sub-components.","Embodiments of the device having a removable shaft can allow for different lengths or diameters of shafts to be used in the device.","The shaft 106 may comprise a probing tip 122 at the end of the shaft 106 nearest the blade 108, wherein the probing tip 122 surrounds one or more blades of the device.","In certain embodiments, the probing tip 122 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the inspection hole 160, but slightly larger than the base of the shaft 106.For example, the probing tip 122 may have a diameter that is about 1% to 10% less than the diameter of the inspection hole, and about 1% to 10% greater than the diameter of the base of the shaft 106.In certain embodiments, the diameter of the probing tip 122 may be between the range of about 0.1875 to about 0.375 inches, more preferably between the range of about 0.250 to about 0.375 inches.","In certain embodiments, the probing tip 122 may be a separate component from the shaft 106.In embodiments where the probing tip 122 collects debris in a bored hole, the probing tip 122 can have an additional slot for debris to exit.","The probing tip 122 can be removable so that debris can be cleaned out or so that different attachments can be fastened to the tip of the shaft 106.The shaft 106 may also comprise a tube 106a, as shown for example in FIG.","16.The tube 106a can be attached to the substantial remainder of the shaft using any attachment mechanism, including but not limited to a pin 119 or adhesive.","The tube 106a portion of the shaft can be made of any material suitable to protect the components housed within the tube, including metal, carbon fiber, plastic, fiberglass, or other composite material.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be attached to a handle, for example a raised handle 101, vertical handle 102, horizontal handle 103, or dual-grip handle 115.The handle may be designed to facilitate careful and reliable insertion of a probing device 100 into a wooden structure.","In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may include a latch or a safety cover to keep the blade retracted or covered when the device is not in use.","The shaft 106 may also be hollow in certain embodiments.","Distance Sensor of the Device In certain embodiments, the distance sensor 104 may be any sensor that allows the determination and/or recording of the location or depth of the blade 108 in the wooden structure 112.The distance sensor 104 includes but is not limited to mechanical, electrical, optical and acoustical sensors, and the like.","In a preferred aspect, the distance sensor 104 is a potentiometer.","For example, a string potentiometer, using a retractable cable, may be used as a distance sensor 104 in the present invention.","As the cable moves, the potentiometer outputs a range of voltage that can be correlated to location, distance, or depth.","The string potentiometer may be attached to the device at the handle or at the shaft 106, or encased in a collapsing housing.","An analog-to-digital converter may be electrically connected to the distance sensor 104 to convert an analog signal (e.g., variable voltage) to a digital output (e.g., distance).","For example, a string potentiometer may run through an ADS1115 Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Texas Instruments).","As another example, a trellis or scissors potentiometer may be used as a distance sensor 104.In another aspect, the distance sensor 104 is a short-range sonar.","For example, any short range sonar may be used as a distance sensor 104 in the present invention.","An acoustic reflector (not depicted) may also be attached to the surface of the wooden structure.","In certain aspects of the invention, the distance sensor 104 is mounted on the handle or the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.In aspects of the present invention, the distance sensor 104 can consist of, for example, a short-range sonar, a laser, a short-range radar, or any other type of non-contact or contact distance sensor 104.In certain aspects, the distance sensor 104 is a short-range sonar which transmits a pulse of sound (also known as a “ping”) from an acoustical transmit/receive array or an external transducer.","The ping reflects off the surface of the wooden structure 112 and is received by the short-range sonar distance sensor 104.The distance sensor 104 then uses the speed of the transmitted ping and the elapsed time between the transmission and receipt of the ping to calculate the distance between the sensor 104 and the face of the wooden structure 112.In aspects of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.","9, the distance sensor 104, for example a short-range sonar, can be oriented from about a 45 degree angle to about a 90 degree angle from the face of the wooden structure 112 while still receiving a sufficient return signal from the transmitted ping to provide the sensor 104 with an accurate distance reading.","In this way, the probing device 100 can be inserted into a wooden structure 112 to inspect the portions of the structure underground, including the shell of the structure underground.","In certain embodiments, the angle is adjustable between about 0 and about 45 degrees; in further embodiments, the angle is adjustable between about 0 and about 90 degrees.","In certain embodiments, the probing device comprises an inclinometer (not depicted).","The inclinometer can be used, for example, to record the angle of the sonar to the shaft, record the angle of a bored hole to the ground, and/or to keep the sonar (or any other distance sensor) level.","In certain preferred aspects of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.","22, the distance sensor 104 comprises a potentiometer, more preferably a string potentiometer, which measures the distance of the blade within a wooden structure.","For example, a SP1 50 string potentiometer (from Celesco) may be used as a distance sensor 104 in the present invention.","In a preferred embodiment, the probing device also comprises an inclinometer (not depicted).","The inclinometer can be used, for example, to record the angle of the string potentiometer to the shaft 106, record the angle of a bored hole 160 to the ground-line 170, and/or to keep the string potentiometer level.","In a preferred embodiment, the inclinometer records the angle of the bored hole 160 to the ground-line 170, which, in conjunction with the distance or depth recorded by the potentiometer, can be used to determine the location of the blade 106 within the wooden structure 112.For example, the inclinometer may be an MMA7455 Digital Acceleration Title Angle Sensor Module (Freescale Semiconductor).","In certain embodiments of the invention, the distance sensor 104 comprises collapsible scissors 111 and a potentiometer.","An example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG.","24.The collapsible scissors 111 are expanded along the length of the shaft 106 with a spring 117.The collapsible scissors 111 collapse into the base of the shaft 106 when the probing tip 122 of this embodiment is inserted into a wooden structure and the collapsible scissors 111 are pressed against the surface of the wooden structure.","The magnitude that the collapsible scissors 111 collapse or fold back toward the base of the shaft 106 can be measured by a rotating potentiometer that produces variable voltage.","The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure, for example using an electronics unit and/or computing device attached to or remote from the device.","An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the collapsible scissors 111 and the potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure.","In certain embodiments of the invention, the distance sensor 104 comprises a potentiometer connected to a compression sleeve 113 around the shaft 106.An example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG.","25.The compression sleeve 113 includes an elongated spring that expands along the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108.A potentiometer with a string or cable 104a is attached to the end of the elongated spring closest to the blade 108, or elsewhere along the compression sleeve 113.When the blade 108 is inserted into a hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, the compression sleeve 113 presses against the surface of the wooden structure 112 and compresses back towards the base of the shaft 106.The magnitude that the compression sleeve 112 compresses is measured by the string potentiometer, which produces a variable voltage.","The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure, for example using an electronics unit and/or computing device attached to or remote from the device.","An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the compression sleeve 113 and the string potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.A stop wire 121 is secured to the dual-grip handle 115 and to the end of the compression sleeve 113 closest to the blade 108.The length of the stop wire 121 should be sufficient to prevent the compression sleeve 113 from extending beyond the end of the shaft 106.The stop wire 121 may comprise, for example a string, cable, or wire and may be metal or non-metal.","Blade of the Device In exemplary embodiments, the blade 108 of the probing device 100 is designed to ride along the inside of a bore hole within a wooden structure 112.When the shaft 106 of the probing device rides along an inspection hole 160, the blade 108 is capable of retracting in response to the force being applied by the wood within the structure surrounding the blade, resulting in a displacement value of the blade.","In one aspect of the present invention, the blade 108 is attached to the end of the shaft 106 opposite the handle.","In another aspect of the present invention, the blade is attached to the end of the shaft opposite the distance sensor 104.In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is attached to the shaft 106 using a pivot arm 109 and a pin 119 that permit the blade to retract into the shaft.","In certain embodiments, in decayed or decomposed portions of a wooden structure 112, or prior to insertion into a wooden structure 112, the blade 108 is able to penetrate the wood and does not retract into the shaft, as shown in FIGS.","10A-10B.","In other embodiments, in portions of a wooden structure 112 having a hardness essentially the same as normal wood, the blade 108 does not penetrate the wood and retracts into the shaft, as illustrated in FIG.","11.In aspects of the present invention, the blade 108 partially penetrates the wood, and therefore partially retracts into the shaft 106.In one aspect of the invention, the blade 108 is sized so that the blade can retract, either partially or more preferably completely, into the shaft 106.In one aspect, the blade 108 has a height substantially equal to the diameter of the shaft 106.In another aspect, the blade 108 has a height substantially equal to the diameter of the probing tip 122.In certain embodiments, the blade 108 has a height in the range of about 0.1875 to about 0.375.In another aspect, the blade has a length that is greater than its height.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is bi-directional, such that the blade can provide hardness measurements as the device is being inserted into a wooden structure and as the device is being removed from a wooden structure.","In bi-directional embodiments of the blade, preferably the length of the blade 108 is about twice the height of the blade 108.However, a blade 108 may be of any size suitable for minimally-invasive inspection of a wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, when coupled to a resistance mechanism 110, the blade 108 is sufficiently sharp to penetrate portions of the wood within a structure having lower hardness compared to normal wood.","In certain aspects, when coupled to a resistance mechanism 110, the blade 108 does not penetrate portions of the wood within a structure having a hardness essentially the same as normal wood.","In certain aspects, a user may choose a sharper or duller blade 108 depending on the desired sensitivity in determining hardness variances in a wooden structure.","In certain preferred embodiments, the blade 108 comprises metal.","For example, the blade 108 may comprise aluminum, stainless steel, alloy steel, spring steel or tool steel.","In certain alternative embodiments, the blade 108 comprises tool ceramic, such as, for example zirconium dioxide, or carbide.","Those of skill in the art will understand that any material, or combination of materials, may be used for the blade 108, such that the blade is capable of penetrating portions of wood having decreased hardness compared to normal wood.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 has a sharp tip capable of penetrating a wooden structure.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 may be any shape having a sharp tip when protruded from the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.In certain embodiments, the portion of the blade 108 protruding from the shaft 106 is substantially triangular in shape.","Preferably, the portion of the blade that protrudes from the shaft is substantially triangular, as illustrated in FIGS.","10A and 10B and FIGS.","16-18.In one aspect of the invention, the blade 108 protrudes from the shaft 106 at a non-zero angle to the shaft.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 protrudes from the shaft 106 at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees to the shaft or, between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees to the shaft.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 protrudes from the shaft 106 at an angle of about 90 degrees to the shaft.","In certain embodiments, the probing device 100 comprises more than one blade.","For example, the probing device may comprise a first blade 108 attached to the end of the shaft 106 opposite the vertical handle 102, and a second blade 118 attached to the shaft between the vertical handle 102 and the first blade 108, as illustrated in FIG.","8.Resistance Mechanism of the Device In embodiments of the invention, the resistance mechanism 110 may be any component, or combination of components that, when coupled to the blade 108, protrude the blade 108 from the shaft 106 of the probing device 100 by applying a force (e.g., pulling or pushing) to the blade.","The resistance mechanism 110 allows the blade 108 to retract into the shaft 106, partially or completely, in response to an external force on the blade 108 opposite to and greater than the force provided by the resistance mechanism on the blade 108.In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism 110 comprises a tension system.","In certain aspects, the force provided by the resistance mechanism 110 can be adjusted.","In one preferred aspect, the resistance mechanism 110 comprises a spring-loaded mechanism, as illustrated in FIGS.","10A and 11.In another aspect, the resistance mechanism 110 comprises a pin that permits the blade 108 to rotate upward, and protrude from the shaft 106, when an external force is applied insufficient to counter the force of the resistance mechanism 110, for example when the blade 108 encounters decayed wood.","Conversely, the resistance mechanism 110 permits the blade 108 to rotate downward, and retract back into the shaft 106, when a sufficient force is applied to counter the force of the resistance mechanism 110, for example when the blade 108 encounters normal wood.","As an example, prior to insertion into a bored hole in a wooden structure 112 having normal hardness, an exemplary spring-loaded resistance mechanism 110, illustrated in FIG.","10A, protrudes the blade 108 from the shaft 106.When inserted into a bored hole in a wooden structure 112 having normal hardness, the spring-loaded blade retracts into the shaft, as shown in FIG.","11, because the portion of the wood surrounding the blade has sufficient hardness to push the blade 108 back into the shaft 106.In other embodiments of the invention, the resistance mechanism 110 may comprise a wire-tensioned system, a hydraulic piston system, a spring system, a viscoelastic material, a torsion system, or an electro-magnetic or electro-mechanical system, such as a motor or solenoid.","However, any resistance mechanism 110, or combination of resistance mechanisms, may be used that can protrude one or more blades from the shaft 106, and can allow the one or more blades to retract when pressed against a wooden structure having normal hardness.","Mechanical Sensor of the Device In embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical sensor 114 of the probing device 100 can provide measurements corresponding to the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is coupled to the resistance mechanism 110 and the blade 108, and measures the force applied on the blade 108 by portions of wood within a structure.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is coupled to the resistance mechanism 110 and the blade 108 and measures the amount the blade 108 penetrates the surrounding wood within the structure, resulting in a displacement value of the blade.","In certain embodiments, when the value measured by the mechanical sensor 114, whether that value is the force applied, the displacement value, or another measure correlating to hardness of the surrounding wood, is different from the expected value from normal wood, the mechanical sensor 114 can indicate areas of damage or decay, among other potential irregularities, within the structure.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is attached to the shaft 106 of the probing device, as illustrated in FIG.","12.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is attached to the end of the shaft 106 of the device near the blade 108.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is attached to the end of the shaft 106 opposite the blade 108.The mechanical sensor 114 may be attached to the shaft 106, or be remote from the shaft 106, in any way such that the mechanical sensor 114 can measure the force applied on the blade 108, the distance the blade 108 penetrates the structure, and/or any other mechanical measure correlating to hardness of the wood contacting the blade 108.In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical sensor 114 comprises a linear position or displacement transducer with an extensible wire rope, wherein the wire rope is attached to the blade 108, as illustrated in FIG.","12.In this embodiment, the mechanical sensor 114 can measure the displacement value of the blade 108 when inserted into a bored hole in a wooden structure 112, by measuring displacement of the wire-rope.","The mechanical measurement is converted to an electrical signal, which can be transmitted to a computing device 116 and processed to analyze the hardness of the wooden structure.","The displacement value may be measured at various locations within the wooden structure 112, correlated to the hardness of wood to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure, and compared to the hardness profile of normal wood.","In certain embodiments of the invention, the mechanical sensor 114 may comprise a displacement transducer or a force transducer capable of measuring a displacement value or force value on the blade caused by the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 converts the mechanical measurement into an electric signal that may be transmitted to a computing device 116 for further processing.","In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 may comprise a strain gauge, load cell, potentiometer, flex sensor, or pressure sensor.","In certain aspects, a user may select a particular mechanical sensor 114 based on compatibility with the selected resistance mechanism 110.For example, an Omega Engineering KFH-3-350-C1-11L3M3R strain gauge may be used as a mechanical sensor 114 in the present invention.","An analog-to-digital converter may be electrically connected to the mechanical sensor 114 to convert an analog signal to a digital output.","In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical sensor 114 is a strain gauge that runs through an HX711 24-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Avia Semiconductor).","In certain embodiments, the device includes other sensors that may be helpful to those of skill in the art in assessing a wooden structure, including but not limited to one or more moisture content sensors.","In certain embodiments, one or more sensors, including passive or active acoustic sensors, galvanic sensors, resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, or gas sensors to detect insect respiration or decay outgassing in addition to the mechanical sensor, are attached to the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.Methods and Systems for Evaluating a Wooden Structure In aspects of the invention, a blade 108, coupled to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114, is inserted into a hole in a wooden structure 112 to gather data about the internal hardness of that structure.","The hole may be pre-drilled, or may be bored or drilled by the personnel conducting the inspection of the structure, by using a drill or a borer, for example.","In some aspects of the invention, the blade 108 is inserted into a pre-drilled hole to avoid drilling new holes that may further compromise the integrity of the structure.","In other aspects of the invention, the personnel conducting the inspection of the structure may choose to drill or bore a new hole in the structure to ensure that the wood surrounding the entrance of the hole is healthy, non-decayed wood that provides an accurate hardness for the measurements.","In these aspects, the personnel may penetrate the exterior of the wooden structure with the drill or bore above the ground line of wooden structure, and then angle the drill or bore downwards so that at least a portion of the inspection hole in the interior of structure is located below the ground-line of the structure, which is a prime location for decay.","In aspects of the invention, the inspection hole may be sufficiently small to permit the blade 108 to ride along the bore hole and retract according to the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade.","For example, the diameter of the inspection hole may be essentially the same as, but not less than, the diameter of the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of measuring the hardness of a wooden structure by operating a probing device 100 comprises the steps of, as shown in FIG.","15, boring a hole into a wooden structure 112, inserting the probing device 100 into the bored hole, measuring the location of the blade 108 of the probing device 100 within the structure and the displacement value of the blade 108 at the location, and transmitting the location and displacement value data to a computing device 116.In certain embodiments, the location and displacement value measurements and transmissions are repeated at multiple locations within the wooden structure 112, and the data may be compiled and normalized by the computing device 116 to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, the hardness profile of the wooden structure produced by the method may be compared to a hardness profile of normal wood to determine the condition of the wooden structure.","In certain embodiments, a strength calculation can be performed based on the hardness profile of the wooden structure 112.The hardness profile may be used to calculate the section modulus of the structure cross section and the corresponding remaining bending moment capacity, i.e.","bending strength.","Section modulus is a geometric property for a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members.","In certain embodiments, the wooden structure is subsequently subjected to remedial treatment, reinforcement, or replacement based on the condition of the wooden structure.","In preferred embodiments, the wooden structure 112 comprises a utility pole.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is coupled to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114, which are attached to the shaft 106 of a probing device 100, along with a distance sensor 104.The probing device 100 is carefully inserted into the inspection hole, and while the distance sensor 104 measures the location of the blade 108 within the wooden structure 112, the mechanical sensor 114 measures the force on the blade, the displacement value of the blade in the surrounding wood, or another mechanical measurement correlating to the hardness of the surrounding wood.","In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is moved further into the inspection hole.","As the blade 108 proceeds through the inspection hole, the distance sensor 104 measures the amount of insertion (i.e., depth) into the structure, and the mechanical sensor 114 measures the amount that the blade 108 is able to penetrate the wood, or the force on the blade, at a given depth within the structure.","In certain embodiments, each data point is measured and correlated to the hardness of the wood at the recorded location, using, for example, a computing device 116 coupled to the distance sensor 104 and the mechanical sensor 114.The computing device 116 may be attached to the probing device 100, including for example a visual display to show results of an inspection, or be remote from the probing device 100.In certain aspects, a computing device 116 capable of receiving and recording data from the distance sensor 104 and the mechanical sensor 114, and is coupled to the probing device 100.The computing device 116 can automatically record the location of the blade within the structure, indicated by the distance sensor 104, and the amount the blade 108 penetrates the wood at that location, the displacement value of the blade 108, or a similar mechanical measure correlating to hardness.","In certain embodiments, an operator 120 carefully inserts the probing device completely through the wooden structure 112, as the computing device 116 records the data described above.","The computing device 116 can then normalize the data to create a hardness profile of one or more portions of the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, an operator 120 repeats the steps of inserting the probing device 100 into a second inspection hole, and the computing device 116 again records the measurements.","The computing device 116 can then normalize and integrate the data to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure throughout various locations within the structure, including portions of the structure underground.","Exemplary wooden structures that may be profiled using the instant invention are wooden poles, wooden timbers, and any other wooden elements susceptible to decay.","In certain embodiments, a probing device 100 may comprise more than one blade (for example blade 108 and second blade 118), more than one resistance mechanism 110, and/or more than one mechanical sensor 114.In this way, an operator 120 can take and record multiple simultaneous measurements during a single insertion of the probing device into a wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, an operator 120 can insert a probing device 100 into an inspection hole 160, and carefully remove the probing device 100 back through the inspection hole 160 at a rotated angle from the initial entry, such that the probing device 100 measures the hardness of another portion of wood within the structure along the inspection hole 160.As a non-limiting example, an operator 120 may insert the probing device 100 such that the blade 108 rides along the top of the inspection hole 160, and after penetrating through the inspection hole 160, the operator 120 may rotate the probing device 100 about 180 degrees, such that careful removal of the probing device 100 back through the wooden structure 112 results in the blade 108 riding along the bottom of the inspection hole 160.In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure 112 comprises a probing device 100 coupled to a computing device 116, as shown in FIGS.","13A-13B.","Examples of computing devices 116 that may be used in the present invention include PC laptops or desktops, tablets, smartphones, and touch-screen devices.","In certain aspects, the probing device 100 can measure the displacement value of a blade 108 within one or more locations within a wooden structure 112, and can transmit the displacement values and corresponding locations to the computing device 116.The connection and transmission between the probing device 100 and the computing device 116 may be wireless, as shown in FIG.","13B.","The computing device 116 may alternatively be attached to the probing device 100, so that an operator can view results at the same time as an inspection.","The computing device 116 can then correlate the displacement values to hardness of wood to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the probing device measures a force applied by the wood on the blade 108, or another mechanical measure that can be correlated to hardness.","In certain embodiments, the computing device 116 is capable of converting the mechanical measure(s) provided by the probing device 100 to the mass per unit volume hardness of wood, or any other value correlating to the mass per unit volume hardness of wood.","For instance, a displacement value of the blade 108, or a resistance to penetration, can be converted to hardness of wood by the computing device 116.In certain embodiments, the computing device 116 may then plot the hardness value against the location within the wooden structure.","In evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure 112, the computing device 116 is also capable of producing a hardness profile, for example as illustrated in FIG.","14.In certain embodiments, the hardness profile demonstrates the hardness of wood across an inspection hole of a utility pole.","The exemplary graph in FIG.","14 plots a measure of hardness, in this example a comparison between the resistance to penetration of the utility pole compared to a reference wood, as a function of depth or location along an inspection hole within the utility pole.","The vertical line at about the 16-inch value on the x-axis denotes the location where the blade 108 was introduced into the utility pole, and the vertical line at about the 6-inch value on the x-axis denotes the location where the blade 108 exited the opposite side of the utility pole.","The results in FIG.","14 demonstrate a decreased hardness at the location where the probing device exited the wooden structure, which might indicate decay or decomposition in that portion of the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the computing device 116 is attached to the probing device.","In other embodiments, the computing device 116 is remote from the probing device.","As a non-limiting example, the computing device 116 may convert incoming data from the probing device 100 into values corresponding to wood hardness, using for example, programs used by those of skill in the art.","Thus, the computing device 116, when coupled to the probing device 100, can provide real-time information about the hardness profile of the wooden structure 112 being inspected.","An operator 120 may introduce the device 100 into multiple inspection holes to create a hardness profile of a cross-section within the wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, the computing device 116 can also automatically compare the hardness profile of a wooden structure 112 to normal wood, to determine if decay, decomposition, or other irregularities may be present in the structure.","In this way, the condition or strength of the wooden structure 112 at one or more cross-sections of the pole can be automatically and accurately analyzed to determine if remedial measures are needed.","In certain embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention, the wooden structure 112 is subjected to remedial treatments, reinforcement, or replacement based on the condition of one or more areas of the structure.","Examples of remedial treatments include preservative pastes (e.g., MP500-EXT®) and bandages (e.g., PoleWrap™), fumigants (e.g., MITC-FUME®, Super-Fume, and Woodfume®), solid rods (e.g., Bor8 Rods and copper-borate rods), and liquid treatments (e.g., Hollow Heart® CB).","Preservative pastes and bandages may be applied, for instance, to address external decay in the areas of a wooden structure at or below ground-line.","Fumigants may be applied, for instance, if the condition of the wooden structure indicates areas of internal early or incipient decay.","Fumigants can produce vapors that diffuse and travel vertically and horizontally from applications, eliminating wood destroying fungi.","Liquid treatments may be applied, for instance, if the condition of the wooden structure indicates areas of internal advanced decay, voids, or cavities.","Solid rods may be installed, for example, in pre-drilled holes, such as bolt holes, pole tops, and cross arms, and generally comprise one or more water-soluble wood preservatives.","In certain embodiments, based on the condition of one or more areas of a wooden structure, reinforcement of a pole can be implemented by splinting or stubbing a pole using steel channel, reinforcing fiberglass, and epoxy, or by stubbing a pole using a steel channel or fiberglass reinforcing system.","Inspection and Maintenance of Wooden Structures Hardness profiles determined by the devices, systems, and methods can be used, for example, to determine the capacity remaining in a wooden structure or determine whether a wooden structure is suitable for a particular load, identify structures for remedial treatment or reinforcement, regularly inspect and maintain in-place wooden structures, plan future inspection and maintenance actions of in-place wooden structures, identify a serviceable in-place wooden structure, identify a reinforceable reject in-place wooden structure, and/or identify a replacement candidate in-place wooden structure.","Regular inspection and maintenance of in-place wooden structures, such as wooden poles, is essential to extending the useful life of these structures by ensuring that their wood retains its strength.","A comprehensive maintenance program for wooden utility poles, for example, encompasses the monitoring of new attachments and loadings for poles to be certain that the poles are sufficient to carry the new loadings, cyclical in-place inspection and restoration and replacement programs based on new loadings and the results of wood pole inspection, and emergency services.","In-place wood pole inspection, as used herein, refers to a nondestructive or minimally-invasive inspection or nondestructive evaluation to determine strength loss in service of a highly variable material, wood, which has been processed, prior to installation, by treatment with wood preservatives to resist attack by wood-destroying organisms such as fungal decay and insects.","While the wood of wooden poles and other wooden structures are initially treated with preservatives that protect against both fungi and insects, loss of these preservatives over time from the wood may leave the structures susceptible to decay from the gradual deterioration caused by fungi and other low forms of plant life (e.g., algae) as well as from infestation by insects including termites, ants, and wood borers.","Depending on their geographical location, wooden poles in the United States are classified as being located in one of five “Decay Severity Zones” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.","Zone 1, where the humidity and temperature is the least conducive to fungal growth and insect infestation, encompasses much of the mountainous West of the United States, whereas Zone 5, the most severe area of decay, is made up of the hot and humid coasts of the southeastern states.","A planned in-place inspection program for wooden poles serves several functions: identifying those poles which present a danger or risk of failure so that those poles can be removed and replaced, identifying poles which are in early stages of damage or decay so that remedial treatments or reinforcement can be applied to those still-serviceable poles to extend their serviceable life, and collecting data and information for planning future inspection and maintenance actions for a system of wood poles.","Proper inspection and treatment of wooden poles, depending upon the decay hazards in the area, can extend the serviceable life of those poles by many years.","Spot checking is the initial step in developing a planned pole inspection and maintenance program.","Spot checking is a method of sampling representative groups of poles on a system to determine the extent of pole decay and to establish priority candidates for the pole maintenance measures of the program.","A general recommendation is to inspect a 1,000-pole sample, made up of continuous pole line groupings of 50 to 100 poles in several areas of the system.","The sample should be representative of the poles in place.","For instance, all the poles on a line circuit or a map section should be inspected as a unit and not just the poles of a certain age group.","Field data should be collected on the sample as to age, supplier, extent of decay, etc.","The data should be analyzed to determine the areas having the most severe decay conditions and to establish priorities for a pole-by-pole inspection of the entire system.","It may be desirable to take additional samples on other portions or areas of the system to determine if the severity of decay is significantly different to warrant the establishment of an accelerated pole inspection and maintenance program for that portion of the system.","The results of the spot check will aid in scheduling a continuous pole inspection and maintenance program at a rate commensurate with the incidence of decay.","The Rural Utilities Service suggests varying timing for a cyclical pole inspection schedule depending on the geographical Decay Zone in which the wooden poles are located, as the vulnerability of poles to decay is generally proportionate to the decay zone in which they are installed.","Poles located in the low-decay Zone 1, for example, should be initially inspected within 12-15 years after installation, with subsequent re-inspection approximately 12 years, and with approximately 1 out of every 12 poles in the system being inspected as representatives of the entire system.","In contrast, poles located in the high-decay Zones 4 and 5 should be initially examined within 8-10 years after installation, with subsequent re-inspection every 8 years, and with approximately 1 out of every 8 poles in the system being inspected as representatives of the entire system.","If a spot check indicates that decay is advanced in 1 percent of the pole sample, the inspection and maintenance program should be accelerated so that a higher percentage of poles are inspected and treated sooner than the suggested timelines discussed above.","Conversely, if the decay rate is low for a particular decay zone or area in the system, the pole-by-pole inspection can be adjusted accordingly.","After an inspection of wooden poles has been completed, the inspection results are used to update pole plant records, evaluate pole conditions, plan future inspection and maintenance actions, and provide information for system map revisions.","The inspection process will result in identifying the condition of each individual pole.","The National Electric Safety Code (NESC) requires that if the strength of a structure deteriorates to the level of the overload capacity factors required at replacement, the structure must be replaced or rehabilitated.","The inspection results should indicate if a pole is “serviceable” or a “reject.” The NESC designates that a pole is considered “serviceable” when a large portion of completely sound wood exists, or only early stages of decay are present that have not reduced the pole strength below NESC requirements.","A pole that does not meet these conditions should be classified as a “reject.” Examples of “reject” poles are those that have suffered decay, insect, mechanical, or woodpecker damage that has reduced the pole strength at the ground-line below NESC requirements, or those with hazardous above-ground conditions such as a split top.","Rejected poles may be classified further depending on the severity of their deterioration and whether they are reinforceable.","A “reinforceable reject” is a rejected pole which is suitable for restoration of its ground-line bending capacity with an industry-accepted method of reinforcement.","A “replacement” candidate is a rejected pole which is not suitable for necessary rehabilitation, and a “priority reject” is a rejected pole that has such severe decay/damage that it should be removed from service as quickly as possible.","Remedial treatments for serviceable wooden poles can interrupt the degradation of a structure by the addition of chemicals, such as pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides, which combat decay and extend the useful life of the structure.","Remedial treatments include the application of external preservatives (e.g., pastes or bandages) used for ground-line treatment as well as internal treatments such as liquid internal preservatives, fumigants, and solids.","Woodpecker damage can be repaired by plugging woodpecker holes with various materials and covering the plugged hole with a wire mesh to discourage further woodpecker attack.","Reinforcement of a pole can be implemented by splinting or stubbing a pole using steel channel, reinforcing fiberglass, and epoxy.","All reference publications or patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","EXAMPLES The following Examples are only illustrative.","It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention fulfills all of the objectives set forth above.","After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to effect various changes, substitutions of equivalents, and various other aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed therein.","It is therefore intended that the protection granted herein be limited only by the definitions contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.","EXAMPLE 1: Probing Device for the Measurement of Hardness in a Wooden Structure An exemplary probing device 100 of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.","1-6.The probing device 100 comprises a shaft 106, a horizontal handle 103, a distance sensor 104, a blade 108, and a mechanical sensor 114, as shown in FIG.","1.The shaft 106 comprises a probing tip 122 at the end of the shaft closest to the blade 108.The probing tip 122 surrounds the blade 108 such that the blade can retract into the probing tip 122 of the shaft 106.The mechanical sensor 114 is housed within the probing tip 122.A resistance mechanism is also housed within the shaft 106.In this example, the probing tip 122 has a diameter slightly larger than the base of the shaft 106, as shown in FIG.","2.The end of the shaft 106 furthest from the blade is attached to an electronics unit 105, a horizontal handle 103, and a distance sensor 104, as shown in FIG.","3.The electronics unit 105 comprises a housing with electrical components that receive and store data transmitted by the distance sensor 104 and the mechanical sensor 114.The mechanical sensor 114 used in this exemplary embodiment is a strain gauge.","The distance sensor 104 used in this example is a short-range sonar.","The horizontal handle 103 is attached parallel to the shaft 106 to facilitate ease of use when inspecting a bored hole in a wooden structure.","The shaft 106 of this exemplary embodiment is removable from the horizontal handle 103, electronics unit 105, and distance sensor 104, as shown in FIG.","4.The shaft 106 is attached and removed from these elements using a socket, as shown in FIG.","5.The three conductive prongs shown in FIG.","5 provide electrical connections between the electronics unit 105 and the mechanical sensor 114 located in the shaft 106.In this exemplary embodiment, the probing tip 122 is removable from the other portion of the shaft, such that the blade 108 can be easily exposed and inspected, as shown in FIG.","6.This configuration facilitates repairs and replacements of the blade 108.EXAMPLE 2: Method of Profiling the Hardness of a Wooden Structure In an exemplary method of the present invention, a probing device 100 is used to measure the hardness of a cross-section of a utility pole.","The condition of the wood surrounding a first inspection hole is assessed by boring a hole along a first diameter of a utility pole.","The exemplary probing device 100 depicted in FIG.","1 is then introduced into the first inspection hole and carefully inserted through the hole until the blade 108 of the device exits the first inspection hole at the opposite side of the utility pole.","As the probing device 100 proceeds through the first inspection hole, the distance sensor 104 continuously measures the location of the blade 108 within the utility pole, and the mechanical sensor 114 continuously measures the strain on the blade 108 caused by contact with the surrounding wood.","The location data and the strain data are transmitted to a computing device 116, as shown in FIGS.","13A-13B.","A second inspection hole is bored along a second diameter of a utility pole, where the second diameter is at about a 90 degree angle to the first diameter.","To ensure that the inspection holes are bored perpendicular to the utility pole, a V-bracket is mounted to the utility pole using a pilot tube for the bit.","The V-bracket serves as a guide for the drill bit to ensure the holes drilled are directed toward the center of the pole at a specific angle to the horizontal plane.","The probing device 100 is introduced into, and inserted through the second inspection hole in the same manner as the first inspection hole, and the resulting location data and strain data are transmitted to the computing device 116.The data is normalized by the computing device 116 to create a hardness profile of the wood along each inspection hole.","The hardness profile of the cross-section of the utility pole can then be analyzed, and/or compared to normal wood, to determine the condition of one or more areas of the utility pole and whether any remedial steps are needed.","For example, one or more preservatives are applied to areas of external decay; and/or one or more fumigants are applied to areas of early internal decay; and/or one or more liquid treatments are applied to voids and areas of advanced decay.","One or more solid rods may also be installed in the bored holes after inspection.","EXAMPLE 3: Probing Device for the Measurement of Hardness in a Wooden Structure An exemplary probing device of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.","22 and 16-19.The probing device comprises a shaft 106, a raised handle 101, a distance sensor 104, a blade 108, and a dial 107, as shown in FIG.","22.The dial 107 allows a user to adjust the angle of the shaft to inspect an angled bored hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, for example, to inspect an area below the ground-line 170.The shaft 106 comprises a tube 106a, which is secured to the substantial remainder of the shaft by a pin 119, and the triangular metal blade 108 protrudes from an opening at one end of the tube 106a, as shown in FIG.","16.The shaft 106 further comprises a conical probing tip 122 secured by a pin 119 to the end of the tube 106a closest to the blade 106, such that the probing tip 122 is adjacent to the blade 108 and leads the blade 108 into a hole in the wooden structure.","The blade 108 is secured to a pivot arm 109, which is secured to the shaft by a pin 119 that slides through a fitted hole on the end of the pivot arm opposite the blade, as shown in FIG.","17.The blade 108 and the pivot arm 109 sit atop a spring, which is the resistance mechanism 110 in this embodiment.","A mechanical sensor 114 (not depicted), an Omega Engineering KFH-3-350-C1-11L3M3R strain gauge, is housed within the shaft 106, connected to the spring, and run through an HX711 24-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Avia Semiconductor) to convert an analog signal to a digital signal.","The distance sensor 104 is an SP1 50 string potentiometer (from Celesco), using a retractable cable, that outputs a range of voltage as the blade 108 moves forwards through an inspection hole.","The string potentiometer runs through an ADS1115 Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Texas Instruments), which converts the voltage to a distance or depth of the blade 108.The probing device also comprises an inclinometer (not depicted), an MMA7455 Digital Acceleration Title Angle Sensor Module (Freescale Semiconductor), that records the angle of the bored hole 160 to the ground-line 170.The angle measured by the inclinometer, in conjunction with the distance or depth recorded by the string potentiometer, provides a location of the blade 108 within the wooden structure 112.Meanwhile, the strain gauge provides the hardness of the area of the wooden structure 112 contacting the blade 108 at said location."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"AUTOMATED PROFILING OF THE HARDNESS OF WOOD\",\n \"The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure.\",\n \"More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-20.\",\n \"(canceled) 21.A device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising: a shaft, the shaft comprising an at least partially hollow interior and a hole; a blade coupled to said shaft, wherein said blade is configured to extend out of said hole; a resistance mechanism coupled to said blade; and a mechanical sensor coupled to said blade, wherein said mechanical sensor is capable of measuring an amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at said location.\",\n \"22.The device of claim 21, wherein said resistance mechanism is oriented such that said blade is retractable into said shaft in response to a force on said blade.\",\n \"23.The device of claim 22, wherein said resistance mechanism comprises a spring.\",\n \"24.The device of claim 21, wherein said shaft has a first end and a second end and said blade is coupled to said shaft in proximity to said second end.\",\n \"25.The device of claim 21, wherein said shaft further comprises a probing tip that surrounds said blade.\",\n \"26.A method for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a blade into said wooden structure, wherein said blade is coupled to a resistance mechanism; (b) determining a location of said blade in said wooden structure; (c) measuring an amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at said location using a mechanical sensor; and (d) repeating steps (b) through (c) at a second location.\",\n \"27.The method of claim 26, wherein said resistance mechanism is oriented such that said blade is retractable according to a force on said blade.\",\n \"28.The method of claim 26, wherein said amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure is correlated with the hardness of said wooden structure at a location within said wooden structure.\",\n \"29.The method of claim 26, wherein the hardness of said wooden structure at one or more locations within said structure is correlated with the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.\",\n \"30.The method of claim 26, wherein said method comprises measuring the hardness of an outer surface of said structure.\",\n \"31.The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: measuring a plurality of amounts that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at a plurality of locations within said structure, to create a hardness profile of said wooden structure; and comparing said hardness profile of said wooden structure to a hardness profile of a reference wood.\",\n \"32.The method of claim 31, wherein said measuring step and said comparing step are automated.\",\n \"33.A system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising: a device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure, the device comprising: a tube; a blade coupled to said tube; a resistance mechanism coupled to said blade; and a mechanical sensor coupled to said blade, wherein said mechanical sensor is capable of measuring an amount that said blade penetrates said wooden structure at said location; and a computing device for receiving and processing data from said device.\",\n \"34.The system of claim 33, further comprising a device configured to create a hole in said wooden structure.\",\n \"35.The system of claim 33, wherein said computing device receives from said device of claim 1 data indicating said amount that said blade penetrates said structure at said location in said structure.\",\n \"36.The system of claim 35, wherein said computing device is configured to determine the hardness of said structure from said amount that said blade penetrates said structure at said location.\",\n \"37.The system of claim 33, wherein said computing device is programmed to create a hardness profile of said wooden structure.\",\n \"38.The system of claim 37, wherein said computing device is programmed to compare the hardness profile of said wooden structure to a hardness profile of a reference wood to determine the condition of the structure.\",\n \"39.The device of claim 21, wherein said shaft comprises a probing tip to guide, align, or center the shaft within a hole created in said wooden structure.\",\n \"40.The method of claim 30, wherein said outer surface is below ground level.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The regular inspection of wooden structures such as utility poles, support pilings, and other timber structures is an essential part of the maintenance and upkeep of such structures.\",\n \"Aging wood can suffer from internal decay and/or rot as a result of insect and fungal infestations, as well as the presence of excessive moisture in the wood, and can develop voids, cracks, and cavities in its structure.\",\n \"Such flaws in the structural integrity of a utility pole or other wooden structure can lead to a loss of strength in the structure, decreasing the load that can be borne by the structure and in some cases necessitating restoration or even replacement.\",\n \"Therefore, accurate and repeatable methods of assessing the condition of wooden structures are required to minimize the risks associated with the aging of these structures.\",\n \"The keys to utility pole inspection are identifying decay, measuring defects and estimating the percent remaining strength to determine whether the utility pole passes or fails the inspection, or requires remedial attention, such as supplemental wood preservative treatment, or reinforcement or restoration.\",\n \"Attempts to develop pole inspection instruments have not yet fully succeeded to add value or lower costs, and there is a need in the art for alternatives to the methods and devices that currently exist for the evaluation of utility poles.\",\n \"Wood is a highly variable material and there are many possible decay patterns that are possible in any particular utility pole.\",\n \"These decay patterns also differ by the species of wood.\",\n \"The most accurate option for pole inspection remains a highly trained, professional inspector using time-proven procedures and tools.\",\n \"Some of these procedures include the following: Visual inspection, or visual inspection combined with sound inspection procedures are typically suitable for identifying gross defects in utility poles that may be visible above the ground level.\",\n \"Using the visual inspection technique, trained personnel inspect the exterior of a utility pole or other wooden structure looking for structural deficiencies such as visible cracks, fissures, and splits in the surface of the structure, plant life or algae growing on the wood, and holes bored by woodpeckers or insects.\",\n \"Visual inspection, alone, can be suitable for identifying gross defects visible in a wooden structure, but can produce variable results that depend on the experience and the diligence of the particular inspector.\",\n \"Sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to bore inspection holes after hammer sounding identifies areas where decay may exist in a utility pole.\",\n \"A shell thickness indicator may also be used to measure internal decay.\",\n \"For example, “sound and prod” and “sound and bore” techniques involve inspection personnel “sounding” the structure by striking it with a hammer, spike, or other instrument and listening to the resulting sound for hollow-sounding noises or other audible indications of internal deficiencies.\",\n \"The inspection personnel next may engage in “prodding” or “probing” the pole by inserting a screwdriver, drill, or other boring tool to sample the interior of the pole or other structure in a search for decay or damage.\",\n \"Personnel may also scrape the exterior of the wood to look for surface decay.\",\n \"Partial excavation plus sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to access a portion of the pole below ground.\",\n \"These procedures are useful for the identification of external decay and termites.\",\n \"Excavation to a depth of 18 inches to 24 inches plus sound and bore techniques allow the most complete access to the decay-prone region of poles, where moisture and oxygen encourage decay.\",\n \"Electronic inspection devices are instruments that typically depend on theories, such as frequency or time of flight of a sonic wave, or physical characteristics such as hardness of wood to identify anomalies in a utility pole.\",\n \"For example, the Shigometer can identify early stages of decay, but it is not a pass/fail device.\",\n \"Other non-invasive or minimally-invasive inspection methods use equipment such as the Resistograph®, which measures the energy required to maintain a constant drilling speed in a wooden structure, or the Pilodyn penetrometer, which measures the depth into which a pre-loaded spring forces a pin into the surface of a wooden structure.\",\n \"There remains a need in the art for alternative minimally-invasive techniques to complement existing techniques for the inspection of utility poles and other wooden structures, particularly for the detection of incipient decay and external decay below ground without excavation.\",\n \"The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention are designed to meet this and other needs.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a probing device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure comprising a shaft, a distance sensor, a blade, a resistance mechanism, and a mechanical sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the distance sensor of the probing device is mounted to the shaft and measures a location of the blade in a wooden structure.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the distance sensor is mounted to the shaft such that the distance sensor is oriented with respect to the shaft at an angle between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the angle between the distance sensor and the shaft is adjustable.\",\n \"In certain preferred embodiments, the distance sensor comprises short-range sonar or a potentiometer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade of the probing device is attached to the shaft, and coupled to the resistance mechanism, such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle.\",\n \"In certain embodiments the blade protrudes from the shaft at an angle of about 90 degrees, such that the blade is substantially perpendicular to the shaft.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade penetrates a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is irregular, compared to a reference wood.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the blade does not penetrate a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is normal, compared to a reference wood.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade is substantially triangular in shape.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the probing device comprises more than one blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft, according to an applied force on the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a spring or a tensioned wire.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the blade may be adjusted by a user.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade and measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is a load cell or a displacement transducer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments the shaft is substantially rigid.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the shaft is electrically non-conductive.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein the distance sensor is mounted to the first end of the shaft, and the blade is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the distance sensor measures a location of the blade within a wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism is mechanically coupled to the blade such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle, wherein the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft according to a predetermined applied force on the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount that the blade retracts into the shaft when inserted into the structure (or alternatively, the amount that the blade penetrates the structure), indicates the change in hardness of the wood surrounding the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade, wherein the mechanical sensor measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.\",\n \"The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to a system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure comprising: a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor; and a machine for receiving and processing data from the probing device, wherein the machine is linked to the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine receives from the probing device an amount that the blade of the probing device penetrates the wood at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the invention, the machine is mounted on the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine is physically remote from the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine includes a display screen indicating the penetration resistance and/or hardness of the wood surrounding the blade, among other data.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine includes a printer that provides such data.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a boring operation to create a hole in the wooden structure for introduction of the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine receives a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine compares the hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.\",\n \"The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods of assessing a wooden structure using a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a hole into a wooden structure, or using an existing hole, and introducing the probing device.\",\n \"The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising inserting a blade into the structure, the blade being coupled to a resistance mechanism; determining a location of the blade within the wooden structure with a distance sensor; measuring an amount the blade penetrates the structure at a given location using a mechanical sensor coupled to the blade and the resistance mechanism; and moving the blade deeper in the wooden structure while continuing to determine the location of the blade within the structure and measuring the amount the blade penetrates the structure.\",\n \"By way of example, when a wooden structure is first placed into service, the condition of the wood therein is expected to be essentially homogenous.\",\n \"As used herein, “condition” refers to the state of a structure relative to “reference wood.” The term “reference wood” refers to wood that is substantially undegraded.\",\n \"Different states of a structure relative to reference wood include but are not limited to intact, dried wood, such as the type of wood present in a wooden structure when said structure is first placed into service, wood with elevated moisture content, which is one indication of pre-decay, decayed wood, damaged wood (including but not limited to mechanical damage), and the like.\",\n \"Changes in the hardness of wood within a wooden structure are indicative of a change in the condition of the wood within the structure.\",\n \"When the hardness of the wood surrounding the mechanical sensor is essentially the same as the hardness of the reference wood, the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “normal.” As used herein, “normal” or “normal wood” refers to wood that displays essentially the same hardness profile as a reference wood.\",\n \"“Normal wood” has the same condition as “reference wood.” When the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade is different (not essentially the same) than “reference wood,” the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “decayed,” “damaged” or “altered.” In certain embodiments, the blade, the resistance mechanism, the distance sensor, and the mechanical sensor are components of a single device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract according to an applied force on the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the step of inserting the blade into the structure comprises inserting the blade into a hole in the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hole in the structure is bored by an operator.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount the blade penetrates the wooden structure indicates the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hardness of the structure indicates the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the step of moving the blade deeper into the structure comprises moving the blade completely through the structure, to measure the hardness of one or more outer layers, or shell layers, of the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods further comprising recording a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the wooden structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure; and, in certain embodiments, further comprising comparing a hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for determining the capacity remaining in a structure or determining whether a structure is suitable for a particular load.\",\n \"In one aspect of the invention, said methods comprise the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to estimate the remaining strength of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying structures for remedial preservative treatment comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to determine whether the wooden structure should be rehabilitated.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for the regular inspection and maintenance of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of selecting a wooden structure as a representative wooden structure; determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; and comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for the planning of future inspection and maintenance actions of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and determining whether to accelerate or decelerate a schedule for future inspection and maintenance actions for the wooden structure based on the profile of the condition of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying a serviceable in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and applying at least one remedial treatment selected from the group consisting of an external preservative, a liquid internal preservative, a solid internal preservative, and a fumigant, to the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying a reinforceable in-place wooden structure that has been rejected due to no longer meeting code strength requirements comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing the wooden structure by splinting or stubbing the wooden structure with at least one of steel channel, fiberglass, and epoxy.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying a remedial preservative treatment, reinforcement or replacement candidate in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing and/or treating the wooden structure with a preservative paste or bandage, fumigant, liquid treatment, or solid rod, or replacing the wooden structure with a structure having a sufficient level of strength.\"\n ],\n [\n \"This application claims priority to U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/941,882, filed Feb. 19, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure.\",\n \"More particularly, embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The regular inspection of wooden structures such as utility poles, support pilings, and other timber structures is an essential part of the maintenance and upkeep of such structures.\",\n \"Aging wood can suffer from internal decay and/or rot as a result of insect and fungal infestations, as well as the presence of excessive moisture in the wood, and can develop voids, cracks, and cavities in its structure.\",\n \"Such flaws in the structural integrity of a utility pole or other wooden structure can lead to a loss of strength in the structure, decreasing the load that can be borne by the structure and in some cases necessitating restoration or even replacement.\",\n \"Therefore, accurate and repeatable methods of assessing the condition of wooden structures are required to minimize the risks associated with the aging of these structures.\",\n \"The keys to utility pole inspection are identifying decay, measuring defects and estimating the percent remaining strength to determine whether the utility pole passes or fails the inspection, or requires remedial attention, such as supplemental wood preservative treatment, or reinforcement or restoration.\",\n \"Attempts to develop pole inspection instruments have not yet fully succeeded to add value or lower costs, and there is a need in the art for alternatives to the methods and devices that currently exist for the evaluation of utility poles.\",\n \"Wood is a highly variable material and there are many possible decay patterns that are possible in any particular utility pole.\",\n \"These decay patterns also differ by the species of wood.\",\n \"The most accurate option for pole inspection remains a highly trained, professional inspector using time-proven procedures and tools.\",\n \"Some of these procedures include the following: Visual inspection, or visual inspection combined with sound inspection procedures are typically suitable for identifying gross defects in utility poles that may be visible above the ground level.\",\n \"Using the visual inspection technique, trained personnel inspect the exterior of a utility pole or other wooden structure looking for structural deficiencies such as visible cracks, fissures, and splits in the surface of the structure, plant life or algae growing on the wood, and holes bored by woodpeckers or insects.\",\n \"Visual inspection, alone, can be suitable for identifying gross defects visible in a wooden structure, but can produce variable results that depend on the experience and the diligence of the particular inspector.\",\n \"Sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to bore inspection holes after hammer sounding identifies areas where decay may exist in a utility pole.\",\n \"A shell thickness indicator may also be used to measure internal decay.\",\n \"For example, “sound and prod” and “sound and bore” techniques involve inspection personnel “sounding” the structure by striking it with a hammer, spike, or other instrument and listening to the resulting sound for hollow-sounding noises or other audible indications of internal deficiencies.\",\n \"The inspection personnel next may engage in “prodding” or “probing” the pole by inserting a screwdriver, drill, or other boring tool to sample the interior of the pole or other structure in a search for decay or damage.\",\n \"Personnel may also scrape the exterior of the wood to look for surface decay.\",\n \"Partial excavation plus sound and bore procedures allow an inspector to access a portion of the pole below ground.\",\n \"These procedures are useful for the identification of external decay and termites.\",\n \"Excavation to a depth of 18 inches to 24 inches plus sound and bore techniques allow the most complete access to the decay-prone region of poles, where moisture and oxygen encourage decay.\",\n \"Electronic inspection devices are instruments that typically depend on theories, such as frequency or time of flight of a sonic wave, or physical characteristics such as hardness of wood to identify anomalies in a utility pole.\",\n \"For example, the Shigometer can identify early stages of decay, but it is not a pass/fail device.\",\n \"Other non-invasive or minimally-invasive inspection methods use equipment such as the Resistograph®, which measures the energy required to maintain a constant drilling speed in a wooden structure, or the Pilodyn penetrometer, which measures the depth into which a pre-loaded spring forces a pin into the surface of a wooden structure.\",\n \"There remains a need in the art for alternative minimally-invasive techniques to complement existing techniques for the inspection of utility poles and other wooden structures, particularly for the detection of incipient decay and external decay below ground without excavation.\",\n \"The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention are designed to meet this and other needs.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a probing device for measuring the hardness of a wooden structure comprising a shaft, a distance sensor, a blade, a resistance mechanism, and a mechanical sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the distance sensor of the probing device is mounted to the shaft and measures a location of the blade in a wooden structure.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the distance sensor is mounted to the shaft such that the distance sensor is oriented with respect to the shaft at an angle between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the angle between the distance sensor and the shaft is adjustable.\",\n \"In certain preferred embodiments, the distance sensor comprises short-range sonar or a potentiometer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade of the probing device is attached to the shaft, and coupled to the resistance mechanism, such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle.\",\n \"In certain embodiments the blade protrudes from the shaft at an angle of about 90 degrees, such that the blade is substantially perpendicular to the shaft.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade penetrates a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is irregular, compared to a reference wood.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the blade does not penetrate a wooden structure at locations within the structure where the hardness of the wood is normal, compared to a reference wood.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade is substantially triangular in shape.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the probing device comprises more than one blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft, according to an applied force on the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a spring or a tensioned wire.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the blade may be adjusted by a user.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade and measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is a load cell or a displacement transducer.\",\n \"In certain embodiments the shaft is substantially rigid.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the shaft is electrically non-conductive.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein the distance sensor is mounted to the first end of the shaft, and the blade is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the distance sensor measures a location of the blade within a wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism is mechanically coupled to the blade such that the blade protrudes from the shaft at a non-zero angle, wherein the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract into the shaft according to a predetermined applied force on the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount that the blade retracts into the shaft when inserted into the structure (or alternatively, the amount that the blade penetrates the structure), indicates the change in hardness of the wood surrounding the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor is coupled to the blade, wherein the mechanical sensor measures an amount that the blade penetrates a wooden structure at a location within the structure.\",\n \"The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to a system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure comprising: a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor; and a machine for receiving and processing data from the probing device, wherein the machine is linked to the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine receives from the probing device an amount that the blade of the probing device penetrates the wood at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the invention, the machine is mounted on the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine is physically remote from the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine includes a display screen indicating the penetration resistance and/or hardness of the wood surrounding the blade, among other data.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine includes a printer that provides such data.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a boring operation to create a hole in the wooden structure for introduction of the probing device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine receives a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the machine compares the hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.\",\n \"The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods of assessing a wooden structure using a probing device, the probing device including a shaft, a distance sensor, and a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a hole into a wooden structure, or using an existing hole, and introducing the probing device.\",\n \"The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure, comprising inserting a blade into the structure, the blade being coupled to a resistance mechanism; determining a location of the blade within the wooden structure with a distance sensor; measuring an amount the blade penetrates the structure at a given location using a mechanical sensor coupled to the blade and the resistance mechanism; and moving the blade deeper in the wooden structure while continuing to determine the location of the blade within the structure and measuring the amount the blade penetrates the structure.\",\n \"By way of example, when a wooden structure is first placed into service, the condition of the wood therein is expected to be essentially homogenous.\",\n \"As used herein, “condition” refers to the state of a structure relative to “reference wood.” The term “reference wood” refers to wood that is substantially undegraded.\",\n \"Different states of a structure relative to reference wood include but are not limited to intact, dried wood, such as the type of wood present in a wooden structure when said structure is first placed into service, wood with elevated moisture content, which is one indication of pre-decay, decayed wood, damaged wood (including but not limited to mechanical damage), and the like.\",\n \"Changes in the hardness of wood within a wooden structure are indicative of a change in the condition of the wood within the structure.\",\n \"When the hardness of the wood surrounding the mechanical sensor is essentially the same as the hardness of the reference wood, the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “normal.” As used herein, “normal” or “normal wood” refers to wood that displays essentially the same hardness profile as a reference wood.\",\n \"“Normal wood” has the same condition as “reference wood.” When the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade is different (not essentially the same) than “reference wood,” the condition of the evaluated wood is considered “decayed,” “damaged” or “altered.” In certain embodiments, the blade, the resistance mechanism, the distance sensor, and the mechanical sensor are components of a single device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism permits the blade to retract according to an applied force on the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the step of inserting the blade into the structure comprises inserting the blade into a hole in the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hole in the structure is bored by an operator.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount the blade penetrates the wooden structure indicates the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hardness of the structure indicates the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the step of moving the blade deeper into the structure comprises moving the blade completely through the structure, to measure the hardness of one or more outer layers, or shell layers, of the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the methods further comprising recording a plurality of amounts the blade penetrates the wooden structure at a plurality of locations within the structure, each amount corresponding to one location, to create a hardness profile of the structure; and, in certain embodiments, further comprising comparing a hardness profile of the structure to a reference hardness profile to determine the condition of the structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for determining the capacity remaining in a structure or determining whether a structure is suitable for a particular load.\",\n \"In one aspect of the invention, said methods comprise the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to estimate the remaining strength of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying structures for remedial preservative treatment comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and utilizing the profile of the condition of the wooden structure to determine whether the wooden structure should be rehabilitated.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for the regular inspection and maintenance of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of selecting a wooden structure as a representative wooden structure; determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; and comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for the planning of future inspection and maintenance actions of in-place wooden structures comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and determining whether to accelerate or decelerate a schedule for future inspection and maintenance actions for the wooden structure based on the profile of the condition of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying a serviceable in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and applying at least one remedial treatment selected from the group consisting of an external preservative, a liquid internal preservative, a solid internal preservative, and a fumigant, to the wooden structure.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying a reinforceable in-place wooden structure that has been rejected due to no longer meeting code strength requirements comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing the wooden structure by splinting or stubbing the wooden structure with at least one of steel channel, fiberglass, and epoxy.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods for identifying a remedial preservative treatment, reinforcement or replacement candidate in-place wooden structure comprising the steps of determining the hardness of wood at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure; determining the location of each determined hardness within the wooden structure; comparing the hardness at a plurality of locations within the wooden structure to a hardness of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wooden structure; and reinforcing and/or treating the wooden structure with a preservative paste or bandage, fumigant, liquid treatment, or solid rod, or replacing the wooden structure with a structure having a sufficient level of strength.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Appended FIGS.\",\n \"1-25 depict certain non-limiting embodiments of the probing device, the system for evaluating wooden structures comprising the probing device, and the methods of evaluating and maintaining wooden structures using the probing device and/or system.\",\n \"The figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but, instead, are intended to provide depictions of specific embodiments, features, and non-limiting characteristics of the devices, systems, and methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the shaft comprises a probing tip that surrounds the blade.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor and a handle are attached to the shaft.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, with the shaft removed from the distance sensor and handle.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 depicts the manner in which a removable shaft may be connected to the handle and distance sensor.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 depicts the probing tip removed from the shaft.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 depicts an angled view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention having two blades.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 depicts a short-range sonar at a non-zero angle to the shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"10A and 10B depict a spring-loaded blade protruding from a shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 depicts a spring-loaded blade refracted into a shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 depicts a displacement transducer connected to a spring-loaded blade on a shaft of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"13A and 13B depict an exemplary system of an embodiment of the present invention for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 depicts results from an evaluation of the hardness of an inspection hole in a utility pole.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 depicts a flow chart outlining steps of exemplary methods of embodiments of the present invention to assess and maintain a utility pole.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the shaft comprises a tube, a probing tip that surrounds the blade, and pins securing the device together.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 depicts an internal assembly of the end of the exemplary device shown in FIG.\",\n \"16, wherein the tube portion of the shaft is removed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 depicts a blade attached to a pivot arm that connects the blade to a spring and a shaft of an exemplary device of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19 depicts a spring of an exemplary device of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor, a handle, and a dial are attached to the shaft.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21 depicts an electronics unit of an exemplary device of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor is a string potentiometer, and the shaft is angled downward.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23 depicts an overhead view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 depicts an overhead view of a distance sensor, using collapsible scissors and potentiometer, of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25 depicts a side view of a distance sensor, using a compression sleeve and string potentiometer, of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts a side view of an exemplary probing device 100 of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"The probing device 100 includes a horizontal handle 103, an electronics unit 105, a wireless transmitter 124, a distance sensor 104, a shaft 106, a mechanical sensor 114, a blade 108, and a probing tip 122.Although the handle is depicted in FIG.\",\n \"1 as being horizontal, other orientations are envisioned as being within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"For example, the handle could be oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the shaft.\",\n \"On the first end, a substantially rigid cylindrical shaft 106 is connected to the electronics unit 105, which includes a wireless transmitter 124 that enables data acquired by the probing device to be transmitted to a remote computing device wirelessly.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the wireless transmitter 124 has Bluetooth capability.\",\n \"The horizontal handle 103 is attached to the electronics unit 105, and the shaft 106, such that the horizontal handle 103 is parallel to the shaft, so that an operator can insert the probing device 100 into a hole in a wooden structure.\",\n \"The distance sensor 104 may be a short-range sonar instrument, which emits sonar signals parallel to the shaft 106 that ping off of a wooden structure back to the distance sensor to provide the distance between the distance sensor 104 and a structure being inspected.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the angle of the distance sensor 104 may be adjusted by loosening a dial 107 on the side of the distance sensor 104, shifting the sensor up, and then tightening the dial to secure the distance sensor 104 at the adjusted angle.\",\n \"The distance sensor 104 calculates a location of the blade 108 within a structure based on the distance to the structure, the angle between the distance sensor 104 and the shaft 106, and the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108.On the second end of the shaft 106, a steel blade is secured to the shaft 106 such that the sharp side of the blade 108 protrudes substantially perpendicular from the shaft 106.The shaft 106 further includes a probing tip 122 on the second end, which may, for example, slide over the blade 108, while continuing to permit the blade 108 to protrude from the shaft 106, or connect to the shaft 106 adjacent the blade 108.The probing tip 122 and the substantial remainder of the shaft 106 can be made of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, fiberglass, other composite material, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 can be used to guide, align, or center the shaft within a hole bored in a wooden structure.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 can also be used to clean out debris in a bored hole.\",\n \"When the probing tip 122 end of the device is inserted into a hole of a wooden structure having a slightly larger diameter than the probing tip, a resistance mechanism coupled to the blade 108 permits the blade 108 to be pushed back into the shaft 106 if the wood is of sufficient hardness to counteract the force of the resistance mechanism.\",\n \"The blade 108 is connected to a mechanical sensor 114 incorporated into the shaft 106.In this embodiment the mechanical sensor 114 is a strain gauge that measures the amount of strain on the resistance mechanism, which correlates to a resistance to penetration and the hardness of the wood contacting the blade 108.The strain gauge is electrically connected to the electronics unit 105, including the wireless transmitter 124, which can transmit the acquired strain data and the location data to a computing device for further processing.\",\n \"Alternatively, or in addition to transmitting the data, the strain data and location data can be automatically displayed on a visual display attached to the probing device 100, for example on the side of the electronics unit 105 or on top of the distance sensor 104.In certain embodiments, the visual display is an LCD indicator, which may also be used to show operating instructions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts a close-up of the second end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, where the shaft 106 comprises a probing tip 122 that surrounds the blade 108.The probing tip 122 is slightly larger in diameter than the substantial length of the shaft 106.For example, the probing tip 122 has a diameter of about 0.35 inches and the main portion of the shaft 106 has a diameter of about 0.30 inches.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 fits over the blade 108 and is secured to the remainder of the shaft 106 by a fitted adhesive sleeve, though any securing mechanism may be used.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 may be conically shaped for self-alignment within inspection hole 160 (not depicted).\",\n \"The mechanical sensor 114 is wired to the blade 108 and relays the amount the blade 108 penetrates wood at each location, quantified in this embodiment by a resistance to penetration, to the electronics unit 105 at the base of the shaft 106.FIG.\",\n \"3 depicts a close-up of the first end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor 104, a horizontal handle 103, and an electronics unit 105 are attached to the shaft 106.The distance sensor 104 has two sound transmitters/receivers 130 facing in the direction of the shaft 106.The distance sensor 104 has a power button to activate the device and may be battery-operated.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts an exemplary device of an embodiment, with the shaft 106 removed from the electronics unit 105, distance sensor 104, and horizontal handle 103.The shaft 106 can be removed to facilitate transport of the probing device 100, or to switch out shafts of different lengths or diameters, depending on the intended inspection hole and structure.\",\n \"In this example, the base of the shaft 106 has a larger diameter than the rest of the shaft 106, including the probing tip 122, to support the mechanical connection between the shaft 106 and the electronics unit 105.FIG.\",\n \"5 depicts a connections between the removable shaft and the electronics unit 105.The enlarged base of the shaft 106 is fitted to snap into the electronics unit 105, and the three metal prongs provide the electrical connections between the components in the shaft 106 (e.g., the mechanical sensor) and the electronics unit 105.The two transmitters/receivers 130 of the distance sensor 104 are shown, as is the dial 107 permitting adjustment of the angle of the distance sensor 104.FIG.\",\n \"6 depicts how a probing tip 122 can be removed from and reattached to the shaft 106.In this embodiment, the blade 108 is secured to the shaft using a resistance mechanism 110, which in this embodiment comprises a metal spring mechanism.\",\n \"The mechanical sensor 114 is wired to the blade 108 and relays the amount the blade 108 penetrates wood at each location.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 has a hole designed to allow the blade 108 to protrude out from the shaft 106.FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention in operation.\",\n \"The probing device 100 is shown inspecting the hardness of a wooden structure 112.The distance sensor 104 is powered on and then sends a sonar signal off the surface of the wooden structure 112, which is then reflected back and received by the distance sensor 104.The end of the shaft 106 closest to the blade 108 is inserted into a bored hole in the wooden structure 112.The distance sensor 104 determines the location of the blade 108 using a calculation based on the distance between the transmitter/receiver 130 of the distance sensor 104 and the wooden structure 112, the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108, and the angle between the distance sensor 104 and the shaft 106.The mechanical sensor 114, which is coupled to a resistance mechanism 110, measures the resistance to penetration applied to the blade 108 by the location in the wooden structure 112.The location and resistance to penetration data from the inspection are stored in the electronics unit 105, visually displayed on the device using visual display 150, and/or transmitted to a remote computing device, using the wireless transmitter 124.In this embodiment, the vertical handle 102 is not parallel to the shaft 106.FIG.\",\n \"8 depicts an angled view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention having two blades.\",\n \"When inserted into a bored hole, the distance sensor 104, in conjunction with a processor in the electronics unit 105, can determine the location of the blade 108, and the location of the second blade 118, within the wooden structure 112.Each blade is connected to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114.In this embodiment, the probing device 100 can obtain two sets of location and penetration resistance data simultaneously.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 depicts a distance sensor 104 at a non-zero angle to the shaft 106 of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"This exemplary configuration may be useful in inspecting the hardness and condition of portions of a wooden structure 112 below the ground-line 170.The distance sensor 104 can calculate the location of the blade 108 within the wooden structure 112 using the distance provided by the sonar signal, the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108, and the angle between the sonar signal of the distance sensor 104 and the shaft 106.FIGS.\",\n \"10A and 10B depict a blade 108 protruding from a shaft 106 of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"10A, the probing tip 122 end of the shaft 106 is shown.\",\n \"FIGURE 10B shows a cross-sectional view of the area indicated as 10B in FIG.\",\n \"10A viewed from the end of the probing tip 122.A pin 119, which can be a small metal elongated cylinder, is secured to the probing tip 122.The pin 119 slides through a fitted hole in the blade 108, such that the blade 108 can rotate about the pin 119.The resistance mechanism 110 is a spring-loaded mechanism, which, when connected to the blade 108 and tensioned, secures the blade 108 to the shaft 106 such that the blade 108 rotates upward and protrudes from the shaft 106.The metal wire of the resistance mechanism 110 is also connected to a mechanical sensor 114.When the blade 108 is inserted into a bored hole of a wooden structure, the blade 108 rotates down about the pin 119, for example when contacting portions of wood having sufficient hardness compared to a reference wood, or remains protruded, for example when contacting areas of significant decay, depending on the force provided by the resistance mechanism 110.The mechanical sensor 114 determines the amount of penetration of the blade 108 in the wood, by measuring, for example, the displacement value of the blade 108 compared to its fully protruded position.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 depicts a blade 108 retracted into a probing tip 122 of a shaft 106 of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"The blade 108 in FIG.\",\n \"11 is fully retracted into the shaft 106, which may occur for instance when the blade 108 contacts a portion of an inspection hole having the hardness of a reference wood.\",\n \"The mechanical sensor would then measure the displacement value or resistance to penetration, which in this example would correlate to a portion of wood having sufficient hardness compared to a reference wood.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 depicts a mechanical sensor 114 connected to a spring-loaded blade 108 within the probing tip 122 of the shaft 106 of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"In this example, the mechanical sensor 114 is a displacement transducer, which, when connected to the resistance mechanism 110, can measure the amount the blade 108 penetrates wood.\",\n \"Both the mechanical sensor 114 and the resistance mechanism 110 are fitted within the probing tip 122 of the shaft 106.FIGS.\",\n \"13A and 13B depict an exemplary system of an embodiment of the present invention for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure.\",\n \"The system includes a probing device 100, a wooden structure 112, an operator 120, and a computing device 116.The wooden structure 112 includes an inspection hole 160, which may be pre-drilled or drilled by the operator 120 or other individual during the inspection.\",\n \"The probing device 100 then measures the amount that the blade is able to penetrate the wood when inserted into, and through the inspection hole 160.The data obtained by the probing device 100 is then transmitted to a computing device 116, via a physical connection or download as shown in FIG.\",\n \"13A, or wirelessly as shown in FIG.\",\n \"13B.\",\n \"The computing device 116 can then sort and analyze the data to provide a hardness profile of the wood surrounding the inspection hole 160, or multiple inspection holes, within the wooden structure 112, to determine whether the wooden structure 112 requires any immediate or future remedial treatment, reinforcement, or replacement.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"16-17 depict the assembly of one end of an exemplary device of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 shows an external view of the assembly, wherein the shaft 106 comprises a tube 106a and a probing tip 122.The probing tip 122, which has a conically shaped end, is secured to one end the tube 106a, and the other end of the tube 106a is secured to the substantial remainder of the shaft 106.The tube 106a fits over the blade 108 with an opening to allow the blade to protrude out from the shaft, and the probing tip 122 is adjacent to the blade.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 also has a slot (not depicted) for wood particles to be removed.\",\n \"In this embodiment, multiple pins 119 are used to secure components of the device together.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 depicts the assembly shown in FIG.\",\n \"16, wherein the tube 106a portion of the shaft 106 has been removed.\",\n \"The blade 108 is secured to a pivot arm 109, which is secured to the shaft by a pin 119 that slides through a fitted hole on the end of the pivot arm opposite the blade.\",\n \"The blade 108 and the pivot arm 109 sit atop a spring, which is the resistance mechanism 110 in this embodiment.\",\n \"In this assembly, when the blade 108 is inserted into a bored hole of a wooden structure, the blade 108 can retract into the shaft as the pivot arm 109 rotates down about a pin 119, for example when contacting portions of wood having sufficient hardness compared to a reference wood, or the blade 108 can remain protruded, for example when contacting areas of significant decay.\",\n \"The tension loaded into the spring can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of force necessary to partially and/or completely retract the blade 108 into the shaft, and thus help optimize the sensitivity of the measurement.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 depicts a close-up of the blade 108 secured to the pivot arm 109, which will be positioned on top of and in contact with the spring depicted in FIG.\",\n \"19.FIG.\",\n \"20 depicts an end of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a distance sensor 104, a raised handle 101, an electronics unit 105 and a dial 107 are attached to the shaft 106.FIG.\",\n \"21 depicts how the housing of the electronics unit 105 can be opened to allow electronics access, for example, by a field operator after inspecting a utility pole.\",\n \"The housing of the electronics unit 105 may be made of plastic, fiberglass, or more preferably metal, and in certain embodiments the housing and the raised handle 101 can be manufactured using 3-dimensional printing.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 depicts a side view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor 104 is a string potentiometer, and the shaft 106 is angled downward to inspect the area of a wooden structure 112 below ground-line 170.The angle of the shaft to the ground-line is measured using an inclinometer in this embodiment.\",\n \"The string potentiometer determines the distance that the blade 108 has traveled within the wooden structure 112 using a cable or string tethered to a stable support, for example, the wooden structure.\",\n \"As the blade 108 moves further into the structure, the corresponding movement of the cable produces a voltage range, which is converted from an analog signal, in this case variable voltage, to the digital output, in this case distance, using an analog-to-digital converter, and the digital output is recorded.\",\n \"Using the distance measured by the string potentiometer and the angle of the shaft measured by the inclinometer, the location of the blade 108 within the structure can be automatically determined.\",\n \"In preferred embodiments, the angle measured by the inclinometer is with respect to the horizontal plane, typically perpendicular to the vertical axis of the pole.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23 depicts an overhead view of an exemplary device of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor 104 comprises a sonar instrument with two sound transmitters/receivers 130 facing in the direction of the shaft 106.The device further comprises an electronics unit 105 within a metal housing attached to the shaft 106.In this embodiment, the dual-grip handle 115 comprises two rubber grips, one on each side of the shaft 106, which permit a user to operate the device with two hands to ensure careful and stable insertion of the probing tip 122 into and through a hole in a wooden structure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 depicts an overhead view of a distance sensor 104, which in this embodiment comprises a potentiometer connected to collapsible scissors 111.The collapsible scissors 111 are bolted to the base of the shaft 106 and expanded along the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108 (not depicted) using a spring 117.When the probing tip 122 of this embodiment is inserted into a wooden structure, the collapsible scissors 111 press against the surface of the wooden structure and fold back towards the base of the shaft 106 in a magnitude corresponding to the distance that the blade 108 has traveled into the wooden structure.\",\n \"A potentiometer is connected to the collapsible scissors 111.In this illustration, the potentiometer is connected to the end of the collapsible scissors 111 opposite the probing tip 122.The potentiometer rotates as the collapsible scissors 111 fold back towards the base of the shaft 106 and outputs a variable voltage corresponding to the degree of rotation.\",\n \"The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a spring 117 is secured to the collapsible scissors 111 so that the collapsible scissors 111 fold back according to the movement of the shaft 106 into a hole in a wooden structure.\",\n \"The tension of the spring 117 is optimized to ensure accurate and repeatable distance or location measurements.\",\n \"As the probing tip 122 moves forward through a hole in a wooden structure, the collapsible scissors 111 are folded or compressed between the base of the shaft 106 and the wooden structure.\",\n \"An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the collapsible scissors 111 and the potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25 depicts a side view of a distance sensor 104, which in this embodiment comprises a potentiometer and a compression sleeve 113 around the shaft 106.The compression sleeve 113 comprises an elongated spring affixed to the base of the shaft 106 and expanded along the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108.A stop wire 121 is secured to the dual-grip handle 115 and the end of the compression sleeve 113 closest to the blade 108 to prevent the compression sleeve 113 from extending beyond the end of the shaft 106.The potentiometer has a string or cable 104a attached to the end of the elongated spring closest to the blade 108, or attached to an encasement around the elongated spring.\",\n \"When the blade 108 is inserted into a hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, the compression sleeve 113 presses against the surface of the wooden structure 112 and compresses back towards the base of the shaft 106 in a magnitude corresponding to the distance that the blade 108 has traveled into the wooden structure.\",\n \"The string or cable 104a of the potentiometer recoils into the potentiometer as the compression sleeve 113 compresses back toward the base of the shaft 106.The potentiometer outputs a variable voltage corresponding to the movement of the string or cable 104a.\",\n \"The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure 112.The tension of the elongated spring in the compression sleeve 113 is optimized to ensure accurate and repeatable distance or location measurements.\",\n \"As the blade 108 and/or probing tip 122 (not depicted) moves forward through a hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, the compression sleeve 113 is compressed between the base of the shaft 106 and the wooden structure 112.An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the compression sleeve 113 and the string potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.Overview of the Devices, Systems and Methods of the Invention Changes in the hardness of a wooden structure are often indicative of the condition of that structure.\",\n \"For example, decay and decomposition of a wooden structure alter the structure of the wood and reduce the hardness of the structure, as compared to normal wood (for example, no decay and decomposition or mechanical damage).\",\n \"As used herein, the term “wooden structure” refers to a structure comprising wood, such as, but not limited to utility poles.\",\n \"Moisture penetration into a wooden structure (one indicator of pre-decay) also alters the hardness of the wooden structure, compared to a dry reference.\",\n \"The hardness of wood can be determined by measuring the wood's resistance to penetration.\",\n \"The exemplary probing devices, systems, and methods of the instant invention may be used to evaluate the condition of a wooden structure, by measuring and recording a resistance to penetration by a blade, as quantified by for example a displacement value of a blade or the force applied to the blade by the surrounding wood, which helps indicate the hardness of wood at a given location.\",\n \"Hardness profiles can be assessed by conducting such measurements and recordings at various locations within the structure.\",\n \"The condition or strength of a wooden structure can be assessed by determining whether there are changes in hardness throughout the structure and/or whether the hardness at various locations within the structure differs compared to the hardness of reference wood.\",\n \"Wooden structures may on occasion comprise voids or pockets of air.\",\n \"The probes and devices of the present invention aid in the detection of voids or pockets in the wooden structures by noting the lack of hardness or density in a particular portion or region of the wood.\",\n \"The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention allow users to repeatedly and accurately profile the hardness and condition of wooden structures without the need for specialized and expensive drilling equipment.\",\n \"The exemplary probing devices, systems, and methods of the instant invention may be used to detect distinct hardness conditions in wooden structure, including sound wood, incipient decay, and advanced decay.\",\n \"The term “incipient decay” as used herein refers to an early stage of the decay process where the wood fibers have begun to lose strength but the decay has not proceeded far enough to evidently soften or otherwise perceptibly reduce the hardness of the wood.\",\n \"Areas of incipient decay detected in wooden structures by the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention may be treated with fumigants, or other materials, compositions, or treatments, to stop or slow down infection or invasion by, for example, wood decay fungi, thereby extending the useful life of the wooden structure.\",\n \"A characteristic of incipient decay is that it can be arrested if the appropriate intervention or treatment is applied while the incipient decay is still in its early stages.\",\n \"The term “hardness” as used herein refers to resistance to pressure, or resistance to penetration, or rigidity.\",\n \"For example, those of skill in the art will readily understand that resistance to penetration, or the displacement value of a blade based on a known applied force, among other measures, can be used to assess the hardness of wood.\",\n \"In addition, those of skill will understand that “hardness” may be assessed as a unitless measure of the relationship of resistance to pressure, resistance to penetration, displacement value of a blade, or other measure correlating resistance to pressure, or the rigidity of a wooden structure being inspected compared to a reference wood.\",\n \"In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 comprises a vertical handle 102, a distance sensor 104, a shaft 106, and a blade 108, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7.In certain embodiments, a resistance mechanism 110 is coupled to the blade 108 and a mechanical sensor 114 is coupled to the resistance mechanism 110 and the blade 108.In certain embodiments, the device is a handheld device.\",\n \"In an exemplary aspect, the device 100 is used to automatically profile the hardness, and as a result indicate the condition or strength, of a wooden structure 112.When introduced into a wooden structure 112, the blade 108 is capable of penetrating the surrounding wood.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the amount that the blade 108 penetrates the wooden structure 112 is measured by a displacement value of the blade 108.In certain aspects, if the displacement value is lower than a predetermined “normal” displacement value, an operator can conclude that the hardness of the wood within a wooden structure 112 at the location examined is less than the hardness of a reference wood.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the device 100 comprises a vertical handle 102, a distance sensor 104, a shaft 106, a blade 108, and a second blade 118, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.In this embodiment, each blade is coupled to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114.In certain aspects, when inserted into a wooden structure 112, the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"8 is capable of measuring the hardness of wood at two locations within the structure simultaneously.\",\n \"In certain aspects of the invention, the wooden structure 112 to be inspected is comprised primarily of wood.\",\n \"In certain exemplary aspects, the wooden structure 112 can consist of a utility pole, a piling, a beam, a board, a timber, or any other type of wooden structure.\",\n \"The wooden structure 112 can consist of Western red cedar, Douglas-fir, southern pine, lodgepole pine, or any other species of wood.\",\n \"Shaft of the Device In exemplary embodiments, the shaft 106 of the probing device 100 permits the blade 108 to be inserted into an inspection hole 160 in a wooden structure 112.The shaft 106 may be sufficiently long to allow inspection of underground portions of a wooden structure 112.When the shaft 106 is inserted into a wooden structure 112 at an angle toward the ground, as illustrated for example in FIG.\",\n \"9, the shaft can probe portions of the structure underground, without the need to excavate the structure.\",\n \"Preferably, the shaft 106 of the probing device is substantially rigid.\",\n \"The rigidity of the shaft 106 may be optimized, for example to help ensure accuracy and reliability of the measurements of a distance sensor 104 mounted to the shaft regarding the location of a blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.Further, a substantially rigid shaft can help the resistance mechanism protrude the blade 108 from the shaft, and the blade 108 to retract according to an applied force from within the structure.\",\n \"The shaft 106 is preferably electrically non-conductive, but not necessarily so.\",\n \"Examples of material suitable for use as a shaft 106 include, but are not limited to, metals, carbon fiber, polyester, fiberglass, polyester impregnated with fiberglass, and the like.\",\n \"However, the shaft 106 could be comprised of a number of different materials, including electrically non-conductive or conductive materials.\",\n \"Any material that is resistant to both compression and tension would be suitable.\",\n \"For example, thermal and non-thermally formed plastics (PLA, ABS), or wood.\",\n \"In other words, any material that is strong enough to push the tip through the inspection hole 160 is suitable.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the inspection hole, for example having a diameter that is about 1% to about 10% less than the diameter of the inspection hole.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may have a diameter of between the range of about 0.1875 to about 0.375 inches, more preferably between the range of about 0.200 to about 0.300 inches.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the diameter of the shaft 106 is sufficiently large to support the blade 108 and resistance mechanism 110, but small enough to be inserted into holes bored into a wooden structure 112 that are unlikely to harm the structural integrity of the wooden structure 112.Shafts having different diameters may be used to fit into various hole sizes (e.g., fume and inspection holes).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be non-cylindrical and capable of being inserted into bored inspection holes having an appropriate diameter, as described above.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be adjustable in length.\",\n \"In embodiments of the present invention, the length of the shaft 106 may be sufficient to enable inspection of a wooden structure 112, such as a utility pole.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 is sufficiently long to permit inspection of the portion of a utility pole underground, including the shell layers of the utility pole opposite the shell layers where the probing device is inserted into the utility pole.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 is sufficiently long to enable inspection across the entire diameter of a utility pole at a 45 degree angle to the pole.\",\n \"As an example, the shaft may be about 24 to about 30 inches in length.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the length of the shaft is adjustable.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be designed to fold for ease of transport.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be removable, or may comprise multiple removable sub-components.\",\n \"Embodiments of the device having a removable shaft can allow for different lengths or diameters of shafts to be used in the device.\",\n \"The shaft 106 may comprise a probing tip 122 at the end of the shaft 106 nearest the blade 108, wherein the probing tip 122 surrounds one or more blades of the device.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the probing tip 122 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the inspection hole 160, but slightly larger than the base of the shaft 106.For example, the probing tip 122 may have a diameter that is about 1% to 10% less than the diameter of the inspection hole, and about 1% to 10% greater than the diameter of the base of the shaft 106.In certain embodiments, the diameter of the probing tip 122 may be between the range of about 0.1875 to about 0.375 inches, more preferably between the range of about 0.250 to about 0.375 inches.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the probing tip 122 may be a separate component from the shaft 106.In embodiments where the probing tip 122 collects debris in a bored hole, the probing tip 122 can have an additional slot for debris to exit.\",\n \"The probing tip 122 can be removable so that debris can be cleaned out or so that different attachments can be fastened to the tip of the shaft 106.The shaft 106 may also comprise a tube 106a, as shown for example in FIG.\",\n \"16.The tube 106a can be attached to the substantial remainder of the shaft using any attachment mechanism, including but not limited to a pin 119 or adhesive.\",\n \"The tube 106a portion of the shaft can be made of any material suitable to protect the components housed within the tube, including metal, carbon fiber, plastic, fiberglass, or other composite material.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may be attached to a handle, for example a raised handle 101, vertical handle 102, horizontal handle 103, or dual-grip handle 115.The handle may be designed to facilitate careful and reliable insertion of a probing device 100 into a wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the shaft 106 may include a latch or a safety cover to keep the blade retracted or covered when the device is not in use.\",\n \"The shaft 106 may also be hollow in certain embodiments.\",\n \"Distance Sensor of the Device In certain embodiments, the distance sensor 104 may be any sensor that allows the determination and/or recording of the location or depth of the blade 108 in the wooden structure 112.The distance sensor 104 includes but is not limited to mechanical, electrical, optical and acoustical sensors, and the like.\",\n \"In a preferred aspect, the distance sensor 104 is a potentiometer.\",\n \"For example, a string potentiometer, using a retractable cable, may be used as a distance sensor 104 in the present invention.\",\n \"As the cable moves, the potentiometer outputs a range of voltage that can be correlated to location, distance, or depth.\",\n \"The string potentiometer may be attached to the device at the handle or at the shaft 106, or encased in a collapsing housing.\",\n \"An analog-to-digital converter may be electrically connected to the distance sensor 104 to convert an analog signal (e.g., variable voltage) to a digital output (e.g., distance).\",\n \"For example, a string potentiometer may run through an ADS1115 Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Texas Instruments).\",\n \"As another example, a trellis or scissors potentiometer may be used as a distance sensor 104.In another aspect, the distance sensor 104 is a short-range sonar.\",\n \"For example, any short range sonar may be used as a distance sensor 104 in the present invention.\",\n \"An acoustic reflector (not depicted) may also be attached to the surface of the wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain aspects of the invention, the distance sensor 104 is mounted on the handle or the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.In aspects of the present invention, the distance sensor 104 can consist of, for example, a short-range sonar, a laser, a short-range radar, or any other type of non-contact or contact distance sensor 104.In certain aspects, the distance sensor 104 is a short-range sonar which transmits a pulse of sound (also known as a “ping”) from an acoustical transmit/receive array or an external transducer.\",\n \"The ping reflects off the surface of the wooden structure 112 and is received by the short-range sonar distance sensor 104.The distance sensor 104 then uses the speed of the transmitted ping and the elapsed time between the transmission and receipt of the ping to calculate the distance between the sensor 104 and the face of the wooden structure 112.In aspects of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"9, the distance sensor 104, for example a short-range sonar, can be oriented from about a 45 degree angle to about a 90 degree angle from the face of the wooden structure 112 while still receiving a sufficient return signal from the transmitted ping to provide the sensor 104 with an accurate distance reading.\",\n \"In this way, the probing device 100 can be inserted into a wooden structure 112 to inspect the portions of the structure underground, including the shell of the structure underground.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the angle is adjustable between about 0 and about 45 degrees; in further embodiments, the angle is adjustable between about 0 and about 90 degrees.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the probing device comprises an inclinometer (not depicted).\",\n \"The inclinometer can be used, for example, to record the angle of the sonar to the shaft, record the angle of a bored hole to the ground, and/or to keep the sonar (or any other distance sensor) level.\",\n \"In certain preferred aspects of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"22, the distance sensor 104 comprises a potentiometer, more preferably a string potentiometer, which measures the distance of the blade within a wooden structure.\",\n \"For example, a SP1 50 string potentiometer (from Celesco) may be used as a distance sensor 104 in the present invention.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the probing device also comprises an inclinometer (not depicted).\",\n \"The inclinometer can be used, for example, to record the angle of the string potentiometer to the shaft 106, record the angle of a bored hole 160 to the ground-line 170, and/or to keep the string potentiometer level.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the inclinometer records the angle of the bored hole 160 to the ground-line 170, which, in conjunction with the distance or depth recorded by the potentiometer, can be used to determine the location of the blade 106 within the wooden structure 112.For example, the inclinometer may be an MMA7455 Digital Acceleration Title Angle Sensor Module (Freescale Semiconductor).\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the invention, the distance sensor 104 comprises collapsible scissors 111 and a potentiometer.\",\n \"An example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24.The collapsible scissors 111 are expanded along the length of the shaft 106 with a spring 117.The collapsible scissors 111 collapse into the base of the shaft 106 when the probing tip 122 of this embodiment is inserted into a wooden structure and the collapsible scissors 111 are pressed against the surface of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The magnitude that the collapsible scissors 111 collapse or fold back toward the base of the shaft 106 can be measured by a rotating potentiometer that produces variable voltage.\",\n \"The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure, for example using an electronics unit and/or computing device attached to or remote from the device.\",\n \"An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the collapsible scissors 111 and the potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the invention, the distance sensor 104 comprises a potentiometer connected to a compression sleeve 113 around the shaft 106.An example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25.The compression sleeve 113 includes an elongated spring that expands along the length of the shaft 106 up to the blade 108.A potentiometer with a string or cable 104a is attached to the end of the elongated spring closest to the blade 108, or elsewhere along the compression sleeve 113.When the blade 108 is inserted into a hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, the compression sleeve 113 presses against the surface of the wooden structure 112 and compresses back towards the base of the shaft 106.The magnitude that the compression sleeve 112 compresses is measured by the string potentiometer, which produces a variable voltage.\",\n \"The variable voltage is then correlated to the distance or location of the blade 108 in the wooden structure, for example using an electronics unit and/or computing device attached to or remote from the device.\",\n \"An inclinometer (not depicted) may also be used in conjunction with the compression sleeve 113 and the string potentiometer to determine the location of the blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.A stop wire 121 is secured to the dual-grip handle 115 and to the end of the compression sleeve 113 closest to the blade 108.The length of the stop wire 121 should be sufficient to prevent the compression sleeve 113 from extending beyond the end of the shaft 106.The stop wire 121 may comprise, for example a string, cable, or wire and may be metal or non-metal.\",\n \"Blade of the Device In exemplary embodiments, the blade 108 of the probing device 100 is designed to ride along the inside of a bore hole within a wooden structure 112.When the shaft 106 of the probing device rides along an inspection hole 160, the blade 108 is capable of retracting in response to the force being applied by the wood within the structure surrounding the blade, resulting in a displacement value of the blade.\",\n \"In one aspect of the present invention, the blade 108 is attached to the end of the shaft 106 opposite the handle.\",\n \"In another aspect of the present invention, the blade is attached to the end of the shaft opposite the distance sensor 104.In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is attached to the shaft 106 using a pivot arm 109 and a pin 119 that permit the blade to retract into the shaft.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, in decayed or decomposed portions of a wooden structure 112, or prior to insertion into a wooden structure 112, the blade 108 is able to penetrate the wood and does not retract into the shaft, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"10A-10B.\",\n \"In other embodiments, in portions of a wooden structure 112 having a hardness essentially the same as normal wood, the blade 108 does not penetrate the wood and retracts into the shaft, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11.In aspects of the present invention, the blade 108 partially penetrates the wood, and therefore partially retracts into the shaft 106.In one aspect of the invention, the blade 108 is sized so that the blade can retract, either partially or more preferably completely, into the shaft 106.In one aspect, the blade 108 has a height substantially equal to the diameter of the shaft 106.In another aspect, the blade 108 has a height substantially equal to the diameter of the probing tip 122.In certain embodiments, the blade 108 has a height in the range of about 0.1875 to about 0.375.In another aspect, the blade has a length that is greater than its height.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is bi-directional, such that the blade can provide hardness measurements as the device is being inserted into a wooden structure and as the device is being removed from a wooden structure.\",\n \"In bi-directional embodiments of the blade, preferably the length of the blade 108 is about twice the height of the blade 108.However, a blade 108 may be of any size suitable for minimally-invasive inspection of a wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, when coupled to a resistance mechanism 110, the blade 108 is sufficiently sharp to penetrate portions of the wood within a structure having lower hardness compared to normal wood.\",\n \"In certain aspects, when coupled to a resistance mechanism 110, the blade 108 does not penetrate portions of the wood within a structure having a hardness essentially the same as normal wood.\",\n \"In certain aspects, a user may choose a sharper or duller blade 108 depending on the desired sensitivity in determining hardness variances in a wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain preferred embodiments, the blade 108 comprises metal.\",\n \"For example, the blade 108 may comprise aluminum, stainless steel, alloy steel, spring steel or tool steel.\",\n \"In certain alternative embodiments, the blade 108 comprises tool ceramic, such as, for example zirconium dioxide, or carbide.\",\n \"Those of skill in the art will understand that any material, or combination of materials, may be used for the blade 108, such that the blade is capable of penetrating portions of wood having decreased hardness compared to normal wood.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 has a sharp tip capable of penetrating a wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 may be any shape having a sharp tip when protruded from the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.In certain embodiments, the portion of the blade 108 protruding from the shaft 106 is substantially triangular in shape.\",\n \"Preferably, the portion of the blade that protrudes from the shaft is substantially triangular, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"10A and 10B and FIGS.\",\n \"16-18.In one aspect of the invention, the blade 108 protrudes from the shaft 106 at a non-zero angle to the shaft.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 protrudes from the shaft 106 at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees to the shaft or, between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees to the shaft.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 protrudes from the shaft 106 at an angle of about 90 degrees to the shaft.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the probing device 100 comprises more than one blade.\",\n \"For example, the probing device may comprise a first blade 108 attached to the end of the shaft 106 opposite the vertical handle 102, and a second blade 118 attached to the shaft between the vertical handle 102 and the first blade 108, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8.Resistance Mechanism of the Device In embodiments of the invention, the resistance mechanism 110 may be any component, or combination of components that, when coupled to the blade 108, protrude the blade 108 from the shaft 106 of the probing device 100 by applying a force (e.g., pulling or pushing) to the blade.\",\n \"The resistance mechanism 110 allows the blade 108 to retract into the shaft 106, partially or completely, in response to an external force on the blade 108 opposite to and greater than the force provided by the resistance mechanism on the blade 108.In certain embodiments, the resistance mechanism 110 comprises a tension system.\",\n \"In certain aspects, the force provided by the resistance mechanism 110 can be adjusted.\",\n \"In one preferred aspect, the resistance mechanism 110 comprises a spring-loaded mechanism, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"10A and 11.In another aspect, the resistance mechanism 110 comprises a pin that permits the blade 108 to rotate upward, and protrude from the shaft 106, when an external force is applied insufficient to counter the force of the resistance mechanism 110, for example when the blade 108 encounters decayed wood.\",\n \"Conversely, the resistance mechanism 110 permits the blade 108 to rotate downward, and retract back into the shaft 106, when a sufficient force is applied to counter the force of the resistance mechanism 110, for example when the blade 108 encounters normal wood.\",\n \"As an example, prior to insertion into a bored hole in a wooden structure 112 having normal hardness, an exemplary spring-loaded resistance mechanism 110, illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"10A, protrudes the blade 108 from the shaft 106.When inserted into a bored hole in a wooden structure 112 having normal hardness, the spring-loaded blade retracts into the shaft, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"11, because the portion of the wood surrounding the blade has sufficient hardness to push the blade 108 back into the shaft 106.In other embodiments of the invention, the resistance mechanism 110 may comprise a wire-tensioned system, a hydraulic piston system, a spring system, a viscoelastic material, a torsion system, or an electro-magnetic or electro-mechanical system, such as a motor or solenoid.\",\n \"However, any resistance mechanism 110, or combination of resistance mechanisms, may be used that can protrude one or more blades from the shaft 106, and can allow the one or more blades to retract when pressed against a wooden structure having normal hardness.\",\n \"Mechanical Sensor of the Device In embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical sensor 114 of the probing device 100 can provide measurements corresponding to the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade 108 within a wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is coupled to the resistance mechanism 110 and the blade 108, and measures the force applied on the blade 108 by portions of wood within a structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is coupled to the resistance mechanism 110 and the blade 108 and measures the amount the blade 108 penetrates the surrounding wood within the structure, resulting in a displacement value of the blade.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, when the value measured by the mechanical sensor 114, whether that value is the force applied, the displacement value, or another measure correlating to hardness of the surrounding wood, is different from the expected value from normal wood, the mechanical sensor 114 can indicate areas of damage or decay, among other potential irregularities, within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is attached to the shaft 106 of the probing device, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is attached to the end of the shaft 106 of the device near the blade 108.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 is attached to the end of the shaft 106 opposite the blade 108.The mechanical sensor 114 may be attached to the shaft 106, or be remote from the shaft 106, in any way such that the mechanical sensor 114 can measure the force applied on the blade 108, the distance the blade 108 penetrates the structure, and/or any other mechanical measure correlating to hardness of the wood contacting the blade 108.In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical sensor 114 comprises a linear position or displacement transducer with an extensible wire rope, wherein the wire rope is attached to the blade 108, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12.In this embodiment, the mechanical sensor 114 can measure the displacement value of the blade 108 when inserted into a bored hole in a wooden structure 112, by measuring displacement of the wire-rope.\",\n \"The mechanical measurement is converted to an electrical signal, which can be transmitted to a computing device 116 and processed to analyze the hardness of the wooden structure.\",\n \"The displacement value may be measured at various locations within the wooden structure 112, correlated to the hardness of wood to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure, and compared to the hardness profile of normal wood.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the invention, the mechanical sensor 114 may comprise a displacement transducer or a force transducer capable of measuring a displacement value or force value on the blade caused by the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 converts the mechanical measurement into an electric signal that may be transmitted to a computing device 116 for further processing.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the mechanical sensor 114 may comprise a strain gauge, load cell, potentiometer, flex sensor, or pressure sensor.\",\n \"In certain aspects, a user may select a particular mechanical sensor 114 based on compatibility with the selected resistance mechanism 110.For example, an Omega Engineering KFH-3-350-C1-11L3M3R strain gauge may be used as a mechanical sensor 114 in the present invention.\",\n \"An analog-to-digital converter may be electrically connected to the mechanical sensor 114 to convert an analog signal to a digital output.\",\n \"In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical sensor 114 is a strain gauge that runs through an HX711 24-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Avia Semiconductor).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the device includes other sensors that may be helpful to those of skill in the art in assessing a wooden structure, including but not limited to one or more moisture content sensors.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, one or more sensors, including passive or active acoustic sensors, galvanic sensors, resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, or gas sensors to detect insect respiration or decay outgassing in addition to the mechanical sensor, are attached to the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.Methods and Systems for Evaluating a Wooden Structure In aspects of the invention, a blade 108, coupled to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114, is inserted into a hole in a wooden structure 112 to gather data about the internal hardness of that structure.\",\n \"The hole may be pre-drilled, or may be bored or drilled by the personnel conducting the inspection of the structure, by using a drill or a borer, for example.\",\n \"In some aspects of the invention, the blade 108 is inserted into a pre-drilled hole to avoid drilling new holes that may further compromise the integrity of the structure.\",\n \"In other aspects of the invention, the personnel conducting the inspection of the structure may choose to drill or bore a new hole in the structure to ensure that the wood surrounding the entrance of the hole is healthy, non-decayed wood that provides an accurate hardness for the measurements.\",\n \"In these aspects, the personnel may penetrate the exterior of the wooden structure with the drill or bore above the ground line of wooden structure, and then angle the drill or bore downwards so that at least a portion of the inspection hole in the interior of structure is located below the ground-line of the structure, which is a prime location for decay.\",\n \"In aspects of the invention, the inspection hole may be sufficiently small to permit the blade 108 to ride along the bore hole and retract according to the hardness of the wood surrounding the blade.\",\n \"For example, the diameter of the inspection hole may be essentially the same as, but not less than, the diameter of the shaft 106 of the probing device 100.In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of measuring the hardness of a wooden structure by operating a probing device 100 comprises the steps of, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"15, boring a hole into a wooden structure 112, inserting the probing device 100 into the bored hole, measuring the location of the blade 108 of the probing device 100 within the structure and the displacement value of the blade 108 at the location, and transmitting the location and displacement value data to a computing device 116.In certain embodiments, the location and displacement value measurements and transmissions are repeated at multiple locations within the wooden structure 112, and the data may be compiled and normalized by the computing device 116 to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, the hardness profile of the wooden structure produced by the method may be compared to a hardness profile of normal wood to determine the condition of the wooden structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a strength calculation can be performed based on the hardness profile of the wooden structure 112.The hardness profile may be used to calculate the section modulus of the structure cross section and the corresponding remaining bending moment capacity, i.e.\",\n \"bending strength.\",\n \"Section modulus is a geometric property for a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the wooden structure is subsequently subjected to remedial treatment, reinforcement, or replacement based on the condition of the wooden structure.\",\n \"In preferred embodiments, the wooden structure 112 comprises a utility pole.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is coupled to a resistance mechanism 110 and a mechanical sensor 114, which are attached to the shaft 106 of a probing device 100, along with a distance sensor 104.The probing device 100 is carefully inserted into the inspection hole, and while the distance sensor 104 measures the location of the blade 108 within the wooden structure 112, the mechanical sensor 114 measures the force on the blade, the displacement value of the blade in the surrounding wood, or another mechanical measurement correlating to the hardness of the surrounding wood.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the blade 108 is moved further into the inspection hole.\",\n \"As the blade 108 proceeds through the inspection hole, the distance sensor 104 measures the amount of insertion (i.e., depth) into the structure, and the mechanical sensor 114 measures the amount that the blade 108 is able to penetrate the wood, or the force on the blade, at a given depth within the structure.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, each data point is measured and correlated to the hardness of the wood at the recorded location, using, for example, a computing device 116 coupled to the distance sensor 104 and the mechanical sensor 114.The computing device 116 may be attached to the probing device 100, including for example a visual display to show results of an inspection, or be remote from the probing device 100.In certain aspects, a computing device 116 capable of receiving and recording data from the distance sensor 104 and the mechanical sensor 114, and is coupled to the probing device 100.The computing device 116 can automatically record the location of the blade within the structure, indicated by the distance sensor 104, and the amount the blade 108 penetrates the wood at that location, the displacement value of the blade 108, or a similar mechanical measure correlating to hardness.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, an operator 120 carefully inserts the probing device completely through the wooden structure 112, as the computing device 116 records the data described above.\",\n \"The computing device 116 can then normalize the data to create a hardness profile of one or more portions of the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, an operator 120 repeats the steps of inserting the probing device 100 into a second inspection hole, and the computing device 116 again records the measurements.\",\n \"The computing device 116 can then normalize and integrate the data to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure throughout various locations within the structure, including portions of the structure underground.\",\n \"Exemplary wooden structures that may be profiled using the instant invention are wooden poles, wooden timbers, and any other wooden elements susceptible to decay.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, a probing device 100 may comprise more than one blade (for example blade 108 and second blade 118), more than one resistance mechanism 110, and/or more than one mechanical sensor 114.In this way, an operator 120 can take and record multiple simultaneous measurements during a single insertion of the probing device into a wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, an operator 120 can insert a probing device 100 into an inspection hole 160, and carefully remove the probing device 100 back through the inspection hole 160 at a rotated angle from the initial entry, such that the probing device 100 measures the hardness of another portion of wood within the structure along the inspection hole 160.As a non-limiting example, an operator 120 may insert the probing device 100 such that the blade 108 rides along the top of the inspection hole 160, and after penetrating through the inspection hole 160, the operator 120 may rotate the probing device 100 about 180 degrees, such that careful removal of the probing device 100 back through the wooden structure 112 results in the blade 108 riding along the bottom of the inspection hole 160.In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure 112 comprises a probing device 100 coupled to a computing device 116, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"13A-13B.\",\n \"Examples of computing devices 116 that may be used in the present invention include PC laptops or desktops, tablets, smartphones, and touch-screen devices.\",\n \"In certain aspects, the probing device 100 can measure the displacement value of a blade 108 within one or more locations within a wooden structure 112, and can transmit the displacement values and corresponding locations to the computing device 116.The connection and transmission between the probing device 100 and the computing device 116 may be wireless, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"13B.\",\n \"The computing device 116 may alternatively be attached to the probing device 100, so that an operator can view results at the same time as an inspection.\",\n \"The computing device 116 can then correlate the displacement values to hardness of wood to create a hardness profile of the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the probing device measures a force applied by the wood on the blade 108, or another mechanical measure that can be correlated to hardness.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the computing device 116 is capable of converting the mechanical measure(s) provided by the probing device 100 to the mass per unit volume hardness of wood, or any other value correlating to the mass per unit volume hardness of wood.\",\n \"For instance, a displacement value of the blade 108, or a resistance to penetration, can be converted to hardness of wood by the computing device 116.In certain embodiments, the computing device 116 may then plot the hardness value against the location within the wooden structure.\",\n \"In evaluating the hardness of a wooden structure 112, the computing device 116 is also capable of producing a hardness profile, for example as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14.In certain embodiments, the hardness profile demonstrates the hardness of wood across an inspection hole of a utility pole.\",\n \"The exemplary graph in FIG.\",\n \"14 plots a measure of hardness, in this example a comparison between the resistance to penetration of the utility pole compared to a reference wood, as a function of depth or location along an inspection hole within the utility pole.\",\n \"The vertical line at about the 16-inch value on the x-axis denotes the location where the blade 108 was introduced into the utility pole, and the vertical line at about the 6-inch value on the x-axis denotes the location where the blade 108 exited the opposite side of the utility pole.\",\n \"The results in FIG.\",\n \"14 demonstrate a decreased hardness at the location where the probing device exited the wooden structure, which might indicate decay or decomposition in that portion of the wooden structure 112.In certain embodiments, the computing device 116 is attached to the probing device.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the computing device 116 is remote from the probing device.\",\n \"As a non-limiting example, the computing device 116 may convert incoming data from the probing device 100 into values corresponding to wood hardness, using for example, programs used by those of skill in the art.\",\n \"Thus, the computing device 116, when coupled to the probing device 100, can provide real-time information about the hardness profile of the wooden structure 112 being inspected.\",\n \"An operator 120 may introduce the device 100 into multiple inspection holes to create a hardness profile of a cross-section within the wooden structure 112.In certain aspects, the computing device 116 can also automatically compare the hardness profile of a wooden structure 112 to normal wood, to determine if decay, decomposition, or other irregularities may be present in the structure.\",\n \"In this way, the condition or strength of the wooden structure 112 at one or more cross-sections of the pole can be automatically and accurately analyzed to determine if remedial measures are needed.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention, the wooden structure 112 is subjected to remedial treatments, reinforcement, or replacement based on the condition of one or more areas of the structure.\",\n \"Examples of remedial treatments include preservative pastes (e.g., MP500-EXT®) and bandages (e.g., PoleWrap™), fumigants (e.g., MITC-FUME®, Super-Fume, and Woodfume®), solid rods (e.g., Bor8 Rods and copper-borate rods), and liquid treatments (e.g., Hollow Heart® CB).\",\n \"Preservative pastes and bandages may be applied, for instance, to address external decay in the areas of a wooden structure at or below ground-line.\",\n \"Fumigants may be applied, for instance, if the condition of the wooden structure indicates areas of internal early or incipient decay.\",\n \"Fumigants can produce vapors that diffuse and travel vertically and horizontally from applications, eliminating wood destroying fungi.\",\n \"Liquid treatments may be applied, for instance, if the condition of the wooden structure indicates areas of internal advanced decay, voids, or cavities.\",\n \"Solid rods may be installed, for example, in pre-drilled holes, such as bolt holes, pole tops, and cross arms, and generally comprise one or more water-soluble wood preservatives.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, based on the condition of one or more areas of a wooden structure, reinforcement of a pole can be implemented by splinting or stubbing a pole using steel channel, reinforcing fiberglass, and epoxy, or by stubbing a pole using a steel channel or fiberglass reinforcing system.\",\n \"Inspection and Maintenance of Wooden Structures Hardness profiles determined by the devices, systems, and methods can be used, for example, to determine the capacity remaining in a wooden structure or determine whether a wooden structure is suitable for a particular load, identify structures for remedial treatment or reinforcement, regularly inspect and maintain in-place wooden structures, plan future inspection and maintenance actions of in-place wooden structures, identify a serviceable in-place wooden structure, identify a reinforceable reject in-place wooden structure, and/or identify a replacement candidate in-place wooden structure.\",\n \"Regular inspection and maintenance of in-place wooden structures, such as wooden poles, is essential to extending the useful life of these structures by ensuring that their wood retains its strength.\",\n \"A comprehensive maintenance program for wooden utility poles, for example, encompasses the monitoring of new attachments and loadings for poles to be certain that the poles are sufficient to carry the new loadings, cyclical in-place inspection and restoration and replacement programs based on new loadings and the results of wood pole inspection, and emergency services.\",\n \"In-place wood pole inspection, as used herein, refers to a nondestructive or minimally-invasive inspection or nondestructive evaluation to determine strength loss in service of a highly variable material, wood, which has been processed, prior to installation, by treatment with wood preservatives to resist attack by wood-destroying organisms such as fungal decay and insects.\",\n \"While the wood of wooden poles and other wooden structures are initially treated with preservatives that protect against both fungi and insects, loss of these preservatives over time from the wood may leave the structures susceptible to decay from the gradual deterioration caused by fungi and other low forms of plant life (e.g., algae) as well as from infestation by insects including termites, ants, and wood borers.\",\n \"Depending on their geographical location, wooden poles in the United States are classified as being located in one of five “Decay Severity Zones” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.\",\n \"Zone 1, where the humidity and temperature is the least conducive to fungal growth and insect infestation, encompasses much of the mountainous West of the United States, whereas Zone 5, the most severe area of decay, is made up of the hot and humid coasts of the southeastern states.\",\n \"A planned in-place inspection program for wooden poles serves several functions: identifying those poles which present a danger or risk of failure so that those poles can be removed and replaced, identifying poles which are in early stages of damage or decay so that remedial treatments or reinforcement can be applied to those still-serviceable poles to extend their serviceable life, and collecting data and information for planning future inspection and maintenance actions for a system of wood poles.\",\n \"Proper inspection and treatment of wooden poles, depending upon the decay hazards in the area, can extend the serviceable life of those poles by many years.\",\n \"Spot checking is the initial step in developing a planned pole inspection and maintenance program.\",\n \"Spot checking is a method of sampling representative groups of poles on a system to determine the extent of pole decay and to establish priority candidates for the pole maintenance measures of the program.\",\n \"A general recommendation is to inspect a 1,000-pole sample, made up of continuous pole line groupings of 50 to 100 poles in several areas of the system.\",\n \"The sample should be representative of the poles in place.\",\n \"For instance, all the poles on a line circuit or a map section should be inspected as a unit and not just the poles of a certain age group.\",\n \"Field data should be collected on the sample as to age, supplier, extent of decay, etc.\",\n \"The data should be analyzed to determine the areas having the most severe decay conditions and to establish priorities for a pole-by-pole inspection of the entire system.\",\n \"It may be desirable to take additional samples on other portions or areas of the system to determine if the severity of decay is significantly different to warrant the establishment of an accelerated pole inspection and maintenance program for that portion of the system.\",\n \"The results of the spot check will aid in scheduling a continuous pole inspection and maintenance program at a rate commensurate with the incidence of decay.\",\n \"The Rural Utilities Service suggests varying timing for a cyclical pole inspection schedule depending on the geographical Decay Zone in which the wooden poles are located, as the vulnerability of poles to decay is generally proportionate to the decay zone in which they are installed.\",\n \"Poles located in the low-decay Zone 1, for example, should be initially inspected within 12-15 years after installation, with subsequent re-inspection approximately 12 years, and with approximately 1 out of every 12 poles in the system being inspected as representatives of the entire system.\",\n \"In contrast, poles located in the high-decay Zones 4 and 5 should be initially examined within 8-10 years after installation, with subsequent re-inspection every 8 years, and with approximately 1 out of every 8 poles in the system being inspected as representatives of the entire system.\",\n \"If a spot check indicates that decay is advanced in 1 percent of the pole sample, the inspection and maintenance program should be accelerated so that a higher percentage of poles are inspected and treated sooner than the suggested timelines discussed above.\",\n \"Conversely, if the decay rate is low for a particular decay zone or area in the system, the pole-by-pole inspection can be adjusted accordingly.\",\n \"After an inspection of wooden poles has been completed, the inspection results are used to update pole plant records, evaluate pole conditions, plan future inspection and maintenance actions, and provide information for system map revisions.\",\n \"The inspection process will result in identifying the condition of each individual pole.\",\n \"The National Electric Safety Code (NESC) requires that if the strength of a structure deteriorates to the level of the overload capacity factors required at replacement, the structure must be replaced or rehabilitated.\",\n \"The inspection results should indicate if a pole is “serviceable” or a “reject.” The NESC designates that a pole is considered “serviceable” when a large portion of completely sound wood exists, or only early stages of decay are present that have not reduced the pole strength below NESC requirements.\",\n \"A pole that does not meet these conditions should be classified as a “reject.” Examples of “reject” poles are those that have suffered decay, insect, mechanical, or woodpecker damage that has reduced the pole strength at the ground-line below NESC requirements, or those with hazardous above-ground conditions such as a split top.\",\n \"Rejected poles may be classified further depending on the severity of their deterioration and whether they are reinforceable.\",\n \"A “reinforceable reject” is a rejected pole which is suitable for restoration of its ground-line bending capacity with an industry-accepted method of reinforcement.\",\n \"A “replacement” candidate is a rejected pole which is not suitable for necessary rehabilitation, and a “priority reject” is a rejected pole that has such severe decay/damage that it should be removed from service as quickly as possible.\",\n \"Remedial treatments for serviceable wooden poles can interrupt the degradation of a structure by the addition of chemicals, such as pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides, which combat decay and extend the useful life of the structure.\",\n \"Remedial treatments include the application of external preservatives (e.g., pastes or bandages) used for ground-line treatment as well as internal treatments such as liquid internal preservatives, fumigants, and solids.\",\n \"Woodpecker damage can be repaired by plugging woodpecker holes with various materials and covering the plugged hole with a wire mesh to discourage further woodpecker attack.\",\n \"Reinforcement of a pole can be implemented by splinting or stubbing a pole using steel channel, reinforcing fiberglass, and epoxy.\",\n \"All reference publications or patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"EXAMPLES The following Examples are only illustrative.\",\n \"It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention fulfills all of the objectives set forth above.\",\n \"After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to effect various changes, substitutions of equivalents, and various other aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed therein.\",\n \"It is therefore intended that the protection granted herein be limited only by the definitions contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.\",\n \"EXAMPLE 1: Probing Device for the Measurement of Hardness in a Wooden Structure An exemplary probing device 100 of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"1-6.The probing device 100 comprises a shaft 106, a horizontal handle 103, a distance sensor 104, a blade 108, and a mechanical sensor 114, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.The shaft 106 comprises a probing tip 122 at the end of the shaft closest to the blade 108.The probing tip 122 surrounds the blade 108 such that the blade can retract into the probing tip 122 of the shaft 106.The mechanical sensor 114 is housed within the probing tip 122.A resistance mechanism is also housed within the shaft 106.In this example, the probing tip 122 has a diameter slightly larger than the base of the shaft 106, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.The end of the shaft 106 furthest from the blade is attached to an electronics unit 105, a horizontal handle 103, and a distance sensor 104, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"3.The electronics unit 105 comprises a housing with electrical components that receive and store data transmitted by the distance sensor 104 and the mechanical sensor 114.The mechanical sensor 114 used in this exemplary embodiment is a strain gauge.\",\n \"The distance sensor 104 used in this example is a short-range sonar.\",\n \"The horizontal handle 103 is attached parallel to the shaft 106 to facilitate ease of use when inspecting a bored hole in a wooden structure.\",\n \"The shaft 106 of this exemplary embodiment is removable from the horizontal handle 103, electronics unit 105, and distance sensor 104, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4.The shaft 106 is attached and removed from these elements using a socket, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5.The three conductive prongs shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 provide electrical connections between the electronics unit 105 and the mechanical sensor 114 located in the shaft 106.In this exemplary embodiment, the probing tip 122 is removable from the other portion of the shaft, such that the blade 108 can be easily exposed and inspected, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6.This configuration facilitates repairs and replacements of the blade 108.EXAMPLE 2: Method of Profiling the Hardness of a Wooden Structure In an exemplary method of the present invention, a probing device 100 is used to measure the hardness of a cross-section of a utility pole.\",\n \"The condition of the wood surrounding a first inspection hole is assessed by boring a hole along a first diameter of a utility pole.\",\n \"The exemplary probing device 100 depicted in FIG.\",\n \"1 is then introduced into the first inspection hole and carefully inserted through the hole until the blade 108 of the device exits the first inspection hole at the opposite side of the utility pole.\",\n \"As the probing device 100 proceeds through the first inspection hole, the distance sensor 104 continuously measures the location of the blade 108 within the utility pole, and the mechanical sensor 114 continuously measures the strain on the blade 108 caused by contact with the surrounding wood.\",\n \"The location data and the strain data are transmitted to a computing device 116, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"13A-13B.\",\n \"A second inspection hole is bored along a second diameter of a utility pole, where the second diameter is at about a 90 degree angle to the first diameter.\",\n \"To ensure that the inspection holes are bored perpendicular to the utility pole, a V-bracket is mounted to the utility pole using a pilot tube for the bit.\",\n \"The V-bracket serves as a guide for the drill bit to ensure the holes drilled are directed toward the center of the pole at a specific angle to the horizontal plane.\",\n \"The probing device 100 is introduced into, and inserted through the second inspection hole in the same manner as the first inspection hole, and the resulting location data and strain data are transmitted to the computing device 116.The data is normalized by the computing device 116 to create a hardness profile of the wood along each inspection hole.\",\n \"The hardness profile of the cross-section of the utility pole can then be analyzed, and/or compared to normal wood, to determine the condition of one or more areas of the utility pole and whether any remedial steps are needed.\",\n \"For example, one or more preservatives are applied to areas of external decay; and/or one or more fumigants are applied to areas of early internal decay; and/or one or more liquid treatments are applied to voids and areas of advanced decay.\",\n \"One or more solid rods may also be installed in the bored holes after inspection.\",\n \"EXAMPLE 3: Probing Device for the Measurement of Hardness in a Wooden Structure An exemplary probing device of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"22 and 16-19.The probing device comprises a shaft 106, a raised handle 101, a distance sensor 104, a blade 108, and a dial 107, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22.The dial 107 allows a user to adjust the angle of the shaft to inspect an angled bored hole 160 in a wooden structure 112, for example, to inspect an area below the ground-line 170.The shaft 106 comprises a tube 106a, which is secured to the substantial remainder of the shaft by a pin 119, and the triangular metal blade 108 protrudes from an opening at one end of the tube 106a, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"16.The shaft 106 further comprises a conical probing tip 122 secured by a pin 119 to the end of the tube 106a closest to the blade 106, such that the probing tip 122 is adjacent to the blade 108 and leads the blade 108 into a hole in the wooden structure.\",\n \"The blade 108 is secured to a pivot arm 109, which is secured to the shaft by a pin 119 that slides through a fitted hole on the end of the pivot arm opposite the blade, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"17.The blade 108 and the pivot arm 109 sit atop a spring, which is the resistance mechanism 110 in this embodiment.\",\n \"A mechanical sensor 114 (not depicted), an Omega Engineering KFH-3-350-C1-11L3M3R strain gauge, is housed within the shaft 106, connected to the spring, and run through an HX711 24-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Avia Semiconductor) to convert an analog signal to a digital signal.\",\n \"The distance sensor 104 is an SP1 50 string potentiometer (from Celesco), using a retractable cable, that outputs a range of voltage as the blade 108 moves forwards through an inspection hole.\",\n \"The string potentiometer runs through an ADS1115 Analog-to-Digital Converter (from Texas Instruments), which converts the voltage to a distance or depth of the blade 108.The probing device also comprises an inclinometer (not depicted), an MMA7455 Digital Acceleration Title Angle Sensor Module (Freescale Semiconductor), that records the angle of the bored hole 160 to the ground-line 170.The angle measured by the inclinometer, in conjunction with the distance or depth recorded by the string potentiometer, provides a location of the blade 108 within the wooden structure 112.Meanwhile, the strain gauge provides the hardness of the area of the wooden structure 112 contacting the blade 108 at said location.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872384"}}},{"rowIdx":4494067,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["NON-FOULING POLYMERIC SURFACE MODIFICATION AND SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION METHOD FOR BIOMOLECULAR DETECTION","An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described.","The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.)","coupled to the brush molecules.","The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon.","Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion.","Methods of using the articles are also described."],["1.A biomolecular detector, comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on said surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on said linking layer by the process of surface-initiated polymerization of monomeric units thereon, with each of said monomeric units comprising a monomer core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on said surface portion; said brush molecule comprising a stem formed from the polymerization of said monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from said head group projecting from said stem; and (d) a first member of a specific binding pair coupled to said brush molecule.","2-42.","(canceled)"],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Glass and silicon oxide are widely used substrates for biosensors, clinical immunoassay diagnostics, and cell culture (Ratner, Schoen et al.","1996) and as solid supports for the synthesis of peptides, carbohydrates, and DNA (Seeberger and Haase 2000).","The modification of silicon oxide to modulate protein and cell interactions has proven to challenging for a number of technical reasons: 1) the formation of silane self-assembled monolaycrs (SAMs), the most common route to functionalize glass and other metal oxides, is complicated by the sensitivity of most silanes to humidity and their propensity to form polymeric multi-layers (Wasserman, Tao et al.","1989; Ulman 1996).","2) As is typical to most “grafting to” approaches, the passivation of silicon oxide by grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the surface using silane chemistry (Emoto, Harris et al.","1996; Yang, Galloway et al.","1999) does not provide a high surface density of PEG due to the excluded volume effect (Knoll and Hermans 1983).","Consequently, grafted PEG coatings on glass decrease the adsorption of proteins, but do not reduce their adsorption below the nominal limit of several ng/cm 2 (Zhu, Jun et al.","2001).","Several approaches such as the sequential grafting of PEGs of different chain lengths (Nagasaki, Ishii et al.","2001) and cloud-point grafting of PEG (Kingshott, Thissen et al.","2002) have been taken to solve this problem, but only with limited success.","3) It is also difficult to stamp silanes onto glass with the ease and reproducibility with which alkanethiols can be patterned by micro-contact printing and other soft lithography methods so that the patterning of PEG on to glass by soft lithography has only been marginally successful (Xia, Mrksich et al.","1995; StJohn and Craighead 1996).","For the detection of a variety of biological molecules such as protein, RNA, and DNA in complex biological fluids, the minimization of non-specific protein binding plays a very important in improving the detection limit and sensitivity.","The reduction of adsorption of protein and other biomolecules is important for the development of interfacial sensors for two reasons: first, for the broad class of sensors that are label-free, i.e., in which the binding event is directly transduced as the detected signal (e.g., surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, localized or nanoparticle-based surface plasmon resonance (nanoSPR), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), ellipsometry, gravimetric sensors such as quartz-crystal microbalance dissipation (QCM-D) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, etc.)","reduction of protein adsorption to ultra-low levels (<1 ng/sq.","cm) is critical to generate a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by reducing the noise due to adventitious adsorption.","For the class of interfacial sensors that use a label to generate the detected signal, the elimination of background adsorption is similarly important to reduce noise.","Finally, for the class of sensors that incorporate an amplification step prior to or during generation of the detected signal, the effective elimination of adventitious adsorption or binding of biomolecules or other reagents is critical, as adventitiously bound molecules can be amplified, so that the increase in signal (S) afforded by the amplification step is in many cases compromised by the concomitant amplification of the background noise (N), so that the gains in SNR are modest, at best.","The increasing technological push towards ultra-sensitive detection in biomolecular arrays—DNA, protein and carbohydrate—similarly requires extremely low background signals so that a high SNR can be attained (Zhu and Snyder 2003).","However, most commercially available chemical surface modifications usually have high auto-fluorescence or non-specific binding of reagents and analytes.","This issue is increasingly crucial when the spot size of commonly used microarrays becomes smaller and smaller, even down to the sub-micron length scale.","Although some of the current surface modification techniques work well for microarrays (Zhu and Snyder 2003), the routine use of micro- and nano-arrays for biomolecules still poses substantial challenges in engineering a detection system that is capable of resisting non-specific adsorption of biomolecules down to the pg/cm 2 level and allows direct detection of analytes without elaborate and expensive amplification techniques."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is an article (preferably a biomolecular detector or biosensor such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the article comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on the linking layer, preferably by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon.","Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion.","The brush molecule preferably comprises a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the head group projecting from the stem; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.)","coupled to the brush molecule.","In some embodiments, the member of a specific binding pair further comprises an extended nucleic acid conjugated thereto, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase (TdTase).","In some embodiments, wherein the first member is a first nucleic acid, the detector optionally further comprising a second nucleic acid as a second member of the binding pair hybridized to the first member.","Some embodiments thereof further comprise an extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase coupled to either the first or second nucleic acid.","In some embodiments, particularly where the first member of the binding pair is a protein or peptide, the detector further comprises: a second member of the specific binding pair coupled to the first member of the specific binding pair, an antibody specifically bound to the second member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto; and an extended nucleotide coupled to the first nucleotide, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.","A second aspect of the present invention is a method of making an article (preferably a biomolecular detector such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate having a surface portion; (b) depositing a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) forming a polymer layer on the linking layer by the process of surface-initiated polymerization of monomeric units thereon, with each of the monomeric units comprising a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion; the brush molecule comprising a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the hydrophilic head group projecting from the stem.","In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of methoxy-terminated OEGMA and hydroxy-terminated OEGMA.","Such embodiments may further comprise the step of coupling a compound (e.g., a first member of a specific binding pair) having an amine group to the hydroxy group via the amine group.","In other embodiments the polymer comprises of vinyl monomer bearing other head groups such as hydroxyl (OH), glycerol, or groups known in the art as kosmotropes (see, e.g., Kane et al., infra).","In some embodiments the copolymer is synthesized on the surface portion by SI-ATRP, wherein the hydroxy groups are converted to COOH groups by any suitable reaction such as reaction with N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS), and wherein the amine groups are coupled to the COOH.","In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of OEGMA and sodium methacrylate, the copolymer having sodium carboxylate groups.","In some embodiments the sodium carboxylate group is converted to a COOH group by reaction with an acid such as HCl, and a protein or peptide is coupled to the COOH groups via their N-terminal amine or lysine residues (by any suitable reaction such as NHS/EDC coupling).","In some embodiments the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA containing of thioester groups; and wherein the the member of a specific binding pair is coupled to the thioester group.","In some embodiments the first member of a specific binding pair is a protein or peptide having an N-terminal cysteine, and wherein the coupling step is carried out by reaction with the N-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.","In some embodiments wherein the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA contains cysteine groups, and the member of a specific binding pair contains a C-terminal thioester, the coupling step is carried out by reaction of the C-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.","In some embodiments of the invention, the surface portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, polymers, silicon, silicon oxide, and composites thereof.","In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is continuous; in some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is patterned.","In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).","In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer comprises an initiator-terminated alkanethiol.","In some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP); in some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by free radical polymerization.","In some embodiments, the article further comprises a protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid covalently coupled to the brush molecule.","In some embodiments the protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid coupled to the brush molecule or to the surface consist of or consist essentially of a single preselected molecule (this is, one such molecule is coupled to the surface portion via the brush molecule, to the exclusion of other different molecules).","The preselected molecule may be a member of a specific binding pair, such as a receptor.","A further aspect of the invention is a method of detecting a second member of a specific binding pair nucleotide in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a detector as described herein; (b) contacting a sample (e.g., an aqueous sample or biological fluid) suspected of containing the second member to the detector; and then (c) determining the presence or absence of binding of the second member to the first member, the presence of binding indicating the presence of the second member in the sample.","The determining step can be carried out by any suitable technique, but preferably involves directly or indirectly conjugating an elongated nucleic acid to the second member, the elongated nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.","In some embodiments the first member is a probe nucleotide and second member is a target nucleotide.","In such embodiments the determining step may comprise (i) elongating the target nucleotide with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.","In some embodiments the probe nucleotide comprises a beacon portion and a second portion, with the beacon portion folded by hybridization to the second portion, wherein the binding of the target nucleotide to the probe nucleotide unfolds the beacon portion to produce a free end terminal for extension with terminal transferase.","In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) elongating the beacon portion with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.","In some embodiments the second member is a protein or peptide.","In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) specifically binding an antibody to the first member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto, (ii) elongating the first nucleic acid with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (iii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.","An advantage of the foregoing methods is the variety of techniques by which the detecting step can be carried out.","For example, the detecting step may be carried out by: (a) ellipsometry; (b) surface plasmon resonance (SPR); (c) localized surface plasmon resonance using noble metal nanoparticles in solution or on a transparent surface; (d) surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices; (e) quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) (e) atomic force microscopy, (f) detection of radiolabeled nucleotides incorporated in the elongated portion for radioactive detection, (g) detection of stable isotope labeled nucleotides in the elongated nucleic acid by mass spectrometry, (h) incorporation of fluorophores into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, (i) incorporation of nucleotides containing amino acids to which fluorophores are attached into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, or (j) indirectly by hybridization of the elongated nucleic acid with a labeled complementary nucleic acid, and subsequent detection of the complementary nucleic acid, wherein the complementary nucleic acid is labeled by coupling to a metal nanoparticle, quantum dot, fluorophore, or radionuclide, etc.","Still other aspects of the present invention are explained in greater detail below."],["RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Patent Application Ser.","No.","60/717,430; filed Sep. 15, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.","This application is related to Ashutosh Chilkoti and Hongwei Ma, A tunable nonfouling surface of oligoethylene glycol, U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","10/783,054, filed Feb. 20, 2004 (Docket No.","5405-318), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.","This invention was made with Government support under grant no.","R01 CI-00097 from the Centers for Disease Control/NCID.","The United States Government has certain rights to this invention.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a non-fouling polymeric surface modification and signal amplification method for ultra-sensitive biomolecular detection.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Glass and silicon oxide are widely used substrates for biosensors, clinical immunoassay diagnostics, and cell culture (Ratner, Schoen et al.","1996) and as solid supports for the synthesis of peptides, carbohydrates, and DNA (Seeberger and Haase 2000).","The modification of silicon oxide to modulate protein and cell interactions has proven to challenging for a number of technical reasons: 1) the formation of silane self-assembled monolaycrs (SAMs), the most common route to functionalize glass and other metal oxides, is complicated by the sensitivity of most silanes to humidity and their propensity to form polymeric multi-layers (Wasserman, Tao et al.","1989; Ulman 1996).","2) As is typical to most “grafting to” approaches, the passivation of silicon oxide by grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the surface using silane chemistry (Emoto, Harris et al.","1996; Yang, Galloway et al.","1999) does not provide a high surface density of PEG due to the excluded volume effect (Knoll and Hermans 1983).","Consequently, grafted PEG coatings on glass decrease the adsorption of proteins, but do not reduce their adsorption below the nominal limit of several ng/cm2 (Zhu, Jun et al.","2001).","Several approaches such as the sequential grafting of PEGs of different chain lengths (Nagasaki, Ishii et al.","2001) and cloud-point grafting of PEG (Kingshott, Thissen et al.","2002) have been taken to solve this problem, but only with limited success.","3) It is also difficult to stamp silanes onto glass with the ease and reproducibility with which alkanethiols can be patterned by micro-contact printing and other soft lithography methods so that the patterning of PEG on to glass by soft lithography has only been marginally successful (Xia, Mrksich et al.","1995; StJohn and Craighead 1996).","For the detection of a variety of biological molecules such as protein, RNA, and DNA in complex biological fluids, the minimization of non-specific protein binding plays a very important in improving the detection limit and sensitivity.","The reduction of adsorption of protein and other biomolecules is important for the development of interfacial sensors for two reasons: first, for the broad class of sensors that are label-free, i.e., in which the binding event is directly transduced as the detected signal (e.g., surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, localized or nanoparticle-based surface plasmon resonance (nanoSPR), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), ellipsometry, gravimetric sensors such as quartz-crystal microbalance dissipation (QCM-D) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, etc.)","reduction of protein adsorption to ultra-low levels (<1 ng/sq.","cm) is critical to generate a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by reducing the noise due to adventitious adsorption.","For the class of interfacial sensors that use a label to generate the detected signal, the elimination of background adsorption is similarly important to reduce noise.","Finally, for the class of sensors that incorporate an amplification step prior to or during generation of the detected signal, the effective elimination of adventitious adsorption or binding of biomolecules or other reagents is critical, as adventitiously bound molecules can be amplified, so that the increase in signal (S) afforded by the amplification step is in many cases compromised by the concomitant amplification of the background noise (N), so that the gains in SNR are modest, at best.","The increasing technological push towards ultra-sensitive detection in biomolecular arrays—DNA, protein and carbohydrate—similarly requires extremely low background signals so that a high SNR can be attained (Zhu and Snyder 2003).","However, most commercially available chemical surface modifications usually have high auto-fluorescence or non-specific binding of reagents and analytes.","This issue is increasingly crucial when the spot size of commonly used microarrays becomes smaller and smaller, even down to the sub-micron length scale.","Although some of the current surface modification techniques work well for microarrays (Zhu and Snyder 2003), the routine use of micro- and nano-arrays for biomolecules still poses substantial challenges in engineering a detection system that is capable of resisting non-specific adsorption of biomolecules down to the pg/cm2 level and allows direct detection of analytes without elaborate and expensive amplification techniques.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is an article (preferably a biomolecular detector or biosensor such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the article comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on the linking layer, preferably by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon.","Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion.","The brush molecule preferably comprises a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the head group projecting from the stem; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.)","coupled to the brush molecule.","In some embodiments, the member of a specific binding pair further comprises an extended nucleic acid conjugated thereto, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase (TdTase).","In some embodiments, wherein the first member is a first nucleic acid, the detector optionally further comprising a second nucleic acid as a second member of the binding pair hybridized to the first member.","Some embodiments thereof further comprise an extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase coupled to either the first or second nucleic acid.","In some embodiments, particularly where the first member of the binding pair is a protein or peptide, the detector further comprises: a second member of the specific binding pair coupled to the first member of the specific binding pair, an antibody specifically bound to the second member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto; and an extended nucleotide coupled to the first nucleotide, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.","A second aspect of the present invention is a method of making an article (preferably a biomolecular detector such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate having a surface portion; (b) depositing a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) forming a polymer layer on the linking layer by the process of surface-initiated polymerization of monomeric units thereon, with each of the monomeric units comprising a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion; the brush molecule comprising a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the hydrophilic head group projecting from the stem.","In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of methoxy-terminated OEGMA and hydroxy-terminated OEGMA.","Such embodiments may further comprise the step of coupling a compound (e.g., a first member of a specific binding pair) having an amine group to the hydroxy group via the amine group.","In other embodiments the polymer comprises of vinyl monomer bearing other head groups such as hydroxyl (OH), glycerol, or groups known in the art as kosmotropes (see, e.g., Kane et al., infra).","In some embodiments the copolymer is synthesized on the surface portion by SI-ATRP, wherein the hydroxy groups are converted to COOH groups by any suitable reaction such as reaction with N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS), and wherein the amine groups are coupled to the COOH.","In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of OEGMA and sodium methacrylate, the copolymer having sodium carboxylate groups.","In some embodiments the sodium carboxylate group is converted to a COOH group by reaction with an acid such as HCl, and a protein or peptide is coupled to the COOH groups via their N-terminal amine or lysine residues (by any suitable reaction such as NHS/EDC coupling).","In some embodiments the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA containing of thioester groups; and wherein the the member of a specific binding pair is coupled to the thioester group.","In some embodiments the first member of a specific binding pair is a protein or peptide having an N-terminal cysteine, and wherein the coupling step is carried out by reaction with the N-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.","In some embodiments wherein the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA contains cysteine groups, and the member of a specific binding pair contains a C-terminal thioester, the coupling step is carried out by reaction of the C-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.","In some embodiments of the invention, the surface portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, polymers, silicon, silicon oxide, and composites thereof.","In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is continuous; in some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is patterned.","In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).","In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer comprises an initiator-terminated alkanethiol.","In some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP); in some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by free radical polymerization.","In some embodiments, the article further comprises a protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid covalently coupled to the brush molecule.","In some embodiments the protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid coupled to the brush molecule or to the surface consist of or consist essentially of a single preselected molecule (this is, one such molecule is coupled to the surface portion via the brush molecule, to the exclusion of other different molecules).","The preselected molecule may be a member of a specific binding pair, such as a receptor.","A further aspect of the invention is a method of detecting a second member of a specific binding pair nucleotide in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a detector as described herein; (b) contacting a sample (e.g., an aqueous sample or biological fluid) suspected of containing the second member to the detector; and then (c) determining the presence or absence of binding of the second member to the first member, the presence of binding indicating the presence of the second member in the sample.","The determining step can be carried out by any suitable technique, but preferably involves directly or indirectly conjugating an elongated nucleic acid to the second member, the elongated nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.","In some embodiments the first member is a probe nucleotide and second member is a target nucleotide.","In such embodiments the determining step may comprise (i) elongating the target nucleotide with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.","In some embodiments the probe nucleotide comprises a beacon portion and a second portion, with the beacon portion folded by hybridization to the second portion, wherein the binding of the target nucleotide to the probe nucleotide unfolds the beacon portion to produce a free end terminal for extension with terminal transferase.","In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) elongating the beacon portion with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.","In some embodiments the second member is a protein or peptide.","In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) specifically binding an antibody to the first member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto, (ii) elongating the first nucleic acid with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (iii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.","An advantage of the foregoing methods is the variety of techniques by which the detecting step can be carried out.","For example, the detecting step may be carried out by: (a) ellipsometry; (b) surface plasmon resonance (SPR); (c) localized surface plasmon resonance using noble metal nanoparticles in solution or on a transparent surface; (d) surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices; (e) quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) (e) atomic force microscopy, (f) detection of radiolabeled nucleotides incorporated in the elongated portion for radioactive detection, (g) detection of stable isotope labeled nucleotides in the elongated nucleic acid by mass spectrometry, (h) incorporation of fluorophores into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, (i) incorporation of nucleotides containing amino acids to which fluorophores are attached into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, or (j) indirectly by hybridization of the elongated nucleic acid with a labeled complementary nucleic acid, and subsequent detection of the complementary nucleic acid, wherein the complementary nucleic acid is labeled by coupling to a metal nanoparticle, quantum dot, fluorophore, or radionuclide, etc.","Still other aspects of the present invention are explained in greater detail below.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1.Schematic illustration of “SI-ATRP of OEGMA” strategy for creating functionalized non-fouling surfaces and molecular structure of silane initiator (11-(2-Bromo-2-methyl)propionyloxy)undecyl trichlorosilane.","FIG.","2.Schematic representation of microarray fabrication By NHS?EDC coupling of antibodies to COOH-fucntionalized poly(OEGMA) brushes.","FIG.","3.Quasi-three dimensional, functionalized non-fouling films were prepared via SI-ATRP of OEGMA from modified glass slides.","FIG.","4.The formation of initiator-silane SAM and poly(OEGMA) film confirmed by XPS.","FIG.","5.The protein resistance of the poly(OEGMA) brushes was tested by the adsorption of fibronectin (Fn), bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (Ly) (all proteins at 1 mg/ml in PBS, pH=7.4), and undiluted fetal bovine serum (FBS).","FIG.","6 Surface initiated polymerization of OEGMA can be directly carried out on a polymer substrate.","(A) Chemical structures of Poly(OEGMA) and PVBC.","Representative carbons are numbered to correspond with peaks in B.","(B) XPS C(1s) spectra of PVBC coated substrates before (PVBC) and after (PVBC-POEGMA) SI-ATRP of OEGMA.","The C(1s) spectrum of Poly(OEGMA) grown on silicon using a silane initiator (POEGMA) is shown for comparison.","(C) Atomic percentages of carbon, oxygen and chlorine found in each sample.","FIG.","7.Alternative embodiment of a protein microarray by printing of antibodies or other receptors to the polymer brush and their covalent attachment to activated OH groups of poly(OEGMA) brush.","(A) Reaction scheme of coupling protein to CDI-activated OEGMA on glass.","(B) Printing of an IgG capture antibody on brush and effect of washing of surface on spot stability.","(C) Comparison of IL4 detection on poly(OEGMA) brush and on a FAST™ slide (Whatman).","FIG.","8.Applications of TdTase-mediated DNA-extension signal amplification method.","FIG.","9.Surface initiated extension of DNA by terminal transferase on biomolecular nanoarrays generated by e-beam lithography.","FIG.","10.Tapping mode AFM images in air for biomolecular arrays of different feature sizes (A-B: 0.1 μm; C-D: 4 μm) with 5′-SH—(CH2)6-T25 SAM after a 2-hour incubation with active terminal transferase (TdTase).","FIG.","11.SPR sensorgram for TdTase-mediated signal amplification with an antibody covalently conjugated with oligonucleotides.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.","This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.","Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.","Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.","The disclosures of all United States patents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.","1.Definitions “SI-ATRP” as used herein means surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.","“OEGMA” as used herein refers to oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl methacrylate.","“Biological fluid” as used herein may be any fluid of human or animal origin, including but not limited to blood, blood plasma, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, tear, mucus, and lymph fluid.","Biological fluids generally contain a mixture of different proteins therein, and typically contain other constituents such as other cells and molecules.","Biological fluids may be in their natural state or in a modified state by the addition of ingredients such as reagents or removal of one or more natural constituents (e.g., blood plasma).","“Kosmotrope”, while originally used to denote a solute that stabilized a protein or membrane, is also used by those skilled in the art, and is used herein, to denote a substituent or “head group” which, when deposited on a surface, renders that surface protein-resistant.","See, e.g., R. Kane.","P. Deschatelets and G. Whitesides, Kosmotropes Form the Basis of Protein-Resistant Surfaces, Langmuir 19, 2388-2391 (2003).","Numerous kosmotropes are known and examples include but are not limited to OEGMA.","“Polymer” as used herein is intended to encompass any type of polymer, including homopolymers, heteropolymers, co-polymers, ter-polymers, etc., and blends, combinations and mixtures thereof.","“Specific binding pair” as used herein refers to two compounds that specifically bind to one another, such as (functionally): a receptor and a ligand (such as a drug), an antibody and an antigen, etc.","; or (structurally): protein or peptide and protein or peptide; protein or peptide and nucleic acid; and nucleotide and nucleotide etc.","2.Substrates The present invention can be utilized to form surfaces on a variety of different types of substrates.","In some embodiments, the article is a label-free optical or mass detector (e.g., a surface plasmon resonance energy detector, an optical wave guide, an ellipsometry detector, etc.)","and the surface is a sensing surface (e.g., a surface portion that would be in contact with a biological fluid).","Examples of such articles include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat.","Nos.","6,579,721; 6,573,107; 6,570,657; 6,423,055; 5,991,048; 5,822,073; 5,815,278; 5,625,455; 5,485,277; 5,415,842; 4,844,613; and 4,822,135.In other embodiments, the article is a biosensor, an assay plate, or the like.","For example, the present invention may be utilized with optical biosensors such as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,313,264 to Ulf et al., U.S. Pat.","No.","5,846,842 to Herron et al., U.S. Pat.","No.","5,496,701 to Pollard-Knight et al., etc.","The present invention may be utilized with potentiometric or electrochemical biosensors, such as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,413,690 to Kost, or PCT Application WO98/35232 to Fowlkes and Thorp.","The present invention may be utilized with a diamond film biosensor, such as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","5,777,372 Thus, the solid support may be organic or inorganic; may be metal (e.g., copper or silver) or non-metal; may be a polymer or nonpolymer; may be conducting, semiconducting or nonconducting (insulating); may be reflecting or nonreflecting; may be porous or nonporous; etc.","For example, the solid support may be comprised of polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, gold, silicon, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, indium, tantalum oxide, niobium oxide, titanium, titanium oxide, platinum, iridium, indium tin oxide, diamond or diamond-like film, etc.","The present invention may be utilized with substrates for “chip-based” and “pin-based” combinatorial chemistry techniques.","All can be prepared in accordance with known techniques.","See.","e.g., U.S. Pat.","No.","5,445,934 to Fodor et al., U.S. Pat.","No.","5,288,514 to Ellman, and U.S. Pat.","No.","5,624,711 to Sundberg et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.","Substrates as described above can be formed of any suitable material, including but not limited to a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, polymers (particularly organic polymers in any suitable form including woven, nonwoven, molded, extruded, cast, etc.","), silicon, silicon oxide, and composites thereof.","Polymers used to form substrates as described herein may be any suitable polymer, including but not limited to: poly(ethylene) (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), cis and trans isomers of poly(butadiene) (PB), cis and trans isomers of poly(ispoprene), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PECL or PCL), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its homologs, poly(methyl acrylate) and its homologs, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid), polyorthoesters, poly(anhydrides), nylon, polyimides, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polybutadiene (PB), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polyacrylamide and its homologs such as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamidc), fluorinated polyacrylate (PFOA), poly(ethylene-butylene) (PEB), poly(styrcne-acrylonitrile) (SAN), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and its derivatives, polyolefin plastomers, and combinations and copolymers thereof, etc.","If desired or necessary, the substrate may have an additional layer such as a gold or an oxide layer formed on the relevant surface portion to facilitate the deposition of the linking layer, as discussed further below.","3.Linking (or “Anchor”) Layers Anchor layers used to carry out the present invention are generally formed from a compound comprising an anchor group coupled (e.g., covalently coupled) to an initiator (e.g., directly coupled or coupled through an intermediate linking group).","The choice of anchor group will depend upon the surface portion on which the linking layer is formed, and the choice of initiator will depend upon the particular reaction used to form the brush polymer as discussed in greater detail below.","The anchoring group may be selected to covalently or non-covalently couple the compound or linking layer to the surface portion.","Non-covalent coupling may be by any suitable secondary interaction, including but not limited to hydrophobic bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals interactions, ionic bonding, etc.","Examples of substrate materials and corresponding anchoring groups include, for example, gold, silver, copper, cadmium, zinc, palladium, platinum, mercury, lead, iron, chromium, manganese, tungsten, and any alloys thereof with sulfur-containing functional groups such as thiols, sulfides, disulfides (e.g., —SR or —SSR where R is H ot alkyl, typically lower alkyl, or aryl), and the like; doped or undoped silicon with silanes and chlorosilanes (e.g., —SiR2Cl wherein R is H or alkyl, typically lower alkyl, or aryl); metal oxides such as silica, alumina, quartz, glass, and the like with carboxylic acids as anchoring groups; platinum and palladium with nitrites and isonitriles; and copper with hydroxamic acids.","Additional suitable functional groups suitable as the anchoring group include benzophenones, acid chlorides, anhydrides, epoxides, sulfonyl groups, phosphoryl groups, hydroxyl groups, phosphonates, phosphonic acids, amino acid groups, amides, and the like.","See, e.g., U.S. Pat.","No.","6,413,587.Any suitable initiator may be incorporated into the anchoring group by introduction of a covalent bond at a location non-critical for the activity of the initiator.","Examples of such initiators include, but are not limited to, bromoisobutyrate, polymethyl methacrylate-Cl, polystyrene-Cl, AIBN, 2-bromoisobutyrate, chlorobenzene, hexabromomethyl benzene, hexachloromethyl benzene, dibromoxylene, methyl bromoproprionate.","Additional examples of initiators include those initators described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,413,587 to Hawker (particularly at columns 10-11 thereof) and those initiators described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,541,580 to Matyjaszewski et al.","As noted above, a linking group or “spacer” may be inserted between the anchoring group and initiator.","The linker may be polar, nonpolar, positively charged, negatively charged or uncharged, and may be, for example, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, or other hydrocarbylene, such as halogenated hydrocarbylene, particularly fluorinated hydrocarbylene.","Preferred linkers are simply saturated alkylene of 3 to 20 carbon atoms, i.e., —(CH2)4— where n is an integer of 3 to 20 inclusive.","See, e.g., U.S. Pat.","No.","6,413,587.Another preferred embodiment of the linker is an oligoethyleneglycol of 3 to 20 units, i.e., (CH2CH2O), where n ranges from 3 to 20.The anchoring layer may be deposited by any suitable technique.","It may be deposited as a self-assembled monolayer.","It may be created by modification of the substrate by chemical reaction (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.","No.","6,444,254 to Chilkoti et al.)","or by reactive plasma etching or corona discharge treatment.","It may be deposited by a plasma deposition process.","It may be deposited by spin coating or dip coating.","It may be deposited by spray painting.","It may also be deposited by deposition, printing, stamping, etc.","It may be deposited as a continuous layer or as a discontinuous (e.g., patterned) layer.","In some preferred embodiments, the substrate is glass, silicon oxide or other inorganic or semiconductor material (e.g., silicon oxide, silicon nitride) and compound semiconductors (e.g., gallium arsenide, and indium gallium arsenide) used for microarray production.","In some preferred embodiment, the anchoring group is a silane or chlorosilane (e.g., —SiR2Cl wherein R is H or alkyl, typically lower alkyl, or aryl).","4.Brush Polymer Formation The brush polymers are, in general, formed by the polymerization of monomeric core groups having a protein-resistant head group coupled thereto.","Any suitable core vinyl monomer polymerizable by the processes discussed below can be used, including but not limited to styrenes, acrylonitriles, acetates, acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides, methacrylamides, vinyl alcohols, vinyl acids, and combinations thereof.","Protein resistant groups may be hydrophilic head groups or kosmotropes.","Examples include but are not limited to oligosaccharides, tri(propyl sulfoxide), hydroxyl, glycerol, phosphorylcholine, tri(sarcosine) (Sarc), N-acetylpiperazine, permethylated sorbitol, hexamethylphosphoramide, an intramolecular zwitterion (for example, —CH2N+(CH3)2CH2CH2CH2SO3−) (ZW), and mannitol.","Additional examples of kosmotrope protein resistant head groups include, but are not limited to: -(EG)6OH; —O(Mannitol); —C(O)N(CH3)CH2(CH(OCH3))4CH2OCH3; —N(CH3)3+Cl−/—SO3−Na+; —N(CH3)2+CH2CH2SO3−; —C(O)Pip(NAc); —N(CH3)2+CH2CO2; —O([Blc-α(1,4)-Glc-β(1)-]); —C(O)(N(CH3)CH2C(O))3N(CH3)2; —N(CH3)2+CH2CH2CH2SO3; —C(O)N(CH3)CH2CH2N(CH3)P(O)(N(CH3)2)2; and —(S(O)CH2CH2CH2)3S(O)CH3.See, e.g., R. Kane et al., Langmuir 19, 2388-91 (2003)(Table 1).","A particularly preferred protein resistant head group is poly(ethylene glycol), or “PEG”, for example PEG consisting of from 3 to 20 monomeric units.","Free radical polymerization of monomers to form brush polymers can be carried out in accordance with known techniques, such as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,423,465 to Hawker et al.","; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,413,587 to Hawker et al.","; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,649,138 to Adams et al.","; US Patent Application 2003/0108879 to Klaerner et al.","; or variations thereof which will be apparent to skilled persons based on the disclosure provided herein.","Atom or transfer radical polymerization of monomers to form brush polymers can be carried out in accordance with known techniques, such as described in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,541,580 to Matyjaszewski et al.","; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,512,060 to Matyjaszewski et al.","; or US Patent Application 2003/0185741 to Matyjaszewski et al., or variations thereof which will be apparent to skilled persons based on the disclosure provided herein.","In general, the brush molecules formed by the processes described herein will be from 2 or 5 up to 50 or 100 nanometers in length, or more, and will be deposited on the surface portion at a density of from 10, 20 or 40 up to 100, 200 or 500 milligrams per meter, or more.","In some preferred embodiments, the polymer layer is formed by SI-ATRP of OEGMA to form a poly(OEGMA) film.","In particularly preferred embodiments, the polymer layer is a functionalized poly(OEGMA) film prepared (preferably in a single step) by copolymerization of a methacrylate and methyl terminated OEGMA.","For the copolymer, poly(sodium methacrylatc-co-OEGMA), or the like, the carboxylate can be converted to carboxyl acid by incubation of the copolymer in an acid such as HCl, resulting in poly(MAA-co-OEGMA)(MAA: methacrylate acid).","The poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) can be further converted to the ester in accordance with known techniques.","In other particularly preferred embodiment, copolymers of methoxy-terminated OEGMA with OH-terminated OEGMA, and the OH is directly used to conjugate molecules of all types via their available amine groups using well known coupling reactions, such as tresyl chloride conjugation and CDI chemistry.","In other particularly preferred embodiments, copolymers of methoxy-OEGMA and OH-terminated OEGMA are synthesized on the substrate by SI-ATRP, and the OH groups are converted to COOH groups by reaction with N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS), and the COOH groups are used as sites for attachment of molecules via available amine groups on the molecule.","In other preferred embodiments, the OEGMA is synthesized to directly contain a fraction of thioester groups, so as to permit direct attachment of any molecule but preferentially a protein or peptide via reaction with their N-terminal cysteine using intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.","Similarly, this approach can be reversed, so that the OEGMA polymer could contain, either as a consequence of incorporation during SI-ATRP using a suitable OEGMA-functionalized monomer or by conversion of incorporated groups (e.g., but not limited to OH or COOH groups) to a cysteine, so that a molecules such as a protein or peptide contains a C-terminal thioester, as is typically obtained by intein-mediated cleavage of a target protein or peptide of an intein fusion could be covalently attached via its thioester to the cysteine groups presented on the termini of the OEGMA polymer.","Proteins, peptides, antibodies, oligonucleotides or nucleic acids (such as DNAs) (e.g., 3-50 nucleotides in length) or other members of a binding pair can be deposited on the polymer layer, typically after introduction of a carboxyl group therein, by any suitable technique such as microprinting or microstamping.","Microarrays or nanoarrays of oligonucleotides can be formed on the substrates by any suitable technique, such as e-beam lithography.","5.Uses and Applications of Articles In some embodiments the present invention is utilized by (a) providing an article as described herein, the article further comprising a first member of a specific binding pair such as a protein, peptide, oligonucleotide, peptide nucleic acid or the like covalently coupled to the brush molecule, the first member preferably consisting essentially of a single preselected molecule; and then (b) contacting the article to a biological fluid or other composition; containing a second member of the specific binding pair, wherein the second member of the specific binding pair binds to the surface portions.","Such uses are particularly appropriate where the article is a sensor or biosensor as described in greater detail above.","Binding of the second member of the specific binding pair can be achieved by any suitable technique.","In some embodiments the binding is preferably carried out by sandwich assay.","In some embodiments the binding may be detected by extension of a nucleic acid such as a DNA with terminal transferase to form an extended nucleic acid, which extended nucleic acid may be detected by any suitable technique.","Terminal transferase (e.g., TdTase) is known, and methods of elongating nucleic acids (or shorter oligonucleotides), to produce extended nucleic acids (or longer oligonucleotides) or extension products, and methods of detecting such extension products can be carried out in accordance with known techniques or variations thereof that will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the instant disclosure and known methods of using terminal transferase as described in (for example) U.S. Pat.","Nos.","6,911,305; 6,864,060; 6,709,816; 6,642,375; 6,406,890; 6,323,337; 6,136,531; 5,824,514; 5,397,698; and 5,344,757.The present invention is explained in greater detail in the following non-limiting Examples.","EXPERIMENTAL The science community has recently witnessed an explosive development of microarray technique as one of the high-throughput screening strategies.","Although with great success, the development of microarray technique is also accompanied with obstacles.","One particular bottleneck for the development of microarray technique is the surface chemistry of microarray substrate.","Typical materials used as microarray substrates, for example, poly(vinylidene fluoride), nitrocellulose, nylon, poly(L-lysine), silane, and ethylene-glycol self-assembled monolayer suffer from problems such as high level of nonspecific adsorption and/or low loading density (Zhu, Jun et al.","2001).","Here, we have successfully demonstrated the “modular design of initiator” strategy to be generally applicable in creating non-fouling surfaces using poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) (FIG.","1).","To highlight the potential applications of this non-fouling surface, we incorporated functional groups into the coating materials as binding sites and conjugated them with antibodies for the detection of cytokines in a microarray format (FIG.","2).","Other detection schemes using DNA/RNA aptamers and enzymatic amplification can be easily incorporated into this surface modification platform to further improve the detection sensitivity (FIG.","8).","Other than proteins, this technology is also applicable to micro- and nano-array detection systems for other biomolecules such as cDNA, (Schena, Shalon et al.","1995) small molecules, (MacBeath, Koehler et al.","1999) peptides, (Houseman, Huh et al.","2002) oligosaccharides, (Fukui, Feizi et al.","2002) and carbohydrates, (Houseman and Mrksich 2002; Wang, Liu et al.","2002), which have been demonstrated to be powerful tools in drug discovery, medical diagnostics, proteomic and genomic profiling, and other biotechnological applications.","FIG.","1.Schematic illustration of “SI-ATRP of OEGMA” strategy for creating functionalized non-fouling surfaces and molecular structure of silane initiator (11-(2-Bromo-2-methyl)propionyloxy)undccyl trichlorosilane.","SiO2 wafers were cleaned with a mixture of NH4OH:H2O2:H2O (1:1:5, v/v/v) (Ma, Hyun et al.","2004) and glass slides were cleaned with a1% RBS solution and a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of methanol:HCl before used immediately for silanization.","Under N2 atmosphere, the initiator-silane was deposited on silicon oxide substrate by vapor deposition and on cleaned glass slides by incubating with silane in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran.","SI-ATRP was carried out as reported previously (Perruchot, Khan et al.","2001; Ma, Hyun et al.","2004).","Briefly, under nitrogen, polymerization was initiated by adding the reaction mixture containing CuBr, bipyridine, and OEGMA in deionized water and methanol to the flask and was continued for a specified time.","The samples were pulled out of the solution to stop the polymerization, rinsed with methanol and dried under flowing N2 gas.","FIG.","2.Schematic representation of microarray fabrication.","The carboxyl functionalized polymer coated slides were immersed into HCl solution and then NHS/EDAC solution.","Each test slide was robotically printed with 12 identical 8×5 arrays using a Microsys 5100 microarrayer in an atmospherically controlled chamber.","For each array, rows 1 and 8 were biotinylated BSA (B-BSA), regarded as positive control.","Row 2 was BSA as negative control.","Rows 3-7 were capture antibodies for human IL-1β, TNF-α, VEGF, IL-6, and TGF-β3, respectively.","Prior to printing, the pin was sequentially cleaned in 5% Micro-Cleaning Solution.","The printed arrays were immersed into sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH=8.5) for deactivation.","Stock solutions of cocktail of cytokines/growth factors were prepared and diluted for dose-response studies.","Each slide was directly incubated with cytokine solution.","After three aspiration/wash cycles, each array was incubated with a cocktail containing a mixture of five biotinylated detection antibodies and then with streptavidin-Cy5.Finally, slides were scanned, imaged, and analyzed using a GenePix 4000B microarray scanner and GenePix 5.0 software.","FIG.","3.Quasi-three dimensional, functionalized non-fouling films were prepared via SI-ATRP of OEGMA from modified glass slides.","Functionalized poly(OEGMA) films were prepared in one step by copolymerization of sodium methacrylate and methyl terminated OEGMA.","In order to achieve a higher density, the silane initiator layer on glass was formed by dipping glass slides into silane initiator solution instead of vapor deposition.","For copolymer poly(sodium methacrylate-co-OEGMA), the carboxylate was converted to carboxyl acid by incubation of copolymer in 1 M HCl, resulted in poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) (MAA: methyacrylate acid).","This poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) was further converted to ester by incubation in N-hydroxysuccinimide/N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (NHS/EDC) solution.","FIG.","4.The formation of initiator-silane SAM and poly(OEGMA) film was confirmed by XPS (A).","The polymerization introduced unique Br peaks (with an atomic percentage (AT.","%) of ˜5 AT.","% based on Br3d at ˜69 eV) at the low end of binding energy (BE) in the survey scan of initiator-silane SAM when compared with the spectrum of silicon oxide surface, and also increased carbon content from 1.2 to 49.3 AT.","%.","The later caused the AT.","% of Si, to drop from 18.3 for silicon oxide surface to 17.8 for a thin film and further down to 4.3 for a thick film due to enhanced attenuation effect posed by the increased poly(OEGMA) thickness.","The poly(OEGMA) films (thickness of 95 Å) exhibited an XPS C/O ratio of 2.5, which is somewhat greater than the stoichiometric value of 2.1 for poly(OEGMA).","The polymerization and conversion of poly(sodium methacrylate-co-OEGMA) (thickness ˜10 nm) was also confirmed by XPS study (B).","Before and after NHS/EDC activation, survey scan showed no difference for poly(OEGMA) while the same treatment showed a new N15 peak at ˜399 eV for functionalized copolymer coating.","The final ratio of OEGMA and sodium methacrylate is determined using XPS core scan: one can roughly estimate the final composition to be 1/1.5 for OEGMA/sodium methacrylate, which is dramatically different from the initial feed ratio of 50/1.This radical change is probably due to the difference in polymerization kinetics for the two different species: OEGMA has a low incorporation rate because of its steric hindrance.","The conversion of COOH to NHS is assumed to be 100%.","FIG.","5.The protein resistance of the poly(OEGMA) brushes was tested by the adsorption of fibronectin (Fn), bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (Ly) (all proteins at 1 mg/ml in PBS, pH=7.4), and undiluted fetal bovine serum (FBS).","Poly(OEGMA) modified and the control (initiator-modified) silicon wafers were immersed into a protein solution for 1 h, rinsed with buffer, dried under nitrogen stream, and the thickness of the adsorbed protein layer was measured by ellipsometry.","The thickness of the protein layer (dy) is a function of the poly(OEGMA) film thickness (dx).","The thickness of the adsorbed protein on the control surface varied depending upon the protein, ranging from ˜10 Å (Ly) to ˜25 Å for the other proteins and serum.","In contrast, the poly(OEGMA) brush with ˜14 Å thickness showed significantly less protein adsorption of all proteins and of serum.","Increasing the thickness of the poly(OEGMA) brush to ˜95 Å (and beyond, data not shown) eliminated the adsorption of all proteins and most notably that of serum to below the 1 Å detection limit of ellipsometry.","These results are consistent with our previous results (Ma, Hyun et al.","2004) that a dense and thick poly(OEGMA) brush completely resists protein adsorption from solution.","FIG.","6.OEGMA brushes were polymerized directly on a spun-cast film of poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) film without initiator to demonstrate that SI-ATRP can be performed on polymers in a straightforward and facile manner.","Briefly, clean glass slides were treated with adhesion promoter hexamethyldisilazane followed by spinning on a 1% (w/v) solution of PVBC in toluene at 3000 rpm for one minute, and then drying at 80° C. for 20 min.","Ellipsometric measurements showed uniform PVBC film thicknesses of 35±1 nm.","The OEGMA polymerization was carried out in an oxygen-free environment using CuBr/bipyridine as catalyst in a water/methanol mixture containing OEGMA monomer.","Figure C.2.8B shows the XPS C(1s) spectra of PVBC coated substrates before (PVBC) and after (PVBC-POEGMA) SI-ATRP of OEGMA.","The C(1s) spectrum of Poly(OEGMA) brushes grown on silicon using a silane initiator (POEGMA) is shown for comparison.","The PVBC-POEGMA spectrum exhibits the formation of an ester peak at 289 eV, as well as a shift in the peaks at 286.7 and 285 eV, to closely mirror the spectrum of Poly(OEGMA) grown from silane initiator.","Furthermore, the close match in carbon and oxygen atomic percentages found in the PVBC-POEGMA (70.5% C/29.0% O) and POEGMA (70.0% C/29.9% O) samples contrasted sharply with the atomic percentages found in the PVBC sample (91.5% C/0.5% O).","The results indicate that halogenated polymers, be they intrinsic or covalently grafted, can be modified with a coating of poly(OEGMA) through the use of dip or spin coated halogenated films.","FIG.","7.SI-ATRP of hydroxyl terminated OEGMA on glass and silicon yielded OEGMA films with an ellipsometric thickness of 10 nm.","The hydroxyl groups of the polymer brush were then activated with a 0.5M solution of 1,1-Carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) in dry dioxane at 37° C. for 2 hours.","The conversion of hydroxyl terminated OEGMA to OEGMA-CDI was confirmed by the appearance of a new N1s XPS peak at ˜399 cV due to the presence of the imidazolyl carbamate group introduced during CDI activation.","This intermediate imidazolyl carbamate is readily displaced by amine-containing proteins, resulting in stable carbamate linkages between OEGMA coatings and proteins.","Attachment of proteins to the nonfouling OEGMA coatings on glass was achieved by introducing chemically reactive carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) groups into the polymerized brush.","SI-ATRP of OEGMA yielded films of hydroxy-terminated ethylene glycol “stalks” on a methacrylate “core” (see FIG.","7A).","Proteins were then conjugated through accessible amino groups FIG.","7B shows the fluorescence image of Cy-5 labeled anti-IL-4 capture antibody robotically printed and chemically tethered to CDI-activated OEGMA brushes on glass before and after a wash step.","FIG.","7C compares the dose-response curves of IL-4 fluoroimmunoassay on CDI-activated OEGMA microarray and on a commercially available nitrocellulose microarray slide (FAST, Whatman).","Features to note here are (1) the regions adjacent to the printed capture antibody in FIG.","6B are virtually black owing to the ultra-low background fluorescence of poly(OEGMA), (2) the poly(OEGMA) microarray is greater than 10-100× more sensitive than FAST slides owing to the complete resistance of the poly(OEGMA) to the non-specific adsorption of protein during the analyte incubation process, and (3) CDI immobilization chemistry clearly retains the activity of the tethered capture antibody (poly(OEGMA) microarrays can detect down to 1 pg/ml IL-4!).","FIG.","8.Applications of TdTase-mediated DNA-extension signal amplification method.","The antibody-based sandwich-type protein detection scheme (A) can be easily combined or replaced with our technique.","For example, the secondary antibody can be attached with short oligonucleotides (B) or substituted with an aptamer designed for a target molecule (C), and then extended at the 3′ end by TdTase.","For nucleic acid detection, target genes can be chemically grafted at their 3′ end to a surface and cDNA that is hybridized to the target gene can be extended at its 3′ end for signal amplification (D).","In addition, molecular beacons containing target genes can be chemically grafted to a surface at their 5′ end.","The binding of cDNA to the target gene causes unfolding of the molecular beacon so that its 3′ end becomes accessible for extension by TdTase (E).","FIG.","9.Surface initiated extension of DNA by terminal transferase on biomolecular nanoarrays generated by e-beam lithography.","An electron-sensitive resist layer (130 nm) of poly(methylmethacrylate) was spin-coated onto the cleaned Si substrate and annealed, and then patterned by exposure to an electron beam using a scanning electron microscope (A).","A layer of chromium (50 Å) and a layer of gold (300 Å) were deposited by e-beam evaporation onto the patterned PMMA/Si to obtain geometrically well-defined gold features on the exposed SiO2 surface (B).","The gold-coated resist was lifted-off, leaving behind gold patterns of 35 nm height on the Si substrate (C).","A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of an oligonucleotide was prepared on the patterned gold arrays by incubation in a reduced DNA-thiol solution overnight (D).","Enzymatic DNA extension was performed by incubating the patterned oligonucleotide arrays with TdTase in the presence of cobalt-containing buffer and 2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-triphosphate (dTTP) at 37° C. for 2 h (E).","FIG.","10.Tapping mode AFM images in air for biomolecular arrays of different feature sizes (A-B: 0.1 μm; C-D: 4 m) with 5′-SH—(CH2)6-T25 SAM after a 2-hour incubation with active terminal transferase (TdTase).","Insets are the images of A and C at a higher magnification (1 μm×1 μm).","B and D are the line profiles of A and C. Dotted lines represent the average height of gold arrays and immobilized DNA SAM.","Poly(T) oligonucleotides were successfully extended on gold arrays with different lateral feature sizes.","There are four significant observations from these experiments: (1) The average heights of the synthesized DNA nanostructures on gold features of 0.1 and 4 μm sides (minus the average height of gold arrays and immobilized DNA SAM) were 45.5±5.2 nm and 120.7±9.3 nm, respectively (B and D).","The significant height increase suggests that the TdTase catalyzed polymerization of dTTP was successful.","(2) The height of the DNA nanostructures grown by TdTase appears to be dependent upon the lateral feature size of the underlying gold patterns, with significantly lower extension observed for smaller feature size.","This trend might be related to decreased steric accessibility of TdTase for the immobilized DNA as the feature size becomes smaller.","(3) Images at a higher magnification for the 100 nm gold features showed that the DNA nanostructures had a lateral feature size of 358.5±10.0 nm (full width at half maximum, Figure A inset) and exhibited significant lateral extension.","(4) DNA growth appeared to be heterogeneous and resulted in a layer of DNA with a RMS roughness of 13.6±0.6 nm for the 4 μm gold features (Figure C inset) vs. 0.23±0.02 nm for bare gold.","In addition, these DNA nanostructures were less compact than those for 100 nm gold features, suggesting that their molecular weights were also affected by the lateral feature size.","FIG.","11.To test whether TdTase can extend oligonucleotides conjugated to an antibody, we ran a SPR experiment with a DNA-antibody complex conjugated through streptavidin-biotin interactions.","Twenty microliters of biotinylated goat α-mouse antibody at 100 μg/ml was injected to a bare gold SPR chip (5 nm Cr and 35 nm Au), followed by a 10-minute PBS wash.","Binding measurements and extension reactions were run at 37° C. at flowrate of 1 μl/min with PBS as washing buffer.","Twenty microliters of streptavidin at 100 μg/ml, twenty microliters of biotin-T25 at 10 μM, and sixty microliters of TdTase (0.6 U/μl) and dTTP (1 mM) in cobalt-containing buffer were injected sequentially, with a 10-minute PBS wash after each injection.","There was an increase in RU of ˜4,000, indicating that DNA conjugated on the antibody can be extended by TdTase (FIG.","3A).","In some embodiments, the present invention provides one or more of the following features: 1) Fast and stable immobilization.","For most surface substrates, capture reagents are usually physisorbed on the surface.","In contrast, poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films provide a convenient way of covalently immobilizing capture reagents on the surface without protection and de-protection chemistry.","The ester group (C(O)—NHS) is well known for fast protein coupling (Hermanson 1996) and can be easily introduced to the poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) platform through a two-step chemistry (FIG.","2).","The superior tolerance of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) to functional groups exhibited in this case as the direct introduction of COOH terminal functional group.","The reaction has been demonstrated to complete within a few seconds under a moisturized environment instead of aqueous surrounding (Hyun, Ahn et al.","2002).","The excess C(O)—NHS groups can be easily deactivated by incubation of sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH=8.5), which is better than aldehyde slides that used BSA to neutralize (MacBcath and Schreiber 2000).","To further optimize the polymer matrix, methyl terminated OEGMA (n=9) and OH terminated OEGMA (n=12) were copolymerized.","The different n values were chosen so that OH functional will be more accessible for the immobilization of protein and other ligands.","The OH functional group can either be directly used or be further converted to COOH group as demonstrated in our previous paper (Hyun, Ma et al.","2002).","In an alternative approach, proteins can be coupled through their amine groups to the OH groups present in the poly(OEGMA) after activation of the OH groups using CDI (Hermanson 1996) (FIG.","7A).","This approach gives consistent and reproducible attachment of proteins.","2) Low and consistent background.","Poly(MAA-co-OEGMA), unlike nitrocellulose-coated, aldehyde-coated, epoxy-coated and silylated slides (Li, Nath et al.","2003; Li and Reichert 2003), has minimal level of auto-fluorescence emission, of which majority is originated from the underlying glass substrate.","In addition, poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films showed no sign of nonspecific adsorption of detection reagents (antibodies) to substrates (FIGS.","5 and 6).","The same is true of the CDI-actiavetd protein microarray, a s seen in FIG.","7C.","These films also showed a consistent level of background, regardless of cytokine concentration (10 pg/ml to 10 ng/ml), even for cytokines in serum (˜55 mg/ml protein mixture) (Elbert and Hubbell 1996), or E. coli lysate, and is very close to their unprocessed counterpart, even without any blocking step.","The overall background of poly(MAA-co-OEGMA)-coated surfaces and other similar functionalized poly(OEGMA)-based matrixes is 100 times lower than that of nitrocellulose-coated one (FAST™ slides).","The advantages of low and consistent background are: 1) it enables the detection of a target biomolecule in complex biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, or cell lysate and 2) low auto-fluorescence also improves detection sensitivity and increases the detection limit for various assays.","Current detection limits of better than 0.1 pg/ml cytokine can be easily achieved.","3) High loading density.","The loading density of capture reagent, target biomolecules, and detection reagent is substantially increased as a result of the increased surface to volume ratio for the quasi three dimensional poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films (FIG.","2) when compared with planar EG-SAM based substrates (Houseman and Mrksich 2002), but lower than the 3D gel pad system, which unfortunately suffers from the problem of high level of nonspecific adsorption (Arenkov, Kukhtin et al.","2000).","OEG terminated SAM (Houseman and Mrksich 2002) as well as PLL-g-PEG (Ruiz-Taylor, Martin et al.","2001) system have been used but showed limited success.","The former suffered from low loading density and the later suffered from poor performance under complex solution (FBS) due to its low density of PEG coating as well as limited stability.","4) Applicable for biomolecular detection in the microarray and nanoarray format.","The ultra-low background of poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films not only eliminates the need of blocking, but also significantly improves the quality of the signal originated from the target biomolecules (FIGS.","2 and 7).","Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is widely used as a blocking material but there is evidence shown that adsorbed BSA affects protein binding or ligand-receptor interaction (MacBeath, Koehler et al.","1999).","The elimination of the blocking step provides substantial benefit for biomolecular detection, especially for microarrays with spot size of sub-micron length scale, where the signal-to-noise ratios can be severely reduced by the presence of BSA molecules.","5) Application to other receptor-analyte pairs.","The sandwich-type detection scheme employed on our poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) platform is not limited to the use of antibodies as capture and detection agents.","Other detection modalities such as DNA/RNA aptamers can be easily incorporated and further modified to the detection of other biomolecules.","The advantages of using DNA/RNA aptamers are their superior thermal and chemical stability, lower cost of synthesis, and ease of modification to achieve high binding affinity (Bock, Griffin et al.","1992; Macaya, Schultze et al.","1993).","6) Signal amplification for antibody-based biomolecular detection.","To achieve ultra-high sensitivity, we developed an amplification technique with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdTase), an enzyme that repeatedly adds mononucleotides to the 3′ end of single- or double-stranded DNA/RNA (FIG.","8).","The addition of these nucleotides at their 3′ end of the target DNA significantly increases the detectable signal.","There are several ways that we can combine or replace antibody-based sandwich-type protein detection methods with signal amplification by TdTase-mediated DNA extension: 1) secondary antibodies can be attached with short oligonucleotides, which are amplified by TdTase.","Short oligonucleotides can be randomly attached to lysine resides of antibodies or site-specifically attached to the Fe region only, so that the extension of multiple oligonucleotides on the antibody would provide further signal amplification, and 2) secondary antibodies can be completely replaced with an aptamer designed for a target molecule, which is then extended at its 3′ end by TdTase.","7) Signal amplification for DNA-based biomolecular detection.","For the ultra-sensitive nucleic acid detection such as DNA microarray, target genes can be chemically grafted at their 3′ end to a poly(MAA-co-OEGMA)-coated surface and cDNA prepared from a sample that is hybridized to the target gene can be extended at its 3′ end for signal amplification (FIG.","8).","In addition, molecular beacons without fluorophores containing target genes can be chemically grafted at their 5′ end (FIG.","8).","The binding of cDNA in a sample to the target gene causes unfolding of the molecular beacon so that its 3′ end is no longer hybridized to anther part of the beacon and becomes accessible for extension by TdTase.","This triggered approach can potentially further cut down background.","8) Highly adaptable to a variety of detection methods.","Signals amplified by TdTase can be detected by a variety of methods: 1) direct detection of the unlabeled DNA tag using the atomic force microscopy (AFM) (FIGS.","9 and 10), direct detetcio using SPR spectroscopy (FIG.","11) 3) incorporate radiolabeled nucleotides (3H, 14C, and 32P) directly in growing DNA chain for radioactive detection, 4) incorporate stable isotope labeled nucleotides in growing DNA chain and detect by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), 5) incorporate fluorophores directly into the DNA chain followed by fluorescence detection, 6) incorporate nucleotides containing amino acids, to which fluorophores are attached, for more efficient attachment than with fluorophore-labeled nucleotides, and 7) indirect detection by hybridization of the extended DNA tag with a complementary full-length DNA strand or short oligonucleotides functionalized with metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, fluorophores, or radionuclides without directly incorporating labeled nucleotides into the DNA chain.","REFERENCES (1) U.S. Patent Documents 1.U.S.","Pat.","No.","6,867,289 Gorenstein, David G.; Luxon, Bruce A.; Herzog, Norbert; Aronson, Judy, Thio-modified aptamer synthetic methods and compositions.","2.U.S.","Pat.","No.","6,815,078 Qiao, Tiecheng A.; Leon, Jeffrey W.; Pcnncr, Thomas L.; Yang, Zhihao, Substrate for protein microarray containing functionalized polymer.","3.U.S.","Pat.","No.","6,582,926 Chilkoti, Ashutosh, Methods of using bioelastomers.","4.U.S.","Pat.","No.","6,444,254 Chilkoti, Ashutosh; Yang, Zhongping, Microstamping activated polymer surfaces.","5.U.S.","Pat.","No.","5,840,867 Toole, John J.; Griffin, Linda C.; Bock, Louis C.; Latham, John A., Aptamer analogs specific for biomolecules.","6.U.S.","Pat.","No.","5,582,981 Toole, John J.; Latham, John; Bock, Louis C.; Griffin, Linda C., Method for identifying an oligonucleotide aptamer specific for a target.","(2) Other References Arcnkov, P., A. 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Huh, et al.","(2002).","“Peptide chips for the quantitative evaluation of protein kinase activity.” Nature Biotechnology 20(3): 270-274.Houseman, B. T. and M. Mrksich (2002).","“Carbohydrate arrays for the evaluation of protein binding and enzymatic modification.” Chemistry & Biology 9(4): 443-454.Hyun, J., S. Ahn, et al.","(2002).","“Molecular recognition-mediated fabrication of protein nanostructures by dip-pen lithography.” Nanoletters 2(11): 1203-1207.Hyun, J., H. Ma, et al.","(2002).","“Micropatterns of a cell-adhesive peptide on an amphiphilic comb polymer film.” Langmuir 18(8): 2975-2979.Kingshott, P., H. Thissen, et al.","(2002).","“Effects of cloud-point grafting, chain length, and density of PEG layers on competitive adsorption of ocular proteins.” Biomaterials 23(9): 2043-2056.Knoll, D. and J. Hermans (1983).","“Polymer-protein interactions—comparison of experiment and excluded volume theory.” Journal of Biological Chemistry 258(9): 5710-5715.Li, Y. W., N. Nath, et al.","(2003).","“Parallel comparison of sandwich and direct label assay protocols on cytokine detection protein arrays.” Analytical Chemistry 75(19): 5274-5281.Li, Y. W. and W. M. Reichert (2003).","“Adapting cDNA microarray format to cytokine detection protein arrays.” Langmuir 19(5): 1557-1566.Ma, H., J. Hyun, et al.","(2004).","“Non-fouling” oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized polymer brushers synthesized by surface-initated atom transfer radical polymerization.” Advanced Materials 16 (No.","4): 338-341.Macaya, R. F., P. Schultze, et al.","(1993).","“Thrombin-Binding Dna Aptamer Forms A Unimolecular Quadruplex Structure In Solution.” Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 90(8): 3745-3749.MacBeath, G., A. N. Koehler, et al.","(1999).","“Printing small molecules as microarrays and detecting protein-ligand interactions en masse.” Journal of the American Chemical Society 121(34): 7967-7968.MacBeath, G. and S. L. Schreiber (2000).","“Printing proteins as microarrays for high-throughput function determination.” Science 289(5485): 1760-1763.Nagasaki, Y., T. Ishii, et al.","(2001).","“PEG-modified Nanoparticles for New Molecular Recognition.” European Cells and Materials 6.Suppl.","1: 23.Perruchot, C., M. A. Khan, et al.","(2001).","“Synthesis of well-defined, polymer-grafted silica particles by aqueous ATRP.” Langmuir 17(15): 4479-4481.Ratner, B., F. Schoen, et al.","(1996).","Biomaterials science: an introduction to materials in medicine.","San Diego, Academic Press.","Ruiz-Taylor, L. A., T. L. Martin, et al.","(2001).","“Monolayers of derivatized poly(L-lysine)-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) on metal oxides as a class of biomolecular interfaces.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 98(3): 852-857.Schena, M., D. Shalon, et al.","(1995).","“Quantitative Monitoring of Gene-Expression Patterns with a Complementary-DNA Microarray.” Science 270(5235): 467-470.Seeberger, P. H. and W. C. Haase (2000).","“Solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis and combinatorial carbohydrate libraries.” Chemical Reviews 100(12): 4349-4393.StJohn, P. M. and H. G. Craighead (1996).","“Microcontact printing and pattern transfer using trichlorosilanes on oxide substrates.” Applied Physics Letters 68(7): 1022-1024.Ulman, A.","(1996).","“Formation and structure of self-assembled monolayers.” Chemical Reviews 96(4): 1533-1554.Vijayendran, R. A. and D. E. Leckband (2001).","“A quantitative assessment of heterogeneity for surface-immobilized proteins.” Analytical Chemistry 73(3): 471-480.Wang, D. N., S. Y. Liu, et al.","(2002).","“Carbohydrate microarrays for the recognition of cross-reactive molecular markers of microbes and host cells.” Nature Biotechnology 20(3): 275-281.Wasserman, S. R., Y. T. Tao, et al.","(1989).","“Structure and reactivity of alkylsiloxane monolayers formed by reaction of alkyltrichlorosilanes on silicon substrates.” Lanamuir 5(4): 1074-1087.Xia, Y. N., M. Mrksich, et al.","(1995).","“Microcontact Printing of Octadecylsiloxane on the Surface of Silicon Dioxide and Its Application in Microfabrication.” Journal of the American Chemical Society 117(37): 9576-9577.Yang, Z. H., J.","A. Galloway, et al.","(1999).","“Protein interactions with poly(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayers on glass substrates: Diffusion and adsorption.” Lanmuir 15(24): 8405-8411.Zhu, H. and M. Snyder (2003).","“Protein chip technology.” Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 7(1): 55-63.Zhu, X., Y. Jun, et al.","(2001).","“Grafting of high-density poly(ethylene glycol) monolayers on Si(111).” Langmuir 17(25): 7798-7803.Zhu, X. Y., Y. Jun, et al.","(2001).","“Grafting of high-density poly(ethylene glycol) monolayers on Si(111).” Langmuir 17(25): 7798-7803.The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof.","The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"NON-FOULING POLYMERIC SURFACE MODIFICATION AND SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION METHOD FOR BIOMOLECULAR DETECTION\",\n \"An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described.\",\n \"The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.)\",\n \"coupled to the brush molecules.\",\n \"The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon.\",\n \"Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion.\",\n \"Methods of using the articles are also described.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A biomolecular detector, comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on said surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on said linking layer by the process of surface-initiated polymerization of monomeric units thereon, with each of said monomeric units comprising a monomer core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on said surface portion; said brush molecule comprising a stem formed from the polymerization of said monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from said head group projecting from said stem; and (d) a first member of a specific binding pair coupled to said brush molecule.\",\n \"2-42.\",\n \"(canceled)\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Glass and silicon oxide are widely used substrates for biosensors, clinical immunoassay diagnostics, and cell culture (Ratner, Schoen et al.\",\n \"1996) and as solid supports for the synthesis of peptides, carbohydrates, and DNA (Seeberger and Haase 2000).\",\n \"The modification of silicon oxide to modulate protein and cell interactions has proven to challenging for a number of technical reasons: 1) the formation of silane self-assembled monolaycrs (SAMs), the most common route to functionalize glass and other metal oxides, is complicated by the sensitivity of most silanes to humidity and their propensity to form polymeric multi-layers (Wasserman, Tao et al.\",\n \"1989; Ulman 1996).\",\n \"2) As is typical to most “grafting to” approaches, the passivation of silicon oxide by grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the surface using silane chemistry (Emoto, Harris et al.\",\n \"1996; Yang, Galloway et al.\",\n \"1999) does not provide a high surface density of PEG due to the excluded volume effect (Knoll and Hermans 1983).\",\n \"Consequently, grafted PEG coatings on glass decrease the adsorption of proteins, but do not reduce their adsorption below the nominal limit of several ng/cm 2 (Zhu, Jun et al.\",\n \"2001).\",\n \"Several approaches such as the sequential grafting of PEGs of different chain lengths (Nagasaki, Ishii et al.\",\n \"2001) and cloud-point grafting of PEG (Kingshott, Thissen et al.\",\n \"2002) have been taken to solve this problem, but only with limited success.\",\n \"3) It is also difficult to stamp silanes onto glass with the ease and reproducibility with which alkanethiols can be patterned by micro-contact printing and other soft lithography methods so that the patterning of PEG on to glass by soft lithography has only been marginally successful (Xia, Mrksich et al.\",\n \"1995; StJohn and Craighead 1996).\",\n \"For the detection of a variety of biological molecules such as protein, RNA, and DNA in complex biological fluids, the minimization of non-specific protein binding plays a very important in improving the detection limit and sensitivity.\",\n \"The reduction of adsorption of protein and other biomolecules is important for the development of interfacial sensors for two reasons: first, for the broad class of sensors that are label-free, i.e., in which the binding event is directly transduced as the detected signal (e.g., surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, localized or nanoparticle-based surface plasmon resonance (nanoSPR), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), ellipsometry, gravimetric sensors such as quartz-crystal microbalance dissipation (QCM-D) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, etc.)\",\n \"reduction of protein adsorption to ultra-low levels (<1 ng/sq.\",\n \"cm) is critical to generate a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by reducing the noise due to adventitious adsorption.\",\n \"For the class of interfacial sensors that use a label to generate the detected signal, the elimination of background adsorption is similarly important to reduce noise.\",\n \"Finally, for the class of sensors that incorporate an amplification step prior to or during generation of the detected signal, the effective elimination of adventitious adsorption or binding of biomolecules or other reagents is critical, as adventitiously bound molecules can be amplified, so that the increase in signal (S) afforded by the amplification step is in many cases compromised by the concomitant amplification of the background noise (N), so that the gains in SNR are modest, at best.\",\n \"The increasing technological push towards ultra-sensitive detection in biomolecular arrays—DNA, protein and carbohydrate—similarly requires extremely low background signals so that a high SNR can be attained (Zhu and Snyder 2003).\",\n \"However, most commercially available chemical surface modifications usually have high auto-fluorescence or non-specific binding of reagents and analytes.\",\n \"This issue is increasingly crucial when the spot size of commonly used microarrays becomes smaller and smaller, even down to the sub-micron length scale.\",\n \"Although some of the current surface modification techniques work well for microarrays (Zhu and Snyder 2003), the routine use of micro- and nano-arrays for biomolecules still poses substantial challenges in engineering a detection system that is capable of resisting non-specific adsorption of biomolecules down to the pg/cm 2 level and allows direct detection of analytes without elaborate and expensive amplification techniques.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is an article (preferably a biomolecular detector or biosensor such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the article comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on the linking layer, preferably by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon.\",\n \"Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion.\",\n \"The brush molecule preferably comprises a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the head group projecting from the stem; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.)\",\n \"coupled to the brush molecule.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the member of a specific binding pair further comprises an extended nucleic acid conjugated thereto, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase (TdTase).\",\n \"In some embodiments, wherein the first member is a first nucleic acid, the detector optionally further comprising a second nucleic acid as a second member of the binding pair hybridized to the first member.\",\n \"Some embodiments thereof further comprise an extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase coupled to either the first or second nucleic acid.\",\n \"In some embodiments, particularly where the first member of the binding pair is a protein or peptide, the detector further comprises: a second member of the specific binding pair coupled to the first member of the specific binding pair, an antibody specifically bound to the second member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto; and an extended nucleotide coupled to the first nucleotide, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.\",\n \"A second aspect of the present invention is a method of making an article (preferably a biomolecular detector such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate having a surface portion; (b) depositing a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) forming a polymer layer on the linking layer by the process of surface-initiated polymerization of monomeric units thereon, with each of the monomeric units comprising a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion; the brush molecule comprising a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the hydrophilic head group projecting from the stem.\",\n \"In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of methoxy-terminated OEGMA and hydroxy-terminated OEGMA.\",\n \"Such embodiments may further comprise the step of coupling a compound (e.g., a first member of a specific binding pair) having an amine group to the hydroxy group via the amine group.\",\n \"In other embodiments the polymer comprises of vinyl monomer bearing other head groups such as hydroxyl (OH), glycerol, or groups known in the art as kosmotropes (see, e.g., Kane et al., infra).\",\n \"In some embodiments the copolymer is synthesized on the surface portion by SI-ATRP, wherein the hydroxy groups are converted to COOH groups by any suitable reaction such as reaction with N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS), and wherein the amine groups are coupled to the COOH.\",\n \"In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of OEGMA and sodium methacrylate, the copolymer having sodium carboxylate groups.\",\n \"In some embodiments the sodium carboxylate group is converted to a COOH group by reaction with an acid such as HCl, and a protein or peptide is coupled to the COOH groups via their N-terminal amine or lysine residues (by any suitable reaction such as NHS/EDC coupling).\",\n \"In some embodiments the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA containing of thioester groups; and wherein the the member of a specific binding pair is coupled to the thioester group.\",\n \"In some embodiments the first member of a specific binding pair is a protein or peptide having an N-terminal cysteine, and wherein the coupling step is carried out by reaction with the N-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.\",\n \"In some embodiments wherein the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA contains cysteine groups, and the member of a specific binding pair contains a C-terminal thioester, the coupling step is carried out by reaction of the C-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention, the surface portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, polymers, silicon, silicon oxide, and composites thereof.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is continuous; in some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is patterned.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer comprises an initiator-terminated alkanethiol.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP); in some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by free radical polymerization.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the article further comprises a protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid covalently coupled to the brush molecule.\",\n \"In some embodiments the protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid coupled to the brush molecule or to the surface consist of or consist essentially of a single preselected molecule (this is, one such molecule is coupled to the surface portion via the brush molecule, to the exclusion of other different molecules).\",\n \"The preselected molecule may be a member of a specific binding pair, such as a receptor.\",\n \"A further aspect of the invention is a method of detecting a second member of a specific binding pair nucleotide in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a detector as described herein; (b) contacting a sample (e.g., an aqueous sample or biological fluid) suspected of containing the second member to the detector; and then (c) determining the presence or absence of binding of the second member to the first member, the presence of binding indicating the presence of the second member in the sample.\",\n \"The determining step can be carried out by any suitable technique, but preferably involves directly or indirectly conjugating an elongated nucleic acid to the second member, the elongated nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.\",\n \"In some embodiments the first member is a probe nucleotide and second member is a target nucleotide.\",\n \"In such embodiments the determining step may comprise (i) elongating the target nucleotide with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.\",\n \"In some embodiments the probe nucleotide comprises a beacon portion and a second portion, with the beacon portion folded by hybridization to the second portion, wherein the binding of the target nucleotide to the probe nucleotide unfolds the beacon portion to produce a free end terminal for extension with terminal transferase.\",\n \"In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) elongating the beacon portion with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.\",\n \"In some embodiments the second member is a protein or peptide.\",\n \"In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) specifically binding an antibody to the first member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto, (ii) elongating the first nucleic acid with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (iii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.\",\n \"An advantage of the foregoing methods is the variety of techniques by which the detecting step can be carried out.\",\n \"For example, the detecting step may be carried out by: (a) ellipsometry; (b) surface plasmon resonance (SPR); (c) localized surface plasmon resonance using noble metal nanoparticles in solution or on a transparent surface; (d) surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices; (e) quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) (e) atomic force microscopy, (f) detection of radiolabeled nucleotides incorporated in the elongated portion for radioactive detection, (g) detection of stable isotope labeled nucleotides in the elongated nucleic acid by mass spectrometry, (h) incorporation of fluorophores into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, (i) incorporation of nucleotides containing amino acids to which fluorophores are attached into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, or (j) indirectly by hybridization of the elongated nucleic acid with a labeled complementary nucleic acid, and subsequent detection of the complementary nucleic acid, wherein the complementary nucleic acid is labeled by coupling to a metal nanoparticle, quantum dot, fluorophore, or radionuclide, etc.\",\n \"Still other aspects of the present invention are explained in greater detail below.\"\n ],\n [\n \"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"60/717,430; filed Sep. 15, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.\",\n \"This application is related to Ashutosh Chilkoti and Hongwei Ma, A tunable nonfouling surface of oligoethylene glycol, U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"10/783,054, filed Feb. 20, 2004 (Docket No.\",\n \"5405-318), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.\",\n \"This invention was made with Government support under grant no.\",\n \"R01 CI-00097 from the Centers for Disease Control/NCID.\",\n \"The United States Government has certain rights to this invention.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a non-fouling polymeric surface modification and signal amplification method for ultra-sensitive biomolecular detection.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Glass and silicon oxide are widely used substrates for biosensors, clinical immunoassay diagnostics, and cell culture (Ratner, Schoen et al.\",\n \"1996) and as solid supports for the synthesis of peptides, carbohydrates, and DNA (Seeberger and Haase 2000).\",\n \"The modification of silicon oxide to modulate protein and cell interactions has proven to challenging for a number of technical reasons: 1) the formation of silane self-assembled monolaycrs (SAMs), the most common route to functionalize glass and other metal oxides, is complicated by the sensitivity of most silanes to humidity and their propensity to form polymeric multi-layers (Wasserman, Tao et al.\",\n \"1989; Ulman 1996).\",\n \"2) As is typical to most “grafting to” approaches, the passivation of silicon oxide by grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the surface using silane chemistry (Emoto, Harris et al.\",\n \"1996; Yang, Galloway et al.\",\n \"1999) does not provide a high surface density of PEG due to the excluded volume effect (Knoll and Hermans 1983).\",\n \"Consequently, grafted PEG coatings on glass decrease the adsorption of proteins, but do not reduce their adsorption below the nominal limit of several ng/cm2 (Zhu, Jun et al.\",\n \"2001).\",\n \"Several approaches such as the sequential grafting of PEGs of different chain lengths (Nagasaki, Ishii et al.\",\n \"2001) and cloud-point grafting of PEG (Kingshott, Thissen et al.\",\n \"2002) have been taken to solve this problem, but only with limited success.\",\n \"3) It is also difficult to stamp silanes onto glass with the ease and reproducibility with which alkanethiols can be patterned by micro-contact printing and other soft lithography methods so that the patterning of PEG on to glass by soft lithography has only been marginally successful (Xia, Mrksich et al.\",\n \"1995; StJohn and Craighead 1996).\",\n \"For the detection of a variety of biological molecules such as protein, RNA, and DNA in complex biological fluids, the minimization of non-specific protein binding plays a very important in improving the detection limit and sensitivity.\",\n \"The reduction of adsorption of protein and other biomolecules is important for the development of interfacial sensors for two reasons: first, for the broad class of sensors that are label-free, i.e., in which the binding event is directly transduced as the detected signal (e.g., surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, localized or nanoparticle-based surface plasmon resonance (nanoSPR), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), ellipsometry, gravimetric sensors such as quartz-crystal microbalance dissipation (QCM-D) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, etc.)\",\n \"reduction of protein adsorption to ultra-low levels (<1 ng/sq.\",\n \"cm) is critical to generate a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by reducing the noise due to adventitious adsorption.\",\n \"For the class of interfacial sensors that use a label to generate the detected signal, the elimination of background adsorption is similarly important to reduce noise.\",\n \"Finally, for the class of sensors that incorporate an amplification step prior to or during generation of the detected signal, the effective elimination of adventitious adsorption or binding of biomolecules or other reagents is critical, as adventitiously bound molecules can be amplified, so that the increase in signal (S) afforded by the amplification step is in many cases compromised by the concomitant amplification of the background noise (N), so that the gains in SNR are modest, at best.\",\n \"The increasing technological push towards ultra-sensitive detection in biomolecular arrays—DNA, protein and carbohydrate—similarly requires extremely low background signals so that a high SNR can be attained (Zhu and Snyder 2003).\",\n \"However, most commercially available chemical surface modifications usually have high auto-fluorescence or non-specific binding of reagents and analytes.\",\n \"This issue is increasingly crucial when the spot size of commonly used microarrays becomes smaller and smaller, even down to the sub-micron length scale.\",\n \"Although some of the current surface modification techniques work well for microarrays (Zhu and Snyder 2003), the routine use of micro- and nano-arrays for biomolecules still poses substantial challenges in engineering a detection system that is capable of resisting non-specific adsorption of biomolecules down to the pg/cm2 level and allows direct detection of analytes without elaborate and expensive amplification techniques.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is an article (preferably a biomolecular detector or biosensor such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the article comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on the linking layer, preferably by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon.\",\n \"Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion.\",\n \"The brush molecule preferably comprises a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the head group projecting from the stem; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.)\",\n \"coupled to the brush molecule.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the member of a specific binding pair further comprises an extended nucleic acid conjugated thereto, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase (TdTase).\",\n \"In some embodiments, wherein the first member is a first nucleic acid, the detector optionally further comprising a second nucleic acid as a second member of the binding pair hybridized to the first member.\",\n \"Some embodiments thereof further comprise an extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase coupled to either the first or second nucleic acid.\",\n \"In some embodiments, particularly where the first member of the binding pair is a protein or peptide, the detector further comprises: a second member of the specific binding pair coupled to the first member of the specific binding pair, an antibody specifically bound to the second member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto; and an extended nucleotide coupled to the first nucleotide, the extended nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.\",\n \"A second aspect of the present invention is a method of making an article (preferably a biomolecular detector such as a microarray) having a nonfouling surface thereon, the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate having a surface portion; (b) depositing a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) forming a polymer layer on the linking layer by the process of surface-initiated polymerization of monomeric units thereon, with each of the monomeric units comprising a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form a brush molecule on the surface portion; the brush molecule comprising a stem formed from the polymerization of the monomer core groups, and a plurality of branches formed from the hydrophilic head group projecting from the stem.\",\n \"In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of methoxy-terminated OEGMA and hydroxy-terminated OEGMA.\",\n \"Such embodiments may further comprise the step of coupling a compound (e.g., a first member of a specific binding pair) having an amine group to the hydroxy group via the amine group.\",\n \"In other embodiments the polymer comprises of vinyl monomer bearing other head groups such as hydroxyl (OH), glycerol, or groups known in the art as kosmotropes (see, e.g., Kane et al., infra).\",\n \"In some embodiments the copolymer is synthesized on the surface portion by SI-ATRP, wherein the hydroxy groups are converted to COOH groups by any suitable reaction such as reaction with N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS), and wherein the amine groups are coupled to the COOH.\",\n \"In some embodiments the polymer comprises a copolymer of OEGMA and sodium methacrylate, the copolymer having sodium carboxylate groups.\",\n \"In some embodiments the sodium carboxylate group is converted to a COOH group by reaction with an acid such as HCl, and a protein or peptide is coupled to the COOH groups via their N-terminal amine or lysine residues (by any suitable reaction such as NHS/EDC coupling).\",\n \"In some embodiments the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA containing of thioester groups; and wherein the the member of a specific binding pair is coupled to the thioester group.\",\n \"In some embodiments the first member of a specific binding pair is a protein or peptide having an N-terminal cysteine, and wherein the coupling step is carried out by reaction with the N-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.\",\n \"In some embodiments wherein the polymer is OEGMA, the OEGMA contains cysteine groups, and the member of a specific binding pair contains a C-terminal thioester, the coupling step is carried out by reaction of the C-terminal cysteine with the thioester by any suitable reaction, such as intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention, the surface portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, polymers, silicon, silicon oxide, and composites thereof.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is continuous; in some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is patterned.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer is a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the linking layer comprises an initiator-terminated alkanethiol.\",\n \"In some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP); in some embodiments of the invention the surface-initiated polymerization is carried out by free radical polymerization.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the article further comprises a protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid covalently coupled to the brush molecule.\",\n \"In some embodiments the protein, peptide, oligonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid coupled to the brush molecule or to the surface consist of or consist essentially of a single preselected molecule (this is, one such molecule is coupled to the surface portion via the brush molecule, to the exclusion of other different molecules).\",\n \"The preselected molecule may be a member of a specific binding pair, such as a receptor.\",\n \"A further aspect of the invention is a method of detecting a second member of a specific binding pair nucleotide in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a detector as described herein; (b) contacting a sample (e.g., an aqueous sample or biological fluid) suspected of containing the second member to the detector; and then (c) determining the presence or absence of binding of the second member to the first member, the presence of binding indicating the presence of the second member in the sample.\",\n \"The determining step can be carried out by any suitable technique, but preferably involves directly or indirectly conjugating an elongated nucleic acid to the second member, the elongated nucleic acid produced by the process of enzymatic extension with terminal transferase.\",\n \"In some embodiments the first member is a probe nucleotide and second member is a target nucleotide.\",\n \"In such embodiments the determining step may comprise (i) elongating the target nucleotide with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.\",\n \"In some embodiments the probe nucleotide comprises a beacon portion and a second portion, with the beacon portion folded by hybridization to the second portion, wherein the binding of the target nucleotide to the probe nucleotide unfolds the beacon portion to produce a free end terminal for extension with terminal transferase.\",\n \"In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) elongating the beacon portion with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (ii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.\",\n \"In some embodiments the second member is a protein or peptide.\",\n \"In such embodiments the determining step may comprise: (i) specifically binding an antibody to the first member to form a sandwich, the antibody having a first nucleic acid conjugated thereto, (ii) elongating the first nucleic acid with terminal transferase to produce an elongated nucleic acid, and then (iii) detecting the presence or absence of the elongated nucleic acid.\",\n \"An advantage of the foregoing methods is the variety of techniques by which the detecting step can be carried out.\",\n \"For example, the detecting step may be carried out by: (a) ellipsometry; (b) surface plasmon resonance (SPR); (c) localized surface plasmon resonance using noble metal nanoparticles in solution or on a transparent surface; (d) surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices; (e) quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) (e) atomic force microscopy, (f) detection of radiolabeled nucleotides incorporated in the elongated portion for radioactive detection, (g) detection of stable isotope labeled nucleotides in the elongated nucleic acid by mass spectrometry, (h) incorporation of fluorophores into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, (i) incorporation of nucleotides containing amino acids to which fluorophores are attached into the elongated nucleic acid and fluorescent detection, or (j) indirectly by hybridization of the elongated nucleic acid with a labeled complementary nucleic acid, and subsequent detection of the complementary nucleic acid, wherein the complementary nucleic acid is labeled by coupling to a metal nanoparticle, quantum dot, fluorophore, or radionuclide, etc.\",\n \"Still other aspects of the present invention are explained in greater detail below.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1.Schematic illustration of “SI-ATRP of OEGMA” strategy for creating functionalized non-fouling surfaces and molecular structure of silane initiator (11-(2-Bromo-2-methyl)propionyloxy)undecyl trichlorosilane.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2.Schematic representation of microarray fabrication By NHS?EDC coupling of antibodies to COOH-fucntionalized poly(OEGMA) brushes.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3.Quasi-three dimensional, functionalized non-fouling films were prepared via SI-ATRP of OEGMA from modified glass slides.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4.The formation of initiator-silane SAM and poly(OEGMA) film confirmed by XPS.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5.The protein resistance of the poly(OEGMA) brushes was tested by the adsorption of fibronectin (Fn), bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (Ly) (all proteins at 1 mg/ml in PBS, pH=7.4), and undiluted fetal bovine serum (FBS).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 Surface initiated polymerization of OEGMA can be directly carried out on a polymer substrate.\",\n \"(A) Chemical structures of Poly(OEGMA) and PVBC.\",\n \"Representative carbons are numbered to correspond with peaks in B.\",\n \"(B) XPS C(1s) spectra of PVBC coated substrates before (PVBC) and after (PVBC-POEGMA) SI-ATRP of OEGMA.\",\n \"The C(1s) spectrum of Poly(OEGMA) grown on silicon using a silane initiator (POEGMA) is shown for comparison.\",\n \"(C) Atomic percentages of carbon, oxygen and chlorine found in each sample.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7.Alternative embodiment of a protein microarray by printing of antibodies or other receptors to the polymer brush and their covalent attachment to activated OH groups of poly(OEGMA) brush.\",\n \"(A) Reaction scheme of coupling protein to CDI-activated OEGMA on glass.\",\n \"(B) Printing of an IgG capture antibody on brush and effect of washing of surface on spot stability.\",\n \"(C) Comparison of IL4 detection on poly(OEGMA) brush and on a FAST™ slide (Whatman).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8.Applications of TdTase-mediated DNA-extension signal amplification method.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9.Surface initiated extension of DNA by terminal transferase on biomolecular nanoarrays generated by e-beam lithography.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10.Tapping mode AFM images in air for biomolecular arrays of different feature sizes (A-B: 0.1 μm; C-D: 4 μm) with 5′-SH—(CH2)6-T25 SAM after a 2-hour incubation with active terminal transferase (TdTase).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11.SPR sensorgram for TdTase-mediated signal amplification with an antibody covalently conjugated with oligonucleotides.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.\",\n \"This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.\",\n \"Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.\",\n \"Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.\",\n \"The disclosures of all United States patents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"1.Definitions “SI-ATRP” as used herein means surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.\",\n \"“OEGMA” as used herein refers to oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl methacrylate.\",\n \"“Biological fluid” as used herein may be any fluid of human or animal origin, including but not limited to blood, blood plasma, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, tear, mucus, and lymph fluid.\",\n \"Biological fluids generally contain a mixture of different proteins therein, and typically contain other constituents such as other cells and molecules.\",\n \"Biological fluids may be in their natural state or in a modified state by the addition of ingredients such as reagents or removal of one or more natural constituents (e.g., blood plasma).\",\n \"“Kosmotrope”, while originally used to denote a solute that stabilized a protein or membrane, is also used by those skilled in the art, and is used herein, to denote a substituent or “head group” which, when deposited on a surface, renders that surface protein-resistant.\",\n \"See, e.g., R. Kane.\",\n \"P. Deschatelets and G. Whitesides, Kosmotropes Form the Basis of Protein-Resistant Surfaces, Langmuir 19, 2388-2391 (2003).\",\n \"Numerous kosmotropes are known and examples include but are not limited to OEGMA.\",\n \"“Polymer” as used herein is intended to encompass any type of polymer, including homopolymers, heteropolymers, co-polymers, ter-polymers, etc., and blends, combinations and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"“Specific binding pair” as used herein refers to two compounds that specifically bind to one another, such as (functionally): a receptor and a ligand (such as a drug), an antibody and an antigen, etc.\",\n \"; or (structurally): protein or peptide and protein or peptide; protein or peptide and nucleic acid; and nucleotide and nucleotide etc.\",\n \"2.Substrates The present invention can be utilized to form surfaces on a variety of different types of substrates.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the article is a label-free optical or mass detector (e.g., a surface plasmon resonance energy detector, an optical wave guide, an ellipsometry detector, etc.)\",\n \"and the surface is a sensing surface (e.g., a surface portion that would be in contact with a biological fluid).\",\n \"Examples of such articles include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"6,579,721; 6,573,107; 6,570,657; 6,423,055; 5,991,048; 5,822,073; 5,815,278; 5,625,455; 5,485,277; 5,415,842; 4,844,613; and 4,822,135.In other embodiments, the article is a biosensor, an assay plate, or the like.\",\n \"For example, the present invention may be utilized with optical biosensors such as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,313,264 to Ulf et al., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,846,842 to Herron et al., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,496,701 to Pollard-Knight et al., etc.\",\n \"The present invention may be utilized with potentiometric or electrochemical biosensors, such as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,413,690 to Kost, or PCT Application WO98/35232 to Fowlkes and Thorp.\",\n \"The present invention may be utilized with a diamond film biosensor, such as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,777,372 Thus, the solid support may be organic or inorganic; may be metal (e.g., copper or silver) or non-metal; may be a polymer or nonpolymer; may be conducting, semiconducting or nonconducting (insulating); may be reflecting or nonreflecting; may be porous or nonporous; etc.\",\n \"For example, the solid support may be comprised of polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, gold, silicon, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, indium, tantalum oxide, niobium oxide, titanium, titanium oxide, platinum, iridium, indium tin oxide, diamond or diamond-like film, etc.\",\n \"The present invention may be utilized with substrates for “chip-based” and “pin-based” combinatorial chemistry techniques.\",\n \"All can be prepared in accordance with known techniques.\",\n \"See.\",\n \"e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,445,934 to Fodor et al., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,288,514 to Ellman, and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,624,711 to Sundberg et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.\",\n \"Substrates as described above can be formed of any suitable material, including but not limited to a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, polymers (particularly organic polymers in any suitable form including woven, nonwoven, molded, extruded, cast, etc.\",\n \"), silicon, silicon oxide, and composites thereof.\",\n \"Polymers used to form substrates as described herein may be any suitable polymer, including but not limited to: poly(ethylene) (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), cis and trans isomers of poly(butadiene) (PB), cis and trans isomers of poly(ispoprene), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PECL or PCL), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its homologs, poly(methyl acrylate) and its homologs, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid), polyorthoesters, poly(anhydrides), nylon, polyimides, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polybutadiene (PB), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polyacrylamide and its homologs such as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamidc), fluorinated polyacrylate (PFOA), poly(ethylene-butylene) (PEB), poly(styrcne-acrylonitrile) (SAN), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and its derivatives, polyolefin plastomers, and combinations and copolymers thereof, etc.\",\n \"If desired or necessary, the substrate may have an additional layer such as a gold or an oxide layer formed on the relevant surface portion to facilitate the deposition of the linking layer, as discussed further below.\",\n \"3.Linking (or “Anchor”) Layers Anchor layers used to carry out the present invention are generally formed from a compound comprising an anchor group coupled (e.g., covalently coupled) to an initiator (e.g., directly coupled or coupled through an intermediate linking group).\",\n \"The choice of anchor group will depend upon the surface portion on which the linking layer is formed, and the choice of initiator will depend upon the particular reaction used to form the brush polymer as discussed in greater detail below.\",\n \"The anchoring group may be selected to covalently or non-covalently couple the compound or linking layer to the surface portion.\",\n \"Non-covalent coupling may be by any suitable secondary interaction, including but not limited to hydrophobic bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals interactions, ionic bonding, etc.\",\n \"Examples of substrate materials and corresponding anchoring groups include, for example, gold, silver, copper, cadmium, zinc, palladium, platinum, mercury, lead, iron, chromium, manganese, tungsten, and any alloys thereof with sulfur-containing functional groups such as thiols, sulfides, disulfides (e.g., —SR or —SSR where R is H ot alkyl, typically lower alkyl, or aryl), and the like; doped or undoped silicon with silanes and chlorosilanes (e.g., —SiR2Cl wherein R is H or alkyl, typically lower alkyl, or aryl); metal oxides such as silica, alumina, quartz, glass, and the like with carboxylic acids as anchoring groups; platinum and palladium with nitrites and isonitriles; and copper with hydroxamic acids.\",\n \"Additional suitable functional groups suitable as the anchoring group include benzophenones, acid chlorides, anhydrides, epoxides, sulfonyl groups, phosphoryl groups, hydroxyl groups, phosphonates, phosphonic acids, amino acid groups, amides, and the like.\",\n \"See, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,413,587.Any suitable initiator may be incorporated into the anchoring group by introduction of a covalent bond at a location non-critical for the activity of the initiator.\",\n \"Examples of such initiators include, but are not limited to, bromoisobutyrate, polymethyl methacrylate-Cl, polystyrene-Cl, AIBN, 2-bromoisobutyrate, chlorobenzene, hexabromomethyl benzene, hexachloromethyl benzene, dibromoxylene, methyl bromoproprionate.\",\n \"Additional examples of initiators include those initators described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,413,587 to Hawker (particularly at columns 10-11 thereof) and those initiators described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,541,580 to Matyjaszewski et al.\",\n \"As noted above, a linking group or “spacer” may be inserted between the anchoring group and initiator.\",\n \"The linker may be polar, nonpolar, positively charged, negatively charged or uncharged, and may be, for example, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, or other hydrocarbylene, such as halogenated hydrocarbylene, particularly fluorinated hydrocarbylene.\",\n \"Preferred linkers are simply saturated alkylene of 3 to 20 carbon atoms, i.e., —(CH2)4— where n is an integer of 3 to 20 inclusive.\",\n \"See, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,413,587.Another preferred embodiment of the linker is an oligoethyleneglycol of 3 to 20 units, i.e., (CH2CH2O), where n ranges from 3 to 20.The anchoring layer may be deposited by any suitable technique.\",\n \"It may be deposited as a self-assembled monolayer.\",\n \"It may be created by modification of the substrate by chemical reaction (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,444,254 to Chilkoti et al.)\",\n \"or by reactive plasma etching or corona discharge treatment.\",\n \"It may be deposited by a plasma deposition process.\",\n \"It may be deposited by spin coating or dip coating.\",\n \"It may be deposited by spray painting.\",\n \"It may also be deposited by deposition, printing, stamping, etc.\",\n \"It may be deposited as a continuous layer or as a discontinuous (e.g., patterned) layer.\",\n \"In some preferred embodiments, the substrate is glass, silicon oxide or other inorganic or semiconductor material (e.g., silicon oxide, silicon nitride) and compound semiconductors (e.g., gallium arsenide, and indium gallium arsenide) used for microarray production.\",\n \"In some preferred embodiment, the anchoring group is a silane or chlorosilane (e.g., —SiR2Cl wherein R is H or alkyl, typically lower alkyl, or aryl).\",\n \"4.Brush Polymer Formation The brush polymers are, in general, formed by the polymerization of monomeric core groups having a protein-resistant head group coupled thereto.\",\n \"Any suitable core vinyl monomer polymerizable by the processes discussed below can be used, including but not limited to styrenes, acrylonitriles, acetates, acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides, methacrylamides, vinyl alcohols, vinyl acids, and combinations thereof.\",\n \"Protein resistant groups may be hydrophilic head groups or kosmotropes.\",\n \"Examples include but are not limited to oligosaccharides, tri(propyl sulfoxide), hydroxyl, glycerol, phosphorylcholine, tri(sarcosine) (Sarc), N-acetylpiperazine, permethylated sorbitol, hexamethylphosphoramide, an intramolecular zwitterion (for example, —CH2N+(CH3)2CH2CH2CH2SO3−) (ZW), and mannitol.\",\n \"Additional examples of kosmotrope protein resistant head groups include, but are not limited to: -(EG)6OH; —O(Mannitol); —C(O)N(CH3)CH2(CH(OCH3))4CH2OCH3; —N(CH3)3+Cl−/—SO3−Na+; —N(CH3)2+CH2CH2SO3−; —C(O)Pip(NAc); —N(CH3)2+CH2CO2; —O([Blc-α(1,4)-Glc-β(1)-]); —C(O)(N(CH3)CH2C(O))3N(CH3)2; —N(CH3)2+CH2CH2CH2SO3; —C(O)N(CH3)CH2CH2N(CH3)P(O)(N(CH3)2)2; and —(S(O)CH2CH2CH2)3S(O)CH3.See, e.g., R. Kane et al., Langmuir 19, 2388-91 (2003)(Table 1).\",\n \"A particularly preferred protein resistant head group is poly(ethylene glycol), or “PEG”, for example PEG consisting of from 3 to 20 monomeric units.\",\n \"Free radical polymerization of monomers to form brush polymers can be carried out in accordance with known techniques, such as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,423,465 to Hawker et al.\",\n \"; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,413,587 to Hawker et al.\",\n \"; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,649,138 to Adams et al.\",\n \"; US Patent Application 2003/0108879 to Klaerner et al.\",\n \"; or variations thereof which will be apparent to skilled persons based on the disclosure provided herein.\",\n \"Atom or transfer radical polymerization of monomers to form brush polymers can be carried out in accordance with known techniques, such as described in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,541,580 to Matyjaszewski et al.\",\n \"; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,512,060 to Matyjaszewski et al.\",\n \"; or US Patent Application 2003/0185741 to Matyjaszewski et al., or variations thereof which will be apparent to skilled persons based on the disclosure provided herein.\",\n \"In general, the brush molecules formed by the processes described herein will be from 2 or 5 up to 50 or 100 nanometers in length, or more, and will be deposited on the surface portion at a density of from 10, 20 or 40 up to 100, 200 or 500 milligrams per meter, or more.\",\n \"In some preferred embodiments, the polymer layer is formed by SI-ATRP of OEGMA to form a poly(OEGMA) film.\",\n \"In particularly preferred embodiments, the polymer layer is a functionalized poly(OEGMA) film prepared (preferably in a single step) by copolymerization of a methacrylate and methyl terminated OEGMA.\",\n \"For the copolymer, poly(sodium methacrylatc-co-OEGMA), or the like, the carboxylate can be converted to carboxyl acid by incubation of the copolymer in an acid such as HCl, resulting in poly(MAA-co-OEGMA)(MAA: methacrylate acid).\",\n \"The poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) can be further converted to the ester in accordance with known techniques.\",\n \"In other particularly preferred embodiment, copolymers of methoxy-terminated OEGMA with OH-terminated OEGMA, and the OH is directly used to conjugate molecules of all types via their available amine groups using well known coupling reactions, such as tresyl chloride conjugation and CDI chemistry.\",\n \"In other particularly preferred embodiments, copolymers of methoxy-OEGMA and OH-terminated OEGMA are synthesized on the substrate by SI-ATRP, and the OH groups are converted to COOH groups by reaction with N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS), and the COOH groups are used as sites for attachment of molecules via available amine groups on the molecule.\",\n \"In other preferred embodiments, the OEGMA is synthesized to directly contain a fraction of thioester groups, so as to permit direct attachment of any molecule but preferentially a protein or peptide via reaction with their N-terminal cysteine using intein protein ligation (IPL) or native chemical ligation.\",\n \"Similarly, this approach can be reversed, so that the OEGMA polymer could contain, either as a consequence of incorporation during SI-ATRP using a suitable OEGMA-functionalized monomer or by conversion of incorporated groups (e.g., but not limited to OH or COOH groups) to a cysteine, so that a molecules such as a protein or peptide contains a C-terminal thioester, as is typically obtained by intein-mediated cleavage of a target protein or peptide of an intein fusion could be covalently attached via its thioester to the cysteine groups presented on the termini of the OEGMA polymer.\",\n \"Proteins, peptides, antibodies, oligonucleotides or nucleic acids (such as DNAs) (e.g., 3-50 nucleotides in length) or other members of a binding pair can be deposited on the polymer layer, typically after introduction of a carboxyl group therein, by any suitable technique such as microprinting or microstamping.\",\n \"Microarrays or nanoarrays of oligonucleotides can be formed on the substrates by any suitable technique, such as e-beam lithography.\",\n \"5.Uses and Applications of Articles In some embodiments the present invention is utilized by (a) providing an article as described herein, the article further comprising a first member of a specific binding pair such as a protein, peptide, oligonucleotide, peptide nucleic acid or the like covalently coupled to the brush molecule, the first member preferably consisting essentially of a single preselected molecule; and then (b) contacting the article to a biological fluid or other composition; containing a second member of the specific binding pair, wherein the second member of the specific binding pair binds to the surface portions.\",\n \"Such uses are particularly appropriate where the article is a sensor or biosensor as described in greater detail above.\",\n \"Binding of the second member of the specific binding pair can be achieved by any suitable technique.\",\n \"In some embodiments the binding is preferably carried out by sandwich assay.\",\n \"In some embodiments the binding may be detected by extension of a nucleic acid such as a DNA with terminal transferase to form an extended nucleic acid, which extended nucleic acid may be detected by any suitable technique.\",\n \"Terminal transferase (e.g., TdTase) is known, and methods of elongating nucleic acids (or shorter oligonucleotides), to produce extended nucleic acids (or longer oligonucleotides) or extension products, and methods of detecting such extension products can be carried out in accordance with known techniques or variations thereof that will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the instant disclosure and known methods of using terminal transferase as described in (for example) U.S. Pat.\",\n \"Nos.\",\n \"6,911,305; 6,864,060; 6,709,816; 6,642,375; 6,406,890; 6,323,337; 6,136,531; 5,824,514; 5,397,698; and 5,344,757.The present invention is explained in greater detail in the following non-limiting Examples.\",\n \"EXPERIMENTAL The science community has recently witnessed an explosive development of microarray technique as one of the high-throughput screening strategies.\",\n \"Although with great success, the development of microarray technique is also accompanied with obstacles.\",\n \"One particular bottleneck for the development of microarray technique is the surface chemistry of microarray substrate.\",\n \"Typical materials used as microarray substrates, for example, poly(vinylidene fluoride), nitrocellulose, nylon, poly(L-lysine), silane, and ethylene-glycol self-assembled monolayer suffer from problems such as high level of nonspecific adsorption and/or low loading density (Zhu, Jun et al.\",\n \"2001).\",\n \"Here, we have successfully demonstrated the “modular design of initiator” strategy to be generally applicable in creating non-fouling surfaces using poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"To highlight the potential applications of this non-fouling surface, we incorporated functional groups into the coating materials as binding sites and conjugated them with antibodies for the detection of cytokines in a microarray format (FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"Other detection schemes using DNA/RNA aptamers and enzymatic amplification can be easily incorporated into this surface modification platform to further improve the detection sensitivity (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"Other than proteins, this technology is also applicable to micro- and nano-array detection systems for other biomolecules such as cDNA, (Schena, Shalon et al.\",\n \"1995) small molecules, (MacBeath, Koehler et al.\",\n \"1999) peptides, (Houseman, Huh et al.\",\n \"2002) oligosaccharides, (Fukui, Feizi et al.\",\n \"2002) and carbohydrates, (Houseman and Mrksich 2002; Wang, Liu et al.\",\n \"2002), which have been demonstrated to be powerful tools in drug discovery, medical diagnostics, proteomic and genomic profiling, and other biotechnological applications.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1.Schematic illustration of “SI-ATRP of OEGMA” strategy for creating functionalized non-fouling surfaces and molecular structure of silane initiator (11-(2-Bromo-2-methyl)propionyloxy)undccyl trichlorosilane.\",\n \"SiO2 wafers were cleaned with a mixture of NH4OH:H2O2:H2O (1:1:5, v/v/v) (Ma, Hyun et al.\",\n \"2004) and glass slides were cleaned with a1% RBS solution and a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of methanol:HCl before used immediately for silanization.\",\n \"Under N2 atmosphere, the initiator-silane was deposited on silicon oxide substrate by vapor deposition and on cleaned glass slides by incubating with silane in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran.\",\n \"SI-ATRP was carried out as reported previously (Perruchot, Khan et al.\",\n \"2001; Ma, Hyun et al.\",\n \"2004).\",\n \"Briefly, under nitrogen, polymerization was initiated by adding the reaction mixture containing CuBr, bipyridine, and OEGMA in deionized water and methanol to the flask and was continued for a specified time.\",\n \"The samples were pulled out of the solution to stop the polymerization, rinsed with methanol and dried under flowing N2 gas.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2.Schematic representation of microarray fabrication.\",\n \"The carboxyl functionalized polymer coated slides were immersed into HCl solution and then NHS/EDAC solution.\",\n \"Each test slide was robotically printed with 12 identical 8×5 arrays using a Microsys 5100 microarrayer in an atmospherically controlled chamber.\",\n \"For each array, rows 1 and 8 were biotinylated BSA (B-BSA), regarded as positive control.\",\n \"Row 2 was BSA as negative control.\",\n \"Rows 3-7 were capture antibodies for human IL-1β, TNF-α, VEGF, IL-6, and TGF-β3, respectively.\",\n \"Prior to printing, the pin was sequentially cleaned in 5% Micro-Cleaning Solution.\",\n \"The printed arrays were immersed into sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH=8.5) for deactivation.\",\n \"Stock solutions of cocktail of cytokines/growth factors were prepared and diluted for dose-response studies.\",\n \"Each slide was directly incubated with cytokine solution.\",\n \"After three aspiration/wash cycles, each array was incubated with a cocktail containing a mixture of five biotinylated detection antibodies and then with streptavidin-Cy5.Finally, slides were scanned, imaged, and analyzed using a GenePix 4000B microarray scanner and GenePix 5.0 software.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3.Quasi-three dimensional, functionalized non-fouling films were prepared via SI-ATRP of OEGMA from modified glass slides.\",\n \"Functionalized poly(OEGMA) films were prepared in one step by copolymerization of sodium methacrylate and methyl terminated OEGMA.\",\n \"In order to achieve a higher density, the silane initiator layer on glass was formed by dipping glass slides into silane initiator solution instead of vapor deposition.\",\n \"For copolymer poly(sodium methacrylate-co-OEGMA), the carboxylate was converted to carboxyl acid by incubation of copolymer in 1 M HCl, resulted in poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) (MAA: methyacrylate acid).\",\n \"This poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) was further converted to ester by incubation in N-hydroxysuccinimide/N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (NHS/EDC) solution.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4.The formation of initiator-silane SAM and poly(OEGMA) film was confirmed by XPS (A).\",\n \"The polymerization introduced unique Br peaks (with an atomic percentage (AT.\",\n \"%) of ˜5 AT.\",\n \"% based on Br3d at ˜69 eV) at the low end of binding energy (BE) in the survey scan of initiator-silane SAM when compared with the spectrum of silicon oxide surface, and also increased carbon content from 1.2 to 49.3 AT.\",\n \"%.\",\n \"The later caused the AT.\",\n \"% of Si, to drop from 18.3 for silicon oxide surface to 17.8 for a thin film and further down to 4.3 for a thick film due to enhanced attenuation effect posed by the increased poly(OEGMA) thickness.\",\n \"The poly(OEGMA) films (thickness of 95 Å) exhibited an XPS C/O ratio of 2.5, which is somewhat greater than the stoichiometric value of 2.1 for poly(OEGMA).\",\n \"The polymerization and conversion of poly(sodium methacrylate-co-OEGMA) (thickness ˜10 nm) was also confirmed by XPS study (B).\",\n \"Before and after NHS/EDC activation, survey scan showed no difference for poly(OEGMA) while the same treatment showed a new N15 peak at ˜399 eV for functionalized copolymer coating.\",\n \"The final ratio of OEGMA and sodium methacrylate is determined using XPS core scan: one can roughly estimate the final composition to be 1/1.5 for OEGMA/sodium methacrylate, which is dramatically different from the initial feed ratio of 50/1.This radical change is probably due to the difference in polymerization kinetics for the two different species: OEGMA has a low incorporation rate because of its steric hindrance.\",\n \"The conversion of COOH to NHS is assumed to be 100%.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5.The protein resistance of the poly(OEGMA) brushes was tested by the adsorption of fibronectin (Fn), bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (Ly) (all proteins at 1 mg/ml in PBS, pH=7.4), and undiluted fetal bovine serum (FBS).\",\n \"Poly(OEGMA) modified and the control (initiator-modified) silicon wafers were immersed into a protein solution for 1 h, rinsed with buffer, dried under nitrogen stream, and the thickness of the adsorbed protein layer was measured by ellipsometry.\",\n \"The thickness of the protein layer (dy) is a function of the poly(OEGMA) film thickness (dx).\",\n \"The thickness of the adsorbed protein on the control surface varied depending upon the protein, ranging from ˜10 Å (Ly) to ˜25 Å for the other proteins and serum.\",\n \"In contrast, the poly(OEGMA) brush with ˜14 Å thickness showed significantly less protein adsorption of all proteins and of serum.\",\n \"Increasing the thickness of the poly(OEGMA) brush to ˜95 Å (and beyond, data not shown) eliminated the adsorption of all proteins and most notably that of serum to below the 1 Å detection limit of ellipsometry.\",\n \"These results are consistent with our previous results (Ma, Hyun et al.\",\n \"2004) that a dense and thick poly(OEGMA) brush completely resists protein adsorption from solution.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6.OEGMA brushes were polymerized directly on a spun-cast film of poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) film without initiator to demonstrate that SI-ATRP can be performed on polymers in a straightforward and facile manner.\",\n \"Briefly, clean glass slides were treated with adhesion promoter hexamethyldisilazane followed by spinning on a 1% (w/v) solution of PVBC in toluene at 3000 rpm for one minute, and then drying at 80° C. for 20 min.\",\n \"Ellipsometric measurements showed uniform PVBC film thicknesses of 35±1 nm.\",\n \"The OEGMA polymerization was carried out in an oxygen-free environment using CuBr/bipyridine as catalyst in a water/methanol mixture containing OEGMA monomer.\",\n \"Figure C.2.8B shows the XPS C(1s) spectra of PVBC coated substrates before (PVBC) and after (PVBC-POEGMA) SI-ATRP of OEGMA.\",\n \"The C(1s) spectrum of Poly(OEGMA) brushes grown on silicon using a silane initiator (POEGMA) is shown for comparison.\",\n \"The PVBC-POEGMA spectrum exhibits the formation of an ester peak at 289 eV, as well as a shift in the peaks at 286.7 and 285 eV, to closely mirror the spectrum of Poly(OEGMA) grown from silane initiator.\",\n \"Furthermore, the close match in carbon and oxygen atomic percentages found in the PVBC-POEGMA (70.5% C/29.0% O) and POEGMA (70.0% C/29.9% O) samples contrasted sharply with the atomic percentages found in the PVBC sample (91.5% C/0.5% O).\",\n \"The results indicate that halogenated polymers, be they intrinsic or covalently grafted, can be modified with a coating of poly(OEGMA) through the use of dip or spin coated halogenated films.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7.SI-ATRP of hydroxyl terminated OEGMA on glass and silicon yielded OEGMA films with an ellipsometric thickness of 10 nm.\",\n \"The hydroxyl groups of the polymer brush were then activated with a 0.5M solution of 1,1-Carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) in dry dioxane at 37° C. for 2 hours.\",\n \"The conversion of hydroxyl terminated OEGMA to OEGMA-CDI was confirmed by the appearance of a new N1s XPS peak at ˜399 cV due to the presence of the imidazolyl carbamate group introduced during CDI activation.\",\n \"This intermediate imidazolyl carbamate is readily displaced by amine-containing proteins, resulting in stable carbamate linkages between OEGMA coatings and proteins.\",\n \"Attachment of proteins to the nonfouling OEGMA coatings on glass was achieved by introducing chemically reactive carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) groups into the polymerized brush.\",\n \"SI-ATRP of OEGMA yielded films of hydroxy-terminated ethylene glycol “stalks” on a methacrylate “core” (see FIG.\",\n \"7A).\",\n \"Proteins were then conjugated through accessible amino groups FIG.\",\n \"7B shows the fluorescence image of Cy-5 labeled anti-IL-4 capture antibody robotically printed and chemically tethered to CDI-activated OEGMA brushes on glass before and after a wash step.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7C compares the dose-response curves of IL-4 fluoroimmunoassay on CDI-activated OEGMA microarray and on a commercially available nitrocellulose microarray slide (FAST, Whatman).\",\n \"Features to note here are (1) the regions adjacent to the printed capture antibody in FIG.\",\n \"6B are virtually black owing to the ultra-low background fluorescence of poly(OEGMA), (2) the poly(OEGMA) microarray is greater than 10-100× more sensitive than FAST slides owing to the complete resistance of the poly(OEGMA) to the non-specific adsorption of protein during the analyte incubation process, and (3) CDI immobilization chemistry clearly retains the activity of the tethered capture antibody (poly(OEGMA) microarrays can detect down to 1 pg/ml IL-4!).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8.Applications of TdTase-mediated DNA-extension signal amplification method.\",\n \"The antibody-based sandwich-type protein detection scheme (A) can be easily combined or replaced with our technique.\",\n \"For example, the secondary antibody can be attached with short oligonucleotides (B) or substituted with an aptamer designed for a target molecule (C), and then extended at the 3′ end by TdTase.\",\n \"For nucleic acid detection, target genes can be chemically grafted at their 3′ end to a surface and cDNA that is hybridized to the target gene can be extended at its 3′ end for signal amplification (D).\",\n \"In addition, molecular beacons containing target genes can be chemically grafted to a surface at their 5′ end.\",\n \"The binding of cDNA to the target gene causes unfolding of the molecular beacon so that its 3′ end becomes accessible for extension by TdTase (E).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9.Surface initiated extension of DNA by terminal transferase on biomolecular nanoarrays generated by e-beam lithography.\",\n \"An electron-sensitive resist layer (130 nm) of poly(methylmethacrylate) was spin-coated onto the cleaned Si substrate and annealed, and then patterned by exposure to an electron beam using a scanning electron microscope (A).\",\n \"A layer of chromium (50 Å) and a layer of gold (300 Å) were deposited by e-beam evaporation onto the patterned PMMA/Si to obtain geometrically well-defined gold features on the exposed SiO2 surface (B).\",\n \"The gold-coated resist was lifted-off, leaving behind gold patterns of 35 nm height on the Si substrate (C).\",\n \"A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of an oligonucleotide was prepared on the patterned gold arrays by incubation in a reduced DNA-thiol solution overnight (D).\",\n \"Enzymatic DNA extension was performed by incubating the patterned oligonucleotide arrays with TdTase in the presence of cobalt-containing buffer and 2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-triphosphate (dTTP) at 37° C. for 2 h (E).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10.Tapping mode AFM images in air for biomolecular arrays of different feature sizes (A-B: 0.1 μm; C-D: 4 m) with 5′-SH—(CH2)6-T25 SAM after a 2-hour incubation with active terminal transferase (TdTase).\",\n \"Insets are the images of A and C at a higher magnification (1 μm×1 μm).\",\n \"B and D are the line profiles of A and C. Dotted lines represent the average height of gold arrays and immobilized DNA SAM.\",\n \"Poly(T) oligonucleotides were successfully extended on gold arrays with different lateral feature sizes.\",\n \"There are four significant observations from these experiments: (1) The average heights of the synthesized DNA nanostructures on gold features of 0.1 and 4 μm sides (minus the average height of gold arrays and immobilized DNA SAM) were 45.5±5.2 nm and 120.7±9.3 nm, respectively (B and D).\",\n \"The significant height increase suggests that the TdTase catalyzed polymerization of dTTP was successful.\",\n \"(2) The height of the DNA nanostructures grown by TdTase appears to be dependent upon the lateral feature size of the underlying gold patterns, with significantly lower extension observed for smaller feature size.\",\n \"This trend might be related to decreased steric accessibility of TdTase for the immobilized DNA as the feature size becomes smaller.\",\n \"(3) Images at a higher magnification for the 100 nm gold features showed that the DNA nanostructures had a lateral feature size of 358.5±10.0 nm (full width at half maximum, Figure A inset) and exhibited significant lateral extension.\",\n \"(4) DNA growth appeared to be heterogeneous and resulted in a layer of DNA with a RMS roughness of 13.6±0.6 nm for the 4 μm gold features (Figure C inset) vs. 0.23±0.02 nm for bare gold.\",\n \"In addition, these DNA nanostructures were less compact than those for 100 nm gold features, suggesting that their molecular weights were also affected by the lateral feature size.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11.To test whether TdTase can extend oligonucleotides conjugated to an antibody, we ran a SPR experiment with a DNA-antibody complex conjugated through streptavidin-biotin interactions.\",\n \"Twenty microliters of biotinylated goat α-mouse antibody at 100 μg/ml was injected to a bare gold SPR chip (5 nm Cr and 35 nm Au), followed by a 10-minute PBS wash.\",\n \"Binding measurements and extension reactions were run at 37° C. at flowrate of 1 μl/min with PBS as washing buffer.\",\n \"Twenty microliters of streptavidin at 100 μg/ml, twenty microliters of biotin-T25 at 10 μM, and sixty microliters of TdTase (0.6 U/μl) and dTTP (1 mM) in cobalt-containing buffer were injected sequentially, with a 10-minute PBS wash after each injection.\",\n \"There was an increase in RU of ˜4,000, indicating that DNA conjugated on the antibody can be extended by TdTase (FIG.\",\n \"3A).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the present invention provides one or more of the following features: 1) Fast and stable immobilization.\",\n \"For most surface substrates, capture reagents are usually physisorbed on the surface.\",\n \"In contrast, poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films provide a convenient way of covalently immobilizing capture reagents on the surface without protection and de-protection chemistry.\",\n \"The ester group (C(O)—NHS) is well known for fast protein coupling (Hermanson 1996) and can be easily introduced to the poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) platform through a two-step chemistry (FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"The superior tolerance of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) to functional groups exhibited in this case as the direct introduction of COOH terminal functional group.\",\n \"The reaction has been demonstrated to complete within a few seconds under a moisturized environment instead of aqueous surrounding (Hyun, Ahn et al.\",\n \"2002).\",\n \"The excess C(O)—NHS groups can be easily deactivated by incubation of sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH=8.5), which is better than aldehyde slides that used BSA to neutralize (MacBcath and Schreiber 2000).\",\n \"To further optimize the polymer matrix, methyl terminated OEGMA (n=9) and OH terminated OEGMA (n=12) were copolymerized.\",\n \"The different n values were chosen so that OH functional will be more accessible for the immobilization of protein and other ligands.\",\n \"The OH functional group can either be directly used or be further converted to COOH group as demonstrated in our previous paper (Hyun, Ma et al.\",\n \"2002).\",\n \"In an alternative approach, proteins can be coupled through their amine groups to the OH groups present in the poly(OEGMA) after activation of the OH groups using CDI (Hermanson 1996) (FIG.\",\n \"7A).\",\n \"This approach gives consistent and reproducible attachment of proteins.\",\n \"2) Low and consistent background.\",\n \"Poly(MAA-co-OEGMA), unlike nitrocellulose-coated, aldehyde-coated, epoxy-coated and silylated slides (Li, Nath et al.\",\n \"2003; Li and Reichert 2003), has minimal level of auto-fluorescence emission, of which majority is originated from the underlying glass substrate.\",\n \"In addition, poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films showed no sign of nonspecific adsorption of detection reagents (antibodies) to substrates (FIGS.\",\n \"5 and 6).\",\n \"The same is true of the CDI-actiavetd protein microarray, a s seen in FIG.\",\n \"7C.\",\n \"These films also showed a consistent level of background, regardless of cytokine concentration (10 pg/ml to 10 ng/ml), even for cytokines in serum (˜55 mg/ml protein mixture) (Elbert and Hubbell 1996), or E. coli lysate, and is very close to their unprocessed counterpart, even without any blocking step.\",\n \"The overall background of poly(MAA-co-OEGMA)-coated surfaces and other similar functionalized poly(OEGMA)-based matrixes is 100 times lower than that of nitrocellulose-coated one (FAST™ slides).\",\n \"The advantages of low and consistent background are: 1) it enables the detection of a target biomolecule in complex biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, or cell lysate and 2) low auto-fluorescence also improves detection sensitivity and increases the detection limit for various assays.\",\n \"Current detection limits of better than 0.1 pg/ml cytokine can be easily achieved.\",\n \"3) High loading density.\",\n \"The loading density of capture reagent, target biomolecules, and detection reagent is substantially increased as a result of the increased surface to volume ratio for the quasi three dimensional poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films (FIG.\",\n \"2) when compared with planar EG-SAM based substrates (Houseman and Mrksich 2002), but lower than the 3D gel pad system, which unfortunately suffers from the problem of high level of nonspecific adsorption (Arenkov, Kukhtin et al.\",\n \"2000).\",\n \"OEG terminated SAM (Houseman and Mrksich 2002) as well as PLL-g-PEG (Ruiz-Taylor, Martin et al.\",\n \"2001) system have been used but showed limited success.\",\n \"The former suffered from low loading density and the later suffered from poor performance under complex solution (FBS) due to its low density of PEG coating as well as limited stability.\",\n \"4) Applicable for biomolecular detection in the microarray and nanoarray format.\",\n \"The ultra-low background of poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) films not only eliminates the need of blocking, but also significantly improves the quality of the signal originated from the target biomolecules (FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 7).\",\n \"Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is widely used as a blocking material but there is evidence shown that adsorbed BSA affects protein binding or ligand-receptor interaction (MacBeath, Koehler et al.\",\n \"1999).\",\n \"The elimination of the blocking step provides substantial benefit for biomolecular detection, especially for microarrays with spot size of sub-micron length scale, where the signal-to-noise ratios can be severely reduced by the presence of BSA molecules.\",\n \"5) Application to other receptor-analyte pairs.\",\n \"The sandwich-type detection scheme employed on our poly(MAA-co-OEGMA) platform is not limited to the use of antibodies as capture and detection agents.\",\n \"Other detection modalities such as DNA/RNA aptamers can be easily incorporated and further modified to the detection of other biomolecules.\",\n \"The advantages of using DNA/RNA aptamers are their superior thermal and chemical stability, lower cost of synthesis, and ease of modification to achieve high binding affinity (Bock, Griffin et al.\",\n \"1992; Macaya, Schultze et al.\",\n \"1993).\",\n \"6) Signal amplification for antibody-based biomolecular detection.\",\n \"To achieve ultra-high sensitivity, we developed an amplification technique with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdTase), an enzyme that repeatedly adds mononucleotides to the 3′ end of single- or double-stranded DNA/RNA (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"The addition of these nucleotides at their 3′ end of the target DNA significantly increases the detectable signal.\",\n \"There are several ways that we can combine or replace antibody-based sandwich-type protein detection methods with signal amplification by TdTase-mediated DNA extension: 1) secondary antibodies can be attached with short oligonucleotides, which are amplified by TdTase.\",\n \"Short oligonucleotides can be randomly attached to lysine resides of antibodies or site-specifically attached to the Fe region only, so that the extension of multiple oligonucleotides on the antibody would provide further signal amplification, and 2) secondary antibodies can be completely replaced with an aptamer designed for a target molecule, which is then extended at its 3′ end by TdTase.\",\n \"7) Signal amplification for DNA-based biomolecular detection.\",\n \"For the ultra-sensitive nucleic acid detection such as DNA microarray, target genes can be chemically grafted at their 3′ end to a poly(MAA-co-OEGMA)-coated surface and cDNA prepared from a sample that is hybridized to the target gene can be extended at its 3′ end for signal amplification (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"In addition, molecular beacons without fluorophores containing target genes can be chemically grafted at their 5′ end (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"The binding of cDNA in a sample to the target gene causes unfolding of the molecular beacon so that its 3′ end is no longer hybridized to anther part of the beacon and becomes accessible for extension by TdTase.\",\n \"This triggered approach can potentially further cut down background.\",\n \"8) Highly adaptable to a variety of detection methods.\",\n \"Signals amplified by TdTase can be detected by a variety of methods: 1) direct detection of the unlabeled DNA tag using the atomic force microscopy (AFM) (FIGS.\",\n \"9 and 10), direct detetcio using SPR spectroscopy (FIG.\",\n \"11) 3) incorporate radiolabeled nucleotides (3H, 14C, and 32P) directly in growing DNA chain for radioactive detection, 4) incorporate stable isotope labeled nucleotides in growing DNA chain and detect by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), 5) incorporate fluorophores directly into the DNA chain followed by fluorescence detection, 6) incorporate nucleotides containing amino acids, to which fluorophores are attached, for more efficient attachment than with fluorophore-labeled nucleotides, and 7) indirect detection by hybridization of the extended DNA tag with a complementary full-length DNA strand or short oligonucleotides functionalized with metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, fluorophores, or radionuclides without directly incorporating labeled nucleotides into the DNA chain.\",\n \"REFERENCES (1) U.S. Patent Documents 1.U.S.\",\n \"Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,867,289 Gorenstein, David G.; 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Hermans (1983).\",\n \"“Polymer-protein interactions—comparison of experiment and excluded volume theory.” Journal of Biological Chemistry 258(9): 5710-5715.Li, Y. W., N. Nath, et al.\",\n \"(2003).\",\n \"“Parallel comparison of sandwich and direct label assay protocols on cytokine detection protein arrays.” Analytical Chemistry 75(19): 5274-5281.Li, Y. W. and W. M. Reichert (2003).\",\n \"“Adapting cDNA microarray format to cytokine detection protein arrays.” Langmuir 19(5): 1557-1566.Ma, H., J. Hyun, et al.\",\n \"(2004).\",\n \"“Non-fouling” oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized polymer brushers synthesized by surface-initated atom transfer radical polymerization.” Advanced Materials 16 (No.\",\n \"4): 338-341.Macaya, R. F., P. Schultze, et al.\",\n \"(1993).\",\n \"“Thrombin-Binding Dna Aptamer Forms A Unimolecular Quadruplex Structure In Solution.” Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 90(8): 3745-3749.MacBeath, G., A. N. Koehler, et al.\",\n \"(1999).\",\n \"“Printing small molecules as microarrays and detecting protein-ligand interactions en masse.” Journal of the American Chemical Society 121(34): 7967-7968.MacBeath, G. and S. L. Schreiber (2000).\",\n \"“Printing proteins as microarrays for high-throughput function determination.” Science 289(5485): 1760-1763.Nagasaki, Y., T. Ishii, et al.\",\n \"(2001).\",\n \"“PEG-modified Nanoparticles for New Molecular Recognition.” European Cells and Materials 6.Suppl.\",\n \"1: 23.Perruchot, C., M. A. Khan, et al.\",\n \"(2001).\",\n \"“Synthesis of well-defined, polymer-grafted silica particles by aqueous ATRP.” Langmuir 17(15): 4479-4481.Ratner, B., F. Schoen, et al.\",\n \"(1996).\",\n \"Biomaterials science: an introduction to materials in medicine.\",\n \"San Diego, Academic Press.\",\n \"Ruiz-Taylor, L. A., T. L. Martin, et al.\",\n \"(2001).\",\n \"“Monolayers of derivatized poly(L-lysine)-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) on metal oxides as a class of biomolecular interfaces.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 98(3): 852-857.Schena, M., D. Shalon, et al.\",\n \"(1995).\",\n \"“Quantitative Monitoring of Gene-Expression Patterns with a Complementary-DNA Microarray.” Science 270(5235): 467-470.Seeberger, P. H. and W. C. Haase (2000).\",\n \"“Solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis and combinatorial carbohydrate libraries.” Chemical Reviews 100(12): 4349-4393.StJohn, P. M. and H. G. Craighead (1996).\",\n \"“Microcontact printing and pattern transfer using trichlorosilanes on oxide substrates.” Applied Physics Letters 68(7): 1022-1024.Ulman, A.\",\n \"(1996).\",\n \"“Formation and structure of self-assembled monolayers.” Chemical Reviews 96(4): 1533-1554.Vijayendran, R. A. and D. E. Leckband (2001).\",\n \"“A quantitative assessment of heterogeneity for surface-immobilized proteins.” Analytical Chemistry 73(3): 471-480.Wang, D. N., S. Y. Liu, et al.\",\n \"(2002).\",\n \"“Carbohydrate microarrays for the recognition of cross-reactive molecular markers of microbes and host cells.” Nature Biotechnology 20(3): 275-281.Wasserman, S. R., Y. T. Tao, et al.\",\n \"(1989).\",\n \"“Structure and reactivity of alkylsiloxane monolayers formed by reaction of alkyltrichlorosilanes on silicon substrates.” Lanamuir 5(4): 1074-1087.Xia, Y. N., M. Mrksich, et al.\",\n \"(1995).\",\n \"“Microcontact Printing of Octadecylsiloxane on the Surface of Silicon Dioxide and Its Application in Microfabrication.” Journal of the American Chemical Society 117(37): 9576-9577.Yang, Z. H., J.\",\n \"A. Galloway, et al.\",\n \"(1999).\",\n \"“Protein interactions with poly(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayers on glass substrates: Diffusion and adsorption.” Lanmuir 15(24): 8405-8411.Zhu, H. and M. Snyder (2003).\",\n \"“Protein chip technology.” Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 7(1): 55-63.Zhu, X., Y. Jun, et al.\",\n \"(2001).\",\n \"“Grafting of high-density poly(ethylene glycol) monolayers on Si(111).” Langmuir 17(25): 7798-7803.Zhu, X. Y., Y. Jun, et al.\",\n \"(2001).\",\n \"“Grafting of high-density poly(ethylene glycol) monolayers on Si(111).” Langmuir 17(25): 7798-7803.The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof.\",\n \"The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872392"}}},{"rowIdx":4494068,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["MODULAR PRINT ENGINES AND MODULAR PRINT ENGINE COMPONENTS","Modular print engines and print engine components that are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.","The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers.","In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation.","Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components."],["1.A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising: a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper mounted at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input, the card input hopper is configured to hold a plurality of cards to be processed; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card that has been input from the card input hopper and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on the card; and a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on the card.","2.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the print engine is disposed along the first card travel path and the first card travel path is below the print engine.","3.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the print engine comprises a retransfer print engine that is configured to perform retransfer printing.","4.The modular print engine of claim 1, further comprising a first card opening in the bottom of the housing and a third card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening.","5.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the second card travel path extends above the first card travel path.","6.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises: a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a magnetic stripe of the card; and/or a chip reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a chip of the card.","7.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises a camera that is configured to capture an image of the card while the card is located in the card reorienting mechanism.","8.The modular print engine of claim 4, further comprising a second card opening in the rear end of the housing, and a fourth card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.","9.The modular print engine of claim 8, further comprising a second option module attached to the rear end of the housing and including an input in communication with the second card opening for receiving a card from the second card opening, and the second option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.","10.The modular print engine of claim 4, further comprising a second card opening in the top of the housing and the second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.","11.The modular print engine of claim 10, further comprising an expansion module attached to the top of the housing and including an input in communication with the second card opening for receiving a card from the second card opening, the expansion module includes an output through which a card can be output from the modular print engine.","12.The modular print engine of claim 11, wherein the expansion module includes a card reorienting mechanism.","13-16.","(canceled) 17.A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer that personalizes plastic cards, comprising: a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input formed in the front end of the housing; a card input hopper mounted at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input, the card input hopper is configured to hold a plurality of cards to be processed; a first card opening formed in the bottom of the housing through which a card can travel; and a second card opening formed in the top or rear end of the housing through which a card can travel.","18.The modular print engine of claim 17, wherein the second card opening is formed in the top of the housing, and further comprising a third card opening formed in the rear end of the housing through which a card can travel.","19-21.","(canceled)"],[" BACKGROUND Plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards are typically personalized with personal information of the intended card holder.","Examples of personalization include, but not are limited to, names, addresses, photographs, account numbers, employee numbers, or the like.","The personal information may be applied to the card in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, printing on a surface of the document, storing the information on a magnetic stripe disposed on the card, and storing the information on an integrated circuit chip or smart chip embedded in the card.","In some cases, the plastic cards are personalized using a desktop card printer that has a relatively small footprint intended to permit the desktop card printer to reside on a desktop and that is designed to personalize cards in relatively small volumes, for example measured in tens or low hundreds per hour.","An example of a desktop printer is the CD800 Card Printer available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota.","Desktop card printers are typically designed to be relatively small so that the printers can fit onto a desk or table.","The desktop card printer may be positioned on a support surface with other office machines and workspace, so that table and desk space is at a premium.","Therefore, the amount of desk or table space required for the desktop card printer (i.e., its “footprint”) should be minimized.","At the same time, it is desirable that a desktop card printer be able to perform multiple card processing operations, thereby increasing the performance capability of the desktop card printer.","Additionally, desktop card printers should be easy to operate and maintain with only a minimal amount of specialized training.","Desktop card printers are often operated by personnel for whom producing cards is only an incidental portion of their job, such as a security guard or a desk clerk, and not by personnel who have special training in such equipment.","The operation and maintenance of the card printer should thus be relatively intuitive and straightforward.","Furthermore, the cards that are output from the card printer must be of the highest quality, attractive, and durable."],[" SUMMARY Modular print engines and modular print engine components useable with the modular print engines are described.","The modular print engines and print engine components are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing, for example, plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.","The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components described herein permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers.","In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation.","Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.","In one embodiment, the modular print engine can be removably mounted on top of a lower module that performs one or more card processing operations including, but not limited to, embossing, laminating, or both embossing and laminating.","The functionality of the desktop card printer can be selectively altered by installing different ones of the modular print engine components into and/or onto the module print engine.","Before or after printing in the modular print engine, a plastic card can be directed from the modular print engine into the lower module to perform the processing operation(s) of the lower module.","Thereafter, the plastic card can be output from the lower module or directed back into the modular print engine for further processing and/or output of the personalized card.","The modular print engine can include a card input at a front end of a housing, as well as a card input hopper which is in communication with the card input to input cards into the modular print engine for personalization.","A card reorienting mechanism is in the housing adjacent to a rear end thereof, and the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a plastic card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path in the housing.","A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism with cards being transported along the first card travel path by a card transport mechanism.","A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along the first card travel path.","The print engine can perform any type of printing including, but not limited to, retransfer printing, direct to card printing, ink jet printing, laser marking, laser engraving, and any other type of printing performed on cards.","The modular print engine also includes a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism.","A removable option module is disposed along the second card travel path.","The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.","The removable option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module that is configured to have a different functionality.","A plurality of different option modules, each having different functionality, can be created.","Each option module is configured to be individually and separately removably installed in the housing along the second card travel path, and each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.","One option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module to change the functionality of the modular print engine.","The modular print engine includes a first card opening in the bottom of the housing.","A third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening to permit a card to be output from the modular print engine and into the lower module.","In some embodiments, after processing in the lower module, the plastic card can be input back into the modular print engine through the first card opening for further processing and/or output from the modular print engine.","In one embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the rear end of the housing, and a fourth card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.","In this embodiment, a second option module can be attached to the rear end of the housing for receiving a card from the second card opening.","The second option module can include at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.","In another embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the top of the housing, and the second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.","An upper expansion module can be attached to the top of the housing and can receive a plastic card from the modular print engine through the second card opening, with the card then being directed to an output of the upper expansion module through which the plastic card can be output from the upper expansion module.","In one embodiment, a modular print engine useable in a desktop card printer that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.","A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is disposed at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input.","A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.","A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.","In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.","A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, and a removable option module is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.","The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.","In addition, a first card opening is formed in the bottom of the housing, and a third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening.","In another embodiment, a desktop card printer system that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.","A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is in communication with the card input.","A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.","A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.","In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.","A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.","The system also includes a plurality of option modules, where a single one of the option modules is configured to be removably installed in the housing along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.","Each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.","Therefore, by changing the option module that is installed, the functionality of the desktop card printer can be changed.","As used herein, a processing mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that can involve personalization or not involve personalization.","For example, applying a transparent protective laminate, perhaps even including a hologram or other non-personalized security feature, is an example of a card processing operation that does not involve personalization.","Applying a name, address, photograph, account number, employee number, signature, or the like to a card are examples of processing operations that involve personalization.","A personalization mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that involves personalization.","The term processing operation therefore encompasses both personalization and non-personalization operations performed on a card, while the term personalization operation encompasses personalization operations performed on a card."],["FIELD This disclosure describes modular print engines and modular print engine components that can be used with the modular print engines to personalize plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.","BACKGROUND Plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards are typically personalized with personal information of the intended card holder.","Examples of personalization include, but not are limited to, names, addresses, photographs, account numbers, employee numbers, or the like.","The personal information may be applied to the card in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, printing on a surface of the document, storing the information on a magnetic stripe disposed on the card, and storing the information on an integrated circuit chip or smart chip embedded in the card.","In some cases, the plastic cards are personalized using a desktop card printer that has a relatively small footprint intended to permit the desktop card printer to reside on a desktop and that is designed to personalize cards in relatively small volumes, for example measured in tens or low hundreds per hour.","An example of a desktop printer is the CD800 Card Printer available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota.","Desktop card printers are typically designed to be relatively small so that the printers can fit onto a desk or table.","The desktop card printer may be positioned on a support surface with other office machines and workspace, so that table and desk space is at a premium.","Therefore, the amount of desk or table space required for the desktop card printer (i.e., its “footprint”) should be minimized.","At the same time, it is desirable that a desktop card printer be able to perform multiple card processing operations, thereby increasing the performance capability of the desktop card printer.","Additionally, desktop card printers should be easy to operate and maintain with only a minimal amount of specialized training.","Desktop card printers are often operated by personnel for whom producing cards is only an incidental portion of their job, such as a security guard or a desk clerk, and not by personnel who have special training in such equipment.","The operation and maintenance of the card printer should thus be relatively intuitive and straightforward.","Furthermore, the cards that are output from the card printer must be of the highest quality, attractive, and durable.","SUMMARY Modular print engines and modular print engine components useable with the modular print engines are described.","The modular print engines and print engine components are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing, for example, plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.","The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components described herein permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers.","In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation.","Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.","In one embodiment, the modular print engine can be removably mounted on top of a lower module that performs one or more card processing operations including, but not limited to, embossing, laminating, or both embossing and laminating.","The functionality of the desktop card printer can be selectively altered by installing different ones of the modular print engine components into and/or onto the module print engine.","Before or after printing in the modular print engine, a plastic card can be directed from the modular print engine into the lower module to perform the processing operation(s) of the lower module.","Thereafter, the plastic card can be output from the lower module or directed back into the modular print engine for further processing and/or output of the personalized card.","The modular print engine can include a card input at a front end of a housing, as well as a card input hopper which is in communication with the card input to input cards into the modular print engine for personalization.","A card reorienting mechanism is in the housing adjacent to a rear end thereof, and the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a plastic card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path in the housing.","A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism with cards being transported along the first card travel path by a card transport mechanism.","A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along the first card travel path.","The print engine can perform any type of printing including, but not limited to, retransfer printing, direct to card printing, ink jet printing, laser marking, laser engraving, and any other type of printing performed on cards.","The modular print engine also includes a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism.","A removable option module is disposed along the second card travel path.","The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.","The removable option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module that is configured to have a different functionality.","A plurality of different option modules, each having different functionality, can be created.","Each option module is configured to be individually and separately removably installed in the housing along the second card travel path, and each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.","One option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module to change the functionality of the modular print engine.","The modular print engine includes a first card opening in the bottom of the housing.","A third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening to permit a card to be output from the modular print engine and into the lower module.","In some embodiments, after processing in the lower module, the plastic card can be input back into the modular print engine through the first card opening for further processing and/or output from the modular print engine.","In one embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the rear end of the housing, and a fourth card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.","In this embodiment, a second option module can be attached to the rear end of the housing for receiving a card from the second card opening.","The second option module can include at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.","In another embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the top of the housing, and the second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.","An upper expansion module can be attached to the top of the housing and can receive a plastic card from the modular print engine through the second card opening, with the card then being directed to an output of the upper expansion module through which the plastic card can be output from the upper expansion module.","In one embodiment, a modular print engine useable in a desktop card printer that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.","A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is disposed at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input.","A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.","A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.","In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.","A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, and a removable option module is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.","The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.","In addition, a first card opening is formed in the bottom of the housing, and a third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening.","In another embodiment, a desktop card printer system that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.","A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is in communication with the card input.","A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.","A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.","In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.","A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.","The system also includes a plurality of option modules, where a single one of the option modules is configured to be removably installed in the housing along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.","Each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.","Therefore, by changing the option module that is installed, the functionality of the desktop card printer can be changed.","As used herein, a processing mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that can involve personalization or not involve personalization.","For example, applying a transparent protective laminate, perhaps even including a hologram or other non-personalized security feature, is an example of a card processing operation that does not involve personalization.","Applying a name, address, photograph, account number, employee number, signature, or the like to a card are examples of processing operations that involve personalization.","A personalization mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that involves personalization.","The term processing operation therefore encompasses both personalization and non-personalization operations performed on a card, while the term personalization operation encompasses personalization operations performed on a card.","DRAWINGS FIG.","1 schematically illustrates a modular print engine described herein removably mounted on top of a lower module.","FIG.","2 schematically illustrates an example of a re-transfer print engine that can be used with the modular print engine of FIG.","1.FIGS.","3A-D schematically illustrate examples of different option modules that can be installed one at a time in the modular print engine of FIG.","1.FIG.","4 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with an upper expansion module.","FIG.","5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with a second option, or rear expansion, module.","FIGS.","6A-C schematically illustrates examples of different second option modules that can be used with the modular print engine of FIG.","5.FIG.","7 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with an option module located below the print engine.","FIG.","8 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with a removable option module located between the input and the card reorienting mechanism.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION As described further below, in some embodiments, a modular print engine 10 can include a card reorienting mechanism that is disposed at the intersection of four distinct card travel paths.","In one embodiment, the four card travel paths are located at 90 degree intervals around the card reorienting mechanism and the card travels paths extend either horizontally or vertically.","However, the four card travel paths can be positioned at other spaced intervals about the card reorienting mechanism, and the card travel paths need not extend horizontally or vertically.","In addition, the modular print engine 10 described further below can include a card input at a front end thereof and a card opening through a rear end thereof.","In some embodiments, there can also be a card opening through a bottom of the modular print engine 10.In other embodiments, there can also be a card opening through a top of the modular print engine.","Depending upon the desired card travel path through the desktop card printer, the card openings can be card inputs or both inputs and outputs.","Referring to FIG.","1, a first embodiment of a modular print engine 10 is illustrated as being detachably and removably mounted on top of a lower module 12.Together, the modular print engine 10 and the lower module 12 form a desktop card printer that in use is configured to personalize, for example, plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.","The desktop card printer is designed to have a relatively small horizontal (i.e.","front to back) footprint intended to permit the desktop card printer to reside on a desktop or table and that is designed to personalize cards in relatively small volumes, for example measured in tens or low hundreds per hour.","The connection between the modular print engine 10 and the lower module 12 can be any form of non-permanent connection that permits the modular print engine 10 to be detachably mounted on top of the lower module 12 and that permits the modular print engine 10 to be non-destructively detached from the lower module 12 without destroying any portion of the modular print engine 10 or the lower module 12.An example of a suitable detachable mounting between a print engine and a lower module is the detachable mounting used in the CD800 print engine that interfaces with a lower laminator module or the CE870 print engine that interfaces with a lower embosser module, both of which are available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minn.","The lower module 12 is of conventional construction and operation and as shown in FIG.","1 generally includes a lower module housing 14 illustrated in dashed lines with a front end 16, a rear end 18 opposite the front end 16, a top 20, and a bottom 22 opposite the top 20.A main card transport path 24 is defined in the housing 14 along which a plastic card is transported generally in a horizontal direction or generally parallel to the top 20 and the bottom 22.A slot 26 is defined in the top 20 of the housing 14 through which a card can be input into the housing 14 from the modular print engine 10 and, in some embodiments, output from the housing 14 back into the modular print engine 10.A secondary card transport path 28 leads from the slot 26 to a card reorienting mechanism 30 that is disposed adjacent to the rear end 18 of the housing 14.In one embodiment, the secondary card transport path 28 can be generally vertical or perpendicular to the main card transport path 24 which can be generally horizontal.","The card reorienting mechanism 30 is rotatably disposed in the housing 14 for rotation both clockwise and counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow on the card reorienting mechanism 30.When a card is being input into the lower module 12 from the modular print engine 10, the card reorienting mechanism 30 is configured to receive a card along the secondary card transport path 28 and rotate the card so as to direct the card along the main transport path 24.Likewise, when a card is being output from the lower module 12 back into the modular print engine 10, the card reorienting mechanism 30 can receive a card from the main transport path 24, and rotate the card so as to direct the card along the secondary card transport path 28 for transport out of the lower module 12.Examples of suitable card reorienting mechanisms are described in U.S. 2013/0220984 and U.S. Pat.","No.","7,398,972 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","A card is transported along the main card transport path 24 and the secondary card transport path 28 by suitable card transport mechanisms, such as rollers 32, 34.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanisms are reversible to allow a card to be transported in forward (i.e.","during card input) and reverse (i.e.","during card output back through the slot 26) directions along each card transport path 24, 28 as shown by the arrows in FIG.","1.In other embodiments where the card is to be output directly from the lower module 12 after processing in the lower module 12, the card transport mechanisms need not be reversible.","The lower module 12 includes at least one card processing mechanism 36 disposed along the main card transport path 24 that is configured to perform a processing operation on the card.","In one embodiment, a single card processing mechanism 36 can be provided.","In another embodiment, two or more card processing mechanisms 36 can be provided one after the other along the main card transport path 24.Examples of card processing mechanisms 36 that can be used include, but are not limited to, a card embosser or a card laminator.","The lower module 12 can also include an output 38 at the end of the transport path 24 through which a card can be output from the lower module 12 after processing by the processing mechanism(s) 36.In some embodiments, the lower module 12 may also include a card de-bowing mechanism (not shown) that is used to eliminate a bow that may occur on the card as a result of processing by the processing mechanism(s) 36.An example of a suitable de-bowing mechanism that can be used is described in US 2014-0345787 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.","A suitable lower module with a card embosser or a card laminator is available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minn.","In operation of the lower module 12, a card enters the lower module 12 from the modular print engine 10 through the slot 26.The card is transported along the secondary card transport path 28 and into the card reorienting mechanism 30 which is then rotated to bring the card in line with the main card transport path 24.The card is then directed along the main card transport path 24 to the card processing mechanism(s) 36 which performs the one or more processing operations on the card.","In one embodiment, the card is then transported along the transport path 24 to the output 38 and output from the lower module 12, for example into a hopper that can collect multiple cards.","In other embodiments, after processing by the card processing mechanism(s) 36, the card can be transported in the reverse direction along the main card transport path 24 back to the card reorienting mechanism 30 which receives the card and rotates the card to bring the card in line with the secondary card transport path 28.The card is then transported along the secondary card transport path 28 and back out of the lower module 12 through the slot 26 and back into the modular print engine 10.With continued reference to FIG.","1, the modular print engine 10 includes a housing 50 having a front end 52, a rear end 54, a top 56 and a bottom 58.A main card input 60 is located at the front end 52 of the housing 50 through which plastic cards to be processed by the modular print engine 10 and/or by the lower module 12 (i.e.","processed by the desktop card printer) are input.","In some embodiments, the card input 60 can also form a card output through which processed cards can be output from the modular print engine 10.In other embodiments, a card output that is separate from the card input 60, but also located at the front end 52 like the card input 60, can be provided through which processed cards can be output from the modular print engine 10.A card input hopper 62 can be mounted at the front end 52 of the housing 50 that is in communication with the card input 60.The card input hopper 62 is designed to hold a number of plastic cards waiting to be processed which are fed one-by-one into the housing 50 by a suitable card feed mechanism 64 known in the art.","In embodiments where a card output is also located at the front end 52, a card output hopper 66 can also be mounted at the front end 52 of the housing 50 that is in communication with the card output for receiving finished processed cards.","The card output hopper 66 is designed to hold a number of finished processed cards after they have been processed which are fed out of the housing through a suitable card outlet, which can coincide with or be separate from the card inlet 60, and dropped into the card output hopper 66 in a manner known in the art.","In one embodiment, the card input hopper 62 and the card output hopper 66 form an integral, single unit where the input hopper 62 and the output hopper 66 are combined together into a common structure that is mountable and removable as a single unit from the housing 50.In another embodiment, the input hopper 62 (as well as the output hopper 66 or both the input hopper 62 and the output hopper 66) can be configured with a multihopper configuration where the input hopper 62 is configured to simultaneously hold different card stock (for example, Visa® and Mastercard® branded card stock; driver's license card stock from different states; identification card stock having different security levels; etc.)","waiting to be personalized.","Each type of card stock can be selectively input into the modular print engine from the input hopper 62 as selected by the printer controller based on the type of card to be created.","A main or first card travel path 68 extends through the housing 50 from the input 60.In the illustrated example, the card travel path 68 extends substantially horizontally through the housing 50 substantially parallel to the bottom 58.Cards are transported along the card travel path 68 by a card transport mechanism, such as sets of rollers 70.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanism can be reversible to allow the cards to be transported in forward (for example during card input or during printing) and reverse (for example, if a card is to be output from the modular print engine 10 through the front end 52 or to transport a card upstream of a printer before, during or after printing) directions along the travel path 68 as shown by the arrow in FIG.","1.A card reorienting mechanism 72 is disposed in the housing 50 along the card travel path 68 adjacent to the rear end 54.The card reorienting mechanism 72 is rotatably disposed in the housing 50 for rotation both clockwise and counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow on the card reorienting mechanism 72.The card reorienting mechanism 72 is configured to receive a card along the card travel path 68 and rotate the card so as to direct the card in a different direction along a desired card travel path.","Examples of suitable card reorienting mechanisms are described in U.S. 2013/0220984 and U.S. Pat.","No.","7,398,972 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","A print engine 74 is disposed along the card travel path 68 that is configured to print on a card disposed on the card travel path 68.In one embodiment, the print engine 74 can be configured to perform retransfer printing as described further below with respect to FIG.","2.However, the print engine 74 can be configured to perform direct to card printing, ink jet printing, laser marking, laser engraving, and any other type of printing performed on cards.","With continued reference to FIG.","1, a second card travel path 76 can extend upwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72.In one embodiment, the second card travel path 76 extends substantially vertically upward from the card reorienting mechanism 72.However, the second card travel path 76 is not limited to extending vertically and can instead extend upwardly at an angle to vertical.","Cards are transported along the card travel path 76 by a card transport mechanism, such as sets of rollers 78.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanism can be reversible to allow the cards to be transported in forward and reverse directions along the travel path 76 as shown by the arrow in FIG.","1.A removable option module 80 is disposed along the second card travel path 76 and above the first card travel path 68.The removable option module 80 includes at least one card processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a plastic card.","As discussed further below with respect to FIGS.","3A-D, the removable option module 80 is one of a plurality of removable option modules 80 that can be installed one at a time in the modular print engine 10 to permit changes to the functionality of the modular print engine 10.Each option module 80 is configured to be individually and separately removably installed in the housing 50 along the second card travel path 76 and above the first card travel path 68, and each option module 80 is configured to perform a different processing operation on a plastic card received thereby.","One option module 80 can be removed and replaced with a different option module 80 to change the functionality of the modular print engine 10.FIG.","3A illustrates that in one embodiment, the option module 80 can include a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 that can read data on a magnetic stripe of a card and/or write data onto the magnetic stripe.","Magnetic stripe readers and/or writers are well known in the art.","FIG.","3B illustrates that in another embodiment, the option module 80 can include a smart card reader and/or writer 84 that can read data stored on an integrated circuit chip (i.e.","smart card chip) on the card and/or write data to the chip.","The smart card reader and/or writer 84 can be configured for contact or contactless reading and/or writing.","Smart card readers and/or writers, both contact and contactless, are well known in the art.","In another embodiment illustrated in FIG.","3C, the option module 80 can include both the magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 and the smart card reader and/or writer 84 arranged in any order.","In another embodiment illustrated in FIG.","3D, the option module 80 can include two smart card readers and/or writers 84.The card processing mechanism(s) in the option modules 80 is not limited to a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 and a smart card reader and/or writer 84.Other card processing mechanisms can be included in the option modules 80 in combination with or separately from the magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 and the smart card reader and/or writer 84.Examples of other card processing mechanisms that can be included in the option modules 80 can include, but are not limited to, a scanner that can read a one dimensional bar code on a card surface, a camera that can be used to read a one or two dimensional bar code on a card surface or capture an image of a card surface, a hole puncher that punches one or more holes in the card, and other card processing mechanisms.","In one embodiment, the camera, if used, can be arranged to capture one or more images of a card surface while the card is held by the card reorienting mechanism 72.Depending upon the desired functionality of the modular print engine 10, one can install the appropriate option module 80 in the modular print engine 10.Because each option module 80 is modular, each option module 80 can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engine 10 to ensure that the option module 80 is working correctly prior to installation.","Further, to change functionality of the modular print engine 10, the user can replace one option module 80 with another option module 80 having the desired functionality.","Returning to FIG.","1, a third card travel path 86 can extend downwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72.In one embodiment, the third card travel path 86 extends substantially vertically downward from the card reorienting mechanism 72 substantially in-line with the card travel path 76.However, the third card travel path 86 is not limited to extending vertically and can instead extend downwardly at an angle to vertical.","Cards are transported along the card travel path 86 by a card transport mechanism, such as rollers 88.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanism can be reversible to allow the cards to be transported in forward and reverse directions along the travel path 86 as shown by the arrow in FIG.","1.The third card travel path 86 extends to a card opening 90 in the bottom 58 of the housing 50.When the modular print engine 10 is correctly mounted on the lower module 12, the third card travel path 86 and the card opening 90 are aligned with the card transport path 28 and the slot 26 of the lower module 12 so that a card can be transferred between the modular print engine 10 and the lower module 12, i.e.","transferred out of the modular print engine 10 and into the lower module 12, and in some embodiments, transferred out of the lower module 12 and back into the modular print engine 10.In some embodiments, the modular print engine 10 can further include a fourth card travel path 92 that can extend rearwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72 as discussed further below with respect to FIG.","5.In one embodiment, the fourth card travel path 92 can extend substantially horizontally from the card reorienting mechanism 72 in-line with the card travel path 68.However, the fourth card travel path 92 is not limited to extending horizontally and can instead extend at an angle to horizontal.","When the fourth card travel path 92 is present, the travel path 92 extends to a card opening 94 formed in the rear 54 of the housing 50 to permit cards to exit and enter the card opening 94 through the rear 54 of the housing 50.The modular print engine 10 can therefore include a card input at the front end 52 thereof and the card opening 94 through the rear 54 thereof.","In some embodiments, there can also be the card opening 90 through the bottom of the modular print engine 10.In other embodiments, there can also be the card opening 202 discussed in FIG.","4.Returning to FIG.","1, in some embodiments a card de-bowing mechanism 100 can be provided in the travel path 68 after the print engine 74.The de-bowing mechanism 100 is configured to bend the card after printing to remove a bend in the card that may develop as a result of the printing of the card, especially with retransfer printing.","The de-bowing mechanism 100 can be any mechanism that is suitable for eliminating a bend that may develop in the card.","An example of a suitable de-bowing mechanism 100 that can be used is described in US 2014-0345787 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.","A card reject hopper 102 is also located in the modular print engine 10, for example above the travel path 68, above the de-bowing mechanism 100, and adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72.The card reject hopper 102 is positioned to receive cards that one may wish to store and not output from the modular print engine 10, for example cards that are determined to be defective for some reason.","For example, a card may be determined to be defective by failing to read and/or write data using the magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 or using the smart card reader and/or writer 84 of the option module 80.In such a case, the card is transported to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which rotates the card so that it is aligned with an input into the card reject hopper 102, and the card reorienting mechanism 72 then discharges the defective card into the card reject hopper 102 using transport rollers on the card reorienting mechanism 72.Optionally, the card reject hopper 102 can be located at any other suitable location in the modular print engine 10, and cards to be stored in the card reject hopper 102 can be transported to the card reject hopper 102 using a suitable transport mechanism.","In one exemplary operation of the modular print engine 10 of FIG.","1, a card can be initially input from the input hopper 62 through the input 60.In one embodiment, the card is initially transported along the card travel path 68 to the card reorienting mechanism 72, which redirects the card onto the second card travel path 76 where the card is transported into the option module 80.The option module 80 determines whether the magnetic stripe and/or the chip on the card are working correctly, and if they are, data is written onto the magnetic stripe and/or onto the chip.","If they are not working correctly, the card can be transported back along the second card travel path 76 to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which then directs the card into the card reject hopper 102.After the data has been written, the card is transported back along the second card travel path 76 to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which then directs the card back onto the first card travel path 68.The card is then transported back toward the front end 52 upstream of the print engine 74 for printing.","The card is then printed on by the print engine 74.After printing, if it is anticipated that the printing caused the card to bend, the card is transported to the de-bowing mechanism 100 which removes the bend in the card.","The card is then transported to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which redirects the card to the third card travel path 86.The card is then transported out of the modular print engine 10 and into the lower module 12 through the aligned card opening 90 and the slot 26, and to the card reorienting mechanism 30 in the lower module 12.The card reorienting mechanism 30 redirects the card onto the card transport path 24 where the card is transported to the card processing mechanism(s) 36.After the card is processed in the card processing mechanism(s) 36, the card can then be output from the lower module 12 via the output 38.In other embodiments, after the card is processed in the card processing mechanism(s) 36, the card can then be redirected back to the card reorienting mechanism 30 via the card transport path 24, and redirected out of the lower module 12 and back into the card reorienting mechanism 72 of the modular print engine 10.The card reorienting mechanism 72 can reorient the card for transport back along the card travel path 68 and into the output hopper 66.Alternatively, if the card opening 94 in the rear 54 is used, the card can be redirected by the card reorienting mechanism 72 to the fourth card travel path 92 for discharge out the card opening 94.Alternatively, as discussed further below, the card can be directed upwardly for discharge out of a card opening in the top of the modular print engine 10.Many other operational sequences of the modular print engine 10 of FIG.","1 are possible including, but not limited to, directing the card first to the lower module 12, and then back into the modular print engine 10 for processing by the option module 80 and the print engine 74.In addition, the card can be initially printed by the print engine 74 prior to the card being directed to the option module 80 and/or to the lower module 12.In addition, the card can be initially directed into the option module 80, followed by processing in the lower module, followed by printing by the print engine 74.As illustrated in FIG.","1, the print engine 74 is disposed above the card travel path 68.Applicant has discovered that locating the card travel path 68 below the print engine 74 improves the resulting print process by the print engine 74.For example, card handling is more reliable.","For print engines that rely upon heat in the printing process, for example using one or more heated transfer rollers in the case of retransfer printing, the improved card handling is believed to result from heat rising upward in a direction away from the card during printing.","As described above, in one embodiment the print engine 74 can be configured to perform retransfer printing.","Retransfer printing is well known in the art.","FIG.","2 illustrates an example of the print engine 74 configured for retransfer printing.","The illustrated retransfer printing configuration includes a print side that includes print ribbon supply 150 from which a supply of monochrome or multi-color print ribbon 152 is supplied, and a print ribbon take-up 154 that takes-up used print ribbon 152.The print ribbon is directed past a print head 156, which in the illustrated example can be stationary, which transfers dye or pigment ink from the print ribbon 152 onto a retransfer film 158.After printing, the used print ribbon 152 is then wound onto the take-up 154.The retransfer film 158 is supplied from a film supply 160 on a retransfer side, and after retransfer the remaining film is wound onto a film take-up 162 also on the retransfer side.","The retransfer film 158 is directed past a platen roller 164 positioned opposite the print head 156 and which in the illustrated example can be moved toward and away from the print head 156 to press the retransfer film 158 and the print ribbon 152 between the print head 156 and the platen roller 164 during printing onto the retransfer film 158.The retransfer side can also include a capstan roller 166 that is also movable toward and away from the print side.","Once a desired image is printed onto the retransfer film 158, the retransfer film 158 with the printed image is advanced to a transfer section 168 where the printed image on the retransfer film 158 is transferred onto a surface of the card.","The transfer section 168 includes a heated transfer roller 170 that is movable toward and away from a fixed platen 172 positioned on the opposite side of the travel path 68.The heated transfer roller 170 presses the portion of the retransfer film 158 containing the printed image against the surface of the card which is backed by the platen 172, with the retransfer film 158 and the card then being transported together past the heated transfer roller 170 to transfer the layer of the retransfer film 158 containing the printed image onto the card surface.","The remainder of the retransfer film 158 is then wound onto the film take-up 162.The specific construction and operation of retransfer printers, including the print ribbon, the retransfer film, printing an image on the retransfer film, and transferring the printed image onto a surface of a card, is well known in the art.","One example of retransfer printing is disclosed in U.S. Pat.","No.","6,894,710 among many others.","U.S. Pat.","No.","6,894,710 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","Referring now to FIG.","4, another embodiment of a modular print engine 200 is illustrated.","Elements of the modular print engine 200 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.","1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.","The lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.","4, but the modular print engine 200 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.","1.In the embodiment in FIG.","4, the second card travel path 76 extends from the card reorienting mechanism 72 to a card opening 202 that is formed in the top 56 of the housing 50.An upper expansion module 204 is attached to the top 56 of the housing 50.The upper expansion module 204 can be selectively added to and removed from the modular print engine 200 to permit alteration in where cards are output.","The upper expansion module 204 includes an input 206 that, when the upper expansion module 204 is correctly mounted on the housing 50, is aligned with the card opening 202 for receiving a card therein.","The upper expansion module 204 further includes a rotatable card reorienting mechanism 208 and an output 210 through which a card can be output from the modular print engine in a rearward direction.","A card that enters the upper expansion module 204 is received in the card reorienting mechanism 208, which redirects the card approximately 90 degrees and outputs the card through the output 210 aided if necessary by transport rollers 212.The output 210, or a separate output, could be formed at the front of the upper expansion module 204 to allow front discharge of cards separately from or in addition to outputting cards to the rear through the output 210.If the upper expansion module 204 is not used, cards can still be output at the top 56 of the modular print engine 200 through the card opening 202, or the card opening 202 can be closed to prevent card travel therethrough.","Alternatively, instead of outputting cards from the upper expansion module 204, the cards can be output from the lower module 12 or through the card opening 94 as discussed above in FIG.","1.Or a user may select to output one or more cards from the upper expansion module 204, while selecting to output other cards from other locations of the desktop card printer.","In this manner, the upper expansion module 204 expands the functionality of the modular print engine 200 by allowing a user to configure and select how cards are output from the modular print engine 200.Referring now to FIG.","5, another embodiment of a modular print engine 250 is illustrated.","Elements of the modular print engine 250 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.","1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.","The lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.","5, but the modular print engine 250 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.","1.In the embodiment in FIG.","5, the fourth card travel path 92 is present that extends substantially horizontally from the card reorienting mechanism 72 to the card opening 94 formed in the rear 54 of the housing 50.A second option, or rear expansion, module 252 is removably attached to the rear end 54 of the housing 50 that permits a user to change the functionality of the modular print engine 250.The second option module 252 includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on, for example, a plastic card.","The removable second option module 252 is one of a plurality of different removable second option modules 252.Each second option module 252 is configured to be individually and separately removably installed on the rear 54 of the housing 50, and each second option module 252 is configured to perform a different processing operation on a plastic card received thereby.","One second option module 252 can be removed and replaced with a different second option module 252 to change the functionality of the modular print engine 250.In general, each second option module 252 includes a card opening 254 that, when the second option module 252 is correctly mounted on the housing 50, is aligned with the card opening 94 for receiving a card therein.","In addition, each second option module 252 includes a housing 255 (seen in FIGS.","6A-C) that houses at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation, for example a personalization operation, on a plastic card.","FIGS.","6A-6C illustrate different examples of the second option modules 252.Many other examples of second option modules 252 are possible including any combinations of the concepts illustrated in FIGS.","6A-C.","In FIG.","6A, the second option module 252 includes a card travel path 256 that extends from the card opening 254 substantially in-line with the travel paths 68 and 92.The travel path 256 can extend to an output 258 in the rear of the housing 255 through which cards can be selectively output.","Cards are transported along the travel path 256 by a suitable reversible or non-reversible transport mechanism, such as transport rollers 260.One or more card processing mechanisms 262 are provided along the travel path 256, for example above the travel path 256, for performing one or more additional processing operations on the card.","The processing mechanism 262 can be, for example, a personalization mechanism such as a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer or a smart card reader and/or writer.","The processing mechanism 262 can be any one or more mechanisms that perform one or more processing operations, such as personalization or non-personalization operations, on a card.","After the processing mechanism 262 finishes processing the card, the card can be output through the output 258 or transported back into the modular print engine 250.FIG.","6B illustrates the second option module 252 as being similar to the second option module 252 of FIG.","6A, but including a card reorienting mechanism 264 that can reorient a card onto a new travel path 266 up to the card processing mechanism 262.After processing by the processing mechanism 262, the card can be directed back to the card reorienting mechanism 264, which then directs the card back onto the travel path 256 for output through the output 258 or transport back into the modular print engine 250.FIG.","6C illustrates the second option module 252 as including the travel path 256 but no output 258.Instead, the travel path 256 ends at the processing mechanism 262.In FIG.","6C, after processing by the processing mechanism 262, the card is transported back into the modular print engine 250.Referring now to FIG.","7, another embodiment of a modular print engine 300 is illustrated.","Elements of the modular print engine 300 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.","1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.","For sake of simplicity, the lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.","7, but the modular print engine 300 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.","1.In addition, the transport mechanism, such as the rollers 70, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 are not illustrated in FIG.","7 for sake of simplicity, although a transport mechanism would be included for transporting a card along the various card travel paths described below, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 can optionally be included.","In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.","7, the removable option module 80 is physically located below the print engine 74.A card travels along the card travel path 68 to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which can reorient the card downward along another card travel path 302 that extends to the card opening 90 in the bottom 58 of the housing 50 that communicates with the lower module 12 (not illustrated in FIG.","7).","A second card reorienting mechanism 304 is located along the card travel path 302 that can redirect the card onto a card travel path 306 along which the removable option module 80 is disposed.","The option module 80 can be removable and replaceable with another, differently configured option module 80 as discussed above for FIGS.","1 and 3A-D.","The option module 80 in FIG.","7 can have the same configuration and operation as the option modules 80 described above with respect to FIGS.","1 and 3A-D.","The card travel path 306 is illustrated as being parallel to the card travel path 68, although the card travel path 306 can extend at an angle to the card travel path 68.In addition, the card reject hopper 102 can be located in the same position as shown in FIGS.","1, 4, and 5.Alternatively, as shown in FIG.","7, the card reject hopper 102 can be located between the second card reorienting mechanism 304 and the rear end 54 of the housing 50.Cards to be rejected can be directed into the card reject hopper 102 by the second card reorienting mechanism 304, by the first card reorienting mechanism 72, or by both of the card reorienting mechanisms 72, 304.The modular print engine 300 can also include a card imaging device 308 that is separate from the option module 80 and adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72.The imaging device 308 can be, for example, a scanner that can read a one dimensional bar code on a card surface or a camera that can be used to read a one or two dimensional bar code on a card surface or capture an image of a card surface.","In one embodiment, the camera can be arranged to capture one or more images of a card surface while the card is held by the card reorienting mechanism 72.Although not illustrated in FIG.","7, the modular print engine 300 can also include the card opening 94 in the rear end 54 thereof that leads to one of the second option modules 252 described above with respect to FIGS.","5 and 6A-C and/or can include the card opening 202 in the top 56 that leads to the upper expansion module 204 described above with respect to FIG.","4.Referring now to FIG.","8, another embodiment of a modular print engine 350 is illustrated.","Elements of the modular print engine 350 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.","1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.","For sake of simplicity, the lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.","8, but the modular print engine 350 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.","1.In addition, the transport mechanism, such as the rollers 70, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 are not illustrated in FIG.","8 for sake of simplicity, although a transport mechanism would be included for transporting a card along the various card travel paths described below, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 can optionally be included.","In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.","8, the removable option module 80 is physically located along the card travel path 68 between the input 60 and the card reorienting mechanism 72.In addition, the print engine 74 is positioned along a card travel path 352 that extends downwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72 to the card opening 90 in the bottom 58 of the housing 50 that communicates with the lower module 12 (not illustrated in FIG.","8).","The print engine 74 can be oriented in a direction so that printing on the card occurs along the card travel path 352.However, the print engine 74 can be located along other card travel paths extending from the card reorienting mechanism 72 so that printing occurs along any other card travel path.","In the case of the print engine 74 being configured for retransfer printing, the heated transfer roller 170 would be located adjacent to the card travel path 352 as illustrated.","A card travels along the card travel path 68 to or through the option module 80 and then to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which can reorient the card and direct the card downward along the card travel path 352.The option module 80 can be removable and replaceable with another, differently configured option module 80 as discussed above for FIGS.","1 and 3A-D.","The card travel path 352 is illustrated as being perpendicular to the card travel path 68, although the card travel path 352 can extend at an angle to the card travel path 68.In addition, the card reject hopper 102 can be located in the same position as shown in FIGS.","1, 4, and 5.Alternatively, as shown in FIG.","8, the card reject hopper 102 can be located adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72 between the card travel path 352 and the rear end 54 of the housing 50.Cards to be rejected can be directed into the card reject hopper 102 by the card reorienting mechanism 72.In one embodiment, the modular print engine 350 can also include a card imaging device 354 that is separate from the option module 80 and adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72.The imaging device 354 can be, for example, a scanner that can read a one dimensional bar code on a card surface or a camera that can be used to read a one or two dimensional bar code on a card surface or capture an image of a card surface.","In one embodiment, the camera can be arranged to capture one or more images of a card surface while the card is held by the card reorienting mechanism 72.In another embodiment, the card can be output from the card reorienting mechanism 72 onto a platform structure 355 that holds the card while being imaged by the imaging device 354.In another embodiment, the modular print engine 350 can also include a smart card reader and/or writer 356 that is separate from the option module 80 and is located adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72 so that the card reorienting mechanism 72 can reorient and direct a card into the smart card reader and/or writer 356 for reading and/or writing on an integrated circuit chip (i.e.","smart card chip) on the card.","Like the option module 80, the smart card reader and/or writer 356 can also be removable and replaceable with a mechanism having different functionality.","For example, a contact type smart card reader and/or writer 356 can be replaced with a contactless type smart card reader and/or writer 356, or the smart card reader and/or writer 356 can be replaced with a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer or other card processing mechanism.","Although not illustrated in FIG.","8, the modular print engine 350 can also include the card opening 94 in the rear end 54 thereof that leads to one of the second option modules 252 described above with respect to FIGS.","5 and 6A-C and/or can include the card opening 202 in the top 56 that leads to the upper expansion module 204 described above with respect to FIG.","4.All of the individual features and elements in the embodiments in FIGS.","1-8 can be used separately from one another or in any combinations together.","The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative.","The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"MODULAR PRINT ENGINES AND MODULAR PRINT ENGINE COMPONENTS\",\n \"Modular print engines and print engine components that are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.\",\n \"The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers.\",\n \"In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation.\",\n \"Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer, comprising: a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input at the front end of the housing; a card input hopper mounted at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input, the card input hopper is configured to hold a plurality of cards to be processed; a card reorienting mechanism in the housing adjacent to the rear end, the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a card that has been input from the card input hopper and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path; a first card travel path between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism; a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism; a print engine disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the print engine is configured to print on the card; and a removable option module disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, the removable option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on the card.\",\n \"2.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the print engine is disposed along the first card travel path and the first card travel path is below the print engine.\",\n \"3.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the print engine comprises a retransfer print engine that is configured to perform retransfer printing.\",\n \"4.The modular print engine of claim 1, further comprising a first card opening in the bottom of the housing and a third card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening.\",\n \"5.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the second card travel path extends above the first card travel path.\",\n \"6.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises: a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a magnetic stripe of the card; and/or a chip reader and/or writer configured to read and/or write to a chip of the card.\",\n \"7.The modular print engine of claim 1, wherein the at least one processing mechanism of the removable option module comprises a camera that is configured to capture an image of the card while the card is located in the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"8.The modular print engine of claim 4, further comprising a second card opening in the rear end of the housing, and a fourth card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.\",\n \"9.The modular print engine of claim 8, further comprising a second option module attached to the rear end of the housing and including an input in communication with the second card opening for receiving a card from the second card opening, and the second option module includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.\",\n \"10.The modular print engine of claim 4, further comprising a second card opening in the top of the housing and the second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.\",\n \"11.The modular print engine of claim 10, further comprising an expansion module attached to the top of the housing and including an input in communication with the second card opening for receiving a card from the second card opening, the expansion module includes an output through which a card can be output from the modular print engine.\",\n \"12.The modular print engine of claim 11, wherein the expansion module includes a card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"13-16.\",\n \"(canceled) 17.A modular print engine useable in a desktop personalized plastic card printer that personalizes plastic cards, comprising: a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom; a card input formed in the front end of the housing; a card input hopper mounted at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input, the card input hopper is configured to hold a plurality of cards to be processed; a first card opening formed in the bottom of the housing through which a card can travel; and a second card opening formed in the top or rear end of the housing through which a card can travel.\",\n \"18.The modular print engine of claim 17, wherein the second card opening is formed in the top of the housing, and further comprising a third card opening formed in the rear end of the housing through which a card can travel.\",\n \"19-21.\",\n \"(canceled)\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards are typically personalized with personal information of the intended card holder.\",\n \"Examples of personalization include, but not are limited to, names, addresses, photographs, account numbers, employee numbers, or the like.\",\n \"The personal information may be applied to the card in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, printing on a surface of the document, storing the information on a magnetic stripe disposed on the card, and storing the information on an integrated circuit chip or smart chip embedded in the card.\",\n \"In some cases, the plastic cards are personalized using a desktop card printer that has a relatively small footprint intended to permit the desktop card printer to reside on a desktop and that is designed to personalize cards in relatively small volumes, for example measured in tens or low hundreds per hour.\",\n \"An example of a desktop printer is the CD800 Card Printer available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota.\",\n \"Desktop card printers are typically designed to be relatively small so that the printers can fit onto a desk or table.\",\n \"The desktop card printer may be positioned on a support surface with other office machines and workspace, so that table and desk space is at a premium.\",\n \"Therefore, the amount of desk or table space required for the desktop card printer (i.e., its “footprint”) should be minimized.\",\n \"At the same time, it is desirable that a desktop card printer be able to perform multiple card processing operations, thereby increasing the performance capability of the desktop card printer.\",\n \"Additionally, desktop card printers should be easy to operate and maintain with only a minimal amount of specialized training.\",\n \"Desktop card printers are often operated by personnel for whom producing cards is only an incidental portion of their job, such as a security guard or a desk clerk, and not by personnel who have special training in such equipment.\",\n \"The operation and maintenance of the card printer should thus be relatively intuitive and straightforward.\",\n \"Furthermore, the cards that are output from the card printer must be of the highest quality, attractive, and durable.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY Modular print engines and modular print engine components useable with the modular print engines are described.\",\n \"The modular print engines and print engine components are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing, for example, plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.\",\n \"The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components described herein permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers.\",\n \"In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation.\",\n \"Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the modular print engine can be removably mounted on top of a lower module that performs one or more card processing operations including, but not limited to, embossing, laminating, or both embossing and laminating.\",\n \"The functionality of the desktop card printer can be selectively altered by installing different ones of the modular print engine components into and/or onto the module print engine.\",\n \"Before or after printing in the modular print engine, a plastic card can be directed from the modular print engine into the lower module to perform the processing operation(s) of the lower module.\",\n \"Thereafter, the plastic card can be output from the lower module or directed back into the modular print engine for further processing and/or output of the personalized card.\",\n \"The modular print engine can include a card input at a front end of a housing, as well as a card input hopper which is in communication with the card input to input cards into the modular print engine for personalization.\",\n \"A card reorienting mechanism is in the housing adjacent to a rear end thereof, and the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a plastic card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path in the housing.\",\n \"A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism with cards being transported along the first card travel path by a card transport mechanism.\",\n \"A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along the first card travel path.\",\n \"The print engine can perform any type of printing including, but not limited to, retransfer printing, direct to card printing, ink jet printing, laser marking, laser engraving, and any other type of printing performed on cards.\",\n \"The modular print engine also includes a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"A removable option module is disposed along the second card travel path.\",\n \"The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.\",\n \"The removable option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module that is configured to have a different functionality.\",\n \"A plurality of different option modules, each having different functionality, can be created.\",\n \"Each option module is configured to be individually and separately removably installed in the housing along the second card travel path, and each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.\",\n \"One option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module to change the functionality of the modular print engine.\",\n \"The modular print engine includes a first card opening in the bottom of the housing.\",\n \"A third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening to permit a card to be output from the modular print engine and into the lower module.\",\n \"In some embodiments, after processing in the lower module, the plastic card can be input back into the modular print engine through the first card opening for further processing and/or output from the modular print engine.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the rear end of the housing, and a fourth card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a second option module can be attached to the rear end of the housing for receiving a card from the second card opening.\",\n \"The second option module can include at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the top of the housing, and the second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.\",\n \"An upper expansion module can be attached to the top of the housing and can receive a plastic card from the modular print engine through the second card opening, with the card then being directed to an output of the upper expansion module through which the plastic card can be output from the upper expansion module.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a modular print engine useable in a desktop card printer that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.\",\n \"A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is disposed at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input.\",\n \"A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.\",\n \"A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, and a removable option module is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.\",\n \"The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.\",\n \"In addition, a first card opening is formed in the bottom of the housing, and a third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a desktop card printer system that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.\",\n \"A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is in communication with the card input.\",\n \"A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.\",\n \"A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.\",\n \"The system also includes a plurality of option modules, where a single one of the option modules is configured to be removably installed in the housing along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.\",\n \"Each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.\",\n \"Therefore, by changing the option module that is installed, the functionality of the desktop card printer can be changed.\",\n \"As used herein, a processing mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that can involve personalization or not involve personalization.\",\n \"For example, applying a transparent protective laminate, perhaps even including a hologram or other non-personalized security feature, is an example of a card processing operation that does not involve personalization.\",\n \"Applying a name, address, photograph, account number, employee number, signature, or the like to a card are examples of processing operations that involve personalization.\",\n \"A personalization mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that involves personalization.\",\n \"The term processing operation therefore encompasses both personalization and non-personalization operations performed on a card, while the term personalization operation encompasses personalization operations performed on a card.\"\n ],\n [\n \"FIELD This disclosure describes modular print engines and modular print engine components that can be used with the modular print engines to personalize plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards are typically personalized with personal information of the intended card holder.\",\n \"Examples of personalization include, but not are limited to, names, addresses, photographs, account numbers, employee numbers, or the like.\",\n \"The personal information may be applied to the card in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, printing on a surface of the document, storing the information on a magnetic stripe disposed on the card, and storing the information on an integrated circuit chip or smart chip embedded in the card.\",\n \"In some cases, the plastic cards are personalized using a desktop card printer that has a relatively small footprint intended to permit the desktop card printer to reside on a desktop and that is designed to personalize cards in relatively small volumes, for example measured in tens or low hundreds per hour.\",\n \"An example of a desktop printer is the CD800 Card Printer available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota.\",\n \"Desktop card printers are typically designed to be relatively small so that the printers can fit onto a desk or table.\",\n \"The desktop card printer may be positioned on a support surface with other office machines and workspace, so that table and desk space is at a premium.\",\n \"Therefore, the amount of desk or table space required for the desktop card printer (i.e., its “footprint”) should be minimized.\",\n \"At the same time, it is desirable that a desktop card printer be able to perform multiple card processing operations, thereby increasing the performance capability of the desktop card printer.\",\n \"Additionally, desktop card printers should be easy to operate and maintain with only a minimal amount of specialized training.\",\n \"Desktop card printers are often operated by personnel for whom producing cards is only an incidental portion of their job, such as a security guard or a desk clerk, and not by personnel who have special training in such equipment.\",\n \"The operation and maintenance of the card printer should thus be relatively intuitive and straightforward.\",\n \"Furthermore, the cards that are output from the card printer must be of the highest quality, attractive, and durable.\",\n \"SUMMARY Modular print engines and modular print engine components useable with the modular print engines are described.\",\n \"The modular print engines and print engine components are usable in desktop card printers for personalizing, for example, plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.\",\n \"The modular nature of the print engines and print engine components described herein permit alteration in the specific functionality of the desktop card printers depending upon, for example, the personalization requirements of the plastic cards and intended applications of the desktop card printers.\",\n \"In addition, the modular print engine components can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engines to ensure that the modular print engine components are working correctly prior to installation.\",\n \"Furthermore, the modular print engine components add flexibility to the desktop card printers as upgraded functionality and features can be introduced by developing new modular components.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the modular print engine can be removably mounted on top of a lower module that performs one or more card processing operations including, but not limited to, embossing, laminating, or both embossing and laminating.\",\n \"The functionality of the desktop card printer can be selectively altered by installing different ones of the modular print engine components into and/or onto the module print engine.\",\n \"Before or after printing in the modular print engine, a plastic card can be directed from the modular print engine into the lower module to perform the processing operation(s) of the lower module.\",\n \"Thereafter, the plastic card can be output from the lower module or directed back into the modular print engine for further processing and/or output of the personalized card.\",\n \"The modular print engine can include a card input at a front end of a housing, as well as a card input hopper which is in communication with the card input to input cards into the modular print engine for personalization.\",\n \"A card reorienting mechanism is in the housing adjacent to a rear end thereof, and the card reorienting mechanism is configured to receive a plastic card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path in the housing.\",\n \"A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism with cards being transported along the first card travel path by a card transport mechanism.\",\n \"A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along the first card travel path.\",\n \"The print engine can perform any type of printing including, but not limited to, retransfer printing, direct to card printing, ink jet printing, laser marking, laser engraving, and any other type of printing performed on cards.\",\n \"The modular print engine also includes a second card travel path extending from the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"A removable option module is disposed along the second card travel path.\",\n \"The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.\",\n \"The removable option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module that is configured to have a different functionality.\",\n \"A plurality of different option modules, each having different functionality, can be created.\",\n \"Each option module is configured to be individually and separately removably installed in the housing along the second card travel path, and each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.\",\n \"One option module can be removed and replaced with a different option module to change the functionality of the modular print engine.\",\n \"The modular print engine includes a first card opening in the bottom of the housing.\",\n \"A third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening to permit a card to be output from the modular print engine and into the lower module.\",\n \"In some embodiments, after processing in the lower module, the plastic card can be input back into the modular print engine through the first card opening for further processing and/or output from the modular print engine.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the rear end of the housing, and a fourth card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a second option module can be attached to the rear end of the housing for receiving a card from the second card opening.\",\n \"The second option module can include at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a card.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a second card opening can be provided in the top of the housing, and the second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the second card opening.\",\n \"An upper expansion module can be attached to the top of the housing and can receive a plastic card from the modular print engine through the second card opening, with the card then being directed to an output of the upper expansion module through which the plastic card can be output from the upper expansion module.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a modular print engine useable in a desktop card printer that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.\",\n \"A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is disposed at the front end of the housing that is in communication with the card input.\",\n \"A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.\",\n \"A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path, and a removable option module is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.\",\n \"The removable option module includes at least one personalization mechanism that is configured to perform a personalization operation on a card.\",\n \"In addition, a first card opening is formed in the bottom of the housing, and a third card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism to the first card opening.\",\n \"In another embodiment, a desktop card printer system that personalizes cards includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom.\",\n \"A card input is at the front end of the housing, and a card input hopper is in communication with the card input.\",\n \"A card reorienting mechanism is disposed in the housing adjacent to the rear end, with the card reorienting mechanism being configured to receive a card and rotate the card to redirect the card along a desired card travel path.\",\n \"A first card travel path extends between the card input and the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"In addition, a second card travel path extends from the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"A print engine that is configured to print on a card is disposed along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.\",\n \"The system also includes a plurality of option modules, where a single one of the option modules is configured to be removably installed in the housing along either the first card travel path or the second card travel path.\",\n \"Each option module is configured to perform a different personalization operation on a plastic card received thereby.\",\n \"Therefore, by changing the option module that is installed, the functionality of the desktop card printer can be changed.\",\n \"As used herein, a processing mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that can involve personalization or not involve personalization.\",\n \"For example, applying a transparent protective laminate, perhaps even including a hologram or other non-personalized security feature, is an example of a card processing operation that does not involve personalization.\",\n \"Applying a name, address, photograph, account number, employee number, signature, or the like to a card are examples of processing operations that involve personalization.\",\n \"A personalization mechanism is intended to encompass a mechanism that performs a processing operation on a card that involves personalization.\",\n \"The term processing operation therefore encompasses both personalization and non-personalization operations performed on a card, while the term personalization operation encompasses personalization operations performed on a card.\",\n \"DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 schematically illustrates a modular print engine described herein removably mounted on top of a lower module.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 schematically illustrates an example of a re-transfer print engine that can be used with the modular print engine of FIG.\",\n \"1.FIGS.\",\n \"3A-D schematically illustrate examples of different option modules that can be installed one at a time in the modular print engine of FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"4 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with an upper expansion module.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with a second option, or rear expansion, module.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A-C schematically illustrates examples of different second option modules that can be used with the modular print engine of FIG.\",\n \"5.FIG.\",\n \"7 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with an option module located below the print engine.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a modular print engine with a removable option module located between the input and the card reorienting mechanism.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION As described further below, in some embodiments, a modular print engine 10 can include a card reorienting mechanism that is disposed at the intersection of four distinct card travel paths.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the four card travel paths are located at 90 degree intervals around the card reorienting mechanism and the card travels paths extend either horizontally or vertically.\",\n \"However, the four card travel paths can be positioned at other spaced intervals about the card reorienting mechanism, and the card travel paths need not extend horizontally or vertically.\",\n \"In addition, the modular print engine 10 described further below can include a card input at a front end thereof and a card opening through a rear end thereof.\",\n \"In some embodiments, there can also be a card opening through a bottom of the modular print engine 10.In other embodiments, there can also be a card opening through a top of the modular print engine.\",\n \"Depending upon the desired card travel path through the desktop card printer, the card openings can be card inputs or both inputs and outputs.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"1, a first embodiment of a modular print engine 10 is illustrated as being detachably and removably mounted on top of a lower module 12.Together, the modular print engine 10 and the lower module 12 form a desktop card printer that in use is configured to personalize, for example, plastic cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other personalized plastic cards.\",\n \"The desktop card printer is designed to have a relatively small horizontal (i.e.\",\n \"front to back) footprint intended to permit the desktop card printer to reside on a desktop or table and that is designed to personalize cards in relatively small volumes, for example measured in tens or low hundreds per hour.\",\n \"The connection between the modular print engine 10 and the lower module 12 can be any form of non-permanent connection that permits the modular print engine 10 to be detachably mounted on top of the lower module 12 and that permits the modular print engine 10 to be non-destructively detached from the lower module 12 without destroying any portion of the modular print engine 10 or the lower module 12.An example of a suitable detachable mounting between a print engine and a lower module is the detachable mounting used in the CD800 print engine that interfaces with a lower laminator module or the CE870 print engine that interfaces with a lower embosser module, both of which are available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minn.\",\n \"The lower module 12 is of conventional construction and operation and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 generally includes a lower module housing 14 illustrated in dashed lines with a front end 16, a rear end 18 opposite the front end 16, a top 20, and a bottom 22 opposite the top 20.A main card transport path 24 is defined in the housing 14 along which a plastic card is transported generally in a horizontal direction or generally parallel to the top 20 and the bottom 22.A slot 26 is defined in the top 20 of the housing 14 through which a card can be input into the housing 14 from the modular print engine 10 and, in some embodiments, output from the housing 14 back into the modular print engine 10.A secondary card transport path 28 leads from the slot 26 to a card reorienting mechanism 30 that is disposed adjacent to the rear end 18 of the housing 14.In one embodiment, the secondary card transport path 28 can be generally vertical or perpendicular to the main card transport path 24 which can be generally horizontal.\",\n \"The card reorienting mechanism 30 is rotatably disposed in the housing 14 for rotation both clockwise and counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow on the card reorienting mechanism 30.When a card is being input into the lower module 12 from the modular print engine 10, the card reorienting mechanism 30 is configured to receive a card along the secondary card transport path 28 and rotate the card so as to direct the card along the main transport path 24.Likewise, when a card is being output from the lower module 12 back into the modular print engine 10, the card reorienting mechanism 30 can receive a card from the main transport path 24, and rotate the card so as to direct the card along the secondary card transport path 28 for transport out of the lower module 12.Examples of suitable card reorienting mechanisms are described in U.S. 2013/0220984 and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,398,972 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"A card is transported along the main card transport path 24 and the secondary card transport path 28 by suitable card transport mechanisms, such as rollers 32, 34.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanisms are reversible to allow a card to be transported in forward (i.e.\",\n \"during card input) and reverse (i.e.\",\n \"during card output back through the slot 26) directions along each card transport path 24, 28 as shown by the arrows in FIG.\",\n \"1.In other embodiments where the card is to be output directly from the lower module 12 after processing in the lower module 12, the card transport mechanisms need not be reversible.\",\n \"The lower module 12 includes at least one card processing mechanism 36 disposed along the main card transport path 24 that is configured to perform a processing operation on the card.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a single card processing mechanism 36 can be provided.\",\n \"In another embodiment, two or more card processing mechanisms 36 can be provided one after the other along the main card transport path 24.Examples of card processing mechanisms 36 that can be used include, but are not limited to, a card embosser or a card laminator.\",\n \"The lower module 12 can also include an output 38 at the end of the transport path 24 through which a card can be output from the lower module 12 after processing by the processing mechanism(s) 36.In some embodiments, the lower module 12 may also include a card de-bowing mechanism (not shown) that is used to eliminate a bow that may occur on the card as a result of processing by the processing mechanism(s) 36.An example of a suitable de-bowing mechanism that can be used is described in US 2014-0345787 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"A suitable lower module with a card embosser or a card laminator is available from Entrust Datacard Corporation of Shakopee, Minn.\",\n \"In operation of the lower module 12, a card enters the lower module 12 from the modular print engine 10 through the slot 26.The card is transported along the secondary card transport path 28 and into the card reorienting mechanism 30 which is then rotated to bring the card in line with the main card transport path 24.The card is then directed along the main card transport path 24 to the card processing mechanism(s) 36 which performs the one or more processing operations on the card.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the card is then transported along the transport path 24 to the output 38 and output from the lower module 12, for example into a hopper that can collect multiple cards.\",\n \"In other embodiments, after processing by the card processing mechanism(s) 36, the card can be transported in the reverse direction along the main card transport path 24 back to the card reorienting mechanism 30 which receives the card and rotates the card to bring the card in line with the secondary card transport path 28.The card is then transported along the secondary card transport path 28 and back out of the lower module 12 through the slot 26 and back into the modular print engine 10.With continued reference to FIG.\",\n \"1, the modular print engine 10 includes a housing 50 having a front end 52, a rear end 54, a top 56 and a bottom 58.A main card input 60 is located at the front end 52 of the housing 50 through which plastic cards to be processed by the modular print engine 10 and/or by the lower module 12 (i.e.\",\n \"processed by the desktop card printer) are input.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the card input 60 can also form a card output through which processed cards can be output from the modular print engine 10.In other embodiments, a card output that is separate from the card input 60, but also located at the front end 52 like the card input 60, can be provided through which processed cards can be output from the modular print engine 10.A card input hopper 62 can be mounted at the front end 52 of the housing 50 that is in communication with the card input 60.The card input hopper 62 is designed to hold a number of plastic cards waiting to be processed which are fed one-by-one into the housing 50 by a suitable card feed mechanism 64 known in the art.\",\n \"In embodiments where a card output is also located at the front end 52, a card output hopper 66 can also be mounted at the front end 52 of the housing 50 that is in communication with the card output for receiving finished processed cards.\",\n \"The card output hopper 66 is designed to hold a number of finished processed cards after they have been processed which are fed out of the housing through a suitable card outlet, which can coincide with or be separate from the card inlet 60, and dropped into the card output hopper 66 in a manner known in the art.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the card input hopper 62 and the card output hopper 66 form an integral, single unit where the input hopper 62 and the output hopper 66 are combined together into a common structure that is mountable and removable as a single unit from the housing 50.In another embodiment, the input hopper 62 (as well as the output hopper 66 or both the input hopper 62 and the output hopper 66) can be configured with a multihopper configuration where the input hopper 62 is configured to simultaneously hold different card stock (for example, Visa® and Mastercard® branded card stock; driver's license card stock from different states; identification card stock having different security levels; etc.)\",\n \"waiting to be personalized.\",\n \"Each type of card stock can be selectively input into the modular print engine from the input hopper 62 as selected by the printer controller based on the type of card to be created.\",\n \"A main or first card travel path 68 extends through the housing 50 from the input 60.In the illustrated example, the card travel path 68 extends substantially horizontally through the housing 50 substantially parallel to the bottom 58.Cards are transported along the card travel path 68 by a card transport mechanism, such as sets of rollers 70.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanism can be reversible to allow the cards to be transported in forward (for example during card input or during printing) and reverse (for example, if a card is to be output from the modular print engine 10 through the front end 52 or to transport a card upstream of a printer before, during or after printing) directions along the travel path 68 as shown by the arrow in FIG.\",\n \"1.A card reorienting mechanism 72 is disposed in the housing 50 along the card travel path 68 adjacent to the rear end 54.The card reorienting mechanism 72 is rotatably disposed in the housing 50 for rotation both clockwise and counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow on the card reorienting mechanism 72.The card reorienting mechanism 72 is configured to receive a card along the card travel path 68 and rotate the card so as to direct the card in a different direction along a desired card travel path.\",\n \"Examples of suitable card reorienting mechanisms are described in U.S. 2013/0220984 and U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,398,972 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"A print engine 74 is disposed along the card travel path 68 that is configured to print on a card disposed on the card travel path 68.In one embodiment, the print engine 74 can be configured to perform retransfer printing as described further below with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.However, the print engine 74 can be configured to perform direct to card printing, ink jet printing, laser marking, laser engraving, and any other type of printing performed on cards.\",\n \"With continued reference to FIG.\",\n \"1, a second card travel path 76 can extend upwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72.In one embodiment, the second card travel path 76 extends substantially vertically upward from the card reorienting mechanism 72.However, the second card travel path 76 is not limited to extending vertically and can instead extend upwardly at an angle to vertical.\",\n \"Cards are transported along the card travel path 76 by a card transport mechanism, such as sets of rollers 78.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanism can be reversible to allow the cards to be transported in forward and reverse directions along the travel path 76 as shown by the arrow in FIG.\",\n \"1.A removable option module 80 is disposed along the second card travel path 76 and above the first card travel path 68.The removable option module 80 includes at least one card processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on a plastic card.\",\n \"As discussed further below with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"3A-D, the removable option module 80 is one of a plurality of removable option modules 80 that can be installed one at a time in the modular print engine 10 to permit changes to the functionality of the modular print engine 10.Each option module 80 is configured to be individually and separately removably installed in the housing 50 along the second card travel path 76 and above the first card travel path 68, and each option module 80 is configured to perform a different processing operation on a plastic card received thereby.\",\n \"One option module 80 can be removed and replaced with a different option module 80 to change the functionality of the modular print engine 10.FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates that in one embodiment, the option module 80 can include a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 that can read data on a magnetic stripe of a card and/or write data onto the magnetic stripe.\",\n \"Magnetic stripe readers and/or writers are well known in the art.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates that in another embodiment, the option module 80 can include a smart card reader and/or writer 84 that can read data stored on an integrated circuit chip (i.e.\",\n \"smart card chip) on the card and/or write data to the chip.\",\n \"The smart card reader and/or writer 84 can be configured for contact or contactless reading and/or writing.\",\n \"Smart card readers and/or writers, both contact and contactless, are well known in the art.\",\n \"In another embodiment illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3C, the option module 80 can include both the magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 and the smart card reader and/or writer 84 arranged in any order.\",\n \"In another embodiment illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3D, the option module 80 can include two smart card readers and/or writers 84.The card processing mechanism(s) in the option modules 80 is not limited to a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 and a smart card reader and/or writer 84.Other card processing mechanisms can be included in the option modules 80 in combination with or separately from the magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 and the smart card reader and/or writer 84.Examples of other card processing mechanisms that can be included in the option modules 80 can include, but are not limited to, a scanner that can read a one dimensional bar code on a card surface, a camera that can be used to read a one or two dimensional bar code on a card surface or capture an image of a card surface, a hole puncher that punches one or more holes in the card, and other card processing mechanisms.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the camera, if used, can be arranged to capture one or more images of a card surface while the card is held by the card reorienting mechanism 72.Depending upon the desired functionality of the modular print engine 10, one can install the appropriate option module 80 in the modular print engine 10.Because each option module 80 is modular, each option module 80 can be completely tested prior to installation into the modular print engine 10 to ensure that the option module 80 is working correctly prior to installation.\",\n \"Further, to change functionality of the modular print engine 10, the user can replace one option module 80 with another option module 80 having the desired functionality.\",\n \"Returning to FIG.\",\n \"1, a third card travel path 86 can extend downwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72.In one embodiment, the third card travel path 86 extends substantially vertically downward from the card reorienting mechanism 72 substantially in-line with the card travel path 76.However, the third card travel path 86 is not limited to extending vertically and can instead extend downwardly at an angle to vertical.\",\n \"Cards are transported along the card travel path 86 by a card transport mechanism, such as rollers 88.In some embodiments, the card transport mechanism can be reversible to allow the cards to be transported in forward and reverse directions along the travel path 86 as shown by the arrow in FIG.\",\n \"1.The third card travel path 86 extends to a card opening 90 in the bottom 58 of the housing 50.When the modular print engine 10 is correctly mounted on the lower module 12, the third card travel path 86 and the card opening 90 are aligned with the card transport path 28 and the slot 26 of the lower module 12 so that a card can be transferred between the modular print engine 10 and the lower module 12, i.e.\",\n \"transferred out of the modular print engine 10 and into the lower module 12, and in some embodiments, transferred out of the lower module 12 and back into the modular print engine 10.In some embodiments, the modular print engine 10 can further include a fourth card travel path 92 that can extend rearwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72 as discussed further below with respect to FIG.\",\n \"5.In one embodiment, the fourth card travel path 92 can extend substantially horizontally from the card reorienting mechanism 72 in-line with the card travel path 68.However, the fourth card travel path 92 is not limited to extending horizontally and can instead extend at an angle to horizontal.\",\n \"When the fourth card travel path 92 is present, the travel path 92 extends to a card opening 94 formed in the rear 54 of the housing 50 to permit cards to exit and enter the card opening 94 through the rear 54 of the housing 50.The modular print engine 10 can therefore include a card input at the front end 52 thereof and the card opening 94 through the rear 54 thereof.\",\n \"In some embodiments, there can also be the card opening 90 through the bottom of the modular print engine 10.In other embodiments, there can also be the card opening 202 discussed in FIG.\",\n \"4.Returning to FIG.\",\n \"1, in some embodiments a card de-bowing mechanism 100 can be provided in the travel path 68 after the print engine 74.The de-bowing mechanism 100 is configured to bend the card after printing to remove a bend in the card that may develop as a result of the printing of the card, especially with retransfer printing.\",\n \"The de-bowing mechanism 100 can be any mechanism that is suitable for eliminating a bend that may develop in the card.\",\n \"An example of a suitable de-bowing mechanism 100 that can be used is described in US 2014-0345787 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"A card reject hopper 102 is also located in the modular print engine 10, for example above the travel path 68, above the de-bowing mechanism 100, and adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72.The card reject hopper 102 is positioned to receive cards that one may wish to store and not output from the modular print engine 10, for example cards that are determined to be defective for some reason.\",\n \"For example, a card may be determined to be defective by failing to read and/or write data using the magnetic stripe reader and/or writer 82 or using the smart card reader and/or writer 84 of the option module 80.In such a case, the card is transported to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which rotates the card so that it is aligned with an input into the card reject hopper 102, and the card reorienting mechanism 72 then discharges the defective card into the card reject hopper 102 using transport rollers on the card reorienting mechanism 72.Optionally, the card reject hopper 102 can be located at any other suitable location in the modular print engine 10, and cards to be stored in the card reject hopper 102 can be transported to the card reject hopper 102 using a suitable transport mechanism.\",\n \"In one exemplary operation of the modular print engine 10 of FIG.\",\n \"1, a card can be initially input from the input hopper 62 through the input 60.In one embodiment, the card is initially transported along the card travel path 68 to the card reorienting mechanism 72, which redirects the card onto the second card travel path 76 where the card is transported into the option module 80.The option module 80 determines whether the magnetic stripe and/or the chip on the card are working correctly, and if they are, data is written onto the magnetic stripe and/or onto the chip.\",\n \"If they are not working correctly, the card can be transported back along the second card travel path 76 to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which then directs the card into the card reject hopper 102.After the data has been written, the card is transported back along the second card travel path 76 to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which then directs the card back onto the first card travel path 68.The card is then transported back toward the front end 52 upstream of the print engine 74 for printing.\",\n \"The card is then printed on by the print engine 74.After printing, if it is anticipated that the printing caused the card to bend, the card is transported to the de-bowing mechanism 100 which removes the bend in the card.\",\n \"The card is then transported to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which redirects the card to the third card travel path 86.The card is then transported out of the modular print engine 10 and into the lower module 12 through the aligned card opening 90 and the slot 26, and to the card reorienting mechanism 30 in the lower module 12.The card reorienting mechanism 30 redirects the card onto the card transport path 24 where the card is transported to the card processing mechanism(s) 36.After the card is processed in the card processing mechanism(s) 36, the card can then be output from the lower module 12 via the output 38.In other embodiments, after the card is processed in the card processing mechanism(s) 36, the card can then be redirected back to the card reorienting mechanism 30 via the card transport path 24, and redirected out of the lower module 12 and back into the card reorienting mechanism 72 of the modular print engine 10.The card reorienting mechanism 72 can reorient the card for transport back along the card travel path 68 and into the output hopper 66.Alternatively, if the card opening 94 in the rear 54 is used, the card can be redirected by the card reorienting mechanism 72 to the fourth card travel path 92 for discharge out the card opening 94.Alternatively, as discussed further below, the card can be directed upwardly for discharge out of a card opening in the top of the modular print engine 10.Many other operational sequences of the modular print engine 10 of FIG.\",\n \"1 are possible including, but not limited to, directing the card first to the lower module 12, and then back into the modular print engine 10 for processing by the option module 80 and the print engine 74.In addition, the card can be initially printed by the print engine 74 prior to the card being directed to the option module 80 and/or to the lower module 12.In addition, the card can be initially directed into the option module 80, followed by processing in the lower module, followed by printing by the print engine 74.As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, the print engine 74 is disposed above the card travel path 68.Applicant has discovered that locating the card travel path 68 below the print engine 74 improves the resulting print process by the print engine 74.For example, card handling is more reliable.\",\n \"For print engines that rely upon heat in the printing process, for example using one or more heated transfer rollers in the case of retransfer printing, the improved card handling is believed to result from heat rising upward in a direction away from the card during printing.\",\n \"As described above, in one embodiment the print engine 74 can be configured to perform retransfer printing.\",\n \"Retransfer printing is well known in the art.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates an example of the print engine 74 configured for retransfer printing.\",\n \"The illustrated retransfer printing configuration includes a print side that includes print ribbon supply 150 from which a supply of monochrome or multi-color print ribbon 152 is supplied, and a print ribbon take-up 154 that takes-up used print ribbon 152.The print ribbon is directed past a print head 156, which in the illustrated example can be stationary, which transfers dye or pigment ink from the print ribbon 152 onto a retransfer film 158.After printing, the used print ribbon 152 is then wound onto the take-up 154.The retransfer film 158 is supplied from a film supply 160 on a retransfer side, and after retransfer the remaining film is wound onto a film take-up 162 also on the retransfer side.\",\n \"The retransfer film 158 is directed past a platen roller 164 positioned opposite the print head 156 and which in the illustrated example can be moved toward and away from the print head 156 to press the retransfer film 158 and the print ribbon 152 between the print head 156 and the platen roller 164 during printing onto the retransfer film 158.The retransfer side can also include a capstan roller 166 that is also movable toward and away from the print side.\",\n \"Once a desired image is printed onto the retransfer film 158, the retransfer film 158 with the printed image is advanced to a transfer section 168 where the printed image on the retransfer film 158 is transferred onto a surface of the card.\",\n \"The transfer section 168 includes a heated transfer roller 170 that is movable toward and away from a fixed platen 172 positioned on the opposite side of the travel path 68.The heated transfer roller 170 presses the portion of the retransfer film 158 containing the printed image against the surface of the card which is backed by the platen 172, with the retransfer film 158 and the card then being transported together past the heated transfer roller 170 to transfer the layer of the retransfer film 158 containing the printed image onto the card surface.\",\n \"The remainder of the retransfer film 158 is then wound onto the film take-up 162.The specific construction and operation of retransfer printers, including the print ribbon, the retransfer film, printing an image on the retransfer film, and transferring the printed image onto a surface of a card, is well known in the art.\",\n \"One example of retransfer printing is disclosed in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,894,710 among many others.\",\n \"U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,894,710 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"4, another embodiment of a modular print engine 200 is illustrated.\",\n \"Elements of the modular print engine 200 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.\",\n \"1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.\",\n \"The lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4, but the modular print engine 200 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.\",\n \"1.In the embodiment in FIG.\",\n \"4, the second card travel path 76 extends from the card reorienting mechanism 72 to a card opening 202 that is formed in the top 56 of the housing 50.An upper expansion module 204 is attached to the top 56 of the housing 50.The upper expansion module 204 can be selectively added to and removed from the modular print engine 200 to permit alteration in where cards are output.\",\n \"The upper expansion module 204 includes an input 206 that, when the upper expansion module 204 is correctly mounted on the housing 50, is aligned with the card opening 202 for receiving a card therein.\",\n \"The upper expansion module 204 further includes a rotatable card reorienting mechanism 208 and an output 210 through which a card can be output from the modular print engine in a rearward direction.\",\n \"A card that enters the upper expansion module 204 is received in the card reorienting mechanism 208, which redirects the card approximately 90 degrees and outputs the card through the output 210 aided if necessary by transport rollers 212.The output 210, or a separate output, could be formed at the front of the upper expansion module 204 to allow front discharge of cards separately from or in addition to outputting cards to the rear through the output 210.If the upper expansion module 204 is not used, cards can still be output at the top 56 of the modular print engine 200 through the card opening 202, or the card opening 202 can be closed to prevent card travel therethrough.\",\n \"Alternatively, instead of outputting cards from the upper expansion module 204, the cards can be output from the lower module 12 or through the card opening 94 as discussed above in FIG.\",\n \"1.Or a user may select to output one or more cards from the upper expansion module 204, while selecting to output other cards from other locations of the desktop card printer.\",\n \"In this manner, the upper expansion module 204 expands the functionality of the modular print engine 200 by allowing a user to configure and select how cards are output from the modular print engine 200.Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"5, another embodiment of a modular print engine 250 is illustrated.\",\n \"Elements of the modular print engine 250 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.\",\n \"1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.\",\n \"The lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"5, but the modular print engine 250 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.\",\n \"1.In the embodiment in FIG.\",\n \"5, the fourth card travel path 92 is present that extends substantially horizontally from the card reorienting mechanism 72 to the card opening 94 formed in the rear 54 of the housing 50.A second option, or rear expansion, module 252 is removably attached to the rear end 54 of the housing 50 that permits a user to change the functionality of the modular print engine 250.The second option module 252 includes at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation on, for example, a plastic card.\",\n \"The removable second option module 252 is one of a plurality of different removable second option modules 252.Each second option module 252 is configured to be individually and separately removably installed on the rear 54 of the housing 50, and each second option module 252 is configured to perform a different processing operation on a plastic card received thereby.\",\n \"One second option module 252 can be removed and replaced with a different second option module 252 to change the functionality of the modular print engine 250.In general, each second option module 252 includes a card opening 254 that, when the second option module 252 is correctly mounted on the housing 50, is aligned with the card opening 94 for receiving a card therein.\",\n \"In addition, each second option module 252 includes a housing 255 (seen in FIGS.\",\n \"6A-C) that houses at least one processing mechanism that is configured to perform a processing operation, for example a personalization operation, on a plastic card.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A-6C illustrate different examples of the second option modules 252.Many other examples of second option modules 252 are possible including any combinations of the concepts illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"6A-C.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"6A, the second option module 252 includes a card travel path 256 that extends from the card opening 254 substantially in-line with the travel paths 68 and 92.The travel path 256 can extend to an output 258 in the rear of the housing 255 through which cards can be selectively output.\",\n \"Cards are transported along the travel path 256 by a suitable reversible or non-reversible transport mechanism, such as transport rollers 260.One or more card processing mechanisms 262 are provided along the travel path 256, for example above the travel path 256, for performing one or more additional processing operations on the card.\",\n \"The processing mechanism 262 can be, for example, a personalization mechanism such as a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer or a smart card reader and/or writer.\",\n \"The processing mechanism 262 can be any one or more mechanisms that perform one or more processing operations, such as personalization or non-personalization operations, on a card.\",\n \"After the processing mechanism 262 finishes processing the card, the card can be output through the output 258 or transported back into the modular print engine 250.FIG.\",\n \"6B illustrates the second option module 252 as being similar to the second option module 252 of FIG.\",\n \"6A, but including a card reorienting mechanism 264 that can reorient a card onto a new travel path 266 up to the card processing mechanism 262.After processing by the processing mechanism 262, the card can be directed back to the card reorienting mechanism 264, which then directs the card back onto the travel path 256 for output through the output 258 or transport back into the modular print engine 250.FIG.\",\n \"6C illustrates the second option module 252 as including the travel path 256 but no output 258.Instead, the travel path 256 ends at the processing mechanism 262.In FIG.\",\n \"6C, after processing by the processing mechanism 262, the card is transported back into the modular print engine 250.Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"7, another embodiment of a modular print engine 300 is illustrated.\",\n \"Elements of the modular print engine 300 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.\",\n \"1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.\",\n \"For sake of simplicity, the lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7, but the modular print engine 300 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.\",\n \"1.In addition, the transport mechanism, such as the rollers 70, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 are not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7 for sake of simplicity, although a transport mechanism would be included for transporting a card along the various card travel paths described below, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 can optionally be included.\",\n \"In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7, the removable option module 80 is physically located below the print engine 74.A card travels along the card travel path 68 to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which can reorient the card downward along another card travel path 302 that extends to the card opening 90 in the bottom 58 of the housing 50 that communicates with the lower module 12 (not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"A second card reorienting mechanism 304 is located along the card travel path 302 that can redirect the card onto a card travel path 306 along which the removable option module 80 is disposed.\",\n \"The option module 80 can be removable and replaceable with another, differently configured option module 80 as discussed above for FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3A-D.\",\n \"The option module 80 in FIG.\",\n \"7 can have the same configuration and operation as the option modules 80 described above with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3A-D.\",\n \"The card travel path 306 is illustrated as being parallel to the card travel path 68, although the card travel path 306 can extend at an angle to the card travel path 68.In addition, the card reject hopper 102 can be located in the same position as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1, 4, and 5.Alternatively, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7, the card reject hopper 102 can be located between the second card reorienting mechanism 304 and the rear end 54 of the housing 50.Cards to be rejected can be directed into the card reject hopper 102 by the second card reorienting mechanism 304, by the first card reorienting mechanism 72, or by both of the card reorienting mechanisms 72, 304.The modular print engine 300 can also include a card imaging device 308 that is separate from the option module 80 and adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72.The imaging device 308 can be, for example, a scanner that can read a one dimensional bar code on a card surface or a camera that can be used to read a one or two dimensional bar code on a card surface or capture an image of a card surface.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the camera can be arranged to capture one or more images of a card surface while the card is held by the card reorienting mechanism 72.Although not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7, the modular print engine 300 can also include the card opening 94 in the rear end 54 thereof that leads to one of the second option modules 252 described above with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"5 and 6A-C and/or can include the card opening 202 in the top 56 that leads to the upper expansion module 204 described above with respect to FIG.\",\n \"4.Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"8, another embodiment of a modular print engine 350 is illustrated.\",\n \"Elements of the modular print engine 350 that are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements in the modular print engine 10 of FIG.\",\n \"1 are referenced using the same reference numerals.\",\n \"For sake of simplicity, the lower module 12 is not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8, but the modular print engine 350 would be mounted onto a lower module, which can be similar to or different than the lower module 12 in FIG.\",\n \"1.In addition, the transport mechanism, such as the rollers 70, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 are not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8 for sake of simplicity, although a transport mechanism would be included for transporting a card along the various card travel paths described below, and the card de-bowing mechanism 100 can optionally be included.\",\n \"In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8, the removable option module 80 is physically located along the card travel path 68 between the input 60 and the card reorienting mechanism 72.In addition, the print engine 74 is positioned along a card travel path 352 that extends downwardly from the card reorienting mechanism 72 to the card opening 90 in the bottom 58 of the housing 50 that communicates with the lower module 12 (not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"The print engine 74 can be oriented in a direction so that printing on the card occurs along the card travel path 352.However, the print engine 74 can be located along other card travel paths extending from the card reorienting mechanism 72 so that printing occurs along any other card travel path.\",\n \"In the case of the print engine 74 being configured for retransfer printing, the heated transfer roller 170 would be located adjacent to the card travel path 352 as illustrated.\",\n \"A card travels along the card travel path 68 to or through the option module 80 and then to the card reorienting mechanism 72 which can reorient the card and direct the card downward along the card travel path 352.The option module 80 can be removable and replaceable with another, differently configured option module 80 as discussed above for FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3A-D.\",\n \"The card travel path 352 is illustrated as being perpendicular to the card travel path 68, although the card travel path 352 can extend at an angle to the card travel path 68.In addition, the card reject hopper 102 can be located in the same position as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1, 4, and 5.Alternatively, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8, the card reject hopper 102 can be located adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72 between the card travel path 352 and the rear end 54 of the housing 50.Cards to be rejected can be directed into the card reject hopper 102 by the card reorienting mechanism 72.In one embodiment, the modular print engine 350 can also include a card imaging device 354 that is separate from the option module 80 and adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72.The imaging device 354 can be, for example, a scanner that can read a one dimensional bar code on a card surface or a camera that can be used to read a one or two dimensional bar code on a card surface or capture an image of a card surface.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the camera can be arranged to capture one or more images of a card surface while the card is held by the card reorienting mechanism 72.In another embodiment, the card can be output from the card reorienting mechanism 72 onto a platform structure 355 that holds the card while being imaged by the imaging device 354.In another embodiment, the modular print engine 350 can also include a smart card reader and/or writer 356 that is separate from the option module 80 and is located adjacent to the card reorienting mechanism 72 so that the card reorienting mechanism 72 can reorient and direct a card into the smart card reader and/or writer 356 for reading and/or writing on an integrated circuit chip (i.e.\",\n \"smart card chip) on the card.\",\n \"Like the option module 80, the smart card reader and/or writer 356 can also be removable and replaceable with a mechanism having different functionality.\",\n \"For example, a contact type smart card reader and/or writer 356 can be replaced with a contactless type smart card reader and/or writer 356, or the smart card reader and/or writer 356 can be replaced with a magnetic stripe reader and/or writer or other card processing mechanism.\",\n \"Although not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8, the modular print engine 350 can also include the card opening 94 in the rear end 54 thereof that leads to one of the second option modules 252 described above with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"5 and 6A-C and/or can include the card opening 202 in the top 56 that leads to the upper expansion module 204 described above with respect to FIG.\",\n \"4.All of the individual features and elements in the embodiments in FIGS.\",\n \"1-8 can be used separately from one another or in any combinations together.\",\n \"The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative.\",\n \"The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872395"}}},{"rowIdx":4494069,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING MULTIPRIORITY IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM","A method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for dual priority, the method includes transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN) including a low priority indicator set to a first value to a network node, wherein the first NAS request message without the APN is an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without the APN; receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, and wherein a cause in the reject message is set to insufficient resources; setting the low priority indicator to a second value; and initiating a new attach procedure without the APN, while a session management (SM) backoff timer is running, wherein the first value of the low priority indicates that the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority."],["1.A method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for dual priority, the method comprising: transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN) including a low priority indicator set to a first value to a network node, wherein the first NAS request message without the APN is an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without the APN; receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, wherein a cause in the reject message is set to insufficient resources; setting the low priority indicator to a second value; and initiating a new attach procedure without the APN, while a session management (SM) backoff timer is running, wherein the first value of the low priority indicates that the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority, and wherein the second value of the priority indicates that the UE is not configured for NAS signaling low priority.","2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first NAS message comprises at least one of a PDN connection request, bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message.","3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE does not provide the APN during an attach procedure initiated by transmitting the first NAS request message without the APN.","4.The method according to claim 1, wherein the low priority indicator is included in an information element indicating device properties.","5.The method according to claim 1, wherein the reject message includes a value for the SM backoff timer.","6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE is a machine type communication (MTC) device.","7.A user equipment (UE) configured for dual priority for controlling a backoff timer, the UE comprising: a transceiver module configured to transceiver signals; and a processor configured to control the transceiver, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the transceiver to transmit a first non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN) including a low priority indicator set to a first value to a network node, wherein the first NAS request message without the APN is an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without the APN; control the transceiver to receive a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, wherein a cause in the reject message is set to insufficient resources; set the low priority indicator to a second value; and initiate a new attach procedure without the APN, while a session management (SM) backoff timer is running, wherein the first value of the low priority indicates that the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority, and wherein the second value of the priority indicates that the UE is not configured for NAS signaling low priority.","8.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the first NAS message comprises at least one of a PDN connection request, bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message.","9.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the UE does not provide the APN during an attach procedure initiated by transmitting the first NAS request message without the APN.","10.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the low priority indicator is included in an information element indicating device properties.","11.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the reject message includes a value for the SM backoff timer.","12.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the UE is a machine type communication (MTC) device."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.","Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.","The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.","The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for multipriority including transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node, receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, and initiating a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.","In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a user equipment (UE) device for controlling a backoff timer if multipriority is set including a transceiver module, and a processor, wherein the processor configured to transmit a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node using the transceiver module, to receive a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node using the transceiver module, and to initiate a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, and wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.","The embodiments of the present invention have the following features.","A new NAS request message, which is set to the first priority level, may not be permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.","The UE may not provide the APN during a procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message.","The procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message may be an attach procedure.","The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message without an APN.","The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without an APN.","The reject message may include a value for the SM backoff timer.","The reject message may be received due to insufficient resources.","The UE configured for multipriority may be a UE configured for dual priority.","The first priority level may correspond to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.","The first priority level may correspond to a low priority indicator, which is set to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.","The UE may be a machine type communication (MTC) device.","It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.","According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.","The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects and other effects which are not described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/375,918 filed on Dec. 12, 2016, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/432,417 filed on Mar.","30, 2015 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,554,233 issued on Jan. 24, 2017), which is the National Phase of PCT International Application No.","PCT/KR2013/008877 filed on Oct. 4, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.","§ 119(e) to U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/709,987 filed on Oct. 5, 2012, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a control method and device based on multiple priorities in a wireless communication system.","Discussion of the Related Art Machine type communication (MTC) refers to a communication scheme between one or more machines and is also referred to as machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.","Here, a machine refers to an entity which does not require direct human operation or intervention.","For example, a device including a mobile communication module, such as a meter or a vending machine, may include a user equipment such as a smartphone which is capable of automatically accessing a network without operation/intervention of a user to perform communication.","Various examples of such a machine are referred to as an MTC device or terminal in the present specification.","That is, MTC refers to communication performed by one or more machines (that is, MTC devices) without human operation/intervention.","MTC may include communication (e.g., device-to-device (D2D) communication) between MTC devices and communication between an MTC device and an MTC application server.","Examples of communication between an MTC device and an MTC application server include communication between a vending machine and a server, communication between a point of sale (POS) device and a server and an electric meter, and communication between a gas meter or a water meter and a server.","AN MTC-based application may include security, transportation, healthcare, etc.","Meanwhile, if congestion or overload occurs in a network, congestion control may be performed in a control plane.","For example, network congestion control may be performed at a non-access stratum (NAS) level which is an uppermost stratum in a control plane between a terminal and a network control node in a radio interface.","In general, if a network congestion occurs, a network may configure a back-off timer for inhibiting a request for a network for a predetermined time with respect to a terminal.","According to operation of a currently defined wireless communication system, priority may be configured per terminals, and only one of “(NAS signaling) low priority” for a terminal supporting MTC or “(NAS signaling) non-low priority” for a terminal supporting non-MTC.","Meanwhile, if network congestion or overload occurs, a back-off timer (BOT) may be used in order to distribute network load.","Back-off timers may be classified into a Mobility Management (MM) back-off timer and a Session Management (SM) back-off timer.","MM back-off timer defines a time in which a terminal is prohibited from performing MM-related operations such as an attach request, SM back-off timer defines a time in which a terminal is prohibited from performing SM-related operations such as a session establishment/modify request related to an Access Point Name (APN).","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.","Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.","The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.","The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for multipriority including transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node, receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, and initiating a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.","In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a user equipment (UE) device for controlling a backoff timer if multipriority is set including a transceiver module, and a processor, wherein the processor configured to transmit a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node using the transceiver module, to receive a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node using the transceiver module, and to initiate a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, and wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.","The embodiments of the present invention have the following features.","A new NAS request message, which is set to the first priority level, may not be permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.","The UE may not provide the APN during a procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message.","The procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message may be an attach procedure.","The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message without an APN.","The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without an APN.","The reject message may include a value for the SM backoff timer.","The reject message may be received due to insufficient resources.","The UE configured for multipriority may be a UE configured for dual priority.","The first priority level may correspond to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.","The first priority level may correspond to a low priority indicator, which is set to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.","The UE may be a machine type communication (MTC) device.","It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.","According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.","The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects and other effects which are not described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.","In the drawings: FIG.","1 is a diagram showing the schematic architecture of an evolved packet core (EPC); FIG.","2 is a diagram showing examples of an MTC communication model; FIG.","3 is a diagram showing an exemplary model of an MTC architecture; FIG.","4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a backoff timer according to an example of the present invention; and FIG.","5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of a wireless device according to an example of the present invention.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The following embodiments are proposed by combining constituent components and characteristics of the present invention according to a predetermined format.","The individual constituent components or characteristics should be considered to be optional factors on the condition that there is no additional remark.","If required, the individual constituent components or characteristics may not be combined with other components or characteristics.","Also, some constituent components and/or characteristics may be combined to implement the embodiments of the present invention.","The order of operations to be disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be changed to others.","Some components or characteristics of any embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, or may be replaced with those of the other embodiments as necessary.","It should be noted that specific terms disclosed in the present invention are proposed for convenience of description and better understanding of the present invention, and the use of these specific terms may be changed to another format within the technical scope or spirit of the present invention.","In some instances, well-known structures and devices are omitted in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present invention and the important functions of the structures and devices are shown in block diagram form.","The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.","The embodiments of the present invention can be supported by the standard documents disclosed in any one of wireless access systems, such as an IEEE 802 system, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system, a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-A system, and a 3GPP2 system.","That is, the steps or portions, which are not described in order to make the technical spirit of the present invention clear, may be supported by the above documents.","In addition, all the terms disclosed in the present document may be described by the above standard documents.","The following technologies may be used in various wireless communication systems.","For clarity, 3GPP LTE and 3GPP LTE-A will be focused upon in the following description, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.","Terms used in the present specification are as follows.","UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system): Third generation mobile communication technology based on global system for mobile communication (GSM) developed by 3GPP.","EPS (evolved packet system): Network system including an evolved packet core (EPC) which is a packet switched (PS) core network based on internet protocol (IP) and an access network such as LTE/UTRAN, which is evolved from UMTS.","NodeB: Base station of GERAN/UTRAN, which is mounted outdoors and coverage of which forms a macro cell.","eNodeB: Base station of E-UTRAN, which is mounted outdoors and coverage of which forms a macro cell.","UE: User equipment.","The UE may be referred to as a terminal, a mobile equipment (ME), a mobile station (MS), etc.","In addition, the UE may be a portable apparatus such as a laptop, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone and a multimedia apparatus or a non-portable apparatus such as a vehicle mounted apparatus.","A UE or terminal may indicate an MTC device in MTC.","Home NodeB (HNB): Base station of a UMTS network, which is mounted indoors and coverage of which forms a micro cell.","Home eNodeB (HeNB): Base station of an EPS network, which is mounted indoors and coverage of which forms a micro cell.","MME (mobility management entity): Network node of an EPS network, which performs a mobility management (MM) function and a session management (SM) function.","PDN-GW (packet data network-gateway)/PGW: Network node of an EPS network, which performs a UE IP address allocation function, a packet screening and filtering function and a charging data collection function.","SGW (serving gateway): Network node of an EPS network, which performs mobility anchor, packet routing, idle mode packet buffering, triggering for enabling an MME to page a UE.","PCRF (policy and charging rule function): Network node of an EPS network, which performs policy decision for dynamically applying quality of service (QoS) and charging policy differentiated per service flow.","OMA DM (open mobile alliance device management): Protocol designed for management of mobile devices such as a mobile phone, a PDA or a portable computer, which performs functions such as device configuration, firmware upgrade, error report, etc.","OAM (operation administration and maintenance): OAM is a set of network administration functions for providing network fault display, performance information, data and diagnostic functions.","NAS (non-access stratum): Upper stratum of a control plane between a UE and an MME.","This is a functional layer for signaling between a UE and a core network and exchanging a traffic message in an LTE/UMTS protocol stack, supports UE mobility, and supports a session management procedure for establishing and maintaining an IP connection between a UE and a PDN GW.","NAS configuration MO (NAS configuration management object): MO used to configure parameters associated with NAS functionality with respect to a UE.","SIPTO (selected IP traffic offload): Scheme for transmitting specific IP traffic through a public network such as the Internet instead of an operator network when transmitting the specific IP traffic through an H(e)NB or a macro cell.","In a 3GPP release-10 system, an operator selects a PDN-GW which is physically close to a UE in an EPC network and supports handover of user traffic.","PDN (packet data network): Network in which a server supporting a specific service (e.g., a multimedia messaging service (MMS) server, a wireless application protocol (WAP) server, etc.)","is located.","PDN connection: Logical connection between a UE and a PDN, which is expressed by one IP address (one IPv4 address and/or one IPv6 prefix).","APN (Access Point Name): String indicating or identifying a PDN.","A requested service or a network (PDN) is accessed through a PGW and the APN is the name (string) previously defined in the network in order to find the PGW.","For example, the APN may be expressed by internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs.","IMS (IP multimedia subsystem): Subsystem for providing a multimedia service based on IP.","MTC (machine type communications): Communication performed by a machine without human intervention.","MTC device: UE (e.g., a vending machine, a meter, etc.)","which has a communication function through a core network and serves a specific purpose.","MTC-IWF (MTC interworking function): Entity serving as a gateway for transmitting a control signal or data for MTC through a 3GPP network including EPS or IMS.","SCS (service capability server): Server connected to a 3GPP network for communication with an MTC device using an MTC-IWF and an MTC device located in a home public land mobile network (HPLMN).","The SCS provides capability for utilizing one or a plurality of applications.","MTC server: Server on a network for managing an MTC terminal, which may be located inside or outside a mobile communication network and may have an interface accessible by an MTC user.","The MTC server may provide an MTC associated service to other servers (an SCS) and may be an MTC application server.","MTC application: Service to which MTC is applied (e.g., remote metering, product movement tracking, etc.).","MTC application server: Server on a network in which an MTC application is executed.","MTC feature: Function of a network supporting an MTC application.","For example, MTC monitoring is a feature for preparing for equipment loss in an MTC application such as remote metering and low mobility is a feature for an MTC application for an MTC device such as a vending machine.","MTC subscriber: Entity which is connected to a network operator and provides a service to one or more MTC terminals.","MTC group: Group of MTC terminals which share at least one MTC feature and belong to an MTC subscriber.","RAN (radio access network): Unit including a NodeB, an eNodeB and a radio network controller for controlling the NodeB and the eNodeB in a 3GPP network, which is present between UEs and provides connection to a core network.","HLR (home location register)/HSS (home subscriber server): Database having subscriber information in a 3GPP network.","The HSS may perform functions such as configuration storage, identity management and user state storage.","PLMN (public land mobile network): Network configured for the purpose of providing a mobile communication service to individuals.","This network may be configured on a per operator basis.","NAS level congestion control: Congestion or overload control function of an EPS network composed of APN based congestion control and general NAS level mobility management control.","MM back-off timer (mobility management back-off timer): Mobility management back-off timer used to control congestion when congestion occurs in a network.","While the MM back-off timer runs, a UE is set so as not to perform attach, location information update (e.g., tracking area update (TAU)), routing area update (RAU), service request/extended service request, etc.","(in case of an emergency bearer service, a paging response in an existing region, or a multimedia priority service (MPS), even when the MM back-off timer runs, the UE is set to make a request).","SM back-off timer (session management back-off timer): Session control back-off timer used to control congestion when congestion occurs in a network.","While the SM back-off timer runs, a UE is set so as not to perform establishment or change of a session based on an associated APN, etc.","(in case of an emergency bearer service or an MPS, even when the SM back-off timer runs, the UE is set to make a request).","TA (tracking area): Registration area of a terminal in an EPS network.","The TA is identified by a tracking area identity (TAI).","RA (routing area): Registration area of a terminal for a packet core network domain in a GPRS/UMTS network.","The RA is identified by a routing area identity (RAI).","Hereinafter, a description will be given based on the above-described terms.","FIG.","1 is a diagram showing the schematic architecture of an evolved packet core (EPC).","The EPC is a fundamental element of system architecture evolution (SAE) for improving 3GPP performance.","SAE corresponds to a research project for deciding a network structure supporting mobility between various types of networks.","SAE aims to provide an optimized packet-based system which supports various radio access technologies based on IP and provides improved data transfer capabilities.","More specifically, the EPC is a core network of an IP mobile communication system for a 3GPP LTE system and may support a packet-based real-time and non-real-time service.","In the existing mobile communication system (that is, a second or third generation mobile communication system), a core network function was implemented through two distinct sub-domains of a voice network (a circuit-switched (CS) network) and a data network (a packet-switched (PS) network).","In a 3GPP LTE system which is evolved from the third generation communication system, sub-domains of a CS network and a PS network were unified into one IP domain.","That is, in a 3GPP LTE system, a terminal having IP capability and a terminal may be connected through an IP based base station (e.g., an eNodeB (evolved Node B)), an EPC, an application domain (e.g., an IMS)).","That is, the EPC is a structure necessary to implement an end-to-end IP service.","The EPC may include various components.","FIG.","1 shows a serving gateway (SGW), a packet data network gateway (PDN GW), a mobility management entity (MME), a serving GPRS (general packet radio service) (SGSN) supporting node and an enhanced packet data gateway (ePDG).","The SGW operates as a boundary point between a radio access network (RAN) and a core network and is an element which performs a function for maintaining a data path between an eNodeB and a PDG GW.","In addition, if a terminal moves over a region served by an eNodeB, the SGW serves as a local mobility anchor point.","That is, packets may be routed through the SGW for mobility in an evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) defined after 3GPP release-8.In addition, the SGW may serve as an anchor point for mobility of another 3GPP network (an RAN defined before 3GPP release-8, e.g., UTRAN or GERAN (global system for mobile communication (GSM)/enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE) radio access network).","The PDN GW corresponds to a termination point of a data interface for a packet data network.","The PDN GW may support policy enforcement features, packet filtering and charging support.","In addition, the PDN GW may serve as an anchor point for mobility management with a 3GPP network and a non-3GPP network (e.g., an untrusted network such as an interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) and a trusted network such as a code division multiple access (CDMA) or WiMAX network).","Although the SGW and the PDN GW are configured as separate gateways in the example of the network structure of FIG.","1, the two gateways may be implemented according to a single gateway configuration option.","The MME performs signaling and control functions in order to support access to network connection of a UE, network resource allocation, tracking, paging, roaming and handover.","The MME controls control plane functions associated with subscriber and session management.","The MME manages numerous eNodeBs and signaling for selection of a conventional gateway for handover to other 2G/3G networks.","In addition, the MME performs security procedures, terminal-to-network session handling, idle terminal location management, etc.","The SGSN handles all packet data such as mobility management and authentication of a user for other 3GPP networks (e.g., GPRS networks).","The ePDG serves as a security node for a non-3GPP network (e.g., an I-WLAN, a Wi-Fi hotspot, etc.).","As described with reference to FIG.","1, a terminal having IP capabilities may access an IP service network (e.g., an IMS) provided by an operator through various elements in the EPC based on 3GPP access or non-3GPP access.","FIG.","1 shows various reference points (e.g., S1-U, S1-MME, etc.).","In the 3GPP system, a conceptual link connecting two functions present in different functional entities of an E-UTRAN and an EPC is defined as a reference point.","Table 1 shows the reference points shown in FIG.","1.In addition to the example of Table 1, various reference points may be present according to network structure.","TABLE 1 Reference point Description S1-MME Reference point for the control plane protocol between E-UTRAN and MME S1-U Reference point between E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user plane tunneling and inter eNodeB path switching during handover S3 Reference point between MME and SGSN.","Enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network mobility in idle and/or active state.","This reference point can be used intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN (e.g.","in the case of Inter-PLMN HO).","S4 Reference between SGW and SGSN.","Provides related control and mobility support between GPRS Core and the 3GPP Anchor function of Serving GW.","In addition, if Direct Tunnel is not established, it provides user plane tunneling.","S5 Reference point for providing user plane tunneling and tunnel management between Serving GW and PDN GW.","Used for Serving GW relocation due to UE mobility and if the Serving GW needs to connect to a non-co-located PDN GW for the required PDN connectivity.","S11 Reference point between MME and SGW SGi Reference point between the PDN GW and the packet data network.","Packet data network may be an operator external public or private packet data network or an intra operator packet data network, e.g.","for provision of IMS services.","This reference point corresponds to Gi for 3GPP accesses.","Among the reference points shown in FIG.","1, S2a and S2b correspond to a non-3GPP interface.","S2a is a reference point for providing associated control between the trusted non-3GPP access and the PDNGW and mobility support to a user plane.","S2b is a reference point for providing associated control between the ePDG and the PDNGW and mobility support to a user plane.","FIG.","2 is a diagram showing examples of an MTC communication model.","Although communication through a PS network is defined in association with MTC in 3GPP GSM/UMTS/EPS, the present invention is not limited to MTC through the PS network and is applicable to MTC through the CS network.","In the current technical standard, a network structure is defined using the existing bearer of a 3GPP system.","Here, a method of using a short message service (SMS) for data exchange between an MTC device and an MTC server is proposed.","Since a small amount of digital data such as metering information or product information is exchanged due to the characteristics of an MTC application, an SMS is most preferably used and a conventional SMS method and an IMS based method may be supported.","Methods of controlling a paging range for an MTC application with low mobility have been proposed.","The MTC application is executed in each of an MTC device and an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) to interwork through communication using a network.","At this time, various models of MTC traffic may be implemented depending on what participates in communication between an MTC application and a 3GPP network.","FIG.","2(a) shows a model in which communication is directly performed without an MTC server (e.g., an SCS), FIG.","2(b) shows a model in which an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) is located outside an operator domain, and FIG.","2(c) shows a model in which an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) is located inside an operator domain.","In addition, FIG.","2(a) corresponds to a direct communication scheme controlled by a 3GPP operator, FIG.","2(b) corresponds to a communication scheme controlled by a service provider, and FIG.","2(c) corresponds to a communication scheme controlled by a 3GPP operator.","The direct model of FIG.","2(a) shows that an MTC application directly performs communication with a UE (or an MTC device) with respect to a 3GPP network as an over-the-top (OTT) application.","The indirect model of FIGS.","2(b) and 2(c) shows that an MTC application indirectly performs communication with a UE (or an MTC device) using a supplementary service provided by a 3GPP network.","More specifically, in the example of FIG.","2(b), the MTC application may use an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) for supplementary services provided by a third-party (that is, for which 3GPP is not responsible) service provider.","The MTC server (e.g., the SCS) may perform communication with a 3GPP network through various interfaces.","In the example of FIG.","2(c), the MTC application may use an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) for supplementary services provided by a 3GPP operator (which corresponds to a service provider).","Communication between an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) and a 3GPP network is performed within a PLMN.","In FIGS.","2(b) and 2(c), an interface between an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) and an MTC application is not included in the 3GPP standard.","Since the indirect models of FIGS.","2(a) and 2(b) are complementary, a 3GPP operator may combine the indirect models for a different application.","That is, as shown in FIG.","2(d), an MTC communication module may be implemented as a hybrid model in which a direct model and an indirect model are simultaneously used.","In case of the hybrid model, the MTC device may perform communication with a plurality of MTC servers (e.g., SCSs) in an HPLMN and an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) controlled by a service provider and an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) controlled by a 3GPP operator may be different in terms of capabilities provided to an MTC application.","FIG.","3 is a diagram showing an exemplary model of an MTC architecture.","An end-to-end application between a UE (or an MTC device) used for MTC and an MTC application may use services provided by a 3GPP system and selective services provided by an MTC server (e.g., an SCS).","A 3GPP system may provide transport and communication services (including a 3GPP bearer service, and IMS and an SMS) including a variety of optimization services facilitating MTC.","In FIG.","3, a UE used for MTC is connected to a 3GPP network (UTRAN, E-UTRAN, GERAN, I-WLAN, etc.)","through a Um/Uu/LTE-Uu interface.","The architecture of FIG.","3 includes various MTC models described with reference to FIG.","2.First, entities shown in FIG.","3 will be described.","In FIG.","3, an application server is a server on a network in which an MTC application is executed and may be referred to as an MTC application server.","Technologies for implementing various MTC applications are applicable to an MTC application server and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.","In addition, the MTC application server may access an MTC server (e.g., an SCS in FIG.","3) through a reference point API and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.","Alternatively, the MTC application server may be co-located with an MTC server (e.g., an SCS).","AN MTC server (e.g., an SCS) is a server on a network for managing an MTC device and may be connected to a 3GPP network to communicate with nodes of a PLMN and a UE used for MTC.","An MTC-interworking function (IWF) may control interworking between an MTC server and an operator core network and serve as a proxy of MTC operation.","In order to support an MTC indirect or hybrid model, one or more MTC-IWFs may be present in a home PLMN (HPLMN).","The MTC-IWF may relay and interpret a signaling protocol on a reference point Tsp to enable a PLMN to perform a specific function.","The MTC-IWF may perform a function for authenticating an MTC server, a function for authenticating a control plane request from an MTC server, various functions associated with the below-described trigger instructions, etc.","before the MTC server establishes communication with a 3GPP network.","A short message service-service center (SMS-SC)/Internet protocol short message gateway (IP-SM-GW) may manage transmission and reception of an SMS.","The SMS-SC serves to relay a short message between a short message entity (SME) (an entity for transmitting or receiving a short message) and a mobile station and storing and forwarding the short message.","The IP-SM-GW may serve to perform protocol interworking between an IP based UE and an SMS-SC.","A charging data function (CDF)/charging gateway function (CGF) may perform a charging operation.","HLR/HSS serves to store and provide subscriber information (IMSI, etc.","), routing information, configuration information, etc.","to the MTC-IWF.","A mobile switching center (MSC)/SGSN/MME may perform a control function such as mobility management, authentication, resource allocation, etc.","for network connection of a UE.","In association with the below-described triggering, the MSC/SGSN/MME may serve to receive a trigger instruction from the MTC-IWF and process the trigger instruction into the form of a message provided to the MTC device.","A gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)/serving-gateway (S-GW)+packet data network-gateway (P-GW) may serve as a gateway for connecting a core network and an external network.","Table 2 shows main reference points of FIG.","3.TABLE 2 Reference point Description Tsms Reference point used by an entity outside the 3GPP system to communicate with UEs used for MTC via SMS.","Tsp Reference point used by an SCS to communicate with the MTC-IWF related to control plane signaling.","T4 Reference point used by MTC-IWF to route device trigger to the SMS-SC in the HPLMN.","T5a Reference point used between MTC-IWF and serving SGSN.","T5b Reference point used between MTC-IWF and serving MME.","T5c Reference point used between MTC-IWF and serving MSC.","S6m Reference point used by MTC-IWF to interrrogate UE identity (HSS/HLR for E.164 mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) or external identifier mapping to IMSI) and gather UE reachability and configuration information.","S6n Reference point used by MTC-AAA to interrogate HSS/HLR.","Among T5a, T5b and T5c, one or more reference points may be referred to as T5.In case of the indirect and hybrid model, user plane communication with an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) may be performed and, in case of the direct and hybrid model, communication with an MTC application server may be performed using a conventional protocol through Gi and SGi.","Details associated with description of FIGS.","2 to 3 may be incorporated by referring to 3GPP TS 23.682.NAS Level Congestion Control In general, the case in which a network exceeds a limit of a controllable communication amount may be referred to as a network congestion or overload state and operation for controlling a transmission/reception amount of a network to prevent network congestion may be referred to as network congestion control.","In a 3GPP MTC network, if network congestion or overload occurs, NAS level congestion control is performed between a UE and a node (e.g., MME, SGW, PDN-GW, MSC, SGSN or GGSN) of a core network and thus signaling congestion may be avoided or controlled.","Such NAS level congestion control includes AP based congestion control and general NAS level mobility management control.","APN based congestion control refers to signaling congestion control according to a mobility management (MM)/session management (SM) protocol associated with an APN (that is, an APN associated with a congestion state) and a UE or an EPS mobility management (EMM)/EPS session management (ESM) protocol.","APN based congestion control includes APN based session management congestion control and APN based mobility management congestion control.","General NAS level mobility management control means a code network node (e.g., MME, SGW, PDN-GW, MSC, SGSN or GGSN) rejects a mobility management signaling request made by a UE in a state of network congestion or overload to avoid congestion and overload.","In general, if a core network performs NAS level congestion control, a reject message provided to a UE may include a standby time (or an extended standby time) value.","Such a standby time value is randomized within a predetermined range to be provided to the UE.","The UE sets the received standby time value as a back-off timer value and operates so as not to request (E)MM/(E)SM signaling from a network until the back-off timer has expired.","(E)MM signaling includes, for example, an attach request, a TAU/RAU request, a service request, an extended service request, etc.","In addition, (E)SM signaling includes, for example, PDN connectivity, bearer resource allocation, bearer modification, packet data protocol (PDP) context activation, PDP context modification request, etc.","The back-off timer may be divided into an MM back-off timer for control of (E)MM signaling and an SM back-off timer for control of (E)SM signaling.","The MM back-off timer is assigned per UE and the SM back-off timer is assigned per associated APN or per UE.","These timers may independently run.","Additionally, in a 3GPP network, a terminal (e.g., an MTC device) may be configured through a NAS configuration MO to have “NAS signaling low priority”.","The UE configured with the NAS signaling low priority sets low priority in a NAS message (e.g., an attach request, a TAU request, a PDN connection request, etc.)","and transmits the NAS message.","In general, if a core network performs NAS level congestion control, a back-off timer (or an execution standby timer) value is included in a reject message of a terminal configured with low priority (for example, if the NAS signaling low priority indicator is set such that a UE/MS is configured for NAS signaling low priority) to be transmitted.","As described above, a terminal which receives a back-off timer value runs so as not to request (E)MM/(E)SM signaling from a network until a back-off timer (e.g., an MM back-off timer and/or an SM back-off timer) has expired.","Even when the back-off timer runs, an emergency service must be provided.","Accordingly, if a UE/MS has already performed or starts to perform an emergency bearer service with respect to service users having a high priority, it is possible to make a request for the service even when the MM/SM back-off timer runs.","Service users having a high priority may access a network with multimedia priority service access classes 11 to 15, for example.","Further, performing MT(Mobile Terminated) call/SMS services and emergency call services are cases except for applying back-off timer operations (i.e., those services may be provided even though the back-off timer is running).","Multiple Priorities In a current 3GPP standard (Rel-10/Rel-11) MTC system environment, a UE/MS (hereinafter, referred to as a “terminal”) may be configured with only one of two priorities, that is, “(NAS signaling) low priority” and “(NAS signaling) non-low priority”.","For example, a NAS signaling low priority indicator may be set such that a UE/MS is configured for NAS signaling low priority or a UE/MS is not configured to NAS signaling low priority.","However, a terminal may have multiple priorities of two levels or more according to future application environments.","In addition, such multiple priorities may be configured per device (or per terminal) or per application level.","A priority configured per UE and a priority configured per application may be separately (independently) configured.","In addition, one of a plurality of priorities may be configured with respect to one application.","Since operation associated with the priority in a conventional wireless communication system is defined in consideration of only one of a “low priority” and a “non-low priority”, accurate operation may not be performed if two or more priorities are configured.","Accordingly, in the present invention, an operation method when multiple priorities are configured and an operation method when a priority is changed are proposed.","In order to configure different priorities per device or per application level to establish a PDN connection whenever a terminal having multiple priorities establishes a PDN connection, it is necessary to compensate for a method of establishing a PDN connection of a terminal having multiple priorities.","If a previously established PDN connection is a PDN connection having a low priority but a priority is newly changed to a different priority per device or per application level, the changed priority is applied to the newly established PDN connection.","In this case, how to process a previously established PDN connection is ambiguous.","For example, a PDN connection method according to priority change should be provided in order to determine whether a PDN connection having a previously configured priority is maintained or whether a PDN connection having a previously configured priority is released and a newly changed priority is applied to re-establish a PDN connection.","As described above, in a state in which an (E)MM back-off timer and an (E)SM back-off timer individually or simultaneously runs in a terminal, the terminal cannot request MM associated signaling and/or SM associated signaling from a network.","However, if an emergency call/service or a multimedia priority service is used, the terminal may perform an associated procedure even when the back-off timer runs.","How a terminal having multiple priorities per terminal or per application level performs operation based on an MM back-off timer and/or an SM back-off timer (hereinafter, referred to as a “MM/SM back-off timer”) if a priority is changed is ambiguous.","For example, a back-off timer processing method according to priority change should be provided in order to determine whether the existing MM/SM back-off timer is stopped or maintained if a priority is changed.","For example, since how a terminal having multiple priorities processes a PDN connection according to priority change or processes a running MM/SM back-off timer according to priority change due to network congestion when the MM/SM back-off timer runs is ambiguous, PDN connection control and/or NAS level congestion control cannot be accurately or efficiently performed.","In this case, network state, service connectivity and user experience are further deteriorated.","Accordingly, if multiple priorities of two levels or more are applied and/or a priority is changed, there is a need for a new method of processing a PDN connection and an MM/SM back-off timer.","NAS Level Operation Improved by Applying Multipriority As described above, it is assumed that MTC involves communication between a large number of terminals and a network and the amount of data of each terminal is relatively small and is not emergency data (e.g., report of a metering result, etc.).","Accordingly, an MTC device is generally configured for a low priority.","Examples of the present invention when two-level priority (or dual priority) is applied will now be described.","Here, dual priority, for example, means that an NAS signaling low priority indicator may be set to “a UE/MS is configured for NAS signaling low priority” (hereinafter, referred to as “low priority”) or to “a UE/MS is not configured for NAS signaling low priority” (hereinafter, referred to as “not low priority”).","However, the present invention is not restricted to dual priority and may be applied to multipriority.","A conventional session management method considering a dual priority function mainly handles a method for prohibiting SM related signaling (e.g., PDN connectivity, bearer resource allocation, bearer modification, PDP context activation, PDP context modification request, etc.)","when an SM backoff is running for a specific APN.","Assume that a UE does not provide information about an APN during an attach procedure but an SM backoff timer is set because a network node rejects an NAS request of the UE.","That is, the SM backoff timer is not set for a specific APN but may be set without an APN.","For example, an attach request message, on which information for requesting a PDN connection without an APN is piggybacked, may be sent (this may be expressed as “an attach request without an APN is transmitted”).","When a low-priority UE transmits an attach request without an APN to a network node (e.g., MME), the network node may configure an SM backoff timer for the UE if an APN, a PDN connection with the UE of which will be established, is congested (here, the UE has made a PDN request without an APN but the network node may specify an APN for the PDN request (e.g., a default APN for the UE) based on information such as subscriber information).","Here, the SM backoff timer is not configured for a specific APN but is configured without an APN.","In this case, from the viewpoint of the UE, only the SM backoff timer is configured but an MM backoff timer is not configured.","In this case, whether transmission of MM signaling (e.g., an attach request without an APN) is permitted depending on whether the low priority indicator is set to “low priority” or “not low priority” is not clearly defined in the related art.","More specifically, according to the related art, operation of a UE when SM signaling (e.g., a PDN connectivity request, etc.)","transmitted from the UE to a network is rejected due to “insufficient resources” and thus an SM backoff timer (e.g., T3396) information element (IE) is included in a reject message is defined as follows.","When a PDN connectivity request is transmitted along with an attach request, the UE performs the following different operations according to integrity protection of an attach reject message and a received value of the SM backoff timer.","If integrity protection of the attach reject message is not provided and the SM backoff timer is running, the UE stops the SM backoff timer and then starts the SM backoff timer using an arbitrary value in a predetermined range.","If integrity protection of the attach reject message is provided, the SM backoff timer value is not 0 and is not deactivated and the SM backoff timer is running, the UE stops the SM backoff timer and then starts the SM backoff timer using a value provided by the SM backoff timer IE.","When the UE does not provide information about an APN during an attach procedure, the UE is prohibited from starting a new attach procedure without an APN until the SM backoff timer has expired.","When the UE has transmitted an attach request without an APN to the network but the attach request has rejected and thus the SM backoff timer is configured for the UE, the UE may not transmit a new attach request even when an MM backoff timer is not set.","In this case, whether transmission of a new attach request by a UE configured for dual priority is permitted or prohibited according to “low priority” or “not low priority” is not defined.","Overall system performance may deteriorate due to ambiguity of UE operation in terms of configuration of a backoff timer for reducing network congestion and important signaling transmission.","The embodiments of the present invention for solving this problem will now be described.","First, a method of handling low priority indication for NAS signaling will be described.","A UE may include an information element (IE) such as device properties in an NAS message and set a low priority indicator to “the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority”, thereby indicating that the UE is configured for low priority.","The UE sets the low priority indicator to “not low priority” in the following cases: the UE is performing attach for an emergency bearer service; the UE has a PDN connection for establishment of an emergency bearer service and is performing an EPS MM procedure or is establishing a PDN connection for an emergency bearer service; the UE configured for dual priority is requested by an upper layer to establish a PDN connection having low priority indicator set to not low priority; the UE configured for dual priority is performing an EPS session management (SM) procedure related to the PDN connection established with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”; the UE configured for dual priority has a PDN connection established by setting the low priority indicator to “not low priority” and is performing EPS mobility management (MM) procedure; the UE is accessing the network with access classes 11 to 15; or the UE is responding to paging.","The network may use NAS signaling low priority indication, for NAS level MM congestion control and APN based congestion control.","When the NAS signaling low priority indication is included in a PDN connectivity request message, the MME stores the NAS signaling low priority indication in a default EPS bearer context activated by the PDN connectivity request procedure.","Next, a method of handling an SM request to a UE configured for dual priority will be described.","First, prior to operation of the UE when an SM backoff timer without an APN is configured according to the present invention, configuration of an SM backoff timer for a specific APN will be described.","If the SM backoff timer (e.g., T3396) is running for the specific APN, because a PDN connection request, bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message including a low priority indicator set to low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, according to the request of the upper layer, the UE may: send a PDN connectivity request message to the same APM, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”; or if a PDN connection established with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority” exists, send the bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message for this PDN connection.","At this time, the low priority indicator is set to “not low priority”.","According to proposals of the present invention when the SM backoff timer without an APN is configured, the UE operates as follows.","If the SM backoff timer is running without an APN, because the PDN connectivity request message transmitted along with the attach request message including the low priority indicator set to the low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, the UE may initiate a new attach procedure without an APN, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”, according to the request of the upper layer.","That is, when the SM backoff timer is configured because the PDN connectivity request transmitted along with the attach request without an APN was rejected, the new attach request message (that is, the attach request message without an APN) may not be transmitted if “low priority” is set and may be transmitted if “not low priority” is set.","When the SM backoff timer is running, transmission of the attach request without an APN, which is set to a low priority, may be prohibited to prevent network congestion from increasing and transmission of the new attach request, which is set to “not low priority”, is permitted to protect emergency/important signaling, thereby clarifying UE operation and improving overall system performance.","For example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary service delay/communication delay between the UE and the network and to prevent network resources from being unnecessarily wasted.","Similarly, the proposal of the present invention is applicable to an SM request related to a “PDP context activation request”.","First, prior to operation of the UE when the SM backoff timer without an APN is configured, configuration of the SM backoff timer for a specific APN will be described.","If the SM backoff timer is running for the specific APN, because a PDP context activation request, secondary PDP context activation request or PDP context request modification message including a low priority indicator set to low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, according to a request of an upper layer, the UE may: send a PDP context activation request message to the same APN, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”; or if a PDN connection established with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority” exists, send the secondary PDP context activation request or PDP context modification request message for this PDN context.","At this time, the low priority indicator is set to “not low priority”.","According to the proposal of the present invention when the SM backoff timer without an APN is configured, the UE operates as follows.","If the SM backoff timer without an APN is running, because the PDP context activation request message including the low priority indicator set to the low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, the UE may transmit the PDP context activation request message without an APN, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”, according to the request of the upper layer.","That is, when the SM backoff timer is configured because the PDP context activation request without an APN was rejected, the new PDP context activation request (that is, the PDP context activation request message without an APN) may not be transmitted if “low priority” is set and may be transmitted if “not low priority” is set.","When the SM backoff timer is running, transmission of the PDP context activation request, which is set to the low priority, may be prohibited to prevent network congestion from increasing and transmission of the new PDP context activation request without an APN, which is set to “not low priority”, is permitted to protect emergency/important signaling, thereby clarifying UE operation and improving overall system performance.","For example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary service delay/communication delay between the UE and the network and to prevent network resources from being unnecessarily wasted.","Additionally, if the UE has multi-level priority of three levels or more, the MM backoff timer and/or the SM backoff timer may be applied according to the priority level.","In the case of priority to which the MM/SM backoff time (e.g., one or more low priorities of multi-level priorities) is applied, when the PDN connectivity request message is transmitted alone, when the attach request message is transmitted along with the PDN connectivity request or when the PDP context activation request message is transmitted, congestion control is performed by the MM/SM backoff timer.","For example, the NAS request may not be made while the backoff timer is running.","In the case of priority to which the MM/SM backoff timer is not applied (e.g., one or more high priorities of multi-level priorities), when the PDN connectivity request message is transmitted alone, when the attach request message is transmitted along with the PDN connectivity request or when the PDP context activation request message is transmitted, congestion control is not performed by the MM/SM backoff timer.","For example, the NAS request may be made even when the backoff timer is running.","FIG.","4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a backoff timer according to an example of the present invention.","In step S410, the UE may transmit an NAS request without an APN (e.g., an attach request without an APN), which is set to a first priority level (e.g., a low priority level), to the network.","In step S420, if the network is congested (or resources are insufficient), the UE may receive a reject message for the NAS request from the network.","Here, the reject message may include the SM backoff information.","In step S430, the UE may initiate the SM backoff timer.","In step S440, when the UE attempts to transmit a new NAS request (initiates a new attach procedure) while the SM backoff timer is running, whether the new NAS request is set to a first priority may be determined.","If the result of step S440 is yes (that is, the new NAS request is set to the first priority (or low priority)), the method progresses to step S450, in which the UE does not permit transmission of the new NAS request while the SM backoff timer is running.","If the result of step S440 is no (that is, the new NAS request is not set to the first priority (or low priority), the method progresses to step S460, in which the UE permits transmission of the new NAS request while the SM backoff timer is running.","In the backoff timer control method of the present invention described with reference to FIG.","4, the above-described embodiments of the present invention may be independently applied or two or more of the above-described embodiments may be simultaneously applied.","In addition, although the above-described examples of the present invention are applied to a wireless communication service of an MTC method, the principle of the present invention is equally applicable to operation according to multipriority in a general wireless communication system, control operation of a backoff timer, etc.","According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to prevent unnecessary delay in a service/communication between a UE and a network, to prevent network resources from being unnecessarily wasted, and to improve user experience.","FIG.","5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of a wireless device according to an example of the present invention.","Referring to FIG.","5, the wireless device according to the present invention may include a transceiving module 1010, a processor 1020 and a memory 1030.The transceiving module 101 may be configured to transmit various signals, data and information to an external device (e.g., a network node, a terminal, a server, etc.)","and receive various signals, data and information from an external device (e.g., a network node, a terminal, a server, etc.).","The processor 1020 may control overall operation of the wireless device and the wireless device may be configured to perform a function for processing information transmitted or received to or from an external device.","The memory 1030 may store the processed information for a predetermined time and may be replaced by a buffer (not shown).","The wireless device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to control the backoff timer if multipriority is set.","The processor 1020 may be configured to transmit an NAS request message without an APN (e.g., an attach request message without an APN), which is set to the first priority level (e.g., a low priority), to the network node using the transceiving module 1010.In addition, the processor 1020 may be configured to receive the reject message for the NAS request message from the network node using the transceiving module 1010.The processor 1020 may be configured to initiate the SM backoff timer based on the reject message.","In addition, the processor 1020 may be configured to permit transmission of a new NAS request message which is not set to the first priority level (or is not set to a low priority) while the SM backoff timer is running.","The processor 1020 may be configured to prohibit transmission of the new NAS request message which is set to the first priority level (or is set to the low priority) while the SM backoff timer is running.","The embodiments of the present invention may be independently or simultaneously applied to the detailed configuration of the wireless device and a description thereof will be omitted for clarity.","The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a variety of means, for example, hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.","In the case of implementing the present invention by hardware, the present invention can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etc.","If operations or functions of the present invention are implemented by firmware or software, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a variety of formats, for example, modules, procedures, functions, etc.","Software code may be stored in a memory unit so that it can be driven by a processor.","The memory unit is located inside or outside of the processor, so that it can communicate with the aforementioned processor via a variety of well-known parts.","The detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been given to enable those skilled in the art to implement and practice the invention.","Although the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention described in the appended claims.","For example, those skilled in the art may use each construction described in the above embodiments in combination with each other.","Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but should be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.","The aforementioned embodiments are achieved by combination of structural elements and features of the present invention in a predetermined manner.","Each of the structural elements or features should be considered selectively unless specified separately.","Each of the structural elements or features may be carried out without being combined with other structural elements or features.","Also, some structural elements and/or features may be combined with one another to constitute the embodiments of the present invention.","The order of operations described in the embodiments of the present invention may be changed.","Some structural elements or features of one embodiment may be included in another embodiment, or may be replaced with corresponding structural elements or features of another embodiment.","Moreover, it will be apparent that some claims referring to specific claims may be combined with other claims referring to the other claims other than the specific claims to constitute the embodiment or add new claims by means of amendment after the application is filed.","The above-described embodiments of the present invention are applicable to various mobile communication systems."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING MULTIPRIORITY IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM\",\n \"A method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for dual priority, the method includes transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN) including a low priority indicator set to a first value to a network node, wherein the first NAS request message without the APN is an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without the APN; receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, and wherein a cause in the reject message is set to insufficient resources; setting the low priority indicator to a second value; and initiating a new attach procedure without the APN, while a session management (SM) backoff timer is running, wherein the first value of the low priority indicates that the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for dual priority, the method comprising: transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN) including a low priority indicator set to a first value to a network node, wherein the first NAS request message without the APN is an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without the APN; receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, wherein a cause in the reject message is set to insufficient resources; setting the low priority indicator to a second value; and initiating a new attach procedure without the APN, while a session management (SM) backoff timer is running, wherein the first value of the low priority indicates that the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority, and wherein the second value of the priority indicates that the UE is not configured for NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first NAS message comprises at least one of a PDN connection request, bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message.\",\n \"3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE does not provide the APN during an attach procedure initiated by transmitting the first NAS request message without the APN.\",\n \"4.The method according to claim 1, wherein the low priority indicator is included in an information element indicating device properties.\",\n \"5.The method according to claim 1, wherein the reject message includes a value for the SM backoff timer.\",\n \"6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE is a machine type communication (MTC) device.\",\n \"7.A user equipment (UE) configured for dual priority for controlling a backoff timer, the UE comprising: a transceiver module configured to transceiver signals; and a processor configured to control the transceiver, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the transceiver to transmit a first non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN) including a low priority indicator set to a first value to a network node, wherein the first NAS request message without the APN is an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without the APN; control the transceiver to receive a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, wherein a cause in the reject message is set to insufficient resources; set the low priority indicator to a second value; and initiate a new attach procedure without the APN, while a session management (SM) backoff timer is running, wherein the first value of the low priority indicates that the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority, and wherein the second value of the priority indicates that the UE is not configured for NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"8.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the first NAS message comprises at least one of a PDN connection request, bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message.\",\n \"9.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the UE does not provide the APN during an attach procedure initiated by transmitting the first NAS request message without the APN.\",\n \"10.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the low priority indicator is included in an information element indicating device properties.\",\n \"11.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the reject message includes a value for the SM backoff timer.\",\n \"12.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the UE is a machine type communication (MTC) device.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION \"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.\",\n \"Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.\",\n \"The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.\",\n \"The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for multipriority including transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node, receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, and initiating a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a user equipment (UE) device for controlling a backoff timer if multipriority is set including a transceiver module, and a processor, wherein the processor configured to transmit a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node using the transceiver module, to receive a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node using the transceiver module, and to initiate a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, and wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"The embodiments of the present invention have the following features.\",\n \"A new NAS request message, which is set to the first priority level, may not be permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"The UE may not provide the APN during a procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message.\",\n \"The procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message may be an attach procedure.\",\n \"The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message without an APN.\",\n \"The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without an APN.\",\n \"The reject message may include a value for the SM backoff timer.\",\n \"The reject message may be received due to insufficient resources.\",\n \"The UE configured for multipriority may be a UE configured for dual priority.\",\n \"The first priority level may correspond to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"The first priority level may correspond to a low priority indicator, which is set to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"The UE may be a machine type communication (MTC) device.\",\n \"It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.\",\n \"According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.\",\n \"The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects and other effects which are not described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/375,918 filed on Dec. 12, 2016, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/432,417 filed on Mar.\",\n \"30, 2015 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,554,233 issued on Jan. 24, 2017), which is the National Phase of PCT International Application No.\",\n \"PCT/KR2013/008877 filed on Oct. 4, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 119(e) to U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/709,987 filed on Oct. 5, 2012, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a control method and device based on multiple priorities in a wireless communication system.\",\n \"Discussion of the Related Art Machine type communication (MTC) refers to a communication scheme between one or more machines and is also referred to as machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.\",\n \"Here, a machine refers to an entity which does not require direct human operation or intervention.\",\n \"For example, a device including a mobile communication module, such as a meter or a vending machine, may include a user equipment such as a smartphone which is capable of automatically accessing a network without operation/intervention of a user to perform communication.\",\n \"Various examples of such a machine are referred to as an MTC device or terminal in the present specification.\",\n \"That is, MTC refers to communication performed by one or more machines (that is, MTC devices) without human operation/intervention.\",\n \"MTC may include communication (e.g., device-to-device (D2D) communication) between MTC devices and communication between an MTC device and an MTC application server.\",\n \"Examples of communication between an MTC device and an MTC application server include communication between a vending machine and a server, communication between a point of sale (POS) device and a server and an electric meter, and communication between a gas meter or a water meter and a server.\",\n \"AN MTC-based application may include security, transportation, healthcare, etc.\",\n \"Meanwhile, if congestion or overload occurs in a network, congestion control may be performed in a control plane.\",\n \"For example, network congestion control may be performed at a non-access stratum (NAS) level which is an uppermost stratum in a control plane between a terminal and a network control node in a radio interface.\",\n \"In general, if a network congestion occurs, a network may configure a back-off timer for inhibiting a request for a network for a predetermined time with respect to a terminal.\",\n \"According to operation of a currently defined wireless communication system, priority may be configured per terminals, and only one of “(NAS signaling) low priority” for a terminal supporting MTC or “(NAS signaling) non-low priority” for a terminal supporting non-MTC.\",\n \"Meanwhile, if network congestion or overload occurs, a back-off timer (BOT) may be used in order to distribute network load.\",\n \"Back-off timers may be classified into a Mobility Management (MM) back-off timer and a Session Management (SM) back-off timer.\",\n \"MM back-off timer defines a time in which a terminal is prohibited from performing MM-related operations such as an attach request, SM back-off timer defines a time in which a terminal is prohibited from performing SM-related operations such as a session establishment/modify request related to an Access Point Name (APN).\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.\",\n \"Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.\",\n \"The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.\",\n \"The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a backoff timer at a user equipment (UE) configured for multipriority including transmitting a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node, receiving a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node, and initiating a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a user equipment (UE) device for controlling a backoff timer if multipriority is set including a transceiver module, and a processor, wherein the processor configured to transmit a non access stratum (NAS) request message without an access point name (APN), which is set to a first priority level, to a network node using the transceiver module, to receive a reject message for the NAS request message from the network node using the transceiver module, and to initiate a session management (SM) backoff timer based on the reject message, and wherein a new NAS request message, which is not set to the first priority level, is permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"The embodiments of the present invention have the following features.\",\n \"A new NAS request message, which is set to the first priority level, may not be permitted to be transmitted by the UE while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"The UE may not provide the APN during a procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message.\",\n \"The procedure initiated by transmitting the NAS request message may be an attach procedure.\",\n \"The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message without an APN.\",\n \"The NAS request message without the APN may be an attach request message transmitted along with a packet data network (PDN) connectivity request without an APN.\",\n \"The reject message may include a value for the SM backoff timer.\",\n \"The reject message may be received due to insufficient resources.\",\n \"The UE configured for multipriority may be a UE configured for dual priority.\",\n \"The first priority level may correspond to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"The first priority level may correspond to a low priority indicator, which is set to the UE being configured for NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"The UE may be a machine type communication (MTC) device.\",\n \"It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.\",\n \"According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new method for, at a UE configured for multipriority, performing operation based on an SM backoff timer and priority when the SM backoff timer without an APN is running.\",\n \"The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects and other effects which are not described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.\",\n \"In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram showing the schematic architecture of an evolved packet core (EPC); FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram showing examples of an MTC communication model; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram showing an exemplary model of an MTC architecture; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a backoff timer according to an example of the present invention; and FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of a wireless device according to an example of the present invention.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The following embodiments are proposed by combining constituent components and characteristics of the present invention according to a predetermined format.\",\n \"The individual constituent components or characteristics should be considered to be optional factors on the condition that there is no additional remark.\",\n \"If required, the individual constituent components or characteristics may not be combined with other components or characteristics.\",\n \"Also, some constituent components and/or characteristics may be combined to implement the embodiments of the present invention.\",\n \"The order of operations to be disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be changed to others.\",\n \"Some components or characteristics of any embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, or may be replaced with those of the other embodiments as necessary.\",\n \"It should be noted that specific terms disclosed in the present invention are proposed for convenience of description and better understanding of the present invention, and the use of these specific terms may be changed to another format within the technical scope or spirit of the present invention.\",\n \"In some instances, well-known structures and devices are omitted in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present invention and the important functions of the structures and devices are shown in block diagram form.\",\n \"The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.\",\n \"The embodiments of the present invention can be supported by the standard documents disclosed in any one of wireless access systems, such as an IEEE 802 system, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system, a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-A system, and a 3GPP2 system.\",\n \"That is, the steps or portions, which are not described in order to make the technical spirit of the present invention clear, may be supported by the above documents.\",\n \"In addition, all the terms disclosed in the present document may be described by the above standard documents.\",\n \"The following technologies may be used in various wireless communication systems.\",\n \"For clarity, 3GPP LTE and 3GPP LTE-A will be focused upon in the following description, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.\",\n \"Terms used in the present specification are as follows.\",\n \"UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system): Third generation mobile communication technology based on global system for mobile communication (GSM) developed by 3GPP.\",\n \"EPS (evolved packet system): Network system including an evolved packet core (EPC) which is a packet switched (PS) core network based on internet protocol (IP) and an access network such as LTE/UTRAN, which is evolved from UMTS.\",\n \"NodeB: Base station of GERAN/UTRAN, which is mounted outdoors and coverage of which forms a macro cell.\",\n \"eNodeB: Base station of E-UTRAN, which is mounted outdoors and coverage of which forms a macro cell.\",\n \"UE: User equipment.\",\n \"The UE may be referred to as a terminal, a mobile equipment (ME), a mobile station (MS), etc.\",\n \"In addition, the UE may be a portable apparatus such as a laptop, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone and a multimedia apparatus or a non-portable apparatus such as a vehicle mounted apparatus.\",\n \"A UE or terminal may indicate an MTC device in MTC.\",\n \"Home NodeB (HNB): Base station of a UMTS network, which is mounted indoors and coverage of which forms a micro cell.\",\n \"Home eNodeB (HeNB): Base station of an EPS network, which is mounted indoors and coverage of which forms a micro cell.\",\n \"MME (mobility management entity): Network node of an EPS network, which performs a mobility management (MM) function and a session management (SM) function.\",\n \"PDN-GW (packet data network-gateway)/PGW: Network node of an EPS network, which performs a UE IP address allocation function, a packet screening and filtering function and a charging data collection function.\",\n \"SGW (serving gateway): Network node of an EPS network, which performs mobility anchor, packet routing, idle mode packet buffering, triggering for enabling an MME to page a UE.\",\n \"PCRF (policy and charging rule function): Network node of an EPS network, which performs policy decision for dynamically applying quality of service (QoS) and charging policy differentiated per service flow.\",\n \"OMA DM (open mobile alliance device management): Protocol designed for management of mobile devices such as a mobile phone, a PDA or a portable computer, which performs functions such as device configuration, firmware upgrade, error report, etc.\",\n \"OAM (operation administration and maintenance): OAM is a set of network administration functions for providing network fault display, performance information, data and diagnostic functions.\",\n \"NAS (non-access stratum): Upper stratum of a control plane between a UE and an MME.\",\n \"This is a functional layer for signaling between a UE and a core network and exchanging a traffic message in an LTE/UMTS protocol stack, supports UE mobility, and supports a session management procedure for establishing and maintaining an IP connection between a UE and a PDN GW.\",\n \"NAS configuration MO (NAS configuration management object): MO used to configure parameters associated with NAS functionality with respect to a UE.\",\n \"SIPTO (selected IP traffic offload): Scheme for transmitting specific IP traffic through a public network such as the Internet instead of an operator network when transmitting the specific IP traffic through an H(e)NB or a macro cell.\",\n \"In a 3GPP release-10 system, an operator selects a PDN-GW which is physically close to a UE in an EPC network and supports handover of user traffic.\",\n \"PDN (packet data network): Network in which a server supporting a specific service (e.g., a multimedia messaging service (MMS) server, a wireless application protocol (WAP) server, etc.)\",\n \"is located.\",\n \"PDN connection: Logical connection between a UE and a PDN, which is expressed by one IP address (one IPv4 address and/or one IPv6 prefix).\",\n \"APN (Access Point Name): String indicating or identifying a PDN.\",\n \"A requested service or a network (PDN) is accessed through a PGW and the APN is the name (string) previously defined in the network in order to find the PGW.\",\n \"For example, the APN may be expressed by internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs.\",\n \"IMS (IP multimedia subsystem): Subsystem for providing a multimedia service based on IP.\",\n \"MTC (machine type communications): Communication performed by a machine without human intervention.\",\n \"MTC device: UE (e.g., a vending machine, a meter, etc.)\",\n \"which has a communication function through a core network and serves a specific purpose.\",\n \"MTC-IWF (MTC interworking function): Entity serving as a gateway for transmitting a control signal or data for MTC through a 3GPP network including EPS or IMS.\",\n \"SCS (service capability server): Server connected to a 3GPP network for communication with an MTC device using an MTC-IWF and an MTC device located in a home public land mobile network (HPLMN).\",\n \"The SCS provides capability for utilizing one or a plurality of applications.\",\n \"MTC server: Server on a network for managing an MTC terminal, which may be located inside or outside a mobile communication network and may have an interface accessible by an MTC user.\",\n \"The MTC server may provide an MTC associated service to other servers (an SCS) and may be an MTC application server.\",\n \"MTC application: Service to which MTC is applied (e.g., remote metering, product movement tracking, etc.).\",\n \"MTC application server: Server on a network in which an MTC application is executed.\",\n \"MTC feature: Function of a network supporting an MTC application.\",\n \"For example, MTC monitoring is a feature for preparing for equipment loss in an MTC application such as remote metering and low mobility is a feature for an MTC application for an MTC device such as a vending machine.\",\n \"MTC subscriber: Entity which is connected to a network operator and provides a service to one or more MTC terminals.\",\n \"MTC group: Group of MTC terminals which share at least one MTC feature and belong to an MTC subscriber.\",\n \"RAN (radio access network): Unit including a NodeB, an eNodeB and a radio network controller for controlling the NodeB and the eNodeB in a 3GPP network, which is present between UEs and provides connection to a core network.\",\n \"HLR (home location register)/HSS (home subscriber server): Database having subscriber information in a 3GPP network.\",\n \"The HSS may perform functions such as configuration storage, identity management and user state storage.\",\n \"PLMN (public land mobile network): Network configured for the purpose of providing a mobile communication service to individuals.\",\n \"This network may be configured on a per operator basis.\",\n \"NAS level congestion control: Congestion or overload control function of an EPS network composed of APN based congestion control and general NAS level mobility management control.\",\n \"MM back-off timer (mobility management back-off timer): Mobility management back-off timer used to control congestion when congestion occurs in a network.\",\n \"While the MM back-off timer runs, a UE is set so as not to perform attach, location information update (e.g., tracking area update (TAU)), routing area update (RAU), service request/extended service request, etc.\",\n \"(in case of an emergency bearer service, a paging response in an existing region, or a multimedia priority service (MPS), even when the MM back-off timer runs, the UE is set to make a request).\",\n \"SM back-off timer (session management back-off timer): Session control back-off timer used to control congestion when congestion occurs in a network.\",\n \"While the SM back-off timer runs, a UE is set so as not to perform establishment or change of a session based on an associated APN, etc.\",\n \"(in case of an emergency bearer service or an MPS, even when the SM back-off timer runs, the UE is set to make a request).\",\n \"TA (tracking area): Registration area of a terminal in an EPS network.\",\n \"The TA is identified by a tracking area identity (TAI).\",\n \"RA (routing area): Registration area of a terminal for a packet core network domain in a GPRS/UMTS network.\",\n \"The RA is identified by a routing area identity (RAI).\",\n \"Hereinafter, a description will be given based on the above-described terms.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram showing the schematic architecture of an evolved packet core (EPC).\",\n \"The EPC is a fundamental element of system architecture evolution (SAE) for improving 3GPP performance.\",\n \"SAE corresponds to a research project for deciding a network structure supporting mobility between various types of networks.\",\n \"SAE aims to provide an optimized packet-based system which supports various radio access technologies based on IP and provides improved data transfer capabilities.\",\n \"More specifically, the EPC is a core network of an IP mobile communication system for a 3GPP LTE system and may support a packet-based real-time and non-real-time service.\",\n \"In the existing mobile communication system (that is, a second or third generation mobile communication system), a core network function was implemented through two distinct sub-domains of a voice network (a circuit-switched (CS) network) and a data network (a packet-switched (PS) network).\",\n \"In a 3GPP LTE system which is evolved from the third generation communication system, sub-domains of a CS network and a PS network were unified into one IP domain.\",\n \"That is, in a 3GPP LTE system, a terminal having IP capability and a terminal may be connected through an IP based base station (e.g., an eNodeB (evolved Node B)), an EPC, an application domain (e.g., an IMS)).\",\n \"That is, the EPC is a structure necessary to implement an end-to-end IP service.\",\n \"The EPC may include various components.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a serving gateway (SGW), a packet data network gateway (PDN GW), a mobility management entity (MME), a serving GPRS (general packet radio service) (SGSN) supporting node and an enhanced packet data gateway (ePDG).\",\n \"The SGW operates as a boundary point between a radio access network (RAN) and a core network and is an element which performs a function for maintaining a data path between an eNodeB and a PDG GW.\",\n \"In addition, if a terminal moves over a region served by an eNodeB, the SGW serves as a local mobility anchor point.\",\n \"That is, packets may be routed through the SGW for mobility in an evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) defined after 3GPP release-8.In addition, the SGW may serve as an anchor point for mobility of another 3GPP network (an RAN defined before 3GPP release-8, e.g., UTRAN or GERAN (global system for mobile communication (GSM)/enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE) radio access network).\",\n \"The PDN GW corresponds to a termination point of a data interface for a packet data network.\",\n \"The PDN GW may support policy enforcement features, packet filtering and charging support.\",\n \"In addition, the PDN GW may serve as an anchor point for mobility management with a 3GPP network and a non-3GPP network (e.g., an untrusted network such as an interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) and a trusted network such as a code division multiple access (CDMA) or WiMAX network).\",\n \"Although the SGW and the PDN GW are configured as separate gateways in the example of the network structure of FIG.\",\n \"1, the two gateways may be implemented according to a single gateway configuration option.\",\n \"The MME performs signaling and control functions in order to support access to network connection of a UE, network resource allocation, tracking, paging, roaming and handover.\",\n \"The MME controls control plane functions associated with subscriber and session management.\",\n \"The MME manages numerous eNodeBs and signaling for selection of a conventional gateway for handover to other 2G/3G networks.\",\n \"In addition, the MME performs security procedures, terminal-to-network session handling, idle terminal location management, etc.\",\n \"The SGSN handles all packet data such as mobility management and authentication of a user for other 3GPP networks (e.g., GPRS networks).\",\n \"The ePDG serves as a security node for a non-3GPP network (e.g., an I-WLAN, a Wi-Fi hotspot, etc.).\",\n \"As described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1, a terminal having IP capabilities may access an IP service network (e.g., an IMS) provided by an operator through various elements in the EPC based on 3GPP access or non-3GPP access.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows various reference points (e.g., S1-U, S1-MME, etc.).\",\n \"In the 3GPP system, a conceptual link connecting two functions present in different functional entities of an E-UTRAN and an EPC is defined as a reference point.\",\n \"Table 1 shows the reference points shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.In addition to the example of Table 1, various reference points may be present according to network structure.\",\n \"TABLE 1 Reference point Description S1-MME Reference point for the control plane protocol between E-UTRAN and MME S1-U Reference point between E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user plane tunneling and inter eNodeB path switching during handover S3 Reference point between MME and SGSN.\",\n \"Enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network mobility in idle and/or active state.\",\n \"This reference point can be used intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN (e.g.\",\n \"in the case of Inter-PLMN HO).\",\n \"S4 Reference between SGW and SGSN.\",\n \"Provides related control and mobility support between GPRS Core and the 3GPP Anchor function of Serving GW.\",\n \"In addition, if Direct Tunnel is not established, it provides user plane tunneling.\",\n \"S5 Reference point for providing user plane tunneling and tunnel management between Serving GW and PDN GW.\",\n \"Used for Serving GW relocation due to UE mobility and if the Serving GW needs to connect to a non-co-located PDN GW for the required PDN connectivity.\",\n \"S11 Reference point between MME and SGW SGi Reference point between the PDN GW and the packet data network.\",\n \"Packet data network may be an operator external public or private packet data network or an intra operator packet data network, e.g.\",\n \"for provision of IMS services.\",\n \"This reference point corresponds to Gi for 3GPP accesses.\",\n \"Among the reference points shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, S2a and S2b correspond to a non-3GPP interface.\",\n \"S2a is a reference point for providing associated control between the trusted non-3GPP access and the PDNGW and mobility support to a user plane.\",\n \"S2b is a reference point for providing associated control between the ePDG and the PDNGW and mobility support to a user plane.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram showing examples of an MTC communication model.\",\n \"Although communication through a PS network is defined in association with MTC in 3GPP GSM/UMTS/EPS, the present invention is not limited to MTC through the PS network and is applicable to MTC through the CS network.\",\n \"In the current technical standard, a network structure is defined using the existing bearer of a 3GPP system.\",\n \"Here, a method of using a short message service (SMS) for data exchange between an MTC device and an MTC server is proposed.\",\n \"Since a small amount of digital data such as metering information or product information is exchanged due to the characteristics of an MTC application, an SMS is most preferably used and a conventional SMS method and an IMS based method may be supported.\",\n \"Methods of controlling a paging range for an MTC application with low mobility have been proposed.\",\n \"The MTC application is executed in each of an MTC device and an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) to interwork through communication using a network.\",\n \"At this time, various models of MTC traffic may be implemented depending on what participates in communication between an MTC application and a 3GPP network.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2(a) shows a model in which communication is directly performed without an MTC server (e.g., an SCS), FIG.\",\n \"2(b) shows a model in which an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) is located outside an operator domain, and FIG.\",\n \"2(c) shows a model in which an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) is located inside an operator domain.\",\n \"In addition, FIG.\",\n \"2(a) corresponds to a direct communication scheme controlled by a 3GPP operator, FIG.\",\n \"2(b) corresponds to a communication scheme controlled by a service provider, and FIG.\",\n \"2(c) corresponds to a communication scheme controlled by a 3GPP operator.\",\n \"The direct model of FIG.\",\n \"2(a) shows that an MTC application directly performs communication with a UE (or an MTC device) with respect to a 3GPP network as an over-the-top (OTT) application.\",\n \"The indirect model of FIGS.\",\n \"2(b) and 2(c) shows that an MTC application indirectly performs communication with a UE (or an MTC device) using a supplementary service provided by a 3GPP network.\",\n \"More specifically, in the example of FIG.\",\n \"2(b), the MTC application may use an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) for supplementary services provided by a third-party (that is, for which 3GPP is not responsible) service provider.\",\n \"The MTC server (e.g., the SCS) may perform communication with a 3GPP network through various interfaces.\",\n \"In the example of FIG.\",\n \"2(c), the MTC application may use an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) for supplementary services provided by a 3GPP operator (which corresponds to a service provider).\",\n \"Communication between an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) and a 3GPP network is performed within a PLMN.\",\n \"In FIGS.\",\n \"2(b) and 2(c), an interface between an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) and an MTC application is not included in the 3GPP standard.\",\n \"Since the indirect models of FIGS.\",\n \"2(a) and 2(b) are complementary, a 3GPP operator may combine the indirect models for a different application.\",\n \"That is, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"2(d), an MTC communication module may be implemented as a hybrid model in which a direct model and an indirect model are simultaneously used.\",\n \"In case of the hybrid model, the MTC device may perform communication with a plurality of MTC servers (e.g., SCSs) in an HPLMN and an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) controlled by a service provider and an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) controlled by a 3GPP operator may be different in terms of capabilities provided to an MTC application.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram showing an exemplary model of an MTC architecture.\",\n \"An end-to-end application between a UE (or an MTC device) used for MTC and an MTC application may use services provided by a 3GPP system and selective services provided by an MTC server (e.g., an SCS).\",\n \"A 3GPP system may provide transport and communication services (including a 3GPP bearer service, and IMS and an SMS) including a variety of optimization services facilitating MTC.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"3, a UE used for MTC is connected to a 3GPP network (UTRAN, E-UTRAN, GERAN, I-WLAN, etc.)\",\n \"through a Um/Uu/LTE-Uu interface.\",\n \"The architecture of FIG.\",\n \"3 includes various MTC models described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"2.First, entities shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 will be described.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"3, an application server is a server on a network in which an MTC application is executed and may be referred to as an MTC application server.\",\n \"Technologies for implementing various MTC applications are applicable to an MTC application server and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.\",\n \"In addition, the MTC application server may access an MTC server (e.g., an SCS in FIG.\",\n \"3) through a reference point API and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.\",\n \"Alternatively, the MTC application server may be co-located with an MTC server (e.g., an SCS).\",\n \"AN MTC server (e.g., an SCS) is a server on a network for managing an MTC device and may be connected to a 3GPP network to communicate with nodes of a PLMN and a UE used for MTC.\",\n \"An MTC-interworking function (IWF) may control interworking between an MTC server and an operator core network and serve as a proxy of MTC operation.\",\n \"In order to support an MTC indirect or hybrid model, one or more MTC-IWFs may be present in a home PLMN (HPLMN).\",\n \"The MTC-IWF may relay and interpret a signaling protocol on a reference point Tsp to enable a PLMN to perform a specific function.\",\n \"The MTC-IWF may perform a function for authenticating an MTC server, a function for authenticating a control plane request from an MTC server, various functions associated with the below-described trigger instructions, etc.\",\n \"before the MTC server establishes communication with a 3GPP network.\",\n \"A short message service-service center (SMS-SC)/Internet protocol short message gateway (IP-SM-GW) may manage transmission and reception of an SMS.\",\n \"The SMS-SC serves to relay a short message between a short message entity (SME) (an entity for transmitting or receiving a short message) and a mobile station and storing and forwarding the short message.\",\n \"The IP-SM-GW may serve to perform protocol interworking between an IP based UE and an SMS-SC.\",\n \"A charging data function (CDF)/charging gateway function (CGF) may perform a charging operation.\",\n \"HLR/HSS serves to store and provide subscriber information (IMSI, etc.\",\n \"), routing information, configuration information, etc.\",\n \"to the MTC-IWF.\",\n \"A mobile switching center (MSC)/SGSN/MME may perform a control function such as mobility management, authentication, resource allocation, etc.\",\n \"for network connection of a UE.\",\n \"In association with the below-described triggering, the MSC/SGSN/MME may serve to receive a trigger instruction from the MTC-IWF and process the trigger instruction into the form of a message provided to the MTC device.\",\n \"A gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)/serving-gateway (S-GW)+packet data network-gateway (P-GW) may serve as a gateway for connecting a core network and an external network.\",\n \"Table 2 shows main reference points of FIG.\",\n \"3.TABLE 2 Reference point Description Tsms Reference point used by an entity outside the 3GPP system to communicate with UEs used for MTC via SMS.\",\n \"Tsp Reference point used by an SCS to communicate with the MTC-IWF related to control plane signaling.\",\n \"T4 Reference point used by MTC-IWF to route device trigger to the SMS-SC in the HPLMN.\",\n \"T5a Reference point used between MTC-IWF and serving SGSN.\",\n \"T5b Reference point used between MTC-IWF and serving MME.\",\n \"T5c Reference point used between MTC-IWF and serving MSC.\",\n \"S6m Reference point used by MTC-IWF to interrrogate UE identity (HSS/HLR for E.164 mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) or external identifier mapping to IMSI) and gather UE reachability and configuration information.\",\n \"S6n Reference point used by MTC-AAA to interrogate HSS/HLR.\",\n \"Among T5a, T5b and T5c, one or more reference points may be referred to as T5.In case of the indirect and hybrid model, user plane communication with an MTC server (e.g., an SCS) may be performed and, in case of the direct and hybrid model, communication with an MTC application server may be performed using a conventional protocol through Gi and SGi.\",\n \"Details associated with description of FIGS.\",\n \"2 to 3 may be incorporated by referring to 3GPP TS 23.682.NAS Level Congestion Control In general, the case in which a network exceeds a limit of a controllable communication amount may be referred to as a network congestion or overload state and operation for controlling a transmission/reception amount of a network to prevent network congestion may be referred to as network congestion control.\",\n \"In a 3GPP MTC network, if network congestion or overload occurs, NAS level congestion control is performed between a UE and a node (e.g., MME, SGW, PDN-GW, MSC, SGSN or GGSN) of a core network and thus signaling congestion may be avoided or controlled.\",\n \"Such NAS level congestion control includes AP based congestion control and general NAS level mobility management control.\",\n \"APN based congestion control refers to signaling congestion control according to a mobility management (MM)/session management (SM) protocol associated with an APN (that is, an APN associated with a congestion state) and a UE or an EPS mobility management (EMM)/EPS session management (ESM) protocol.\",\n \"APN based congestion control includes APN based session management congestion control and APN based mobility management congestion control.\",\n \"General NAS level mobility management control means a code network node (e.g., MME, SGW, PDN-GW, MSC, SGSN or GGSN) rejects a mobility management signaling request made by a UE in a state of network congestion or overload to avoid congestion and overload.\",\n \"In general, if a core network performs NAS level congestion control, a reject message provided to a UE may include a standby time (or an extended standby time) value.\",\n \"Such a standby time value is randomized within a predetermined range to be provided to the UE.\",\n \"The UE sets the received standby time value as a back-off timer value and operates so as not to request (E)MM/(E)SM signaling from a network until the back-off timer has expired.\",\n \"(E)MM signaling includes, for example, an attach request, a TAU/RAU request, a service request, an extended service request, etc.\",\n \"In addition, (E)SM signaling includes, for example, PDN connectivity, bearer resource allocation, bearer modification, packet data protocol (PDP) context activation, PDP context modification request, etc.\",\n \"The back-off timer may be divided into an MM back-off timer for control of (E)MM signaling and an SM back-off timer for control of (E)SM signaling.\",\n \"The MM back-off timer is assigned per UE and the SM back-off timer is assigned per associated APN or per UE.\",\n \"These timers may independently run.\",\n \"Additionally, in a 3GPP network, a terminal (e.g., an MTC device) may be configured through a NAS configuration MO to have “NAS signaling low priority”.\",\n \"The UE configured with the NAS signaling low priority sets low priority in a NAS message (e.g., an attach request, a TAU request, a PDN connection request, etc.)\",\n \"and transmits the NAS message.\",\n \"In general, if a core network performs NAS level congestion control, a back-off timer (or an execution standby timer) value is included in a reject message of a terminal configured with low priority (for example, if the NAS signaling low priority indicator is set such that a UE/MS is configured for NAS signaling low priority) to be transmitted.\",\n \"As described above, a terminal which receives a back-off timer value runs so as not to request (E)MM/(E)SM signaling from a network until a back-off timer (e.g., an MM back-off timer and/or an SM back-off timer) has expired.\",\n \"Even when the back-off timer runs, an emergency service must be provided.\",\n \"Accordingly, if a UE/MS has already performed or starts to perform an emergency bearer service with respect to service users having a high priority, it is possible to make a request for the service even when the MM/SM back-off timer runs.\",\n \"Service users having a high priority may access a network with multimedia priority service access classes 11 to 15, for example.\",\n \"Further, performing MT(Mobile Terminated) call/SMS services and emergency call services are cases except for applying back-off timer operations (i.e., those services may be provided even though the back-off timer is running).\",\n \"Multiple Priorities In a current 3GPP standard (Rel-10/Rel-11) MTC system environment, a UE/MS (hereinafter, referred to as a “terminal”) may be configured with only one of two priorities, that is, “(NAS signaling) low priority” and “(NAS signaling) non-low priority”.\",\n \"For example, a NAS signaling low priority indicator may be set such that a UE/MS is configured for NAS signaling low priority or a UE/MS is not configured to NAS signaling low priority.\",\n \"However, a terminal may have multiple priorities of two levels or more according to future application environments.\",\n \"In addition, such multiple priorities may be configured per device (or per terminal) or per application level.\",\n \"A priority configured per UE and a priority configured per application may be separately (independently) configured.\",\n \"In addition, one of a plurality of priorities may be configured with respect to one application.\",\n \"Since operation associated with the priority in a conventional wireless communication system is defined in consideration of only one of a “low priority” and a “non-low priority”, accurate operation may not be performed if two or more priorities are configured.\",\n \"Accordingly, in the present invention, an operation method when multiple priorities are configured and an operation method when a priority is changed are proposed.\",\n \"In order to configure different priorities per device or per application level to establish a PDN connection whenever a terminal having multiple priorities establishes a PDN connection, it is necessary to compensate for a method of establishing a PDN connection of a terminal having multiple priorities.\",\n \"If a previously established PDN connection is a PDN connection having a low priority but a priority is newly changed to a different priority per device or per application level, the changed priority is applied to the newly established PDN connection.\",\n \"In this case, how to process a previously established PDN connection is ambiguous.\",\n \"For example, a PDN connection method according to priority change should be provided in order to determine whether a PDN connection having a previously configured priority is maintained or whether a PDN connection having a previously configured priority is released and a newly changed priority is applied to re-establish a PDN connection.\",\n \"As described above, in a state in which an (E)MM back-off timer and an (E)SM back-off timer individually or simultaneously runs in a terminal, the terminal cannot request MM associated signaling and/or SM associated signaling from a network.\",\n \"However, if an emergency call/service or a multimedia priority service is used, the terminal may perform an associated procedure even when the back-off timer runs.\",\n \"How a terminal having multiple priorities per terminal or per application level performs operation based on an MM back-off timer and/or an SM back-off timer (hereinafter, referred to as a “MM/SM back-off timer”) if a priority is changed is ambiguous.\",\n \"For example, a back-off timer processing method according to priority change should be provided in order to determine whether the existing MM/SM back-off timer is stopped or maintained if a priority is changed.\",\n \"For example, since how a terminal having multiple priorities processes a PDN connection according to priority change or processes a running MM/SM back-off timer according to priority change due to network congestion when the MM/SM back-off timer runs is ambiguous, PDN connection control and/or NAS level congestion control cannot be accurately or efficiently performed.\",\n \"In this case, network state, service connectivity and user experience are further deteriorated.\",\n \"Accordingly, if multiple priorities of two levels or more are applied and/or a priority is changed, there is a need for a new method of processing a PDN connection and an MM/SM back-off timer.\",\n \"NAS Level Operation Improved by Applying Multipriority As described above, it is assumed that MTC involves communication between a large number of terminals and a network and the amount of data of each terminal is relatively small and is not emergency data (e.g., report of a metering result, etc.).\",\n \"Accordingly, an MTC device is generally configured for a low priority.\",\n \"Examples of the present invention when two-level priority (or dual priority) is applied will now be described.\",\n \"Here, dual priority, for example, means that an NAS signaling low priority indicator may be set to “a UE/MS is configured for NAS signaling low priority” (hereinafter, referred to as “low priority”) or to “a UE/MS is not configured for NAS signaling low priority” (hereinafter, referred to as “not low priority”).\",\n \"However, the present invention is not restricted to dual priority and may be applied to multipriority.\",\n \"A conventional session management method considering a dual priority function mainly handles a method for prohibiting SM related signaling (e.g., PDN connectivity, bearer resource allocation, bearer modification, PDP context activation, PDP context modification request, etc.)\",\n \"when an SM backoff is running for a specific APN.\",\n \"Assume that a UE does not provide information about an APN during an attach procedure but an SM backoff timer is set because a network node rejects an NAS request of the UE.\",\n \"That is, the SM backoff timer is not set for a specific APN but may be set without an APN.\",\n \"For example, an attach request message, on which information for requesting a PDN connection without an APN is piggybacked, may be sent (this may be expressed as “an attach request without an APN is transmitted”).\",\n \"When a low-priority UE transmits an attach request without an APN to a network node (e.g., MME), the network node may configure an SM backoff timer for the UE if an APN, a PDN connection with the UE of which will be established, is congested (here, the UE has made a PDN request without an APN but the network node may specify an APN for the PDN request (e.g., a default APN for the UE) based on information such as subscriber information).\",\n \"Here, the SM backoff timer is not configured for a specific APN but is configured without an APN.\",\n \"In this case, from the viewpoint of the UE, only the SM backoff timer is configured but an MM backoff timer is not configured.\",\n \"In this case, whether transmission of MM signaling (e.g., an attach request without an APN) is permitted depending on whether the low priority indicator is set to “low priority” or “not low priority” is not clearly defined in the related art.\",\n \"More specifically, according to the related art, operation of a UE when SM signaling (e.g., a PDN connectivity request, etc.)\",\n \"transmitted from the UE to a network is rejected due to “insufficient resources” and thus an SM backoff timer (e.g., T3396) information element (IE) is included in a reject message is defined as follows.\",\n \"When a PDN connectivity request is transmitted along with an attach request, the UE performs the following different operations according to integrity protection of an attach reject message and a received value of the SM backoff timer.\",\n \"If integrity protection of the attach reject message is not provided and the SM backoff timer is running, the UE stops the SM backoff timer and then starts the SM backoff timer using an arbitrary value in a predetermined range.\",\n \"If integrity protection of the attach reject message is provided, the SM backoff timer value is not 0 and is not deactivated and the SM backoff timer is running, the UE stops the SM backoff timer and then starts the SM backoff timer using a value provided by the SM backoff timer IE.\",\n \"When the UE does not provide information about an APN during an attach procedure, the UE is prohibited from starting a new attach procedure without an APN until the SM backoff timer has expired.\",\n \"When the UE has transmitted an attach request without an APN to the network but the attach request has rejected and thus the SM backoff timer is configured for the UE, the UE may not transmit a new attach request even when an MM backoff timer is not set.\",\n \"In this case, whether transmission of a new attach request by a UE configured for dual priority is permitted or prohibited according to “low priority” or “not low priority” is not defined.\",\n \"Overall system performance may deteriorate due to ambiguity of UE operation in terms of configuration of a backoff timer for reducing network congestion and important signaling transmission.\",\n \"The embodiments of the present invention for solving this problem will now be described.\",\n \"First, a method of handling low priority indication for NAS signaling will be described.\",\n \"A UE may include an information element (IE) such as device properties in an NAS message and set a low priority indicator to “the UE is configured for NAS signaling low priority”, thereby indicating that the UE is configured for low priority.\",\n \"The UE sets the low priority indicator to “not low priority” in the following cases: the UE is performing attach for an emergency bearer service; the UE has a PDN connection for establishment of an emergency bearer service and is performing an EPS MM procedure or is establishing a PDN connection for an emergency bearer service; the UE configured for dual priority is requested by an upper layer to establish a PDN connection having low priority indicator set to not low priority; the UE configured for dual priority is performing an EPS session management (SM) procedure related to the PDN connection established with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”; the UE configured for dual priority has a PDN connection established by setting the low priority indicator to “not low priority” and is performing EPS mobility management (MM) procedure; the UE is accessing the network with access classes 11 to 15; or the UE is responding to paging.\",\n \"The network may use NAS signaling low priority indication, for NAS level MM congestion control and APN based congestion control.\",\n \"When the NAS signaling low priority indication is included in a PDN connectivity request message, the MME stores the NAS signaling low priority indication in a default EPS bearer context activated by the PDN connectivity request procedure.\",\n \"Next, a method of handling an SM request to a UE configured for dual priority will be described.\",\n \"First, prior to operation of the UE when an SM backoff timer without an APN is configured according to the present invention, configuration of an SM backoff timer for a specific APN will be described.\",\n \"If the SM backoff timer (e.g., T3396) is running for the specific APN, because a PDN connection request, bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message including a low priority indicator set to low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, according to the request of the upper layer, the UE may: send a PDN connectivity request message to the same APM, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”; or if a PDN connection established with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority” exists, send the bearer resource modification request or bearer resource allocation request message for this PDN connection.\",\n \"At this time, the low priority indicator is set to “not low priority”.\",\n \"According to proposals of the present invention when the SM backoff timer without an APN is configured, the UE operates as follows.\",\n \"If the SM backoff timer is running without an APN, because the PDN connectivity request message transmitted along with the attach request message including the low priority indicator set to the low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, the UE may initiate a new attach procedure without an APN, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”, according to the request of the upper layer.\",\n \"That is, when the SM backoff timer is configured because the PDN connectivity request transmitted along with the attach request without an APN was rejected, the new attach request message (that is, the attach request message without an APN) may not be transmitted if “low priority” is set and may be transmitted if “not low priority” is set.\",\n \"When the SM backoff timer is running, transmission of the attach request without an APN, which is set to a low priority, may be prohibited to prevent network congestion from increasing and transmission of the new attach request, which is set to “not low priority”, is permitted to protect emergency/important signaling, thereby clarifying UE operation and improving overall system performance.\",\n \"For example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary service delay/communication delay between the UE and the network and to prevent network resources from being unnecessarily wasted.\",\n \"Similarly, the proposal of the present invention is applicable to an SM request related to a “PDP context activation request”.\",\n \"First, prior to operation of the UE when the SM backoff timer without an APN is configured, configuration of the SM backoff timer for a specific APN will be described.\",\n \"If the SM backoff timer is running for the specific APN, because a PDP context activation request, secondary PDP context activation request or PDP context request modification message including a low priority indicator set to low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, according to a request of an upper layer, the UE may: send a PDP context activation request message to the same APN, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”; or if a PDN connection established with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority” exists, send the secondary PDP context activation request or PDP context modification request message for this PDN context.\",\n \"At this time, the low priority indicator is set to “not low priority”.\",\n \"According to the proposal of the present invention when the SM backoff timer without an APN is configured, the UE operates as follows.\",\n \"If the SM backoff timer without an APN is running, because the PDP context activation request message including the low priority indicator set to the low priority was rejected due to “insufficient resources”, when the SM backoff timer is configured, the UE may transmit the PDP context activation request message without an APN, with the low priority indicator set to “not low priority”, according to the request of the upper layer.\",\n \"That is, when the SM backoff timer is configured because the PDP context activation request without an APN was rejected, the new PDP context activation request (that is, the PDP context activation request message without an APN) may not be transmitted if “low priority” is set and may be transmitted if “not low priority” is set.\",\n \"When the SM backoff timer is running, transmission of the PDP context activation request, which is set to the low priority, may be prohibited to prevent network congestion from increasing and transmission of the new PDP context activation request without an APN, which is set to “not low priority”, is permitted to protect emergency/important signaling, thereby clarifying UE operation and improving overall system performance.\",\n \"For example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary service delay/communication delay between the UE and the network and to prevent network resources from being unnecessarily wasted.\",\n \"Additionally, if the UE has multi-level priority of three levels or more, the MM backoff timer and/or the SM backoff timer may be applied according to the priority level.\",\n \"In the case of priority to which the MM/SM backoff time (e.g., one or more low priorities of multi-level priorities) is applied, when the PDN connectivity request message is transmitted alone, when the attach request message is transmitted along with the PDN connectivity request or when the PDP context activation request message is transmitted, congestion control is performed by the MM/SM backoff timer.\",\n \"For example, the NAS request may not be made while the backoff timer is running.\",\n \"In the case of priority to which the MM/SM backoff timer is not applied (e.g., one or more high priorities of multi-level priorities), when the PDN connectivity request message is transmitted alone, when the attach request message is transmitted along with the PDN connectivity request or when the PDP context activation request message is transmitted, congestion control is not performed by the MM/SM backoff timer.\",\n \"For example, the NAS request may be made even when the backoff timer is running.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a backoff timer according to an example of the present invention.\",\n \"In step S410, the UE may transmit an NAS request without an APN (e.g., an attach request without an APN), which is set to a first priority level (e.g., a low priority level), to the network.\",\n \"In step S420, if the network is congested (or resources are insufficient), the UE may receive a reject message for the NAS request from the network.\",\n \"Here, the reject message may include the SM backoff information.\",\n \"In step S430, the UE may initiate the SM backoff timer.\",\n \"In step S440, when the UE attempts to transmit a new NAS request (initiates a new attach procedure) while the SM backoff timer is running, whether the new NAS request is set to a first priority may be determined.\",\n \"If the result of step S440 is yes (that is, the new NAS request is set to the first priority (or low priority)), the method progresses to step S450, in which the UE does not permit transmission of the new NAS request while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"If the result of step S440 is no (that is, the new NAS request is not set to the first priority (or low priority), the method progresses to step S460, in which the UE permits transmission of the new NAS request while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"In the backoff timer control method of the present invention described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"4, the above-described embodiments of the present invention may be independently applied or two or more of the above-described embodiments may be simultaneously applied.\",\n \"In addition, although the above-described examples of the present invention are applied to a wireless communication service of an MTC method, the principle of the present invention is equally applicable to operation according to multipriority in a general wireless communication system, control operation of a backoff timer, etc.\",\n \"According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to prevent unnecessary delay in a service/communication between a UE and a network, to prevent network resources from being unnecessarily wasted, and to improve user experience.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of a wireless device according to an example of the present invention.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5, the wireless device according to the present invention may include a transceiving module 1010, a processor 1020 and a memory 1030.The transceiving module 101 may be configured to transmit various signals, data and information to an external device (e.g., a network node, a terminal, a server, etc.)\",\n \"and receive various signals, data and information from an external device (e.g., a network node, a terminal, a server, etc.).\",\n \"The processor 1020 may control overall operation of the wireless device and the wireless device may be configured to perform a function for processing information transmitted or received to or from an external device.\",\n \"The memory 1030 may store the processed information for a predetermined time and may be replaced by a buffer (not shown).\",\n \"The wireless device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to control the backoff timer if multipriority is set.\",\n \"The processor 1020 may be configured to transmit an NAS request message without an APN (e.g., an attach request message without an APN), which is set to the first priority level (e.g., a low priority), to the network node using the transceiving module 1010.In addition, the processor 1020 may be configured to receive the reject message for the NAS request message from the network node using the transceiving module 1010.The processor 1020 may be configured to initiate the SM backoff timer based on the reject message.\",\n \"In addition, the processor 1020 may be configured to permit transmission of a new NAS request message which is not set to the first priority level (or is not set to a low priority) while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"The processor 1020 may be configured to prohibit transmission of the new NAS request message which is set to the first priority level (or is set to the low priority) while the SM backoff timer is running.\",\n \"The embodiments of the present invention may be independently or simultaneously applied to the detailed configuration of the wireless device and a description thereof will be omitted for clarity.\",\n \"The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a variety of means, for example, hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"In the case of implementing the present invention by hardware, the present invention can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etc.\",\n \"If operations or functions of the present invention are implemented by firmware or software, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a variety of formats, for example, modules, procedures, functions, etc.\",\n \"Software code may be stored in a memory unit so that it can be driven by a processor.\",\n \"The memory unit is located inside or outside of the processor, so that it can communicate with the aforementioned processor via a variety of well-known parts.\",\n \"The detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been given to enable those skilled in the art to implement and practice the invention.\",\n \"Although the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention described in the appended claims.\",\n \"For example, those skilled in the art may use each construction described in the above embodiments in combination with each other.\",\n \"Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but should be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.\",\n \"The aforementioned embodiments are achieved by combination of structural elements and features of the present invention in a predetermined manner.\",\n \"Each of the structural elements or features should be considered selectively unless specified separately.\",\n \"Each of the structural elements or features may be carried out without being combined with other structural elements or features.\",\n \"Also, some structural elements and/or features may be combined with one another to constitute the embodiments of the present invention.\",\n \"The order of operations described in the embodiments of the present invention may be changed.\",\n \"Some structural elements or features of one embodiment may be included in another embodiment, or may be replaced with corresponding structural elements or features of another embodiment.\",\n \"Moreover, it will be apparent that some claims referring to specific claims may be combined with other claims referring to the other claims other than the specific claims to constitute the embodiment or add new claims by means of amendment after the application is filed.\",\n \"The above-described embodiments of the present invention are applicable to various mobile communication systems.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872413"}}},{"rowIdx":4494070,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND SHARING PLANS THROUGH MULTIMODAL DIALOG","Methods, systems, devices, and media for creating a plan through multimodal search inputs are provided.","A first search request comprises a first input received via a first input mode and a second input received via a different second input mode.","The second input identifies a geographic area.","First search results are displayed based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area.","Each of the first search results is associated with a geographic location.","A selection of one of the first search results is received and added to a plan.","A second search request is received after the selection, and second search results are displayed in response to the second search request.","The second search results are based on the second search request and correspond to the geographic location of the selected one of the first search results."],["1.A method of creating a plan through search inputs, the method comprising: receiving a first search request by a device, the first search request comprising a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode, the second input identifying a geographic area; displaying first search results on a display of the device in response to receiving the first search request, the first search results being based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area, each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location; receiving a selection of one of the first search results by the device; adding the one of the first search results to a plan; receiving a second search request by the device after receiving the selection; and displaying second search results on the display of the device in response to receiving the second search request, the second search results being based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.","2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input includes a movement of the device, and the geographic area is identified based on the movement of the device.","3.The method according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the device includes the device being moved in a particular direction, and the geographic area is identified as being in the particular direction from a current position of the device.","4.The method according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the device includes the device being aimed in a particular direction, and the geographic area is identified as being toward the particular direction relative to the device.","5.The method according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the device includes the device being positioned relative to a predetermined object, and the geographic area is specified based on a relative position of the device to the predetermined object.","6.The method according to claim 2, wherein the first input comprises a spoken query that is received by a microphone of the device, the spoken query specifying a type of the first search results.","7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the second input further includes a touch query that is received by the device via a touch operation to the device, and the geographic area is identified further based on the touch query that is received by the device.","8.The method according to claim 7, wherein the geographic area is identified based on the movement of the device, and the geographic area is refined based on the touch query.","9.The method according to claim 8, further comprising: displaying, on the display of the device, a map of the geographic area that is identified based on the movement of the device, the first search results being displayed in the map, wherein the geographic area is refined based on the touch query by correcting the geographic area displayed on the map, narrowing the geographic area displayed on the map, or broadening the geographic area displayed on the map.","10.The method according to claim 9, wherein the geographic area is refined by at least one of a portion of the geographic area being encircled on the map, a portion of the geographic area being contacted on the map, a zoom-in operation being received by the device, or a zoom-out operation being received by the device.","11.The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input includes an image being received by the device, and the geographic area is identified based on the image.","12.The method according to claim 11, wherein the image is captured by a camera of the device, and the captured image is analyzed to identify a location within the image for identifying the geographic area.","13.The method according to claim 11, wherein the image is downloaded to the device from the Internet or obtained by the device from a friend, and the downloaded or obtained image is analyzed to identify a location within the image for identifying the geographic area.","14.The method according to claim 11, wherein the first input comprises a spoken query that is received by a microphone of the device, the spoken query specifying a type of the first search results.","15.The method according to claim 14, wherein the second input further includes a touch query that is received by the device via a touch operation to the device, and the geographic area is identified further based on the touch query that is received by the device.","16.The method according to claim 15, wherein the geographic area is identified based on the image received by the device, and the geographic area is refined based on the touch query.","17.The method according to claim 16, further comprising: displaying, on the display of the device, a map of the geographic area that is identified based on the image received by the device, the first search results being displayed in the map, wherein the geographic area is refined based on the touch query by correcting the geographic area displayed on the map, narrowing the geographic area displayed on the map, or broadening the geographic area displayed on the map.","18.The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying, on the display of the device, the second search results on a map in correspondence with the geographic location of the one of the first search results; receiving a request to modify the second search results displayed on the display by the device, the request including a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display; determining whether the request to modify the second search results includes one of the refinement of the displayed area and a correction of a type of the second search results; and modifying the second search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.","19.A device for creating a plan through search inputs, the device comprising: a display; a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving a first search request, the first search request comprising a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode, the second input identifying a geographic area; displaying first search results on the display in response to receiving the first search request, the first search results being based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area, each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location; receiving a selection of one of the first search results; adding the one of the first search results to a plan; receiving a second search request after receiving the selection; and displaying second search results on the display in response to receiving the second search request, the second search results being based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.","20.A tangible computer-readable medium encoded with an executable computer program for creating a plan through search inputs that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a first search request by a device, the first search request comprising a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode, the second input identifying a geographic area; displaying first search results on a display of the device in response to receiving the first search request, the first search results being based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area, each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location; receiving a selection of one of the first search results by the device; adding the one of the first search results to a plan; receiving a second search request by the device after receiving the selection; and displaying second search results on the display of the device in response to receiving the second search request, the second search results being based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results."],[" BACKGROUND "],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set of instructions for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog.","FIG.","2 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary system for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3A illustrates an exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3B illustrates an additional exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","4 illustrates an exemplary method of a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","5 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","6 illustrates another exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","7 illustrates an exemplary method of modifying search results for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","8 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a plan produced by an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","9 illustrates a further exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/577,311, filed on Dec. 19, 2014.The disclosure of this document, including the specification, drawings, and claims, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","BACKGROUND 1.Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates to the field of event planning.","More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a mobile device which includes a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog.","2.Background Information People today have greater access to electronic devices than ever before, and to an increasing number of applications for execution on the electronic devices.","For example, voice search and virtual assistant applications, such as Siri, Google Now, S-Voice, Vlingo, Maluuba, etc., spoken access to information, and services on mobile devices have become commonplace.","The voice search and virtual assistant applications enable users to use spoken commands in order to search for businesses, events, movies, etc.","In addition, social media applications such as Facebook and event planning sites such as Evite enable users to share personal information including upcoming business activities, events, movies, etc.","with their friends.","In this regard, while the accessibility and functionally of electronic devices have improved search capabilities and social interactivity, new and improved methods are desired.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set of instructions for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog.","FIG.","2 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary system for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3A illustrates an exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3B illustrates an additional exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","4 illustrates an exemplary method of a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","5 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","6 illustrates another exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","7 illustrates an exemplary method of modifying search results for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","8 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a plan produced by an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","FIG.","9 illustrates a further exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure provides a multimodal virtual assistant (MVA).","The MVA may be an application, method, system, medium, or combination thereof that enables users to plan a day, evening, or other through an interactive multimodal dialog with a mobile device.","The MVA may include a cloud-based multimodal language processing infrastructure that can support mobile multimodal interaction.","The present disclosure, among others, will highlight incremental recognition, combining multimodal speech and gesture input, contextually-aware language understanding, and the targeted clarification of potentially incorrect segments within speech recognition hypothesis.","The MVA explores the application of multimodal dialog technology in the virtual assistant landscape.","Rather than displaying the unfolding dialog as a chat display, the MVA may situate the interaction directly within maps and visual information displays.","Users may be free to interact with the maps and visual information displays using combinations of speech and gesture inputs.","The interpretation of user commands may be dependent on both map display manipulation and the physical location of the mobile device.","In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features or sub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of the advantages as specifically noted below.","Methods described herein are illustrative examples, and as such are not intended to require or imply that any particular process of any embodiment be performed in the order presented.","Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc.","are not intended to limit the order of the processes, and these words are instead used to guide the reader through the description of the methods.","Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” etc.","is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.","FIG.","1 is an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system, on which a system or method for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog can be implemented, and which is shown and is designated 100.The computer system 100 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 100 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein.","The computer system 100 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, for example, using a network 101, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.","In a networked deployment, the computer system 100 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, a client user computer in cloud computing environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.","The computer system 100 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a stationary computer, a mobile computer, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wireless smart phone, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, a communications device, a control system, a camera, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.","For example, the computer system 100 may be can also be implemented as or incorporate into an automobile or wearable devices, such as, but not limited to, watches, glasses, bracelets, and headsets.","The computer system 100 can be incorporated as or in a particular device that in turn is in an integrated system that includes additional devices.","In a particular embodiment, the computer system 100 can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication.","Further, while a single computer system 100 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.","As illustrated in FIG.","1, the computer system 100 includes a processor 110.A processor for a computer system 100 is tangible and non-transitory.","As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period of time.","The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time.","A processor is an article of manufacture and/or a machine component.","A processor for a computer system 100 is configured to execute software instructions in order to perform functions as described in the various embodiments herein.","A processor for a computer system 100 may be a general purpose processor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).","A processor for a computer system 100 may also be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or a programmable logic device.","A processor for a computer system 100 may also be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type of circuit that includes discrete gate and/or transistor logic.","A processor for a computer system 100 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both.","Additionally, any processor described herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors, or both.","Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a single device or multiple devices.","Moreover, the computer system 100 includes a main memory 120 and a static memory 130 that can communicate with each other via a bus 108.Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums that can store data and executable instructions, and are non-transitory during the time instructions are stored therein.","As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period of time.","The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time.","A memory describe herein is an article of manufacture and/or machine component.","Memories described herein are computer-readable mediums from which data and executable instructions can be read by a computer.","Memories as described herein may be random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk, blu-ray disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.","Memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and/or encrypted, unsecure and/or unencrypted.","As shown, the computer system 100 may further include a video display unit 150, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).","Additionally, the computer system 100 may include an input device 160, such as a keyboard/virtual keyboard or touch-sensitive input screen or speech input with speech recognition, a cursor control device 170, such as a mouse or touch-sensitive input screen or pad, a microphone, etc.","In this regard, the input device 160 may comprise user-controlled inputs.","Additionally or alternatively, the input device 160 may comprise automatic or computer controlled inputs such as, but not limited to, lenses, cameras, scanners, sensors, gyroscopes, etc.","The computer system 100 can also include a disk drive unit 180, a signal generation device 190, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device 140.In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG.","1, the disk drive unit 180 may include a computer-readable medium 182 in which one or more sets of instructions 184, e.g.","software, can be embedded.","Additionally or alternatively to the disk drive unit 180, the computer system 100 may comprise any additional storage unit, such as, but not limited to, a solid state storage or other persistent storage, which comprises the computer-readable medium 182.Sets of instructions 184 can be read from the computer-readable medium 182.Further, the instructions 184, when executed by a processor, can be used to perform one or more of the methods and processes as described herein.","In a particular embodiment, the instructions 184 may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 120, the static memory 130, and/or within the processor 110 during execution by the computer system 100.In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays and other hardware components, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein.","One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules.","Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.","Nothing in the present application should be interpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with software and not hardware such as a tangible non-transitory processor and/or memory.","In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented using a hardware computer system that executes software programs.","Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.","Virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein, and a processor described herein may be used to support a virtual processing environment.","The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 182 that includes instructions 184 or receives and executes instructions 184 responsive to a propagated signal; so that a device connected to a network 101 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 101.Further, the instructions 184 may be transmitted or received over the network 101 via the network interface device 140.The computer system 100 of FIG.","1, and any components or devices thereof and methods implemented thereby, provides a MVA that enables users to plan a day or evening out with friends through an interactive multimodal dialog.","The MVA may be an application or program that is executed by the computer system 100.Alternatively, the MVA may comprise the computer system 100, including the components thereof.","The MVA is generally described herein as being an application which is executed by a mobile device, for convenience.","Nevertheless, it is to be known and understood that the MVA is not limited to being an application and may additionally or alternatively comprise a computing device.","An exemplary embodiment of a network system for supporting the MVA is generally shown in FIG.","2 at 200.The MVA may be a mobile application that is executed by the client device 202.The client device 202 is shown as a cellular telephone.","Nevertheless, in further embodiments the client device 202 may be, or be similar to, the computer system 100 as described with respect to FIG.","1.In this regard, embodiments of the client device 202 may include similar components or features as those discussed with respect to the computer system 100 of FIG.","1.The client device 202 may include each of the components or features, or any combination of the features or components.","Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that the client device 202 may also include additional or alternative components or features than those discussed with respect to the computer system 100 of FIG.","1 without departing from the scope of the present application.","Also, while the device 202 is referred to as a “client” device 202, it should be known and understood that the device 202 or user thereof is not limited being a “client” in a preexisting or other relationship with the MVA server 204.Moreover, while FIG.","2 shows a separate client device 202 and MVA server 204, it is to be known and understood that additional embodiments of the present application comprise a system in which the described functions of the client device 202 and the MVA server 204 are integrated or combined as a single device.","The MVA allows a user of the client device 202 to plan a day or evening out with friends using natural language and gesture input.","With this input, the user can search and browse over multiple interconnected domains, including music events, movie showings, and places to eat.","The user can specify multiple different parameters in natural language, e.g., “jazz concerts around san Francisco next Saturday.” As the user finds interesting events and places, the events and places can be collected together into a plan or plans which can be communicated and shared with others.","The client device 202 includes a graphical user interface through which the user may search and browse the interconnected domains.","Exemplary embodiments of the graphical user interface are generally shown in FIG.","3A and FIG.","3B at 300.In the exemplary embodiments, the graphical user interface 300 includes a dynamic map 302 and information display areas 304, 306 that are used to show the current recognition, MVA prompts, search results, and active plan elements.","In this regard, the information display areas 304, 306 may comprise a summary display area 304 which summarizes the current recognition, MVA prompts, search results, or active plan elements.","The information display areas 304, 306 may also comprise a detailed display area 304 which lists the current recognition, MVA prompts, search results, or active plan elements in detail.","Of course, the information display areas 304, 306 and the graphical user interface 300 are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.","Spoken inputs may be received by the MVA when the user taps a microphone area 308 of the graphical user interface 300.As the user speaks, incremental speech recognition results may be displayed in the information display areas 304, 306.In addition to enabling voice input, the microphone area 308 may also activate the dynamic map 302 as a drawing canvas enabling the user to issue coordinated multimodal commands combining speech with drawing as shown in FIG.","3B, e.g., “movies playing tonight in this area” [user outlines a relevant area on the map with finger] or “restaurants” [user draws a line on a specific street].","After end-pointing, the MVA determines the relevant intent and concepts of the input for database retrieval.","The MVA may respond to the user input multi-modally, by both updating the graphical user interface 300 and using speech synthesis to output or summarize database retrieval results, provide feedback, and make requests for clarification and additional information.","Of course, the above-examples are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.","Additional input methods may be used without departing from the scope of the present application.","A sample interaction from the MVA that illustrates some of its capabilities is shown below.","The user of the client device 202 starts with a spoken natural language query where he or she specifies various constraints: the type of music (e.g., jazz), location (e.g., San Francisco), and time (e.g., tomorrow).","The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 is uncertain of the location so it constructs a targeted clarification.","The user specifies the location and then the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 proceeds to search for events meeting the constraints.","The user then reviews the results the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 provides, and follows with a refinement, e.g., “what about blues.” The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 applies contextually-aware natural language understanding and interprets the refinement as “blues concerts near San Francisco tomorrow.” After selecting a concert, the user next searches for a restaurant nearby.","The location of the concert remains salient.","The user then follows up with a multimodal query combining speech and gesture to search for similar restaurants in an adjoining area.","User: “Jazz concerts near San Francisco tomorrow.” MVA: “Where did you want to see jazz tomorrow?” User: “San Francisco.” System: “I found 20 jazz concerts in San Francisco tomorrow.” System: [Zooms map to San Francisco and displays pins on map and list of results] User: “What about blues?” System: “I found 20 blues concerts in San Francisco tomorrow.” User: [Clicks on a concert listing and adds it to the plan] User: “Sushi restaurants near there.” System: “I found 10 sushi restaurants.” User: “What about here?” User: [circles adjoining area on map] System: “I found 5 sushi restaurants in the bluish purple area you indicated.” An exemplary architecture supporting the MVA application is shown in the network system 200 of FIG.","2.While the architecture is shown in a network environment, it should be appreciated that the MVA application may also exist in a stand-alone device such as, but not limited to, the client device 202.In the network system 200, the user of the client device 202 interacts with a native operating system of the client device 202.When the user taps the click to speak icon of the microphone area 308, this initiates the flow of audio interleaved with gestures and contextual information streamed over a network connection 206 to the MVA server 204, or MVA platform.","The network connection 206 is shown as being a WebSocket connection.","Nevertheless, it should be appreciated that additional or alternative protocols can be used without departing from the scope of the present application.","The first part of the MVA server 204, or MVA platform, is a multimodal natural language processing (NLP) pipeline 208.The front-end interface 210 fields incoming packets of data from the client device 202, demuxes the incoming data stream, and sends audio, ink traces, and contextual information to three modules 212, 214, 216 that operate in parallel.","The audio is processed using an automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine 212, such as the AT&T Watson℠ speech recognition engine.","The AT&T Watson℠ speech recognition engine is described by Goffin et al.","in “Proceedings of International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing.” Gesture recognition is performed using a gesture recognition engine 214, which may include a dynamic hierarchical language model combining a statistical N-gram language model with weighted sub-grammars.","An exemplary hierarchical language model is described by Gilbert et al.","in “Your mobile virtual assistant just got smarter!” Ink traces are processed by a graphical user interface (GUI) context engine 216, such as a gesture classifier.","An exemplary gesture classifier is described by Rubine in “Specifying gestures by example.” The automatic speech recognition engine 212 results serve as input to two natural language understanding (NLU) modules 218, 220.A natural language understanding tagger 218, such as a discriminative stochastic sequence tagger, assigns tags to phrases within the input and then the overall string with tags is assigned by an intent classifier 220, such as a statistical intent classifier, to one of a number of intents handled by the network system 200 such as, but not limited to, search (e.g., music event) and refine (e.g., location).","The natural language understanding modules 218, 220 results are passed along with the gesture recognition engine 214 results and a specification of the graphical user interface context engine 216 context to a multimodal dialog manager 222.The multimodal dialog manager 222 includes a contextual resolution component 224 that determines if the input is a refinement or correction.","In either case, the contextual resolution component 224 retrieves the previous command from a user context store 226, or database, and combines the new content with the context through destructive unification.","An exemplary process of destructive unification is described by Ehlen et al.","in “Multimodal dialogue in mobile local search.” The multimodal dialog manager 222 also includes a location salience multimodal integration component 228 that applies to handle cases where a location is not specified verbally.","The location salience multimodal integration component 228 uses a supervised classifier to select among a series of candidate locations, including the gesture (if present), the current device location, or the current map location.","An exemplary embodiment of such a component is described by Ehlen et al.","in “Location grounding in multimodal local search.” The resolved semantic interpretation of the utterance is next passed to a localized error detection (LED) module 230.An exemplary localized error detection module 230 is described by Stoyanchev et al.","in “Localized detection of speech recognition errors.” The localized error detection module 230 contains two maximum entropy classifiers that independently predict whether a concept is present in the input and whether a concept's current interpretation is correct.","These classifiers may use word scores, segment length, confusion networks and other recognition/context features.","The localized error detection module 230 uses these classifiers to produce two probability distributions; one for presence and one for correctness.","The probability distributions are then used by a targeted clarification (TC) component 232 to accept the input as is, reject all of the input, or ask a targeted clarification question.","An exemplary targeted clarification component 232 is described by Stoyanchev et al.","in “Modelling human clarification strategies.” This decision can be done using manually tuned thresholds.","In the targeted clarification case, the input is passed to a natural language generation component 234 for surface realization, and a prompt generation component 236 can generate a prompt that can be passed back to the client device 202 for playback to the user.","The targeted clarification component 232 can also decide what to attempt to add to the common ground by explicit or implicit confirmation, and what to explicitly query from the user, e.g., “Where did you want to see jazz concerts?” The targeted clarification component 232 can also update the graphical user interface context module 216 via a graphical display component 238 so that incoming responses from the user can be interpreted with respect to the context set up by the targeted clarification component 232.Once a command is accepted by the multimodal dialog manager 222, it is passed to the semantic abstraction layer (SAL) 240 for execution.","The semantic abstraction layer 240 insulates natural language dialog capabilities from the specifics of any underlying external or internal application programming interfaces 242 that the network system 200 may use in order to respond to user queries.","A general purpose time normalization component 244 takes natural language time expressions, e.g., “tomorrow night” or “next week,” and a reference time from the context and estimates the corresponding time interval.","A general purpose location resolution component 246 maps from natural language expressions of locations, city names, neighborhoods, etc.","to the specific geographic coordinates.","These functions are handled by the semantic abstraction layer 240 rather than relying on any time and location handling in the underlying information application programming interfaces 242 to provide consistency across application domains 248, 250, 252.The semantic abstraction layer 240 also includes a category mapping component 254.The natural language understanding modules 218, 220 tag a portion of the utterance as a concept, e.g., a music genre or a cuisine, and the semantic abstraction layer 240 leverages this information to map a word sequence to generic domain-independent ontological representations or categories reusable across different backend application programming interfaces.","Wrappers in the semantic abstraction layer 240 map from these categories, time, and location values to the specific query language syntax and values for each specific underlying application programming interface.","In some cases, a single natural language query to the MVA may require multiple different application programming interface calls to complete, and this is captured in the wrapper.","The semantic abstraction layer 240 also handles application programming interface format differences by mapping all application programming interface responses into a unified format.","This unified format is then passed to the natural language generation component 234 to be augmented with prompts, display text, and instructions for how to manipulate the client device 202.The combined specification of a multimodal presentation can be passed to the interaction manager and routed back to the client device 202 for presentation to the user.","Accordingly, the network system 200 provides a mobile multimodal virtual assistant that enables users to create plans for activities and share them with friends.","The network system 200 enables the users to select generated results for the creation and sharing of user plans.","The plans are constructed through multimodal, e.g., touch and voice, interaction with graphical displays combining dynamic maps, search listings, and visualization of plans.","The features of the network system 200 are described as modules, components, engines, devices, etc.","In this regard, the features may be or comprise, or be similar to, the computer system 100 of FIG.","1.The features may also comprise any other hardware or software components as described herein, or any combination thereof.","The features enable users to search for activities, construct multistage plans, and share and collaborate on these plans with groups of friends all in a single application through natural conversational multimodal dialog.","These advantages and applications will become more apparent through the following exemplary methods of the MVA.","An exemplary method of generating a plan through search inputs is generally shown in FIG.","4 at 400.The method 400 may comprise or be implemented by the MVA or network system 200 as described above.","The method 400 may also comprise or be implemented by the client device 202, the MVA server 204 or platform, an application that is installed or embedded in client device 202 or the MVA server 204 or platform, or any combination thereof.","The method 500 is described hereinafter as being implemented by the client device 202.Nevertheless, it is to be known an understood that the method may additionally or alternatively be implemented by the computer system 100, the network system 200, the MVA server 204, or any another other computing device without departing from the scope of the present application.","The method receives a first search request at S502.The first search request may be received from a user of the client device 202.An exemplary embodiment of the first search request is generally indicated in FIG.","5 at 500.The first search request 500 may comprise, but is not limited to, an activity request 502, a geographic area 504, and a time period 506.For example, the first search request 500 may request sporting events in Chicago on a particular weekend.","Additionally or alternatively, the first search request 500 may request a restaurant near the Washington Monument at a current time.","Of course, these examples are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.","The first search request 500 may comprise additional or alternative information as known and understood in the art without departing from the scope of the present application.","Each component of the first search request 500, or any combination thereof, may be received by or from the client device 202.Alternatively, any component, or combination thereof, may be received or determined in accordance with any of the additional manners described herein.","The activity request 502 may include a request for any activity, event, thing, or other happening by the user of the client device 202.The activity request 502 may be wholly specified by the user, or determined wholly or in part by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204.The geographic area 504 may specify a geographic region or location for the activity request 502.The geographic area 504 may also be wholly specified by the user, or determined wholly or in part by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204.For example, the geographic area 504 may be input to the client device 202 by the user, or the geographic area 504 may be determined by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 in correspondence with a location of the client device 202.The geographic area 504 may additionally or alternatively be determined in accordance with further known methods.","For example, the geographic area 504 may be determined based on a history or a default setting of the client device 202.In any event, a geographic area 504 is associated with the activity request 502 by the MVA server 204.The time period 506 may indicate any specific date, date range, specific time, time range, or combination thereof.","The time period 506 may also be wholly specified by the user, or determined wholly or in part by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204.For example, the time period 506 may be input to the client device 202 by the user, or the time period 506 may be determined by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 in correspondence with a current time or the user's schedule.","The time period 506 may default to a predetermined day, time, or combination thereof, or the time period 506 may automatically be set to the first available slot by referencing the user's schedule.","In this regard, the MVA may be configured to default to planning dinner dates or meetings, and the time period may default to a dinner time slot of six o'clock to eight o'clock for pre-selected days of the week.","The time period 506 may also be determined based on the activity request 502, geographic area 504, or combination thereof.","For example, if the user searches for restaurants in a dinner district, the MVA server 204 may automatically set the time period 506 to a dinner time slot, or to a lunch time slot depending on the current time.","The MVA 204 server may even reference the user's schedule or history to determine a day for the time period 506.That is, if the user frequently plans dinners on Friday and searches for a restaurant, the MVA server 204 may automatically set the time period 506 as being for a dinner time slot on Friday, or the next available evening based on the user's schedule.","Of course, the above-examples are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.","The time period 506 may be determined in accordance with additional or alternative methods as known and understood in the art without departing from the scope of the present application.","As discussed above, the first search request may be received by the client device 202 from a user thereof.","An exemplary embodiment of such a first search request which is received by the client device 202 is generally indicated in FIG.","6 at 600.In this regard, the first search request 600 comprises a first input 602, a second input 604, and a third input 606.The first input 602 may be received via a first input mode, the second input 604 may be received via a second input mode, and the third input 606 may be received via either the first input mode, the second input mode, or a third input mode.","The first input mode, the second input mode, and the third input mode may be different from one another.","While the search request 600 is shown as including three inputs, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that the search request 600 may include any combination of the three inputs as well as additional or alternative inputs in further embodiments of the present application.","According to an embodiment of the present application, the first input 602 that is received via the first input mode may comprise the activity request 502, and the second input 604 that is received via the second input mode may comprise the geographic area 504.The third input 606 may comprise the time period 506.The first input 602 may comprise speech or a spoken query that is received by the client device 202.The speech or the spoken query may be received by a microphone of the client device 202.The speech or the spoken query may be processed by the MVA server 204 as generally discussed above for determining the activity request 502.In particular, the speech or the spoken query may be processed by the MVA server 204 for determining a type of the activity request 502 such as, but not limited to, a restaurant, sporting event, concert, historical site, commercial establishment, etc.","The second input 604 may comprise a gesture or a touch query that is received by the client device 202.The gesture or the touch query may be received by a display of the client device 202.The gesture or the touch query may be processed by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 as generally discussed above for determining the geographic area 504.In this regard, the gesture or the touch query may include the user of the client device 202 interacting with a map which is displayed on the display of the client device 202.The user may encircle the geographic area 504 on the map, or identify the geographic area 504 by contacting a specific location on the map.","Of course, these methods for indicting the geographic area 504 with the gesture or the touch query are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.","For example, in further embodiments the user may specify the geographic area 504 by manipulating the map or any other display element via a sliding or zooming operation.","The user may also specify the geographic area 504 by drawing a route on the map.","The route may comprise a line or other combination of segments or inputs which indicates a predetermined or estimated route of the user.","In further embodiments of the present application, the second input 604 may comprise additional or alternative inputs for specifying the geographic area 504.For example, the second input 604 may comprise a gesture or a movement of the client device 202 by the user.","The user may request the MVA to find a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is located in a particular direction from a current position of the client device 202.In such embodiments, the second input 604 specifies a direction to the geographic area 504 for the activity request 502.The user may point or aim the client device 202 in the particular direction, or the user may wave or motion the client device 202 toward the particular direction.","Of course, these methods for indicting the geographic area 504 with the gesture or the movement of the client device 202 are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.","For example, in further embodiments the user may specify the geographic area 504 by rotating the client device 202 or positioning the client device 202 relative to a predetermined object.","In even further embodiments of the present application, the second input 604 may comprise an image input to the client device 202 by the user.","The user may request the MVA to find a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is located near a particular scene or identifier contained within the image.","In such embodiments, the image may be captured with a camera of the client device 202.The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 may analyze the captured image to identify a current location of the client device or a location within the image for determining the geographic area 504.According to such an embodiment, if a user is in an unfamiliar place, the user may request the MVA to find a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is near the user's current location upon the user capturing an image with the client device 202.As a result, the user is not required to know or enter any specific geographic information for identifying an activity in the vicinity of the user.","Of course, the method for indicting the geographic area 504 with the captured image is exemplary and is not limiting or exhaustive.","In further embodiments, the user may specify the geographic area 504 by downloading or otherwise obtaining an image from the Internet, a friend, or via any other means which are known and understood in the art.","According to such embodiments, the user may search for a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is near a landmark or locale that the user intends to visit.","The third input 606 may comprise any of the inputs discussed herein with respect to the first input 602 and the second input 604.Additionally or alternatively, the third input may comprise any additional input that is generally known and understood.","Moreover, it is to be known and understood that the above-described inputs and examples are merely exemplary and are not exhaustive or exclusive.","Further inputs may be used in additional or alternative embodiments of the present application.","For example, any of the first, second, and third inputs 602, 604, 606 may comprise further input modes such as, but not limited to, scanning a code or image.","In an embodiment of the method 400, the MVA may determine whether the search request 500 incudes the activity request 502, which is associated with the geographic area 504, at S404.When the search request 500 incudes the activity request 502, the MVA determines and displays first search results at S406.The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 may determine and display the first search results in accordance with the description with respect to FIG.","2.The first search results are determined based on the first search request 500 and correspond to the geographic area 504.Each of the first search results is associated with a geographic location, and may be displayed on a map on the display of the client device 202 in correspondence with the geographic location.","For example, the first search results may be displayed as generally shown in FIGS.","3A and 3B.","The first search results may be shown on the dynamic map 302 at their respective locations, and may also be identified in the information display areas 304, 306.An embodiment of the method 400 provides for a refinement and correction process of the first search results, as shown at A.","The refinement and correction process is generally shown in FIG.","7 at 700.After the MVA generates and displays the first search results, a request to modify the first search results may be received from the user of the client device 202 at S702.The request may be to modify the first search results which are displayed on the client device 202.Even more specifically, the request may be to refine the first search results which are displayed on the dynamic map 302 at their respective locations.","Upon receiving the request, the MVA may determine whether the request is to refine the first search results at S704.The request may include a refinement of a displayed area of the dynamic map 302 of the client device 202.The refinement may include an adjustment or correction to the geographic area 504 upon which the first search results are based.","The refinement may narrow the geographic area 504, broaden the geographic area 504, or change the geographic area 504.The refinement may be specified by the user of the client device 202 manipulating the dynamic map 302 upon which the first search results are displayed.","The user may zoom-in or zoom-out on the dynamic map 302.The user may additionally or alternatively circle an area on the dynamic map 302 as generally shown by FIG.","3B.","Of course, these methods of manipulating the dynamic map 302 are not exhaustive, and the user may adjust or correct the geographic area 504 in accordance with further methods which are known and understood in the art.","The refinement request may comprise a single mode input by the user.","That is, the user may manipulate the dynamic map 302 as described above, and the MVA may refine the geographic area 504 based thereupon.","Additionally or alternatively, the refinement may comprise a multimodal input.","For example, the user of the client device 202 may input speech of “what about here” while circling an area on the dynamic map 302.In this regard, the MVA may determine that the request to modify the first search results is the refinement request at S702 based on the multimodal input.","The MVA may consider speech and gesture inputs, or any other combination of inputs, which are received simultaneously or within a predetermined time period from one another as comprising a multimodal input.","Upon determining that the request includes a refinement of the first search results at S704, the MVA modifies the first search results based on the refinement at S706.The MVA may refine the geographic area 504 upon which the first search results are based, and display refined search results on the client device 202 based on a refined geographic area.","The MVA may display the refined search results on the dynamic map 302 at their corresponding locations.","The MVA may request a confirmation of the refinement from the user.","Alternatively, the MVA may present the refined results to the user whereupon the user may re-engage in the refinement and correction process 700 if necessary.","In addition to the refinement process of S704 to S706, the refinement and correction process 700 may also include a correction process at S708 to S710.FIG.","7 is shown as including both the refinement and correction processes.","However, it should be known and understood that embodiments of the present application may include only one or none of the processes.","Upon receiving the request to modify the first search results at S702 or after determining that the request is not a refinement request at S704, the MVA may determine whether the request to modify the first search results includes a correction of the activity request 502 at S708.Upon determining that the request includes a correction request for the activity request 502 or a correction of the type of the first search request 500, the MVA modifies the first search results on the dynamic map 302 of the client device 202 based on the correction request at S710.Accordingly, the method 400 displays the first search results at S406 of FIG.","4, and may receive any refinements or corrections of the first search results in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.","7.Thereafter, the MVA receives a selection of one of the search results from the client device 202 at S408.The MVA may receive the selection via any speech or gesture input, or other input to the client device 202 from the user thereof in accordance with any known and understood manner.","Upon receiving the selection at S408, the selected one of the first search results is added to a plan at S410.An exemplary embodiment of a plan is generally indicated in FIG.","8 at 800.The plan 800 may comprise part of or be included within a schedule of the user of the client device 202.The schedule may be supported by the client device 202 or any application or program stored thereon, such as a calendar application or program.","The plan 800 may also be supported by the MVA.","The plan 800 may be unique to the user of the client device 202, or the plan 800 may be shared with additional users by the user of the client device 202 or by the MVA.","The user or the MVA may invite the additional users to participate in the plan, such as via a social media application.","The plan 800 of FIG.","8 is merely exemplary and should not be considered limiting or exhaustive.","Additional or alternative plans or components thereof may be included in additional embodiments without departing from the scope of the application.","When the first search request 500 includes the activity request 502 as determined at S404, the selected one of the first search results is added to the plan 800 as a first selected activity 802 at S410.As shown in FIG.","8, the first selected activity 802 may be added to the plan in correspondence with its corresponding geographic location 804.The first search request 500 may be associated with or include a type of activity.","For example, if the first search request 500 is a request for a dinner reservation, the first search request 500 may be associated with a type of activity of “meal.” In this regard, the plan may further indicate a type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802, as shown in FIG.","8.The first selected activity 802 may also identify any participants 808 thereof.","The participants 808 may be added to the first selected activity 802 by the user of the client device 202 or the MVA, may join the first selected activity 802, or be specified in accordance with any other known and understood methods.","According to embodiments in which the first search request 500 includes the time period 506, each of the first search results may be determined to correspond to a time slot within the time period 506 at S406.The first selected activity 802 may be added to the plan 800 in correspondence with a corresponding time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.The time slot 810 may correspond to a start time of the first selected activity 802, or the time slot 810 may correspond to a duration of the first selected activity 802.The duration of the first selected activity 802 may correspond to a known duration, or the duration may be approximated by the user of the client device 202 or the MVA.","In embodiments of the present application, the MVA may approximate the duration based on the type of activity 806.For example, if the type of activity 806 is “meal,” the MVA may approximate the duration as being two hours.","In additional embodiments of the present application, the type of activity 806 may further include subtypes of activities.","For example, the type of activity 806 of “meal” may include subtypes of “lunch” and “dinner.” The subtypes may be specified by the user of the device 202, or automatically determined or approximated by the MVA based the first selected activity 802.In this regard, each of the subtypes of activities may be associated with a time slot of a different duration.","For example, the subtype of “lunch” may be associated with a duration of one hour while the subtype of “dinner” may be associated with a duration of two hours.","These examples are merely exemplary and should not be considered limiting or exhaustive.","The MVA may include additional and alternative methods for determining the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802 without departing from the scope of the present application.","After the first selected activity 802 is added to the plan 800 at S410, a second search request may be received from the user of the client device 202 at S412.The second search request may be received in a same or similar manner as the first search request 500 in S402.The second search request may also be the same or similar to the first search request 500 of FIG.","5.Additionally or alternatively, the second search request may be based on the first selected activity 802, with the MVA automatically determining search criteria for the second search request.","That is, a geographic area of the second search request may be set as the geographic area 504 of the first search request 500.The geographic area of the second search request may additionally or alternatively be set as the geographic location 804 of the first selected activity 802.When the first selected activity 802 includes the type of activity 806, the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a second type of activity which is in a predetermined relationship with the type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802.For example, when the type of activity 806 is “meal,” the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a second type of activity of “event.” As a result, the user may simply and easily create a logical plan in which the user engages in an evening event after eating dinner.","Of course, these examples are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.","When the first selected activity 802 corresponds to a time slot 810, the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a time period which is in a predetermined relationship with the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.For example, the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a time period which is subsequent to the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802 or prior to the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.In this regard, in a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment of the present application in which the target goal for the evening is dinner and a movie, the second search request may facilitate selection of a show after a dinner reservation.","Alternatively, the second search request may facilitate selection of a dinner before the show depending on show times and travel times.","In any event, a timewise series of events or activities may be created.","The second search request may additionally or alternatively be associated with or default to a time period which begins a predetermined time period after the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.The predetermined time period may account for a grace period.","That is, the predetermined time period may begin fifteen minutes after the time slot 810, or end thereof, to account for travel or other time.","Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined time period may be determined based on the first selected activity 802 or the type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802.In this regard, the predetermined time period may be set by the user, determined by the MVA based on a user history, or be automatically set by the MVA.","For example, if the type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802 is “meal,” the predetermined time period may be set or determined to begin two hours after the time slot 810, or start thereof.","The predetermined time period may additionally or alternatively be determined based on any subtypes of the type of activity 806.Accordingly, by associating the second search request with the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802, the user may even more simply and easily create a logical plan in which the user engages in a series of successive events or activities in a timely manner.","Of course, the above examples are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.","After the second search request is received at S412, second search results are determined and displayed at S414.The second search results are determined and displayed based on the second search request.","The second search results may be determined and displayed based on the geographic location 804 of the first selected activity 802.Moreover, in embodiments in which the first selected activity 802 corresponds to the time slot 810, the second search results are determined based on the time slot 810.For example, each of the second search results may correspond to a time subsequent to the time slot of the first selected activity 802.The second search results may be determined and selected in accordance with similar manners as discussed with respect to the first search results, and as described in more detail with respect to FIG.","2.The second search requests may be refined and/or corrected in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.","7, if necessary.","The method 400 may receive a selection of one of the second search results at S416, whereupon the selected one of the second search results is added to the plan 800 at S418.The selected one of the second search results is shown in FIG.","8 at 812.The second selected activity 812 may be added to the plan 800 in association with the geographic location 804, the type of activity 806, the participants 808, and the time slot 810 as generally discussed above with respect to the first selected activity 802.As a result, the method 400 has facilitated the creation of the logical plan in which the user, and any additional participants, may successively engage in the series of events or activities, including the first selected activity 802 and the second selected activity 812.The second selected activity 812 may be determined directly in correspondence with the geographic location 804 and the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802, thereby enabling the user and any additional participants to easily transition from the first selected activity 802 to the second selected activity 812 in a timely manner.","The method 400 of FIG.","4 shows an additional or alternative manner of creating the plan 800 at S420 to S434.According to the additional or alternative manner, the user of the client device 202 may search a friend or contact list for friends or contacts which are located in a particular geographic area, available during a particular time period, or both.","For example, if the user is visiting San Francisco, the user may search his or her contact list for any contacts which are located in San Francisco and which are available during the particular time period of the visit.","Thereafter, the method 400 facilitates the selection of an activity or event which is located in San Francisco during the particular time period, so that the user and any available contacts may participate in the activity or event.","In this regard, the method 400 may receive a first search request at S402 as generally indicated in FIG.","9 at 900.The first search request 900 may comprise a friend request 902 in addition or alternatively to the activity request 502 of the first search request 500 of FIG.","5.The friend request 902 may include or identify a friend list.","The friend list may comprise a contact list stored by the client device 202, or any other friend or contact list included within a social media application.","Accordingly, the user may search for friends from among any friend or contact list for which to participate in an activity or event.","In addition to the friend request 902, the first search request 900 may comprise a geographic area 904, a time period 906, or combination thereof as discussed above with respect to the geographic area 504 and the time period 506 of FIG.","5.As a result, the user may search for friends within the geographic area 904 and/or that are available during the time period 906 for which to participate in the activity.","Upon determining that the first search request 900 includes the friend request 902 at S420, the MVA determines and displays first search results which comprise friends that are available in the geographic area 904 and/or that are available during the time period 906 at S422.That is, each of the first search results of S422 may be selected from the friend or contact list based on availability during the time period 906.The availability of the friends or contacts may be determined by referencing a schedule of each friend or contact of the friend or contact list.","The schedules of the friends or contacts may be referenced via a social media application, for example.","Each of the first search results of S422 may additionally or alternatively be selected from the friend or contact list based location within the geographic area 904.In this regard, the MVA may determine a geographic location of each friend or contact based on information included within the friend or contact list or by referencing a social media application.","The first search results of S422 may be determined in accordance with similar manners as discussed with respect to S406 and as described in more detail with respect to FIG.","2.The first search requests of S422 may be refined and/or corrected in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.","7, if necessary.","The MVA receives a selection of one of the friends or contacts from among the first search results at S424, and adds the selected friend or contact to the plan 800 as one of the participants 808 at S426.The selected friend or contact may also be added to the plan 800 in correspondence with the geographic location of the selected friend or contact, or in accordance with the geographic area 904 of the first search request 900.The selected friend or contact may further be added to the plan in correspondence with the time period 906 of the first search request 900.Thereafter, the MVA receives a second search request at S428.The second search request may be the same or similar to the first search request 500 of FIG.","5.That is, the second search request may comprise an activity request, such as the activity request described with respect to 502 of FIG.","5.The second search request may be received in the same or similar manner as any of the first and second search requests of S402 and S412.The MVA determines and displays second search results at S430.The second search results are determined based on the activity request of the second search request.","In addition, the second search results are determined based on the geographic location of the selected friend or contact, which is selected from among the first search results in S424 and added to the plan 800 as one of the participants 808 in S426.The second search results may additionally or alternatively be determined based on the time period 906 which is specified with the first search request 900.In any event, the second search results of S430 comprise activities or events which are determined based on at least one of the geographic location and an available time period of the selected friend or contact.","The second search results of S430 may be determined in accordance with similar manners as discussed with respect to the first and second search results of S406 and S414, and as described in more detail with respect to FIG.","2.Moreover, the second search requests of S430 may be refined and/or corrected in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.","7, if necessary.","The MVA may receive a selection of one of the second search results at S432, and the selected activity may be added to the plan 800 as the first selected activity 802 at S434.Accordingly, in accordance with S420 to S434 of the method 400, the user may search from among a friend or contact list for friends who are located in the geographic area 904, available during the time period 906, or both.","Thereafter, the user may search for events or activities which are located near a geographic location of a selected friend, which take place during the availability of the selected friend, or both.","Thus, the method 400 facilitates the planning of an activity or event with a friend, based on the location and availability of the friend.","Of course, those skilled in the art appreciate that the above-described method 400 is merely exemplary and that the present disclosure includes various additional and alternative methods in accordance with the teachings and disclosure set forth herein.","Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art understand the various processes and methods described herein may be implemented by various devices, systems, computer programs, and computer-readable media including executable instructions.","The devices, systems, computer programs, and computer-readable media, when executed, may implement any of the various processes, methods, or combinations thereof disclosed herein.","Accordingly, systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog enable users to construct, share, and collaborate on plans more quickly.","Conventional mobile devices are unable to create and share such plans.","At present, users are limited to copying results found within a voice search application and pasting them into a social application.","The experience would be one of manually moving data from one application to another while achieving less desirable results.","In contrast, the MVA enables users to interact with a single virtual agent that uses a combination of voice output and graphical displays to present information to the users and allows them to use speech, gesture, and graphical user interface manipulation to construct and share the plans.","Although systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog have been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.","Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog in their aspects.","Although systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog have been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather the systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.","While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions.","The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.","In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories.","Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.","Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium.","Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any computer-readable medium or other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.","Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols.","For example, standards such as a WebSocket connection represent examples of the state of the art.","Such standards are periodically superseded by more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.","Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions are considered equivalents thereof.","The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments.","The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of the disclosure described herein.","Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure.","Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.","Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.","Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized.","Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.","One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept.","Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.","This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.","Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.","According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of creating a plan through search inputs is provided.","The method includes receiving a first search request by a device.","The first search request comprises a geographic area.","The method displays first search results on a display of the device in response to receiving the first search request.","The first search results are based on the first search request and correspond to the geographic area, with each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location.","The method further receives a selection of one of the first search results by the device, adds the one of the first search results to a plan, receives a second search request by the device after receiving the selection, and displays second search results on the display of the device in response to receiving the second search request.","The second search results are based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.","According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first search request comprises a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode.","According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first input comprises a spoken query received by a microphone of the device, and the second input comprises a touch query received by the display of the device.","The spoken query specifies a type of the first search results, and the touch query specifies the geographic area of the first search results According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the touch query encircles the geographic area on a map displayed on the display of the device, contacts the geographic area on the map displayed on the display of the device, or specifies the geographic area as a route on the map displayed on the display of the device.","According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the first input comprises a spoken query received by a microphone of the device, and the second input comprises a direction of movement of the device.","The spoken query specifies a type of the first search results, and the direction of movement specifies a direction to the geographic area of the first search results.","According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the first input comprises a spoken query received by a microphone of the device, and the second input comprises an image received by a camera of the device.","The spoken query specifies a type of the first search results, and the image identifies the geographic area of the first search results.","According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first search request further comprises a type of the first search results and a time period for the first search results.","According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first search results correspond to the type and the time period, with each of the first search results corresponding to a time slot within the time period.","In this regard, the one of the first search results is added to the plan as an activity in association with the time slot of the one of the first search results.","According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the second search results corresponds to a time subsequent to the time slot of the one of the first search results.","According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the first search request identifies a friend list and a time period for the first search results.","According to another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the first search results is selected from the friend list based on an availability during the time period, with the availability being determined by referencing a schedule of each friend of the friend list.","The one of the first search results is added to the plan as a participating member during the time period.","According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the second search results is determined based on the time period.","According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the first search results are displayed on a map on the display of the device in correspondence with the geographic location of each of the first search results.","According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the method receives a request to modify the first search results displayed on the display by the device.","The request includes a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display.","The method further modifies the first search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.","According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method determines whether the request to modify the first search results includes one of the refinement of the displayed area and a correction of a type of the first search results.","In this regard, the first search results are modified on the display of the device based on the refinement in response to a determination that the request to modify the first search results includes the refinement of the displayed area.","According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method receives a request to modify the first search results displayed on the display by the device.","The request includes a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display.","The method further modifies the first search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.","According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the second search results are displayed on a map on the display of the device in correspondence with the geographic location of the one of the first search results.","The method receives a request to modify the second search results displayed on the display by the device, with the request including a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display.","The method determines whether the request to modify the second search results includes one of the refinement of the displayed area and a correction of a type of the second search results, and modifies the second search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.","According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method receives a selection of one of the second search results by the device, and adds the one of the second search results to the plan.","According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for creating a plan through search inputs is provided.","The device includes a display, a processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.","The operations are the same or similar to the features of the methods described herein.","According to yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a tangible computer-readable medium encoded with an executable computer program for creating a plan through search inputs that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations is provided.","The operations are the same or similar to the features of the methods described herein.","The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.","§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.","In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.","This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.","Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments.","Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.","The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.","As such, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.","Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND SHARING PLANS THROUGH MULTIMODAL DIALOG\",\n \"Methods, systems, devices, and media for creating a plan through multimodal search inputs are provided.\",\n \"A first search request comprises a first input received via a first input mode and a second input received via a different second input mode.\",\n \"The second input identifies a geographic area.\",\n \"First search results are displayed based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area.\",\n \"Each of the first search results is associated with a geographic location.\",\n \"A selection of one of the first search results is received and added to a plan.\",\n \"A second search request is received after the selection, and second search results are displayed in response to the second search request.\",\n \"The second search results are based on the second search request and correspond to the geographic location of the selected one of the first search results.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method of creating a plan through search inputs, the method comprising: receiving a first search request by a device, the first search request comprising a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode, the second input identifying a geographic area; displaying first search results on a display of the device in response to receiving the first search request, the first search results being based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area, each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location; receiving a selection of one of the first search results by the device; adding the one of the first search results to a plan; receiving a second search request by the device after receiving the selection; and displaying second search results on the display of the device in response to receiving the second search request, the second search results being based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.\",\n \"2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input includes a movement of the device, and the geographic area is identified based on the movement of the device.\",\n \"3.The method according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the device includes the device being moved in a particular direction, and the geographic area is identified as being in the particular direction from a current position of the device.\",\n \"4.The method according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the device includes the device being aimed in a particular direction, and the geographic area is identified as being toward the particular direction relative to the device.\",\n \"5.The method according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the device includes the device being positioned relative to a predetermined object, and the geographic area is specified based on a relative position of the device to the predetermined object.\",\n \"6.The method according to claim 2, wherein the first input comprises a spoken query that is received by a microphone of the device, the spoken query specifying a type of the first search results.\",\n \"7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the second input further includes a touch query that is received by the device via a touch operation to the device, and the geographic area is identified further based on the touch query that is received by the device.\",\n \"8.The method according to claim 7, wherein the geographic area is identified based on the movement of the device, and the geographic area is refined based on the touch query.\",\n \"9.The method according to claim 8, further comprising: displaying, on the display of the device, a map of the geographic area that is identified based on the movement of the device, the first search results being displayed in the map, wherein the geographic area is refined based on the touch query by correcting the geographic area displayed on the map, narrowing the geographic area displayed on the map, or broadening the geographic area displayed on the map.\",\n \"10.The method according to claim 9, wherein the geographic area is refined by at least one of a portion of the geographic area being encircled on the map, a portion of the geographic area being contacted on the map, a zoom-in operation being received by the device, or a zoom-out operation being received by the device.\",\n \"11.The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input includes an image being received by the device, and the geographic area is identified based on the image.\",\n \"12.The method according to claim 11, wherein the image is captured by a camera of the device, and the captured image is analyzed to identify a location within the image for identifying the geographic area.\",\n \"13.The method according to claim 11, wherein the image is downloaded to the device from the Internet or obtained by the device from a friend, and the downloaded or obtained image is analyzed to identify a location within the image for identifying the geographic area.\",\n \"14.The method according to claim 11, wherein the first input comprises a spoken query that is received by a microphone of the device, the spoken query specifying a type of the first search results.\",\n \"15.The method according to claim 14, wherein the second input further includes a touch query that is received by the device via a touch operation to the device, and the geographic area is identified further based on the touch query that is received by the device.\",\n \"16.The method according to claim 15, wherein the geographic area is identified based on the image received by the device, and the geographic area is refined based on the touch query.\",\n \"17.The method according to claim 16, further comprising: displaying, on the display of the device, a map of the geographic area that is identified based on the image received by the device, the first search results being displayed in the map, wherein the geographic area is refined based on the touch query by correcting the geographic area displayed on the map, narrowing the geographic area displayed on the map, or broadening the geographic area displayed on the map.\",\n \"18.The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying, on the display of the device, the second search results on a map in correspondence with the geographic location of the one of the first search results; receiving a request to modify the second search results displayed on the display by the device, the request including a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display; determining whether the request to modify the second search results includes one of the refinement of the displayed area and a correction of a type of the second search results; and modifying the second search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.\",\n \"19.A device for creating a plan through search inputs, the device comprising: a display; a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving a first search request, the first search request comprising a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode, the second input identifying a geographic area; displaying first search results on the display in response to receiving the first search request, the first search results being based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area, each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location; receiving a selection of one of the first search results; adding the one of the first search results to a plan; receiving a second search request after receiving the selection; and displaying second search results on the display in response to receiving the second search request, the second search results being based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.\",\n \"20.A tangible computer-readable medium encoded with an executable computer program for creating a plan through search inputs that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a first search request by a device, the first search request comprising a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode, the second input identifying a geographic area; displaying first search results on a display of the device in response to receiving the first search request, the first search results being based on the first search request and corresponding to the geographic area, each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location; receiving a selection of one of the first search results by the device; adding the one of the first search results to a plan; receiving a second search request by the device after receiving the selection; and displaying second search results on the display of the device in response to receiving the second search request, the second search results being based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND \"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set of instructions for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary system for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates an exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates an additional exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates an exemplary method of a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates another exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates an exemplary method of modifying search results for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a plan produced by an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a further exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/577,311, filed on Dec. 19, 2014.The disclosure of this document, including the specification, drawings, and claims, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND 1.Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates to the field of event planning.\",\n \"More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a mobile device which includes a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog.\",\n \"2.Background Information People today have greater access to electronic devices than ever before, and to an increasing number of applications for execution on the electronic devices.\",\n \"For example, voice search and virtual assistant applications, such as Siri, Google Now, S-Voice, Vlingo, Maluuba, etc., spoken access to information, and services on mobile devices have become commonplace.\",\n \"The voice search and virtual assistant applications enable users to use spoken commands in order to search for businesses, events, movies, etc.\",\n \"In addition, social media applications such as Facebook and event planning sites such as Evite enable users to share personal information including upcoming business activities, events, movies, etc.\",\n \"with their friends.\",\n \"In this regard, while the accessibility and functionally of electronic devices have improved search capabilities and social interactivity, new and improved methods are desired.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set of instructions for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary system for a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates an exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates an additional exemplary display of a client device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates an exemplary method of a virtual assistant for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates another exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates an exemplary method of modifying search results for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a plan produced by an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates a further exemplary schematic of a search request for event planning through an interactive multimodal dialog, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure provides a multimodal virtual assistant (MVA).\",\n \"The MVA may be an application, method, system, medium, or combination thereof that enables users to plan a day, evening, or other through an interactive multimodal dialog with a mobile device.\",\n \"The MVA may include a cloud-based multimodal language processing infrastructure that can support mobile multimodal interaction.\",\n \"The present disclosure, among others, will highlight incremental recognition, combining multimodal speech and gesture input, contextually-aware language understanding, and the targeted clarification of potentially incorrect segments within speech recognition hypothesis.\",\n \"The MVA explores the application of multimodal dialog technology in the virtual assistant landscape.\",\n \"Rather than displaying the unfolding dialog as a chat display, the MVA may situate the interaction directly within maps and visual information displays.\",\n \"Users may be free to interact with the maps and visual information displays using combinations of speech and gesture inputs.\",\n \"The interpretation of user commands may be dependent on both map display manipulation and the physical location of the mobile device.\",\n \"In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features or sub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of the advantages as specifically noted below.\",\n \"Methods described herein are illustrative examples, and as such are not intended to require or imply that any particular process of any embodiment be performed in the order presented.\",\n \"Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc.\",\n \"are not intended to limit the order of the processes, and these words are instead used to guide the reader through the description of the methods.\",\n \"Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” etc.\",\n \"is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system, on which a system or method for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog can be implemented, and which is shown and is designated 100.The computer system 100 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 100 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein.\",\n \"The computer system 100 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, for example, using a network 101, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.\",\n \"In a networked deployment, the computer system 100 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, a client user computer in cloud computing environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.\",\n \"The computer system 100 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a stationary computer, a mobile computer, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wireless smart phone, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, a communications device, a control system, a camera, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.\",\n \"For example, the computer system 100 may be can also be implemented as or incorporate into an automobile or wearable devices, such as, but not limited to, watches, glasses, bracelets, and headsets.\",\n \"The computer system 100 can be incorporated as or in a particular device that in turn is in an integrated system that includes additional devices.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment, the computer system 100 can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication.\",\n \"Further, while a single computer system 100 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, the computer system 100 includes a processor 110.A processor for a computer system 100 is tangible and non-transitory.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period of time.\",\n \"The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time.\",\n \"A processor is an article of manufacture and/or a machine component.\",\n \"A processor for a computer system 100 is configured to execute software instructions in order to perform functions as described in the various embodiments herein.\",\n \"A processor for a computer system 100 may be a general purpose processor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).\",\n \"A processor for a computer system 100 may also be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or a programmable logic device.\",\n \"A processor for a computer system 100 may also be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type of circuit that includes discrete gate and/or transistor logic.\",\n \"A processor for a computer system 100 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both.\",\n \"Additionally, any processor described herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors, or both.\",\n \"Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a single device or multiple devices.\",\n \"Moreover, the computer system 100 includes a main memory 120 and a static memory 130 that can communicate with each other via a bus 108.Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums that can store data and executable instructions, and are non-transitory during the time instructions are stored therein.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period of time.\",\n \"The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time.\",\n \"A memory describe herein is an article of manufacture and/or machine component.\",\n \"Memories described herein are computer-readable mediums from which data and executable instructions can be read by a computer.\",\n \"Memories as described herein may be random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk, blu-ray disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.\",\n \"Memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and/or encrypted, unsecure and/or unencrypted.\",\n \"As shown, the computer system 100 may further include a video display unit 150, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).\",\n \"Additionally, the computer system 100 may include an input device 160, such as a keyboard/virtual keyboard or touch-sensitive input screen or speech input with speech recognition, a cursor control device 170, such as a mouse or touch-sensitive input screen or pad, a microphone, etc.\",\n \"In this regard, the input device 160 may comprise user-controlled inputs.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the input device 160 may comprise automatic or computer controlled inputs such as, but not limited to, lenses, cameras, scanners, sensors, gyroscopes, etc.\",\n \"The computer system 100 can also include a disk drive unit 180, a signal generation device 190, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device 140.In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG.\",\n \"1, the disk drive unit 180 may include a computer-readable medium 182 in which one or more sets of instructions 184, e.g.\",\n \"software, can be embedded.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively to the disk drive unit 180, the computer system 100 may comprise any additional storage unit, such as, but not limited to, a solid state storage or other persistent storage, which comprises the computer-readable medium 182.Sets of instructions 184 can be read from the computer-readable medium 182.Further, the instructions 184, when executed by a processor, can be used to perform one or more of the methods and processes as described herein.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment, the instructions 184 may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 120, the static memory 130, and/or within the processor 110 during execution by the computer system 100.In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays and other hardware components, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein.\",\n \"One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules.\",\n \"Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.\",\n \"Nothing in the present application should be interpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with software and not hardware such as a tangible non-transitory processor and/or memory.\",\n \"In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented using a hardware computer system that executes software programs.\",\n \"Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.\",\n \"Virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein, and a processor described herein may be used to support a virtual processing environment.\",\n \"The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 182 that includes instructions 184 or receives and executes instructions 184 responsive to a propagated signal; so that a device connected to a network 101 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 101.Further, the instructions 184 may be transmitted or received over the network 101 via the network interface device 140.The computer system 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1, and any components or devices thereof and methods implemented thereby, provides a MVA that enables users to plan a day or evening out with friends through an interactive multimodal dialog.\",\n \"The MVA may be an application or program that is executed by the computer system 100.Alternatively, the MVA may comprise the computer system 100, including the components thereof.\",\n \"The MVA is generally described herein as being an application which is executed by a mobile device, for convenience.\",\n \"Nevertheless, it is to be known and understood that the MVA is not limited to being an application and may additionally or alternatively comprise a computing device.\",\n \"An exemplary embodiment of a network system for supporting the MVA is generally shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 at 200.The MVA may be a mobile application that is executed by the client device 202.The client device 202 is shown as a cellular telephone.\",\n \"Nevertheless, in further embodiments the client device 202 may be, or be similar to, the computer system 100 as described with respect to FIG.\",\n \"1.In this regard, embodiments of the client device 202 may include similar components or features as those discussed with respect to the computer system 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.The client device 202 may include each of the components or features, or any combination of the features or components.\",\n \"Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that the client device 202 may also include additional or alternative components or features than those discussed with respect to the computer system 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1 without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"Also, while the device 202 is referred to as a “client” device 202, it should be known and understood that the device 202 or user thereof is not limited being a “client” in a preexisting or other relationship with the MVA server 204.Moreover, while FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a separate client device 202 and MVA server 204, it is to be known and understood that additional embodiments of the present application comprise a system in which the described functions of the client device 202 and the MVA server 204 are integrated or combined as a single device.\",\n \"The MVA allows a user of the client device 202 to plan a day or evening out with friends using natural language and gesture input.\",\n \"With this input, the user can search and browse over multiple interconnected domains, including music events, movie showings, and places to eat.\",\n \"The user can specify multiple different parameters in natural language, e.g., “jazz concerts around san Francisco next Saturday.” As the user finds interesting events and places, the events and places can be collected together into a plan or plans which can be communicated and shared with others.\",\n \"The client device 202 includes a graphical user interface through which the user may search and browse the interconnected domains.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments of the graphical user interface are generally shown in FIG.\",\n \"3A and FIG.\",\n \"3B at 300.In the exemplary embodiments, the graphical user interface 300 includes a dynamic map 302 and information display areas 304, 306 that are used to show the current recognition, MVA prompts, search results, and active plan elements.\",\n \"In this regard, the information display areas 304, 306 may comprise a summary display area 304 which summarizes the current recognition, MVA prompts, search results, or active plan elements.\",\n \"The information display areas 304, 306 may also comprise a detailed display area 304 which lists the current recognition, MVA prompts, search results, or active plan elements in detail.\",\n \"Of course, the information display areas 304, 306 and the graphical user interface 300 are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"Spoken inputs may be received by the MVA when the user taps a microphone area 308 of the graphical user interface 300.As the user speaks, incremental speech recognition results may be displayed in the information display areas 304, 306.In addition to enabling voice input, the microphone area 308 may also activate the dynamic map 302 as a drawing canvas enabling the user to issue coordinated multimodal commands combining speech with drawing as shown in FIG.\",\n \"3B, e.g., “movies playing tonight in this area” [user outlines a relevant area on the map with finger] or “restaurants” [user draws a line on a specific street].\",\n \"After end-pointing, the MVA determines the relevant intent and concepts of the input for database retrieval.\",\n \"The MVA may respond to the user input multi-modally, by both updating the graphical user interface 300 and using speech synthesis to output or summarize database retrieval results, provide feedback, and make requests for clarification and additional information.\",\n \"Of course, the above-examples are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"Additional input methods may be used without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"A sample interaction from the MVA that illustrates some of its capabilities is shown below.\",\n \"The user of the client device 202 starts with a spoken natural language query where he or she specifies various constraints: the type of music (e.g., jazz), location (e.g., San Francisco), and time (e.g., tomorrow).\",\n \"The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 is uncertain of the location so it constructs a targeted clarification.\",\n \"The user specifies the location and then the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 proceeds to search for events meeting the constraints.\",\n \"The user then reviews the results the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 provides, and follows with a refinement, e.g., “what about blues.” The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 applies contextually-aware natural language understanding and interprets the refinement as “blues concerts near San Francisco tomorrow.” After selecting a concert, the user next searches for a restaurant nearby.\",\n \"The location of the concert remains salient.\",\n \"The user then follows up with a multimodal query combining speech and gesture to search for similar restaurants in an adjoining area.\",\n \"User: “Jazz concerts near San Francisco tomorrow.” MVA: “Where did you want to see jazz tomorrow?” User: “San Francisco.” System: “I found 20 jazz concerts in San Francisco tomorrow.” System: [Zooms map to San Francisco and displays pins on map and list of results] User: “What about blues?” System: “I found 20 blues concerts in San Francisco tomorrow.” User: [Clicks on a concert listing and adds it to the plan] User: “Sushi restaurants near there.” System: “I found 10 sushi restaurants.” User: “What about here?” User: [circles adjoining area on map] System: “I found 5 sushi restaurants in the bluish purple area you indicated.” An exemplary architecture supporting the MVA application is shown in the network system 200 of FIG.\",\n \"2.While the architecture is shown in a network environment, it should be appreciated that the MVA application may also exist in a stand-alone device such as, but not limited to, the client device 202.In the network system 200, the user of the client device 202 interacts with a native operating system of the client device 202.When the user taps the click to speak icon of the microphone area 308, this initiates the flow of audio interleaved with gestures and contextual information streamed over a network connection 206 to the MVA server 204, or MVA platform.\",\n \"The network connection 206 is shown as being a WebSocket connection.\",\n \"Nevertheless, it should be appreciated that additional or alternative protocols can be used without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"The first part of the MVA server 204, or MVA platform, is a multimodal natural language processing (NLP) pipeline 208.The front-end interface 210 fields incoming packets of data from the client device 202, demuxes the incoming data stream, and sends audio, ink traces, and contextual information to three modules 212, 214, 216 that operate in parallel.\",\n \"The audio is processed using an automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine 212, such as the AT&T Watson℠ speech recognition engine.\",\n \"The AT&T Watson℠ speech recognition engine is described by Goffin et al.\",\n \"in “Proceedings of International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing.” Gesture recognition is performed using a gesture recognition engine 214, which may include a dynamic hierarchical language model combining a statistical N-gram language model with weighted sub-grammars.\",\n \"An exemplary hierarchical language model is described by Gilbert et al.\",\n \"in “Your mobile virtual assistant just got smarter!” Ink traces are processed by a graphical user interface (GUI) context engine 216, such as a gesture classifier.\",\n \"An exemplary gesture classifier is described by Rubine in “Specifying gestures by example.” The automatic speech recognition engine 212 results serve as input to two natural language understanding (NLU) modules 218, 220.A natural language understanding tagger 218, such as a discriminative stochastic sequence tagger, assigns tags to phrases within the input and then the overall string with tags is assigned by an intent classifier 220, such as a statistical intent classifier, to one of a number of intents handled by the network system 200 such as, but not limited to, search (e.g., music event) and refine (e.g., location).\",\n \"The natural language understanding modules 218, 220 results are passed along with the gesture recognition engine 214 results and a specification of the graphical user interface context engine 216 context to a multimodal dialog manager 222.The multimodal dialog manager 222 includes a contextual resolution component 224 that determines if the input is a refinement or correction.\",\n \"In either case, the contextual resolution component 224 retrieves the previous command from a user context store 226, or database, and combines the new content with the context through destructive unification.\",\n \"An exemplary process of destructive unification is described by Ehlen et al.\",\n \"in “Multimodal dialogue in mobile local search.” The multimodal dialog manager 222 also includes a location salience multimodal integration component 228 that applies to handle cases where a location is not specified verbally.\",\n \"The location salience multimodal integration component 228 uses a supervised classifier to select among a series of candidate locations, including the gesture (if present), the current device location, or the current map location.\",\n \"An exemplary embodiment of such a component is described by Ehlen et al.\",\n \"in “Location grounding in multimodal local search.” The resolved semantic interpretation of the utterance is next passed to a localized error detection (LED) module 230.An exemplary localized error detection module 230 is described by Stoyanchev et al.\",\n \"in “Localized detection of speech recognition errors.” The localized error detection module 230 contains two maximum entropy classifiers that independently predict whether a concept is present in the input and whether a concept's current interpretation is correct.\",\n \"These classifiers may use word scores, segment length, confusion networks and other recognition/context features.\",\n \"The localized error detection module 230 uses these classifiers to produce two probability distributions; one for presence and one for correctness.\",\n \"The probability distributions are then used by a targeted clarification (TC) component 232 to accept the input as is, reject all of the input, or ask a targeted clarification question.\",\n \"An exemplary targeted clarification component 232 is described by Stoyanchev et al.\",\n \"in “Modelling human clarification strategies.” This decision can be done using manually tuned thresholds.\",\n \"In the targeted clarification case, the input is passed to a natural language generation component 234 for surface realization, and a prompt generation component 236 can generate a prompt that can be passed back to the client device 202 for playback to the user.\",\n \"The targeted clarification component 232 can also decide what to attempt to add to the common ground by explicit or implicit confirmation, and what to explicitly query from the user, e.g., “Where did you want to see jazz concerts?” The targeted clarification component 232 can also update the graphical user interface context module 216 via a graphical display component 238 so that incoming responses from the user can be interpreted with respect to the context set up by the targeted clarification component 232.Once a command is accepted by the multimodal dialog manager 222, it is passed to the semantic abstraction layer (SAL) 240 for execution.\",\n \"The semantic abstraction layer 240 insulates natural language dialog capabilities from the specifics of any underlying external or internal application programming interfaces 242 that the network system 200 may use in order to respond to user queries.\",\n \"A general purpose time normalization component 244 takes natural language time expressions, e.g., “tomorrow night” or “next week,” and a reference time from the context and estimates the corresponding time interval.\",\n \"A general purpose location resolution component 246 maps from natural language expressions of locations, city names, neighborhoods, etc.\",\n \"to the specific geographic coordinates.\",\n \"These functions are handled by the semantic abstraction layer 240 rather than relying on any time and location handling in the underlying information application programming interfaces 242 to provide consistency across application domains 248, 250, 252.The semantic abstraction layer 240 also includes a category mapping component 254.The natural language understanding modules 218, 220 tag a portion of the utterance as a concept, e.g., a music genre or a cuisine, and the semantic abstraction layer 240 leverages this information to map a word sequence to generic domain-independent ontological representations or categories reusable across different backend application programming interfaces.\",\n \"Wrappers in the semantic abstraction layer 240 map from these categories, time, and location values to the specific query language syntax and values for each specific underlying application programming interface.\",\n \"In some cases, a single natural language query to the MVA may require multiple different application programming interface calls to complete, and this is captured in the wrapper.\",\n \"The semantic abstraction layer 240 also handles application programming interface format differences by mapping all application programming interface responses into a unified format.\",\n \"This unified format is then passed to the natural language generation component 234 to be augmented with prompts, display text, and instructions for how to manipulate the client device 202.The combined specification of a multimodal presentation can be passed to the interaction manager and routed back to the client device 202 for presentation to the user.\",\n \"Accordingly, the network system 200 provides a mobile multimodal virtual assistant that enables users to create plans for activities and share them with friends.\",\n \"The network system 200 enables the users to select generated results for the creation and sharing of user plans.\",\n \"The plans are constructed through multimodal, e.g., touch and voice, interaction with graphical displays combining dynamic maps, search listings, and visualization of plans.\",\n \"The features of the network system 200 are described as modules, components, engines, devices, etc.\",\n \"In this regard, the features may be or comprise, or be similar to, the computer system 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.The features may also comprise any other hardware or software components as described herein, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"The features enable users to search for activities, construct multistage plans, and share and collaborate on these plans with groups of friends all in a single application through natural conversational multimodal dialog.\",\n \"These advantages and applications will become more apparent through the following exemplary methods of the MVA.\",\n \"An exemplary method of generating a plan through search inputs is generally shown in FIG.\",\n \"4 at 400.The method 400 may comprise or be implemented by the MVA or network system 200 as described above.\",\n \"The method 400 may also comprise or be implemented by the client device 202, the MVA server 204 or platform, an application that is installed or embedded in client device 202 or the MVA server 204 or platform, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"The method 500 is described hereinafter as being implemented by the client device 202.Nevertheless, it is to be known an understood that the method may additionally or alternatively be implemented by the computer system 100, the network system 200, the MVA server 204, or any another other computing device without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"The method receives a first search request at S502.The first search request may be received from a user of the client device 202.An exemplary embodiment of the first search request is generally indicated in FIG.\",\n \"5 at 500.The first search request 500 may comprise, but is not limited to, an activity request 502, a geographic area 504, and a time period 506.For example, the first search request 500 may request sporting events in Chicago on a particular weekend.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the first search request 500 may request a restaurant near the Washington Monument at a current time.\",\n \"Of course, these examples are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"The first search request 500 may comprise additional or alternative information as known and understood in the art without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"Each component of the first search request 500, or any combination thereof, may be received by or from the client device 202.Alternatively, any component, or combination thereof, may be received or determined in accordance with any of the additional manners described herein.\",\n \"The activity request 502 may include a request for any activity, event, thing, or other happening by the user of the client device 202.The activity request 502 may be wholly specified by the user, or determined wholly or in part by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204.The geographic area 504 may specify a geographic region or location for the activity request 502.The geographic area 504 may also be wholly specified by the user, or determined wholly or in part by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204.For example, the geographic area 504 may be input to the client device 202 by the user, or the geographic area 504 may be determined by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 in correspondence with a location of the client device 202.The geographic area 504 may additionally or alternatively be determined in accordance with further known methods.\",\n \"For example, the geographic area 504 may be determined based on a history or a default setting of the client device 202.In any event, a geographic area 504 is associated with the activity request 502 by the MVA server 204.The time period 506 may indicate any specific date, date range, specific time, time range, or combination thereof.\",\n \"The time period 506 may also be wholly specified by the user, or determined wholly or in part by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204.For example, the time period 506 may be input to the client device 202 by the user, or the time period 506 may be determined by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 in correspondence with a current time or the user's schedule.\",\n \"The time period 506 may default to a predetermined day, time, or combination thereof, or the time period 506 may automatically be set to the first available slot by referencing the user's schedule.\",\n \"In this regard, the MVA may be configured to default to planning dinner dates or meetings, and the time period may default to a dinner time slot of six o'clock to eight o'clock for pre-selected days of the week.\",\n \"The time period 506 may also be determined based on the activity request 502, geographic area 504, or combination thereof.\",\n \"For example, if the user searches for restaurants in a dinner district, the MVA server 204 may automatically set the time period 506 to a dinner time slot, or to a lunch time slot depending on the current time.\",\n \"The MVA 204 server may even reference the user's schedule or history to determine a day for the time period 506.That is, if the user frequently plans dinners on Friday and searches for a restaurant, the MVA server 204 may automatically set the time period 506 as being for a dinner time slot on Friday, or the next available evening based on the user's schedule.\",\n \"Of course, the above-examples are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"The time period 506 may be determined in accordance with additional or alternative methods as known and understood in the art without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"As discussed above, the first search request may be received by the client device 202 from a user thereof.\",\n \"An exemplary embodiment of such a first search request which is received by the client device 202 is generally indicated in FIG.\",\n \"6 at 600.In this regard, the first search request 600 comprises a first input 602, a second input 604, and a third input 606.The first input 602 may be received via a first input mode, the second input 604 may be received via a second input mode, and the third input 606 may be received via either the first input mode, the second input mode, or a third input mode.\",\n \"The first input mode, the second input mode, and the third input mode may be different from one another.\",\n \"While the search request 600 is shown as including three inputs, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that the search request 600 may include any combination of the three inputs as well as additional or alternative inputs in further embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"According to an embodiment of the present application, the first input 602 that is received via the first input mode may comprise the activity request 502, and the second input 604 that is received via the second input mode may comprise the geographic area 504.The third input 606 may comprise the time period 506.The first input 602 may comprise speech or a spoken query that is received by the client device 202.The speech or the spoken query may be received by a microphone of the client device 202.The speech or the spoken query may be processed by the MVA server 204 as generally discussed above for determining the activity request 502.In particular, the speech or the spoken query may be processed by the MVA server 204 for determining a type of the activity request 502 such as, but not limited to, a restaurant, sporting event, concert, historical site, commercial establishment, etc.\",\n \"The second input 604 may comprise a gesture or a touch query that is received by the client device 202.The gesture or the touch query may be received by a display of the client device 202.The gesture or the touch query may be processed by the client device 202 or the MVA server 204 as generally discussed above for determining the geographic area 504.In this regard, the gesture or the touch query may include the user of the client device 202 interacting with a map which is displayed on the display of the client device 202.The user may encircle the geographic area 504 on the map, or identify the geographic area 504 by contacting a specific location on the map.\",\n \"Of course, these methods for indicting the geographic area 504 with the gesture or the touch query are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"For example, in further embodiments the user may specify the geographic area 504 by manipulating the map or any other display element via a sliding or zooming operation.\",\n \"The user may also specify the geographic area 504 by drawing a route on the map.\",\n \"The route may comprise a line or other combination of segments or inputs which indicates a predetermined or estimated route of the user.\",\n \"In further embodiments of the present application, the second input 604 may comprise additional or alternative inputs for specifying the geographic area 504.For example, the second input 604 may comprise a gesture or a movement of the client device 202 by the user.\",\n \"The user may request the MVA to find a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is located in a particular direction from a current position of the client device 202.In such embodiments, the second input 604 specifies a direction to the geographic area 504 for the activity request 502.The user may point or aim the client device 202 in the particular direction, or the user may wave or motion the client device 202 toward the particular direction.\",\n \"Of course, these methods for indicting the geographic area 504 with the gesture or the movement of the client device 202 are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"For example, in further embodiments the user may specify the geographic area 504 by rotating the client device 202 or positioning the client device 202 relative to a predetermined object.\",\n \"In even further embodiments of the present application, the second input 604 may comprise an image input to the client device 202 by the user.\",\n \"The user may request the MVA to find a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is located near a particular scene or identifier contained within the image.\",\n \"In such embodiments, the image may be captured with a camera of the client device 202.The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 may analyze the captured image to identify a current location of the client device or a location within the image for determining the geographic area 504.According to such an embodiment, if a user is in an unfamiliar place, the user may request the MVA to find a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is near the user's current location upon the user capturing an image with the client device 202.As a result, the user is not required to know or enter any specific geographic information for identifying an activity in the vicinity of the user.\",\n \"Of course, the method for indicting the geographic area 504 with the captured image is exemplary and is not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"In further embodiments, the user may specify the geographic area 504 by downloading or otherwise obtaining an image from the Internet, a friend, or via any other means which are known and understood in the art.\",\n \"According to such embodiments, the user may search for a type of activity, such as a restaurant, which is near a landmark or locale that the user intends to visit.\",\n \"The third input 606 may comprise any of the inputs discussed herein with respect to the first input 602 and the second input 604.Additionally or alternatively, the third input may comprise any additional input that is generally known and understood.\",\n \"Moreover, it is to be known and understood that the above-described inputs and examples are merely exemplary and are not exhaustive or exclusive.\",\n \"Further inputs may be used in additional or alternative embodiments of the present application.\",\n \"For example, any of the first, second, and third inputs 602, 604, 606 may comprise further input modes such as, but not limited to, scanning a code or image.\",\n \"In an embodiment of the method 400, the MVA may determine whether the search request 500 incudes the activity request 502, which is associated with the geographic area 504, at S404.When the search request 500 incudes the activity request 502, the MVA determines and displays first search results at S406.The client device 202 or the MVA server 204 may determine and display the first search results in accordance with the description with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.The first search results are determined based on the first search request 500 and correspond to the geographic area 504.Each of the first search results is associated with a geographic location, and may be displayed on a map on the display of the client device 202 in correspondence with the geographic location.\",\n \"For example, the first search results may be displayed as generally shown in FIGS.\",\n \"3A and 3B.\",\n \"The first search results may be shown on the dynamic map 302 at their respective locations, and may also be identified in the information display areas 304, 306.An embodiment of the method 400 provides for a refinement and correction process of the first search results, as shown at A.\",\n \"The refinement and correction process is generally shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 at 700.After the MVA generates and displays the first search results, a request to modify the first search results may be received from the user of the client device 202 at S702.The request may be to modify the first search results which are displayed on the client device 202.Even more specifically, the request may be to refine the first search results which are displayed on the dynamic map 302 at their respective locations.\",\n \"Upon receiving the request, the MVA may determine whether the request is to refine the first search results at S704.The request may include a refinement of a displayed area of the dynamic map 302 of the client device 202.The refinement may include an adjustment or correction to the geographic area 504 upon which the first search results are based.\",\n \"The refinement may narrow the geographic area 504, broaden the geographic area 504, or change the geographic area 504.The refinement may be specified by the user of the client device 202 manipulating the dynamic map 302 upon which the first search results are displayed.\",\n \"The user may zoom-in or zoom-out on the dynamic map 302.The user may additionally or alternatively circle an area on the dynamic map 302 as generally shown by FIG.\",\n \"3B.\",\n \"Of course, these methods of manipulating the dynamic map 302 are not exhaustive, and the user may adjust or correct the geographic area 504 in accordance with further methods which are known and understood in the art.\",\n \"The refinement request may comprise a single mode input by the user.\",\n \"That is, the user may manipulate the dynamic map 302 as described above, and the MVA may refine the geographic area 504 based thereupon.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the refinement may comprise a multimodal input.\",\n \"For example, the user of the client device 202 may input speech of “what about here” while circling an area on the dynamic map 302.In this regard, the MVA may determine that the request to modify the first search results is the refinement request at S702 based on the multimodal input.\",\n \"The MVA may consider speech and gesture inputs, or any other combination of inputs, which are received simultaneously or within a predetermined time period from one another as comprising a multimodal input.\",\n \"Upon determining that the request includes a refinement of the first search results at S704, the MVA modifies the first search results based on the refinement at S706.The MVA may refine the geographic area 504 upon which the first search results are based, and display refined search results on the client device 202 based on a refined geographic area.\",\n \"The MVA may display the refined search results on the dynamic map 302 at their corresponding locations.\",\n \"The MVA may request a confirmation of the refinement from the user.\",\n \"Alternatively, the MVA may present the refined results to the user whereupon the user may re-engage in the refinement and correction process 700 if necessary.\",\n \"In addition to the refinement process of S704 to S706, the refinement and correction process 700 may also include a correction process at S708 to S710.FIG.\",\n \"7 is shown as including both the refinement and correction processes.\",\n \"However, it should be known and understood that embodiments of the present application may include only one or none of the processes.\",\n \"Upon receiving the request to modify the first search results at S702 or after determining that the request is not a refinement request at S704, the MVA may determine whether the request to modify the first search results includes a correction of the activity request 502 at S708.Upon determining that the request includes a correction request for the activity request 502 or a correction of the type of the first search request 500, the MVA modifies the first search results on the dynamic map 302 of the client device 202 based on the correction request at S710.Accordingly, the method 400 displays the first search results at S406 of FIG.\",\n \"4, and may receive any refinements or corrections of the first search results in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.\",\n \"7.Thereafter, the MVA receives a selection of one of the search results from the client device 202 at S408.The MVA may receive the selection via any speech or gesture input, or other input to the client device 202 from the user thereof in accordance with any known and understood manner.\",\n \"Upon receiving the selection at S408, the selected one of the first search results is added to a plan at S410.An exemplary embodiment of a plan is generally indicated in FIG.\",\n \"8 at 800.The plan 800 may comprise part of or be included within a schedule of the user of the client device 202.The schedule may be supported by the client device 202 or any application or program stored thereon, such as a calendar application or program.\",\n \"The plan 800 may also be supported by the MVA.\",\n \"The plan 800 may be unique to the user of the client device 202, or the plan 800 may be shared with additional users by the user of the client device 202 or by the MVA.\",\n \"The user or the MVA may invite the additional users to participate in the plan, such as via a social media application.\",\n \"The plan 800 of FIG.\",\n \"8 is merely exemplary and should not be considered limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"Additional or alternative plans or components thereof may be included in additional embodiments without departing from the scope of the application.\",\n \"When the first search request 500 includes the activity request 502 as determined at S404, the selected one of the first search results is added to the plan 800 as a first selected activity 802 at S410.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"8, the first selected activity 802 may be added to the plan in correspondence with its corresponding geographic location 804.The first search request 500 may be associated with or include a type of activity.\",\n \"For example, if the first search request 500 is a request for a dinner reservation, the first search request 500 may be associated with a type of activity of “meal.” In this regard, the plan may further indicate a type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.The first selected activity 802 may also identify any participants 808 thereof.\",\n \"The participants 808 may be added to the first selected activity 802 by the user of the client device 202 or the MVA, may join the first selected activity 802, or be specified in accordance with any other known and understood methods.\",\n \"According to embodiments in which the first search request 500 includes the time period 506, each of the first search results may be determined to correspond to a time slot within the time period 506 at S406.The first selected activity 802 may be added to the plan 800 in correspondence with a corresponding time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.The time slot 810 may correspond to a start time of the first selected activity 802, or the time slot 810 may correspond to a duration of the first selected activity 802.The duration of the first selected activity 802 may correspond to a known duration, or the duration may be approximated by the user of the client device 202 or the MVA.\",\n \"In embodiments of the present application, the MVA may approximate the duration based on the type of activity 806.For example, if the type of activity 806 is “meal,” the MVA may approximate the duration as being two hours.\",\n \"In additional embodiments of the present application, the type of activity 806 may further include subtypes of activities.\",\n \"For example, the type of activity 806 of “meal” may include subtypes of “lunch” and “dinner.” The subtypes may be specified by the user of the device 202, or automatically determined or approximated by the MVA based the first selected activity 802.In this regard, each of the subtypes of activities may be associated with a time slot of a different duration.\",\n \"For example, the subtype of “lunch” may be associated with a duration of one hour while the subtype of “dinner” may be associated with a duration of two hours.\",\n \"These examples are merely exemplary and should not be considered limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"The MVA may include additional and alternative methods for determining the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802 without departing from the scope of the present application.\",\n \"After the first selected activity 802 is added to the plan 800 at S410, a second search request may be received from the user of the client device 202 at S412.The second search request may be received in a same or similar manner as the first search request 500 in S402.The second search request may also be the same or similar to the first search request 500 of FIG.\",\n \"5.Additionally or alternatively, the second search request may be based on the first selected activity 802, with the MVA automatically determining search criteria for the second search request.\",\n \"That is, a geographic area of the second search request may be set as the geographic area 504 of the first search request 500.The geographic area of the second search request may additionally or alternatively be set as the geographic location 804 of the first selected activity 802.When the first selected activity 802 includes the type of activity 806, the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a second type of activity which is in a predetermined relationship with the type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802.For example, when the type of activity 806 is “meal,” the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a second type of activity of “event.” As a result, the user may simply and easily create a logical plan in which the user engages in an evening event after eating dinner.\",\n \"Of course, these examples are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"When the first selected activity 802 corresponds to a time slot 810, the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a time period which is in a predetermined relationship with the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.For example, the second search request may automatically be associated with or default to a time period which is subsequent to the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802 or prior to the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.In this regard, in a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment of the present application in which the target goal for the evening is dinner and a movie, the second search request may facilitate selection of a show after a dinner reservation.\",\n \"Alternatively, the second search request may facilitate selection of a dinner before the show depending on show times and travel times.\",\n \"In any event, a timewise series of events or activities may be created.\",\n \"The second search request may additionally or alternatively be associated with or default to a time period which begins a predetermined time period after the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802.The predetermined time period may account for a grace period.\",\n \"That is, the predetermined time period may begin fifteen minutes after the time slot 810, or end thereof, to account for travel or other time.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined time period may be determined based on the first selected activity 802 or the type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802.In this regard, the predetermined time period may be set by the user, determined by the MVA based on a user history, or be automatically set by the MVA.\",\n \"For example, if the type of activity 806 of the first selected activity 802 is “meal,” the predetermined time period may be set or determined to begin two hours after the time slot 810, or start thereof.\",\n \"The predetermined time period may additionally or alternatively be determined based on any subtypes of the type of activity 806.Accordingly, by associating the second search request with the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802, the user may even more simply and easily create a logical plan in which the user engages in a series of successive events or activities in a timely manner.\",\n \"Of course, the above examples are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive.\",\n \"After the second search request is received at S412, second search results are determined and displayed at S414.The second search results are determined and displayed based on the second search request.\",\n \"The second search results may be determined and displayed based on the geographic location 804 of the first selected activity 802.Moreover, in embodiments in which the first selected activity 802 corresponds to the time slot 810, the second search results are determined based on the time slot 810.For example, each of the second search results may correspond to a time subsequent to the time slot of the first selected activity 802.The second search results may be determined and selected in accordance with similar manners as discussed with respect to the first search results, and as described in more detail with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.The second search requests may be refined and/or corrected in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.\",\n \"7, if necessary.\",\n \"The method 400 may receive a selection of one of the second search results at S416, whereupon the selected one of the second search results is added to the plan 800 at S418.The selected one of the second search results is shown in FIG.\",\n \"8 at 812.The second selected activity 812 may be added to the plan 800 in association with the geographic location 804, the type of activity 806, the participants 808, and the time slot 810 as generally discussed above with respect to the first selected activity 802.As a result, the method 400 has facilitated the creation of the logical plan in which the user, and any additional participants, may successively engage in the series of events or activities, including the first selected activity 802 and the second selected activity 812.The second selected activity 812 may be determined directly in correspondence with the geographic location 804 and the time slot 810 of the first selected activity 802, thereby enabling the user and any additional participants to easily transition from the first selected activity 802 to the second selected activity 812 in a timely manner.\",\n \"The method 400 of FIG.\",\n \"4 shows an additional or alternative manner of creating the plan 800 at S420 to S434.According to the additional or alternative manner, the user of the client device 202 may search a friend or contact list for friends or contacts which are located in a particular geographic area, available during a particular time period, or both.\",\n \"For example, if the user is visiting San Francisco, the user may search his or her contact list for any contacts which are located in San Francisco and which are available during the particular time period of the visit.\",\n \"Thereafter, the method 400 facilitates the selection of an activity or event which is located in San Francisco during the particular time period, so that the user and any available contacts may participate in the activity or event.\",\n \"In this regard, the method 400 may receive a first search request at S402 as generally indicated in FIG.\",\n \"9 at 900.The first search request 900 may comprise a friend request 902 in addition or alternatively to the activity request 502 of the first search request 500 of FIG.\",\n \"5.The friend request 902 may include or identify a friend list.\",\n \"The friend list may comprise a contact list stored by the client device 202, or any other friend or contact list included within a social media application.\",\n \"Accordingly, the user may search for friends from among any friend or contact list for which to participate in an activity or event.\",\n \"In addition to the friend request 902, the first search request 900 may comprise a geographic area 904, a time period 906, or combination thereof as discussed above with respect to the geographic area 504 and the time period 506 of FIG.\",\n \"5.As a result, the user may search for friends within the geographic area 904 and/or that are available during the time period 906 for which to participate in the activity.\",\n \"Upon determining that the first search request 900 includes the friend request 902 at S420, the MVA determines and displays first search results which comprise friends that are available in the geographic area 904 and/or that are available during the time period 906 at S422.That is, each of the first search results of S422 may be selected from the friend or contact list based on availability during the time period 906.The availability of the friends or contacts may be determined by referencing a schedule of each friend or contact of the friend or contact list.\",\n \"The schedules of the friends or contacts may be referenced via a social media application, for example.\",\n \"Each of the first search results of S422 may additionally or alternatively be selected from the friend or contact list based location within the geographic area 904.In this regard, the MVA may determine a geographic location of each friend or contact based on information included within the friend or contact list or by referencing a social media application.\",\n \"The first search results of S422 may be determined in accordance with similar manners as discussed with respect to S406 and as described in more detail with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.The first search requests of S422 may be refined and/or corrected in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.\",\n \"7, if necessary.\",\n \"The MVA receives a selection of one of the friends or contacts from among the first search results at S424, and adds the selected friend or contact to the plan 800 as one of the participants 808 at S426.The selected friend or contact may also be added to the plan 800 in correspondence with the geographic location of the selected friend or contact, or in accordance with the geographic area 904 of the first search request 900.The selected friend or contact may further be added to the plan in correspondence with the time period 906 of the first search request 900.Thereafter, the MVA receives a second search request at S428.The second search request may be the same or similar to the first search request 500 of FIG.\",\n \"5.That is, the second search request may comprise an activity request, such as the activity request described with respect to 502 of FIG.\",\n \"5.The second search request may be received in the same or similar manner as any of the first and second search requests of S402 and S412.The MVA determines and displays second search results at S430.The second search results are determined based on the activity request of the second search request.\",\n \"In addition, the second search results are determined based on the geographic location of the selected friend or contact, which is selected from among the first search results in S424 and added to the plan 800 as one of the participants 808 in S426.The second search results may additionally or alternatively be determined based on the time period 906 which is specified with the first search request 900.In any event, the second search results of S430 comprise activities or events which are determined based on at least one of the geographic location and an available time period of the selected friend or contact.\",\n \"The second search results of S430 may be determined in accordance with similar manners as discussed with respect to the first and second search results of S406 and S414, and as described in more detail with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.Moreover, the second search requests of S430 may be refined and/or corrected in accordance with the refinement and correction process 700 of FIG.\",\n \"7, if necessary.\",\n \"The MVA may receive a selection of one of the second search results at S432, and the selected activity may be added to the plan 800 as the first selected activity 802 at S434.Accordingly, in accordance with S420 to S434 of the method 400, the user may search from among a friend or contact list for friends who are located in the geographic area 904, available during the time period 906, or both.\",\n \"Thereafter, the user may search for events or activities which are located near a geographic location of a selected friend, which take place during the availability of the selected friend, or both.\",\n \"Thus, the method 400 facilitates the planning of an activity or event with a friend, based on the location and availability of the friend.\",\n \"Of course, those skilled in the art appreciate that the above-described method 400 is merely exemplary and that the present disclosure includes various additional and alternative methods in accordance with the teachings and disclosure set forth herein.\",\n \"Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art understand the various processes and methods described herein may be implemented by various devices, systems, computer programs, and computer-readable media including executable instructions.\",\n \"The devices, systems, computer programs, and computer-readable media, when executed, may implement any of the various processes, methods, or combinations thereof disclosed herein.\",\n \"Accordingly, systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog enable users to construct, share, and collaborate on plans more quickly.\",\n \"Conventional mobile devices are unable to create and share such plans.\",\n \"At present, users are limited to copying results found within a voice search application and pasting them into a social application.\",\n \"The experience would be one of manually moving data from one application to another while achieving less desirable results.\",\n \"In contrast, the MVA enables users to interact with a single virtual agent that uses a combination of voice output and graphical displays to present information to the users and allows them to use speech, gesture, and graphical user interface manipulation to construct and share the plans.\",\n \"Although systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog have been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.\",\n \"Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog in their aspects.\",\n \"Although systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog have been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather the systems, methods, and media for creating and sharing plans through multimodal dialog extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.\",\n \"While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions.\",\n \"The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.\",\n \"In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories.\",\n \"Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.\",\n \"Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any computer-readable medium or other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.\",\n \"Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols.\",\n \"For example, standards such as a WebSocket connection represent examples of the state of the art.\",\n \"Such standards are periodically superseded by more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.\",\n \"Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions are considered equivalents thereof.\",\n \"The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments.\",\n \"The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of the disclosure described herein.\",\n \"Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure.\",\n \"Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.\",\n \"Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.\",\n \"One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept.\",\n \"Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.\",\n \"This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.\",\n \"Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.\",\n \"According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of creating a plan through search inputs is provided.\",\n \"The method includes receiving a first search request by a device.\",\n \"The first search request comprises a geographic area.\",\n \"The method displays first search results on a display of the device in response to receiving the first search request.\",\n \"The first search results are based on the first search request and correspond to the geographic area, with each of the first search results being associated with a geographic location.\",\n \"The method further receives a selection of one of the first search results by the device, adds the one of the first search results to a plan, receives a second search request by the device after receiving the selection, and displays second search results on the display of the device in response to receiving the second search request.\",\n \"The second search results are based on the second search request and corresponding to the geographic location of the one of the first search results.\",\n \"According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first search request comprises a first input received by the device via a first input mode and a second input received by the device via a second input mode different than the first input mode.\",\n \"According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first input comprises a spoken query received by a microphone of the device, and the second input comprises a touch query received by the display of the device.\",\n \"The spoken query specifies a type of the first search results, and the touch query specifies the geographic area of the first search results According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the touch query encircles the geographic area on a map displayed on the display of the device, contacts the geographic area on the map displayed on the display of the device, or specifies the geographic area as a route on the map displayed on the display of the device.\",\n \"According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the first input comprises a spoken query received by a microphone of the device, and the second input comprises a direction of movement of the device.\",\n \"The spoken query specifies a type of the first search results, and the direction of movement specifies a direction to the geographic area of the first search results.\",\n \"According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the first input comprises a spoken query received by a microphone of the device, and the second input comprises an image received by a camera of the device.\",\n \"The spoken query specifies a type of the first search results, and the image identifies the geographic area of the first search results.\",\n \"According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first search request further comprises a type of the first search results and a time period for the first search results.\",\n \"According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first search results correspond to the type and the time period, with each of the first search results corresponding to a time slot within the time period.\",\n \"In this regard, the one of the first search results is added to the plan as an activity in association with the time slot of the one of the first search results.\",\n \"According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the second search results corresponds to a time subsequent to the time slot of the one of the first search results.\",\n \"According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the first search request identifies a friend list and a time period for the first search results.\",\n \"According to another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the first search results is selected from the friend list based on an availability during the time period, with the availability being determined by referencing a schedule of each friend of the friend list.\",\n \"The one of the first search results is added to the plan as a participating member during the time period.\",\n \"According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the second search results is determined based on the time period.\",\n \"According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the first search results are displayed on a map on the display of the device in correspondence with the geographic location of each of the first search results.\",\n \"According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the method receives a request to modify the first search results displayed on the display by the device.\",\n \"The request includes a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display.\",\n \"The method further modifies the first search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.\",\n \"According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method determines whether the request to modify the first search results includes one of the refinement of the displayed area and a correction of a type of the first search results.\",\n \"In this regard, the first search results are modified on the display of the device based on the refinement in response to a determination that the request to modify the first search results includes the refinement of the displayed area.\",\n \"According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method receives a request to modify the first search results displayed on the display by the device.\",\n \"The request includes a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display.\",\n \"The method further modifies the first search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.\",\n \"According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the second search results are displayed on a map on the display of the device in correspondence with the geographic location of the one of the first search results.\",\n \"The method receives a request to modify the second search results displayed on the display by the device, with the request including a refinement of a displayed area of the map on the display.\",\n \"The method determines whether the request to modify the second search results includes one of the refinement of the displayed area and a correction of a type of the second search results, and modifies the second search results on the display of the device based on the refinement of the displayed area.\",\n \"According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method receives a selection of one of the second search results by the device, and adds the one of the second search results to the plan.\",\n \"According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for creating a plan through search inputs is provided.\",\n \"The device includes a display, a processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.\",\n \"The operations are the same or similar to the features of the methods described herein.\",\n \"According to yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a tangible computer-readable medium encoded with an executable computer program for creating a plan through search inputs that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations is provided.\",\n \"The operations are the same or similar to the features of the methods described herein.\",\n \"The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.\",\n \"§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.\",\n \"In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.\",\n \"This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.\",\n \"Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments.\",\n \"Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.\",\n \"The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.\",\n \"As such, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872419"}}},{"rowIdx":4494071,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Multiprocessor Programming Toolkit for Design Reuse","Techniques for specifying and implementing a software application targeted for execution on a multiprocessor array (MPA).","The MPA may include a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN), communicatively coupling the plurality of processing elements and supporting memory.","In some embodiments, software code may include first program instructions executable to perform a function.","In some embodiments, the software code may also include one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify one or more one or more parameter inputs.","In some embodiments, the one or more parameter inputs are configurable to specify a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code.","In some embodiments, the hardware resources include multiple processors and may include multiple supporting memories."],["1.A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores software code deployable on a multiprocessor array (MPA), wherein the software code comprises: a cell definition that includes: first program instructions executable to perform a first function; and one or more first language constructs which are user configurable to specify one or more parameter inputs; wherein the one or more parameter inputs are user configurable to specify properties of a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code, wherein the hardware resources include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories; and wherein multiple instances of the first program instructions specified by the cell definition are deployable, based on user input selecting the cell and specifying one or more different parameter inputs for ones of the instances, in different hardware portions of at least one MPA to perform the first function for one or more software applications, such that amounts of hardware resources in the respective hardware portion on which one or more respective instances of the cell are deployed are different and are based on the user-specified one or more parameter inputs.","2.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, where respective first and second instantiations of the cell are deployable on at least one MPA for different respective software applications.","3.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the respective instances of the cell utilizes different numbers of processors of the MPA based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.","4.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more first language constructs are further user configurable to specify one or more communication ports, wherein the one or more communication ports are user configurable to specify communication with other software code in a software application; wherein instances of the cell comprise respective configurations of the one or more communication ports specifying connectivity of the one or more communication ports with other software code deployed on the MPA.","5.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the one or more communication ports include one or more fabric ports and one or more shared memory ports.","6.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameter inputs further modify an operation of the first function.","7.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of memory to store temporary state when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.","8.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of communications resources when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.","9.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein a first instance of the cell is deployed using a portion of hardware resources assigned to a larger cell in which the first instance of the cell is nested.","10.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameter inputs are configurable during execution of the software code to dynamically adjust the set of hardware resources on which at least one instance of the cell is deployed.","11.A method for configuring a multiprocessor array (MPA), wherein the MPA comprises hardware resources including a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories, the method comprising: accessing a library of software code in a memory medium, wherein the software code includes a cell definition that includes first program instructions executable to perform a first function, wherein the cell definition comprises one or more language constructs which specify properties of a set of hardware resources for deployment of the cell; receiving user input creating multiple instances of the first program instructions specified by the cell definition for use in one or more applications, wherein the user input includes input to the one or more language constructs specifying different amounts of hardware resources for respective ones of the multiple instances; and wherein the multiple instances of the cell are deployable such that amounts of hardware resources in respective hardware portions on which the respective instances are deployed are different based on the user input to the one or more language constructs.","12.The method of claim 11, further comprising: deploying the multiple instances of the cell on one or more MPAs.","13.The method of claim 11, where respective first and second instantiations of the cell are deployable on at least one MPA within the same software application.","14.The method of claim 11, wherein the respective instances of the cell utilizes different numbers of processors of the MPA based on configuration of the one or more language constructs.","15.The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more language constructs are further user configurable to specify one or more communication ports, wherein the one or more communication ports are user configurable to specify communication with other software code in a software application; wherein instances of the cell comprise respective configurations of the one or more communication ports specifying connectivity of the one or more communication ports with other software code deployed on the MPA.","16.A system, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories having program instructions stored thereon that are executable by cause operations comprising: deploying software code on a multiprocessor array (MPA), wherein the software code comprises: a cell definition that includes: first program instructions executable to perform a first function; and one or more first language constructs which are user configurable to specify one or more parameter inputs; wherein the one or more parameter inputs are user configurable to specify properties of a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code, wherein the hardware resources include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories; and wherein multiple instances of the first program instructions specified by the cell definition are deployable, based on user input selecting the cell and specifying one or more different parameter inputs for ones of the instances, in different hardware portions of at least one MPA to perform the first function in one or more software applications; and wherein amounts of hardware resources in the respective hardware portion on which one or more respective instances of the cell are deployed are different and are based on the user-specified one or more parameter inputs.","17.The system of claim 16, further comprising: the MPA.","18.The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more parameter inputs further modify an operation of the first function.","19.The system of claim 16, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of memory to store temporary state when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.","20.The system of claim 16, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of communications resources when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs."],[" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention generally relates to software development for digital electronic systems and more specifically, to programming techniques for multiprocessor arrays."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of techniques for developing software for a multiprocessor array or fabric and its use are provided below.","The multiprocessor fabric may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of communication elements, and may be (generally) homogeneous or heterogeneous, as desired.","Each communication element may be dynamically configurable and/or may include a plurality of communication ports, a memory, and/or a routing engine, among other possible elements.","Each processor may include means for performing arithmetic logic, an instruction processing unit, and/or a plurality of processor ports, among other possible elements.","The communication elements and processors may be coupled together in an interspersed manner.","For example, for each of the processors, a plurality of processor ports may be configured for coupling to a first subset of the plurality of communication elements, and for each of the communication elements, a first subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a subset of the plurality of processors and a second subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a second subset of the plurality of communication elements.","In some embodiments, a software programming language toolkit may specify and implement a software application targeted for execution on a multiprocessor array (MPA).","In one embodiment, software code may include first program instructions executable to perform a function.","In this embodiment, the software code may also include one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify one or more communication ports and one or more parameter inputs.","In this embodiment, the one or more communication ports are configurable to specify communication with other software code.","In this embodiment, the one or more parameter inputs are configurable to specify a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code.","In this embodiment, the hardware resources include multiple processors and may include multiple supporting memories.","In this embodiment, instances of the software code are deployable on an MPA to perform the function in different software applications.","Each instance may include configuration of the software constructs.","In some embodiments, the one or more parameter inputs may be configurable to specify operation of the first function, a data stream size, an amount of data used to store temporary state, and amount of communication resources, external inputs and/or outputs etc.","The software code may be included on a non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium.","Various functionality may be implemented as a programming language, or an extension to an existing programming language, e.g., an extension to C or C++, among others.","The multiprocessor array may include a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN), communicatively coupling the plurality of processing elements and supporting memory.","A software programming language toolkit may include functions for implementing a cell model (e.g., using the software code embodiment described above), which may provide for: cell based hierarchical design, cell reuse, and allocation of physical resources of the MPA.","The physical resources may include processing elements, communication resources, and memory.","Cells, and thus the allocation of array resources, may be configured or modified statically or dynamically, and thus may provide a highly flexible and effective tool for configuring software applications for execution on MPAs."],["PRIORITY CLAIM INFORMATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/047,135 titled “Multiprocessor Programming Toolkit for Design Reuse” and filed on Oct. 7, 2013, which claims benefit of priority of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/722,850, filed on Nov. 6, 2012, and which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.","The claims in the instant application are different than those of the parent application or other related applications.","The Applicant therefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parent application or any predecessor application in relation to the instant application.","The Examiner is therefore advised that any such previous disclaimer and the cited references that it was made to avoid, may need to be revisited.","Further, any disclaimer made in the instant application should not be read into or against the parent application or other related applications.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention generally relates to software development for digital electronic systems and more specifically, to programming techniques for multiprocessor arrays.","DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Increasingly, digital electronic systems utilize one or more multiprocessor arrays (MPAs).","Examples of digital electronic systems include: computers, digital signal processors (DSP), and these systems embedded in enclosing equipment, such as radio telephones, government service radios, consumer wireless equipment such as cellphones, smartphones and tablet computers, cellular base station equipment, video processing and broadcast equipment, object recognition equipment, hyper-spectral image data processing, etc.","A MPA may be loosely defined as a plurality of processing elements (PEs) (i.e., processors), supporting memory (SM), and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN).","The term “array” in the MPA context is used in its broadest sense to mean a plurality of computational units (each containing processing and memory resources) interconnected by a network with connections available in one, two, three, or more dimensions, including circular dimensions (loops or rings).","Note that a higher dimensioned MPA can be mapped onto fabrication media with fewer dimensions.","For example, a MPA in an IN with the shape of a four dimensional (4D) hypercube can be mapped onto a 3D stack of silicon integrated circuit (IC) chips, or onto a single 2D chip, or even a 1D line of computational units.","Also low dimensional MPAs can be mapped to higher dimensional media.","For example, a 1D line of computation units can be laid out in a serpentine shape onto the 2D plane of an IC chip, or coiled into a 3D stack of chips.","A MPA may contain multiple types of computational units and interspersed arrangements of processors and memory.","Also included in the broad sense of some MPA implementations is a hierarchy or nested arrangement of MPAs, especially a MPA composed of interconnected IC chips where the IC chips contain one or more MPAs which may also have deeper hierarchal structure.","MPAs present new problems and opportunities for software development methods and tools.","Since MPAs may extend to thousands of PEs, there is a need to manage large amounts of software to operate the array, and to test, debug, and rebuild such software in efficient ways.","Generally this requires modularity, hierarchy, adaptable module re-use, and automated build methods.","While these ideas have appeared in conventional software development systems, they have not been integrated into development tools in a way that supports generalized modules that may be adapted statically and/or dynamically to a different number of PEs and other resources depending on performance requirements or a different shape or topology requirement that in turn may depend on resource availability or application requirements.","Accordingly, improved techniques and tools for multiprocessor array software development are desired.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of techniques for developing software for a multiprocessor array or fabric and its use are provided below.","The multiprocessor fabric may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of communication elements, and may be (generally) homogeneous or heterogeneous, as desired.","Each communication element may be dynamically configurable and/or may include a plurality of communication ports, a memory, and/or a routing engine, among other possible elements.","Each processor may include means for performing arithmetic logic, an instruction processing unit, and/or a plurality of processor ports, among other possible elements.","The communication elements and processors may be coupled together in an interspersed manner.","For example, for each of the processors, a plurality of processor ports may be configured for coupling to a first subset of the plurality of communication elements, and for each of the communication elements, a first subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a subset of the plurality of processors and a second subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a second subset of the plurality of communication elements.","In some embodiments, a software programming language toolkit may specify and implement a software application targeted for execution on a multiprocessor array (MPA).","In one embodiment, software code may include first program instructions executable to perform a function.","In this embodiment, the software code may also include one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify one or more communication ports and one or more parameter inputs.","In this embodiment, the one or more communication ports are configurable to specify communication with other software code.","In this embodiment, the one or more parameter inputs are configurable to specify a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code.","In this embodiment, the hardware resources include multiple processors and may include multiple supporting memories.","In this embodiment, instances of the software code are deployable on an MPA to perform the function in different software applications.","Each instance may include configuration of the software constructs.","In some embodiments, the one or more parameter inputs may be configurable to specify operation of the first function, a data stream size, an amount of data used to store temporary state, and amount of communication resources, external inputs and/or outputs etc.","The software code may be included on a non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium.","Various functionality may be implemented as a programming language, or an extension to an existing programming language, e.g., an extension to C or C++, among others.","The multiprocessor array may include a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN), communicatively coupling the plurality of processing elements and supporting memory.","A software programming language toolkit may include functions for implementing a cell model (e.g., using the software code embodiment described above), which may provide for: cell based hierarchical design, cell reuse, and allocation of physical resources of the MPA.","The physical resources may include processing elements, communication resources, and memory.","Cells, and thus the allocation of array resources, may be configured or modified statically or dynamically, and thus may provide a highly flexible and effective tool for configuring software applications for execution on MPAs.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: FIG.","1 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary development system; FIGS.","2 and 3 illustrate embodiments of exemplary multiprocessor array (MPA) systems; FIGS.","4 and 5A are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of software development flow for MPAs; FIG.","5B is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of software development flow; FIG.","6 illustrates a cell hierarchy, according to one embodiment; FIGS.","7 and 8 illustrate respective parameterized cell hierarchies, according to one embodiment; FIGS.","9 and 10 illustrate respective physical resource allocations for a pair of cells, according to one embodiment; and FIG.","11 illustrates a view of a cell and a lower-hierarchy cell instantiated two different ways reflecting different resource optimizations, according to one embodiment.","While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail.","It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.","The term “configured to” is used herein to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs the task or tasks during operation.","As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on).","The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc.","Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C.","§ 112(f) for that unit/circuit/component.","Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention Incorporation by Reference The following patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein: U.S. Pat.","No.","7,415,594 titled “Processing System with Interspersed Stall Propagating Processors and Communication Elements filed on Jun.","24, 2003, whose inventors are Michael B. Doerr, William H. Hallidy, David A. Gibson, and Craig M. Chase.","U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","13/274,138, titled “Disabling Communication in a Multiprocessor System”, filed Oct. 14, 2011, whose inventors are Michael B. Doerr, Carl S. Dobbs, Michael B. Solka, Michael R Trocino, and David A. Gibson.","Terms The following is a glossary of terms used in the present application: Memory Medium—Any of various types of memory devices or storage devices.","The term “memory medium” is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks 104, or tape device; a computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.","; or a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, optical storage, or ROM, EPROM, FLASH, etc.","The memory medium may comprise other types of memory as well, or combinations thereof.","In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer in which the programs are executed, and/or may be located in a second different computer which connects to the first computer over a network, such as the Internet.","In the latter instance, the second computer may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution.","The term “memory medium” may include two or more memory mediums which may reside in different locations, e.g., in different computers that are connected over a network.","Carrier Medium—a memory medium as described above, as well as a physical transmission medium, such as a bus, network, and/or other physical transmission medium that conveys signals such as electrical or optical signals.","Programmable Hardware Element—includes various hardware devices comprising multiple programmable function blocks connected via a programmable or hardwired interconnect.","Examples include FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (Field Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs).","The programmable function blocks may range from fine grained (combinatorial logic or look up tables) to coarse grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores).","A programmable hardware element may also be referred to as “reconfigurable logic”.","Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)—this term is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning.","The term ASIC is intended to include an integrated circuit customized for a particular application, rather than a general purpose programmable device, although ASIC may contain programmable processor cores as building blocks.","Cell phone cell, MP3 player chip, and many other single-function ICs are examples of ASICs.","An ASIC is usually described in a hardware description language such as Verilog or VHDL.","Program—the term “program” is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning.","The term “program” includes 1) a software program which may be stored in a memory and is executable by a processor or 2) a hardware configuration program useable for configuring a programmable hardware element or ASIC.","Software Program—the term “software program” is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and includes any type of program instructions, code, script and/or data, or combinations thereof, that may be stored in a memory medium and executed by a processor.","Exemplary software programs include programs written in text-based programming languages, e.g., imperative or procedural languages, such as C, C++, PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL, JAVA, assembly language, etc.","; graphical programs (programs written in graphical programming languages); assembly language programs; programs that have been compiled to machine language; scripts; and other types of executable software.","A software program may comprise two or more software programs that interoperate in some manner.","Hardware Configuration Program—a program, e.g., a netlist or bit file, that can be used to program or configure a programmable hardware element or ASIC.","Computer System—any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices.","In general, the term “computer system” can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.","Automatically—refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.","), without user input directly specifying or performing the action or operation.","Thus the term “automatically” is in contrast to an operation being manually performed or specified by the user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation.","An automatic procedure may be initiated by input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions that are performed “automatically” are not specified by the user, i.e., are not performed “manually”, where the user specifies each action to perform.","For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.)","is filling out the form manually, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user actions.","The form may be automatically filled out by the computer system where the computer system (e.g., software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills in the form without any user input specifying the answers to the fields.","As indicated above, the user may invoke the automatic filling of the form, but is not involved in the actual filling of the form (e.g., the user is not manually specifying answers to fields but rather they are being automatically completed).","The present specification provides various examples of operations being automatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.","Development Process—refers to the life-cycle for development based on a methodology.","At a coarse level it describes how to drive user requirements and constraints through design, implementation, verification, deployment, and maintenance.","Processing Element—the term “processing element” (PE) is used interchangeably with “processor” and refers to various elements or combinations of elements configured to execute program instructions.","Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), entire processor cores, individual processors, and programmable hardware devices such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA).","Overview This disclosure initially describes, with reference to FIGS.","1-5A, an overview of software development for MPAs which may include embodiments of techniques disclosed herein.","It then describes embodiments of cell-based software development techniques with reference to FIGS.","5B-11.Various techniques disclosed herein may allow flexible design re-use in the MPA context.","The following describes various embodiments of a tool or toolkit, such as a programming language or programming language extension, for multiprocessor array (MPA) software development, including program instructions or commands specific to design, development, and implementation of software targeted for execution on MPA systems.","A MPA generally includes a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN).","Other terms used to describe a MPA may include a multiprocessor fabric or a multiprocessor mesh.","In some embodiments, a MPA (or fabric/mesh) is a plurality of processors and a plurality of communication elements, coupled to the plurality of processors, where each of the plurality of communication elements includes a memory.","The toolkit may be used to implement modular, hierarchical design reuse of functions executing on multiprocessor arrays, and thus may allow a designer to create generalized functional cells that can be configured and used in many different designs (or multiple times in the same design) thereby saving the effort needed to manually create situation-specific versions of the cells.","This approach may be referred to herein as a “cell model” (CM), although this terminology is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the approach to any particular form, function, or appearance, and thus any other name or names may be used as desired.","The toolkit may allow configuration of: communication between cells, an amount of hardware usable to execute cell functionality, cell hierarchy, etc.","It should be noted that the techniques disclosed herein may be used in MPAs of various different array sizes.","For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the MPA may include three or more PEs.","In other exemplary embodiments, the size (number of PEs, supporting memory, and associated communication resources in the array) of the MPA may be greater than or equal to some specified number, which in various different embodiments may have any value desired, e.g., 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 64, etc.","More generally, depending on the particular application or use, the number of PEs in the MPA may have a specified lower bound, which may be specified to be any plural value, as desired.","Software Development for MPAs A software development project is the combination of human and machine work to generate the software that causes some product or service to operate according to the requirements taken on by the development team.","Generally, more design and test automation is beneficial because it allows for more testing of the generated software and thus may eliminate more bugs.","A software development environment for embedded systems is pictured in FIG.","1.Apart from the human software engineers and programmers, FIG.","1 shows three main parts to the development environment: the final product, the workstation, and the test bench.","In various embodiments, software code may be configured on a workstation and deployed on a MPA.","In some embodiments, the final product specifies at least a list of technical requirements.","In some embodiments, a test bench is configured to generate test pattern inputs for the device under test (DUT) and capture the outputs of the DUT and compare to known good patterns.","The closer the DUT matches the final product the higher is the confidence that the developed software will operate as expected in the final product.","A workstation may be a desktop or laptop computer, for example, with an operating system (OS) that manages the details of mass storage, a database of design data, and a set (or suite) of design tools that read and write the project database.","There may be more than one project and more than one project database and tools and libraries can be shared between them to lower development costs.","Typically, the memory for computers and DSPs is organized in a hierarchy with fast memory at the top and slower but higher capacity memory at each step down the hierarchy.","In some embodiments of a MPA, supporting memories at the top of the hierarchy are located nearby each PE.","In some embodiments, each supporting memory may be specialized to hold only instructions or only data.","In other embodiments, supporting memories may store both instructions and data.","Supporting memory for a particular PE may be private to that PE or shared with other PE.","Further down the memory hierarchy there may be a larger shared memory (e.g., semiconductor SDRAM) with a bit capacity many times larger than that of the supporting memory adjacent to each PE.","In some embodiments, storage elements such as flash memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks may be accessible further down the memory hierarchy.","As noted above, a multiprocessor array (MPA) in some embodiments includes an array of processing elements (PEs), supporting memories (SMs), and a primary interconnection network (PIN or simply IN) that supports high bandwidth data communication among the PEs and/or memories.","Exemplary MPAs are illustrated in FIGS.","2 and 3, described below.","In some embodiments, a PE has registers to buffer input data and output data, an instruction processing unit (IPU), and means to perform arithmetic and logic functions on the data, plus a number of switches and ports to communicate with other parts of a system.","In these embodiments, the IPU fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and sets appropriate control signals to move data in and out of the PE and to perform arithmetic and logic functions on the data.","PEs suitable for large MPAs are often selected or designed to be more energy efficient than general purpose processors (GPP), because of the large number of PEs per IC chip that contains a large MPA.","As used herein, the term MPA covers both relatively homogeneous arrays of processors, as well as heterogeneous collections of general purpose and specialized processors that are integrated on so-called “platform IC” chips.","Platform IC chips also typically have many kinds of I/O circuits to communicate with many different types of other devices.","One example MPA architecture is the HyperX™ architecture discussed in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,415,594.In one embodiment of the HyperX™ architecture, a multiprocessor array with a wide range of sizes may be composed of a unit-cell-based hardware fabric (mesh), wherein each cell is referred to as a HyperSlice.","The hardware fabric may be formed by arranging the unit-cells on a grid and interconnecting adjacent cells.","Each HyperSlice may include one or more data memory and routers (DMRs) and one or more processing elements (PEs).","In U.S. Pat.","No.","7,415,594 a DMR is referred to as a dynamically configurable communication (DCC) element, and a PE is referred to as a dynamically configurable processing (DCP) element.","In this embodiment, the DMR may provide supporting memory for its neighboring PEs, as well as routers and links for the interconnection network (IN).","The hardware fabric may be created by abutting HyperSlices together, which involves aligning the HyperSlices to form correct electrical connections.","These connections include links to DMRs and connections to a power supply grid.","The techniques of replicating the HyperSlices, aligning them, and connecting by abutment are well understood techniques of very large scale integration (VLSI) of integrated circuits (IC) chips, especially ICs fabricated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit technology.","In this embodiment, the hardware fabric has a PIN that operates independently and transparently to the processing elements, and may provide on-demand bandwidth through an ensemble of real-time programmable and adaptable communication pathways (which may be referred to as routes or channels) between HyperSlices supporting arbitrary communication network topologies.","Coordinated groups of HyperSlices may be formed and reformed “on-the-fly” under software control.","This ability to dynamically alter the amount of hardware used to evaluate a function may allow for efficient or optimal application of hardware resources to relieve processing bottlenecks.","At the edge of the hardware fabric, links may connect to circuits specialized for types of memory that are further down the memory hierarchy, or for I/O at the edge of an integrated circuit (IC) chip.","The interconnected DMRs may provide nearest-neighbor, regional, and global communication across the chip and from chip to chip.","Each of these communication modes may physically use the DMR resources to send data/messages differently depending on locality of data and software algorithm requirements.","A “Quick Port” facility may be provided to support low latency transfer of one or more words of data from a processor to any network destination.","For block transfers, Direct Memory Access (DMA) engines within the DMR may be available to manage the movement of data across the memory and routing fabric.","For nearest-neighbor communication between PEs, the use of shared memory and/or registers may be the most efficient method of data movement.","For regional and global data movement, using the routing fabric (the PIN) may be the most efficient method.","Communication pathways (or routes) can either be dynamic or static.","Dynamic routes may be set up for data transfer and torn down upon the completion of the transfer to free up PIN resources for other routes and data transfers.","Static routes may remain in place throughout the program execution and are primarily used for high priority and critical communications.","The physical location of communication pathways and the timing of data transfers across them may be under software program control.","Multiple communication pathways may exist to support simultaneous data transfer between any senders and receivers.","The architecture of the DMR may allow different interchangeable PEs to be used in a multiprocessor fabric to optimize the system for specific applications.","A HyperX™ multiprocessor system may comprise either a heterogeneous or homogeneous array of PEs.","A PE may be a conventional processor, or alternatively a PE may not conform to the conventional definition of a processor.","A PE may simply be a collection of logic gates serving as a hard-wired processor for certain logic functions where programmability is traded off for higher performance, smaller area, and/or lower power.","FIG.","2 illustrates a view of the network of processing elements (PE's) and Data Memory Routers (DMRs) of one exemplary embodiment of a HyperX™ system.","The PE's are shown as rectangular blocks and the DMRs are shown as circles.","The routing channels between DMRs are shown as dotted lines.","In the illustrated embodiment, solid triangles show off-mesh communication (which may also be referred to as chip inputs and/or outputs) and solid lines show active data communication between DMRs.","A computational task is shown by its numerical identifier and is placed on the PE that is executing it.","A data variable being used for communication is shown by its name and is placed on the DMR that contains it.","In the illustrated example, the top left PE has been assigned a task with task ID 62, and may communicate with other PEs or memory via the respective DMRs adjacent to the PE, designated by communication path variables t, w, and u.","As also shown, in this embodiment, an active communication channel connects a PE designated 71 (e.g., another task ID) to an off-mesh communication path or port.","In some embodiments, PEs may communicate with each other using both shared variables (e.g., using neighboring DMRs) and message passing along the IN.","In various embodiments, software modules developed according to the techniques disclosed herein may be deployed on portions of the illustrated network.","FIG.","3 illustrates an exemplary multiprocessor system implemented on a chip.","As shown, the chip includes multiple I/O routers for communication with off-chip devices, as well as an interior multiprocessor fabric, similar to the exemplary system of FIG.","2.A HyperX™ processor architecture may include inherent multi-dimensionality, but may be implemented physically in a planar realization as shown.","The processor architecture may have high energy-efficient characteristics and may also be fundamentally scalable (to large arrays) and reliable—representing both low- power and dependable notions.","Aspects that enable the processor architecture to achieve this performance include the streamlined processors, memory-network, and flexible IO.","In some embodiments, the processing elements (PEs) may be full-fledged DSP/GPPs and based on a memory to memory (cacheless) architecture sustained by a variable width instruction word instruction set architecture that may dynamically expand the execution pipeline to maintain throughput while simultaneously maximizing use of hardware resources.","In the illustrated embodiment, the multiprocessor system includes MPA inputs/outputs which may be used to communicate with general-purpose off-mesh memory (e.g., one or more DRAMs in one embodiment) and/or other peripherals.","Software is the ensemble of instructions (also called program code) that is required to operate a computer or other stored-program device.","Software can be categorized according to its use.","Software that operates a computer for an end user for a specific use (such as word processing, web surfing, video or cell phone signal processing, etc.)","may be termed application software.","Application software includes the source program and scripts written by human programmers, a variety of intermediate compiled forms, and the final form called run time software may be executed by the target device (PE, microprocessor, or CPU).","Run time software may also be executed by an emulator which is a device designed to provide more visibility into the internal states of the target device than the actual target device for the purposes of debugging (error elimination).","Development software (a group or suite of software development tools) is software used to generate application software.","Basic development tools include a compiler, an assembler, and a linker, as indicated in FIG.","4, which illustrates an exemplary software design and development flow for a MPA based system.","An editor whereby a user writes source code may also be considered to be a basic development tool.","A human engineer or programmer typically designs a program and translates it to source code, represented by the documents of FIG.","4 labeled “a complete design”, which may be created via a program editor.","In the block labeled “language compilation/assembly”, a compiler is used to translate source code into modular address-relocatable object code; an assembler is then used to create modular machine code; and finally, a linker is used to create an executable binary image of the entire program.","This process of compiling, assembling, and linking (making a binary image), labeled “process the design to create chip programming files,” may be automated with instructions to the operating system stored in “make files”.","To test the program, the binary image is typically loaded into the memory of the target device, represented in FIG.","4 by the provision and implementation of “chip programming information” to a “processor IC chip”, i.e., “program the chip”, and executed (i.e., “run the program”).","Other common software tools include a debugger (to load, start, pause, dump, and disassemble the binary image from the target PE), and cycle-accurate simulators.","Cycle accurate simulators provide complete visibility into the processor internal states but they run much slower than the target hardware, e.g., by factors of 10000 to a million.","For multiprocessors systems there is an important extra step compared to a single processor system, which is the allocation of particular processing tasks or modules to particular physical hardware resources—such as PEs and the communication resources between and among PEs and system I/O ports.","Note that resource allocation may include allocation of data variables onto memory resources, because allocation of shared and localized memory may have an impact on allocation of the PE and communication resources, and vice versa.","In FIG.","4 this extra step is represented by the block labeled Resource Allocation (which may also be referred to as physical design).","The resource allocation part of the flow may utilize a placement and routing tool, which may be used to assign tasks to particular PE in the array, and to select specific ports and communication pathways in the IN.","These communication pathways may be static after creation or dynamically changing during the software execution.","When dynamic pathways are routed and torn down during normal operation, the optimization of the system can include the time dimension as well as space dimensions.","Additionally, optimization of the system may be influenced by system constraints, e.g.","run-time latency, delay, power dissipation, data processing dependencies, etc.","Thus, the optimization of such systems may be a multi-dimensional optimization.","FIG.","5A illustrates a more detailed exemplary software design data flow.","As may be seen, a third party system development tool is generally used to create a program, e.g., an ANSI-C program, which is compiled, assembled, and linked, to generate an image (binary executable).","As also shown, the results of the compilation may be further utilized to optimize the software in light of the target hardware.","More specifically, task extraction, multi-dimensional optimization (mentioned above), and resource assignment/allocation may be performed based on system constraints and the target hardware product, e.g., a HyperX™ hardware product, as indicated.","As shown, this process may be iterative in nature.","When few processors are involved, the physical design (the assignment of application software tasks to physical locations and the specific routing of communication pathways) may be relatively simple and may be done manually.","Even so, the work load of each processor may vary dramatically over time, so that some form of dynamic allocation may be desirable to maximize throughput.","Further, for MPAs with large numbers of PEs, the physical design process can be tedious and error prone if done manually.","To address these issues software development tools for multiprocessor systems may define tasks (blocks of program code) and communication requirements (source and destination for each pathway) and automatically allocate resources to tasks (place and route).","If a design is large or contains many repeated tasks it may be more manageable if expressed as a hierarchy of cells.","However, a hierarchical description will generally have to be flattened into a list of all the tasks and all the communication pathways that are required at run time before the place and route tools can be used to complete the physical design.","The idea of hierarchical, configurable cells has been used in the area of Hardware Description Languages (HDLs).","Hierarchical configurability is built into commonly used HDLs such as Verilog and VHDL.","However, those methods are oriented toward creating designs that are implemented in logical gates and are not usually utilized in a multiprocessor array.","The major differences are the models of computation used in each domain.","In the HDL model, all the computation resources typically default to concurrent execution, but can be specified for sequential execution.","The multiprocessor model typically assumes a restricted number of streams of parallel computation, each of which may follow a sequential execution model.","Such HDLs have no representations of the unique properties of multiprocessor arrays, e.g., unique or shared memory spaces, unique or shared synchronization resources, or sets of processor specific machine instructions.","In contrast, software languages for multiprocessors typically include representations of these features.","In the field of software languages, function configurability has been utilized for some time.","However, prior art software programming languages do not support programming reusability (of both fixed and reconfigurable cells) and managing design complexity with hierarchical decomposition.","For example, the construct known as “templates” in C++ allows a function to be specialized for a particular use; however, the range of parameterization is limited to the data types of its arguments and does not allow changes in the parallel implementation of the computation, e.g., on a MPA.","Cell-Based Development Overview In some embodiments, the cell model may enable the encapsulation and parameterization of parallel implementation of a function, which may allow the amount of parallelism employed in any particular use of the function to be expanded or contracted to fit the environment in which it is being used.","For example, the techniques disclosed herein may allow the utilization of more hardware resources (through more parallelism) to construct a higher performance version of the cell.","In some embodiments, the cell model may allow the cell to operate on memory and synchronization resources that are defined external to the cell, and thus can be shared with other cells.","This may further enable cell reuse because the cell can be shrunk to only encompass key functionality, and simpler and more functionally pure cells are easier to reuse.","Generally, the cell model may include software constructs that allow specification of connectivity between a cell and other cells and/or an amount of communication resources available to a given cell.","The resource allocation of a cell on a MPA may also be sensitive to parameters.","For example, a cell may be designed with a parameter that may determine whether it was laid out linearly or in a rectangular form.","As another example, the parameter may represent a bounding box of the resources onto which the cell is designed to be allocated.","In some embodiments, parameters may be configurable to change operation of the function of a cell.","For example, one some embodiments a parameter may be used to configure how many iterations of a process to run or set a convergence criterion for completion of a process.","In another embodiment a parameter may be configurable to completely change the function of a cell, e.g., by selecting among a number of different algorithms available in the cell.","In some embodiments, the cell model may also be used to dynamically change the resources the cell is using as it is executing, e.g., by dynamically changing the amount of resources being used and/or changing the specific set of resources that are being used.","For example, based on changing load conditions the cell may use more processors to complete computations in a timely manner.","Another example is to change the amount of data used to store temporary state during computations based on the size of the data that is being communicated to the cell.","A further example is to use more communication resources to more quickly get the data into the cell.","Further, parameters may be used to provide a cell access to MPA inputs and/or outputs as well as one or more system memories external to the MPA.","In some embodiments, the allocation of the resources used by a particular cell may be changed dynamically, e.g., when a cell expands it needs to allocate its additional resources onto the multiprocessor array.","As another example, if a neighboring cell needs to expand and use more resources, the cell may minimize the resources it is using, or re-allocate the set of resources it is using in order to give the neighboring cell more room.","The programming language extensions disclosed herein, which may be referred to as “Multiprocessor Programming Language Extensions for Design Reuse (MPPLEDR)”, may address design reuse and scalability to large numbers of PE.","In various embodiments, the basis of scalability is a cell-based hierarchy approach in which parameterized cells may be designed and stored in one or more libraries for customizable re-use across many projects.","Exemplary programming constructs or programming language extensions disclosed herein are presented as an extension to the C language; however, it should be noted that other programming languages may be extended or defined in similar fashion, e.g., C++, Java, FORTRAN, and so forth, and that the C language based embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the programming languages considered to any particular set of programming languages.","In some embodiments, the programming language or programming language extensions disclosed may be used to create and instantiate cells.","Moreover, in some embodiments, the techniques disclosed herein may provide or facilitate a tool flow that implements the cells and instantiations onto a multiprocessor array.","In the description below, a cell created with the present techniques, e.g., language extension, is termed a “generalized cell.” The generalized cells may be hierarchical, i.e., able to utilize other generalized cells as part of their definition, and the configuration of the sub-cells may be modified by the configuration of the parent cell.","FIG.","5B shows a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method for cell-based software development.","In some embodiments, the steps of FIG.","5B may be performed as part of the processes of FIGS.","4 and 5A.","The method shown in FIG.","5B may be used in conjunction with any of the computer systems, devices, elements, or components disclosed herein, among other devices.","In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted.","Additional method elements may also be performed as desired.","Flow begins at block 510.At block 510, a cell type or definition is created for a particular function.","The particular function may be any of various functions such as a mathematical transform, for example.","In this embodiment, the cell type includes one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify at least (1) communication with other software code and (2) one or more parameters.","Exemplary software constructs are discussed with reference to code examples below.","Creation of the cell type may be performed by a software developer for a particular application or as part of a library of cell types, for example, which may be available for creating various applications.","In some embodiments, cell types or definitions may be created that do not include a particular function, but merely act as wrappers for other cells, for example.","Flow proceeds to block 520.At block 520, an instantiation of the cell is created.","This step may be performed when writing a particular software application.","The software application may include multiple cells of the same or of different types and may or may not include other software that does not conform to the cell model.","In this embodiment, instantiating the cell includes specifying communication of the cell with the software application and specifying a set of hardware resources usable to perform the particular function.","Specifying communication may include specifying communication with other cells and/or placement of a cell within other cells.","In some embodiments, the software constructs may define communication ports.","In one embodiment, the communication ports include one or more fabric ports (e.g., to an IN) and one of more shared memory ports (e.g.","for communication using shared variables in a memory available to multiple PEs).","Specifying communication may include specifying connections for such ports.","In some embodiments, creating a cell type (e.g., as in step 510) may include defining different hardware configurations for deployment of the cells.","In these embodiments, specifying the set of hardware resources usable to perform the particular function may include providing a parameter in the cell instantiation that selects one of the defined hardware configurations.","In other embodiments, specifying the set of hardware resources may not be based on a pre-defined configuration, but may define the set of hardware resources using parameters (e.g., by specifying a number of processors, communication resources, etc.).","Flow proceeds to block 530.At block 530, the instantiated cell is deployed on a multiprocessor array with the software application.","This may include storing data and/or instructions on one or more memories and/or PEs that are part of he set of hardware resources and assigning PEs for execution of instructions to perform the particular functionality.","Flow proceeds to block 540.At block 540, the particular function is executed on the MPA.","Execution of the particular function may have different performance characteristics depending on the amount of hardware resources specified in step 520.Further, assignment of hardware resources to the cell may be adjusted dynamically.","In some embodiments, dynamic adjustment may be based on information from other cells (e.g., neighboring cells on the MPA) about their use of hardware resources.","Thus, the cell may also be configured to communicate its resource usage to other cells.","Flow ends at block 540.FIG.","6 illustrates an exemplary hierarchy of cells, according to one embodiment, in which a cell A includes and uses cells B (two instances), C, and D, and where cell C includes and utilizes cell D (four instances).","Such modular hierarchies may facilitate complex functional and architectural schemes, as well as module reuse.","Such hierarchies of generalized cells facilitate highly configurable solutions for parallelizing execution of software applications on MPAs.","For example, FIG.","7 illustrates an exemplary cell hierarchy comprising cell A, cell B, cell C, cell D, and cell E. Cell B is an example of a parameterized cell, and is parameterized to include two sub cells, in this case, two instances of cell E. FIG.","8 illustrates a modified version of the cell hierarchy of FIG.","7, according to one embodiment.","As may be seen, in this example, cell B has been parameterized to include four sub cells, specifically, four instances of cell E, thereby providing increased parallelism of cell B's tasks via additional sub cells.","In other embodiments, a sub cells tasks may be parallelized by configured hardware resources available to a particular sub cell, using a parameter for example.","In some embodiments, a parameter configurable to change the number of sub cells in Cell B may be numeric, e.g., indicating the number of instances of Cell E to include.","In other embodiments, a parameter configurable to change the number of sub cells in Cell B may indicate or reference an instance or type of Cell E (e.g., Cell B may not include information associated with Cell E, but this information may be passed as a parameter).","In some embodiments, a cell may not include code indicating any particular functionality, but may serve as a wrapper for other cells that may be plugged in to perform different configurable functionalities.","The configuration or parameterization of the generalized cell may be used to configure or modify the logical and/or functional operation of the cell.","A generalized cell may utilize zero or more processors in the multiprocessor array, and the cell configuration information may change the number of processors that the cell utilizes.","Similarly, a generalized cell may utilize zero or more components of the primary interconnection array and the cell configuration information may change the number of components of the interconnection network (IN) that the cell utilizes.","Similarly, a generalized cell may utilize zero or more storage locations in the MPA's supporting memory and the cell configuration information may change the number of storage locations that the cell utilizes.","The definition of the generalized cell may also include information that controls the physical realization of the cell, and the physical realization may be modified by changing the configuration.","The physical realization may, for example, include the exact or relative processors used, the methods and realization of processor-to-processor communication, and the location of the functional variables in the array memory or memories.","FIGS.","9 and 10 illustrate two cells (cells A and B) physically occupying respective parts of a MPA.","In these figures the area of the each cell is intended to represent the processing and/or memory resources used.","More specifically, FIG.","9 illustrates respective resource usage for cell A and cell B according to a first configuration (or parameterization), where, as may be seen, cell B utilizes more of the multiprocessor array resources than cell A.","FIG.","10 illustrates respective resource usage for cell A and cell B according to a second configuration (or parameterization), in which resources for the cells of FIG.","9 have been re-allocated such that cell A changes shape and location when cell B expands.","Note that in this new configuration, cell B utilizes much more of the multiprocessor array resources than cell A, and substantially more than Cell B with the configuration of FIG.","9.This re-allocation may be dynamic (e.g., while a software application that contains cell's A and B is executing) or may be performed during development of a program (e.g., cells A and B may be deployed using different amounts of hardware resources in different applications).","In one embodiment, language construct or parameters may allow a cell to share memory or synchronization resources (e.g., semaphores) with neighboring cells or functions running on neighboring processors.","It should be noted that the techniques disclosed herein, including embodiments of the cell model and its use, applies to any of various MPA architectures, both homogeneous and heterogeneous.","Exemplary Embodiments and Implementations The following describes various exemplary embodiments and implementations of the techniques disclosed herein.","However, it should be noted that the particular embodiments and techniques described do not limit the invention to any particular form, function, or appearance.","For example, some of the embodiments are described in terms of an extension to the C programming language, with C-type data structures, syntax, and specific function, structure, or element names; however, the techniques described may be implemented in or as any of various programming languages (or extensions to such languages), may use any syntax and names, as desired.","Cells A generalized cell may be defined for scalable hierarchical designs on MPAs.","The basis of scalability is a cell-based hierarchy approach in which parameterized cells may be designed and stored in one or more libraries, sets, or collections, for customizable re-use across many projects, in some embodiments.","Cells may be components used to build a hierarchical design.","A cell may include one or more tasks or functions as well as instances of other cells.","Cells may implement an abstract functionality which can be as simple as a pass-thorough (one input, one output communication structure) or as complex as (or more complex than) a matrix multiplication or Viterbi decoder, for example.","In one embodiment, a cell may have two major parts: a cell definition and a view.","The multiprocessor cell definition construct may define the cell name and an ordered list of port and parameter names and their types.","Ports are the channels for communication of data between the cell and other cells or the outside world.","Parameters configure the cell and are bound to constant values when the cell is instantiated.","In one embodiment, an exemplary cell definition construct may be defined according to the following syntax: mp_celldef cellname { mpx_param int P; mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int sharedvar; } As may be seen, the above exemplary cell definition construct mpx_celldef includes the cell name and a list of the cell's ports and parameters.","Views A view (which may have a different name as desired) may be defined by a view definition, e.g., using a view definition construct, e.g., mpx_view construct.","The view definition construct may define the view name, tasks, and possibly instantiation of other cells.","More generally, a view may define the body of the cell, and may contain leaf tasks.","A view may also contain instances of other cells.","In some embodiments, a cell can have multiple views.","Each view of a cell may be independent of any other views.","Views provide the cell's functionality, and can be implemented in different ways depending upon the system requirements.","Reasons for different implementations may include, but are not limited to, latency and throughput requirements, PE instruction memory availability, DMR data memory availability, and routing congestion, among others.","Thus, different implementations of the cell may be defined as views, using a view definition construct, e.g., mpx_view.","Each view implementation or instance may have its own file.","In one embodiment, an exemplary view definition construct may be defined according to the following syntax: mpx_view viewname( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { // code... } } The terms “rank” and “MPX_PARALLEL” (mentioned below) are particular semantics of an exemplary implementation of the hierarchical functionality of the present techniques.","Per the definitions used herein, cells may have functionality and instantiate other cells.","Functionality may be created through tasks, and other cells may be instantiated using the MPX_PARALLEL construct.","As used herein, a task is a piece of functionality, e.g., a function, block of code, or set of program instructions, that is executed on a processor, and rank is an assigned unique identifier for the task.","Tasks may, by default, execute concurrently with all other tasks executing on other processors.","If more than one task is assigned to the same processor, provisions may be made to execute the multiple tasks on the processor—extensive art exists describing multi-tasking mechanisms.","A special rank identifier, MPX_PARALLEL, provides a convenient syntactic means of importing other cells and all their tasks into the current view, thereby instantiating separately defined sets of multiple tasks collectively declared as cells in this embodiment.","Said in a slightly different way, a task is a piece of functionality that is executed on a processor, and rank is a means of creating different tasks for instantiated cells depending upon the particular processor where they are eventually located.","An MPX_PARALLEL rank is a special rank in which other cells are instantiated.","It should be noted, however, that the term “rank” may not only apply to MPX_PARALLEL (or functional equivalents); rather, in some embodiments, a rank may be a serial task or a block of parallel cell instances.","In this embodiment, the predefined rank symbol MPX_PARALLEL specifies that the statements contained within are concurrent statements and not serial statements.","It should be noted that in some embodiments, the hierarchical system may be implemented without any tasks, but only instantiations of other cells Ports Communications between tasks in the view and tasks that are outside of the view may be configured using the port interface.","In one embodiment, a cell's port interface may declare two types of ports: comm ports and data ports.","In one embodiment, comm (short for communication path) ports may be declared with input, output, or port types, e.g., mpx_input, mpx_output, or mpx_port.","Comm ports may be used for fabric communications while data ports may be used for shared variable communication, in some embodiments.","Comm ports may be used for routed communications such as DMA transfers.","In one embodiment, comm port types (e.g., mpx_port, mpx_input, mpx_output) may only be used in declarations of cell definitions (mpx_celldef), and may not be used to declare local or global variables or to declare function parameters.","In some embodiments, arrays of comm ports may also be supported.","For example, an array of input comm ports may be declared according to the following exemplary syntax in one embodiment: mpx_celldef cellname { mpx_input in[ SIZE ]; mpx_output out; }; Note that in some embodiments, the declared size of an array port may be required to be a constant or a previously declared parameter, i.e., a general variable may not be allowed.","In some embodiments, data ports may be declared with type qualifiers shared or semaphore, e.g., mpx_shared or mpx_semaphore, and may associate a shared variable or semaphore that is declared external to the cell with a local port symbol.","Tasks in the cell's view may reference the port symbol to directly access the shared variable or semaphore.","Note that in some embodiments, the non-direction-specific mpx_port (or functional equivalent) may be supported.","The final direction may be chosen by the implementation system.","The scope of ports may be global within the cell declared using mpx_celldef (or functional equivalent).","Ports may not need to be passed as parameters to functions called within the cell.","In one embodiment, to be able to reference ports, the function may be required to be in the same file as the mpx_celldef.","Cell ports may be used as a comm ID in send and receive APIs.","The exemplary type qualifiers mpx_shared or mpx_semaphore may declare data ports when used in an mpx_celldef declaration.","A data port may provide access to a variable that is declared outside the cell.","The declaration may be required have global scope, and so may not be allowed to be inside a function, cell definition (e.g., mpx_celldef or mpx_cell), or implementation (e.g., mpx_view).","The following illustrates an exemplary required external declaration according to one embodiment: extern mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int shv; }; mpx_shared int shared Var = 0; main( ) { // ... if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { U1: cellA( 1000, 2000, sharedVar ); } } In this examples, sharedVar is declared externally to the functionality or definition of cell A.","Actual comm.","symbols and shared variables associated with a cell instantiation may match the port positions in the formal cell definition.","In the example above, a comm.","with identifier 1000 is associated with the input comm.","port “in”, 2000 is associated with output comm port “out”, and sharedVar is associated with the shared variable data port “shv”.","In another embodiment, the ports and parameters may be matched by name to the comm IDs and parameter values in the instantiation.","A variable declared with qualifier mpx_semaphore (or functional equivalent) may be used as a semaphore for controlling mutual exclusive access of shared resources.","Semaphore variables, in some embodiments, whether declared as variables or data ports, may only be set using the MPX_Lock and MPX_Unlock functions (or functional equivalents) and may not be passed as parameters to other functions.","Note that the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to any particular implementation of a semaphore; for example, in some embodiments, fetch and increment instructions may be utilized.","Example Shared Memory The following is an exemplary set of declarations regarding shared memory, according to one embodiment.","File: main.c extern mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int shv; }; mpx_shared int shared Var = 0; main( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { while ( sharedVar != 0) MPX_Nop(1); shared Var = 1; ... } if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { U1: cellA( 1000, 2000, sharedVar ); } } File: cellA.c mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int shv; }; mpx_view_cellA_view( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { while ( shv != 1) MPX_Nop(1); shv = 2; ... } } In the above declarations, the ports in and out are comm ports, and shv is a data port.","Within cellA, shv is a reference to the shared variable declared and owned outside of the cell as sharedVar in main.c.","In some embodiments, data ports may be passed through multiple levels of the cell hierarchy.","For example, the following instantiation of cellB within the viewA implementation of cellA passes shA through.","Note that the shared variable sizes match in this example.","extern mpx_celldef cellB { mpx_input inportB; mpx_output outportB; mpx_shared int shB[ SIZE ]; }; mpx_celldef cellA{ mpx_input inportA; mpx_shared int shA[ SIZE ]; }; mpx_view viewA() { ... if ( MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL ){ UB: cellB( comm1, comm2, shA ); } } Exemplary Cell Parameters As noted above, cells may be parameterized.","The following presents embodiments using an exemplary implementation using C-style language constructs.","A parameterized cell may have mpx_param declarations in its interface definition.","The following is an exemplary declaration of cell parameters: mpx_celldef cell { mpx_param int M; mpx_param int N; mpx_param float F; mpx_input IN; mpx_output OUT; }; In one exemplary embodiment, declarations of cell parameters may be required to appear within the mpx_celldef (or functional equivalent) definition.","A parameter may be required to be declared before its use in some embodiments.","In some embodiments, a parameter may be used to size a cell port or an array variable declared in the file global scope (i.e.","a task-global variable or a shared variable), as indicated by the following exemplary declaration that uses parameters to size ports: mpx_celldef cell { mpx_param int M; mpx_param int N; mpx_param float F; mpx_input P[N+1]; mpx_shared int A[N]; mpx_output OUT; }; int arr[N]; mpx_shared int sharr[N]; A parameter may affect the number (quantity) and/or selection of tasks and/or cell instances, as illustrated in the following example: mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK >= 0 && MPX RANK < M) { ... } if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { if (N == 2) { U1: kernel(...); U2: kernel(...); } else if (N == 4) { U3: kernel(...); U4: kernel(...); U5: kernel(...); U6: kernel(...); } } In some embodiments, a parameter may be used in a loop to generate instances, as illustrated in the following example: mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { int i; for (i = 0; i < N; i++) { U: kernel(COMM+i, COMM+i+1); } } } In this example, the loop may be unrolled, the comm.","id expressions evaluated and instance labels generated, e.g., by the programming toolkit.","For ease of discussion, a parameter that sizes ports or variables or controls task or instance selection/generation may be referred to as a structural parameter.","A parameter may affect a view functionally such as selection of computation, task, or function, and in general may be used in expressions in situations a constant variable may be used.","Such uses of a parameter may not impact structure.","The following is an exemplary use of parameters to control a computation: mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { if (M <= 2) { }else { } } } Ranks In some embodiments, a rank is a scope or block containing a list of statements.","The statements may be serial or concurrent.","A rank that contains serial statements may execute directly on a processor in the MPA.","A rank that contains concurrent statements may contain instantiations of cells.","Each of the concurrent statements may be a hierarchical call of the ranks of that instantiated cell.","Exemplary Cell Instantiation In some embodiments, to use a cell, it must be instantiated.","Syntactically, this may resemble a function call but semantically the two concepts may be very different.","A cell instantiation is a parallel construct that (in some embodiments) can only occur within a special rank, e.g., called MPX_PARALLEL.","In some embodiments, the list of arguments passed to the cell instantiation may correspond to the cell's ports in the order defined by the cell interface definition.","In one embodiment, the following may be passed via a cell's interface: constant comm id; comm port of the parent cell; name of an array variable declared with const MPX_Comm_t; shared or semaphore variable declared in the parent cell; data port of the parent cell; and cell parameters.","Parameter Passing When a parameterized cell is instantiated, each parameter may be passed an actual expression which in some embodiments may be, without limitation: a scalar constant value; a simple expression involving only scalar constants; an array variable declared as MPX_Comm_t a parameter of the parent (instantiating) cell; and a simple expression involving parameters of the parent cell and scalar constants; The following exemplary code presents exemplary parameter passing: extern mpx_celldef cellB { mpx_param int NUM_PROCS; mpx_input DATA; mpx_output RESULT; }; mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input IN; mpx_output OUT; }; mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { U1: cellB(2, IN, 1000); U2: cellB(4, 1000, OUT); } } FIG.","11 illustrates use of a configurable cell following the above exemplary parameter passing example.","The diagram shows the two instances, U1 and U2, of cell B inside cell A (strictly, inside this particular example, viewA, of cellA).","Shaded squares represent processor resources (PEs) and circles represent memory resources (DMRs) available to those processors.","In the illustrated embodiment, cell B is a configurable cell whose parameter NUM_PROCS defines the number of processors it uses.","Thus, the instance U1 of cell B has two processors and the instance U2 has four processors (per the declaration above).","Note that the input port of cell A, IN, is directly connected to the input port, DATA, of the instance U1 of cell B in this example.","The output port OUT of cell A is directly connected to the output port, RESULT, of the instance U2 of cell B in this example.","Further, the output RESULT of instance U1 is connected to the input DATA of U2 via a communication channel 1000 internal to cell A.","Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.","It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Multiprocessor Programming Toolkit for Design Reuse\",\n \"Techniques for specifying and implementing a software application targeted for execution on a multiprocessor array (MPA).\",\n \"The MPA may include a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN), communicatively coupling the plurality of processing elements and supporting memory.\",\n \"In some embodiments, software code may include first program instructions executable to perform a function.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the software code may also include one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify one or more one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more parameter inputs are configurable to specify a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the hardware resources include multiple processors and may include multiple supporting memories.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores software code deployable on a multiprocessor array (MPA), wherein the software code comprises: a cell definition that includes: first program instructions executable to perform a first function; and one or more first language constructs which are user configurable to specify one or more parameter inputs; wherein the one or more parameter inputs are user configurable to specify properties of a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code, wherein the hardware resources include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories; and wherein multiple instances of the first program instructions specified by the cell definition are deployable, based on user input selecting the cell and specifying one or more different parameter inputs for ones of the instances, in different hardware portions of at least one MPA to perform the first function for one or more software applications, such that amounts of hardware resources in the respective hardware portion on which one or more respective instances of the cell are deployed are different and are based on the user-specified one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"2.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, where respective first and second instantiations of the cell are deployable on at least one MPA for different respective software applications.\",\n \"3.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the respective instances of the cell utilizes different numbers of processors of the MPA based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"4.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more first language constructs are further user configurable to specify one or more communication ports, wherein the one or more communication ports are user configurable to specify communication with other software code in a software application; wherein instances of the cell comprise respective configurations of the one or more communication ports specifying connectivity of the one or more communication ports with other software code deployed on the MPA.\",\n \"5.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the one or more communication ports include one or more fabric ports and one or more shared memory ports.\",\n \"6.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameter inputs further modify an operation of the first function.\",\n \"7.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of memory to store temporary state when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"8.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of communications resources when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"9.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein a first instance of the cell is deployed using a portion of hardware resources assigned to a larger cell in which the first instance of the cell is nested.\",\n \"10.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameter inputs are configurable during execution of the software code to dynamically adjust the set of hardware resources on which at least one instance of the cell is deployed.\",\n \"11.A method for configuring a multiprocessor array (MPA), wherein the MPA comprises hardware resources including a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories, the method comprising: accessing a library of software code in a memory medium, wherein the software code includes a cell definition that includes first program instructions executable to perform a first function, wherein the cell definition comprises one or more language constructs which specify properties of a set of hardware resources for deployment of the cell; receiving user input creating multiple instances of the first program instructions specified by the cell definition for use in one or more applications, wherein the user input includes input to the one or more language constructs specifying different amounts of hardware resources for respective ones of the multiple instances; and wherein the multiple instances of the cell are deployable such that amounts of hardware resources in respective hardware portions on which the respective instances are deployed are different based on the user input to the one or more language constructs.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11, further comprising: deploying the multiple instances of the cell on one or more MPAs.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 11, where respective first and second instantiations of the cell are deployable on at least one MPA within the same software application.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 11, wherein the respective instances of the cell utilizes different numbers of processors of the MPA based on configuration of the one or more language constructs.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more language constructs are further user configurable to specify one or more communication ports, wherein the one or more communication ports are user configurable to specify communication with other software code in a software application; wherein instances of the cell comprise respective configurations of the one or more communication ports specifying connectivity of the one or more communication ports with other software code deployed on the MPA.\",\n \"16.A system, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories having program instructions stored thereon that are executable by cause operations comprising: deploying software code on a multiprocessor array (MPA), wherein the software code comprises: a cell definition that includes: first program instructions executable to perform a first function; and one or more first language constructs which are user configurable to specify one or more parameter inputs; wherein the one or more parameter inputs are user configurable to specify properties of a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code, wherein the hardware resources include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories; and wherein multiple instances of the first program instructions specified by the cell definition are deployable, based on user input selecting the cell and specifying one or more different parameter inputs for ones of the instances, in different hardware portions of at least one MPA to perform the first function in one or more software applications; and wherein amounts of hardware resources in the respective hardware portion on which one or more respective instances of the cell are deployed are different and are based on the user-specified one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"17.The system of claim 16, further comprising: the MPA.\",\n \"18.The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more parameter inputs further modify an operation of the first function.\",\n \"19.The system of claim 16, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of memory to store temporary state when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"20.The system of claim 16, wherein the respective instantiations of the cell utilize different amounts of communications resources when performing the first function based on configuration of the one or more parameter inputs.\"\n ],\n [\n \" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention generally relates to software development for digital electronic systems and more specifically, to programming techniques for multiprocessor arrays.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of techniques for developing software for a multiprocessor array or fabric and its use are provided below.\",\n \"The multiprocessor fabric may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of communication elements, and may be (generally) homogeneous or heterogeneous, as desired.\",\n \"Each communication element may be dynamically configurable and/or may include a plurality of communication ports, a memory, and/or a routing engine, among other possible elements.\",\n \"Each processor may include means for performing arithmetic logic, an instruction processing unit, and/or a plurality of processor ports, among other possible elements.\",\n \"The communication elements and processors may be coupled together in an interspersed manner.\",\n \"For example, for each of the processors, a plurality of processor ports may be configured for coupling to a first subset of the plurality of communication elements, and for each of the communication elements, a first subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a subset of the plurality of processors and a second subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a second subset of the plurality of communication elements.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a software programming language toolkit may specify and implement a software application targeted for execution on a multiprocessor array (MPA).\",\n \"In one embodiment, software code may include first program instructions executable to perform a function.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the software code may also include one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify one or more communication ports and one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the one or more communication ports are configurable to specify communication with other software code.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the one or more parameter inputs are configurable to specify a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the hardware resources include multiple processors and may include multiple supporting memories.\",\n \"In this embodiment, instances of the software code are deployable on an MPA to perform the function in different software applications.\",\n \"Each instance may include configuration of the software constructs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more parameter inputs may be configurable to specify operation of the first function, a data stream size, an amount of data used to store temporary state, and amount of communication resources, external inputs and/or outputs etc.\",\n \"The software code may be included on a non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium.\",\n \"Various functionality may be implemented as a programming language, or an extension to an existing programming language, e.g., an extension to C or C++, among others.\",\n \"The multiprocessor array may include a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN), communicatively coupling the plurality of processing elements and supporting memory.\",\n \"A software programming language toolkit may include functions for implementing a cell model (e.g., using the software code embodiment described above), which may provide for: cell based hierarchical design, cell reuse, and allocation of physical resources of the MPA.\",\n \"The physical resources may include processing elements, communication resources, and memory.\",\n \"Cells, and thus the allocation of array resources, may be configured or modified statically or dynamically, and thus may provide a highly flexible and effective tool for configuring software applications for execution on MPAs.\"\n ],\n [\n \"PRIORITY CLAIM INFORMATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/047,135 titled “Multiprocessor Programming Toolkit for Design Reuse” and filed on Oct. 7, 2013, which claims benefit of priority of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/722,850, filed on Nov. 6, 2012, and which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.\",\n \"The claims in the instant application are different than those of the parent application or other related applications.\",\n \"The Applicant therefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parent application or any predecessor application in relation to the instant application.\",\n \"The Examiner is therefore advised that any such previous disclaimer and the cited references that it was made to avoid, may need to be revisited.\",\n \"Further, any disclaimer made in the instant application should not be read into or against the parent application or other related applications.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention generally relates to software development for digital electronic systems and more specifically, to programming techniques for multiprocessor arrays.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Increasingly, digital electronic systems utilize one or more multiprocessor arrays (MPAs).\",\n \"Examples of digital electronic systems include: computers, digital signal processors (DSP), and these systems embedded in enclosing equipment, such as radio telephones, government service radios, consumer wireless equipment such as cellphones, smartphones and tablet computers, cellular base station equipment, video processing and broadcast equipment, object recognition equipment, hyper-spectral image data processing, etc.\",\n \"A MPA may be loosely defined as a plurality of processing elements (PEs) (i.e., processors), supporting memory (SM), and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN).\",\n \"The term “array” in the MPA context is used in its broadest sense to mean a plurality of computational units (each containing processing and memory resources) interconnected by a network with connections available in one, two, three, or more dimensions, including circular dimensions (loops or rings).\",\n \"Note that a higher dimensioned MPA can be mapped onto fabrication media with fewer dimensions.\",\n \"For example, a MPA in an IN with the shape of a four dimensional (4D) hypercube can be mapped onto a 3D stack of silicon integrated circuit (IC) chips, or onto a single 2D chip, or even a 1D line of computational units.\",\n \"Also low dimensional MPAs can be mapped to higher dimensional media.\",\n \"For example, a 1D line of computation units can be laid out in a serpentine shape onto the 2D plane of an IC chip, or coiled into a 3D stack of chips.\",\n \"A MPA may contain multiple types of computational units and interspersed arrangements of processors and memory.\",\n \"Also included in the broad sense of some MPA implementations is a hierarchy or nested arrangement of MPAs, especially a MPA composed of interconnected IC chips where the IC chips contain one or more MPAs which may also have deeper hierarchal structure.\",\n \"MPAs present new problems and opportunities for software development methods and tools.\",\n \"Since MPAs may extend to thousands of PEs, there is a need to manage large amounts of software to operate the array, and to test, debug, and rebuild such software in efficient ways.\",\n \"Generally this requires modularity, hierarchy, adaptable module re-use, and automated build methods.\",\n \"While these ideas have appeared in conventional software development systems, they have not been integrated into development tools in a way that supports generalized modules that may be adapted statically and/or dynamically to a different number of PEs and other resources depending on performance requirements or a different shape or topology requirement that in turn may depend on resource availability or application requirements.\",\n \"Accordingly, improved techniques and tools for multiprocessor array software development are desired.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of techniques for developing software for a multiprocessor array or fabric and its use are provided below.\",\n \"The multiprocessor fabric may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of communication elements, and may be (generally) homogeneous or heterogeneous, as desired.\",\n \"Each communication element may be dynamically configurable and/or may include a plurality of communication ports, a memory, and/or a routing engine, among other possible elements.\",\n \"Each processor may include means for performing arithmetic logic, an instruction processing unit, and/or a plurality of processor ports, among other possible elements.\",\n \"The communication elements and processors may be coupled together in an interspersed manner.\",\n \"For example, for each of the processors, a plurality of processor ports may be configured for coupling to a first subset of the plurality of communication elements, and for each of the communication elements, a first subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a subset of the plurality of processors and a second subset of communication ports may be configured for coupling to a second subset of the plurality of communication elements.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a software programming language toolkit may specify and implement a software application targeted for execution on a multiprocessor array (MPA).\",\n \"In one embodiment, software code may include first program instructions executable to perform a function.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the software code may also include one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify one or more communication ports and one or more parameter inputs.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the one or more communication ports are configurable to specify communication with other software code.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the one or more parameter inputs are configurable to specify a set of hardware resources usable to execute the software code.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the hardware resources include multiple processors and may include multiple supporting memories.\",\n \"In this embodiment, instances of the software code are deployable on an MPA to perform the function in different software applications.\",\n \"Each instance may include configuration of the software constructs.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more parameter inputs may be configurable to specify operation of the first function, a data stream size, an amount of data used to store temporary state, and amount of communication resources, external inputs and/or outputs etc.\",\n \"The software code may be included on a non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium.\",\n \"Various functionality may be implemented as a programming language, or an extension to an existing programming language, e.g., an extension to C or C++, among others.\",\n \"The multiprocessor array may include a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN), communicatively coupling the plurality of processing elements and supporting memory.\",\n \"A software programming language toolkit may include functions for implementing a cell model (e.g., using the software code embodiment described above), which may provide for: cell based hierarchical design, cell reuse, and allocation of physical resources of the MPA.\",\n \"The physical resources may include processing elements, communication resources, and memory.\",\n \"Cells, and thus the allocation of array resources, may be configured or modified statically or dynamically, and thus may provide a highly flexible and effective tool for configuring software applications for execution on MPAs.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary development system; FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 3 illustrate embodiments of exemplary multiprocessor array (MPA) systems; FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5A are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of software development flow for MPAs; FIG.\",\n \"5B is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of software development flow; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a cell hierarchy, according to one embodiment; FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8 illustrate respective parameterized cell hierarchies, according to one embodiment; FIGS.\",\n \"9 and 10 illustrate respective physical resource allocations for a pair of cells, according to one embodiment; and FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates a view of a cell and a lower-hierarchy cell instantiated two different ways reflecting different resource optimizations, according to one embodiment.\",\n \"While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail.\",\n \"It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.\",\n \"The term “configured to” is used herein to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs the task or tasks during operation.\",\n \"As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on).\",\n \"The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc.\",\n \"Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 112(f) for that unit/circuit/component.\",\n \"Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention Incorporation by Reference The following patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein: U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,415,594 titled “Processing System with Interspersed Stall Propagating Processors and Communication Elements filed on Jun.\",\n \"24, 2003, whose inventors are Michael B. Doerr, William H. Hallidy, David A. Gibson, and Craig M. Chase.\",\n \"U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/274,138, titled “Disabling Communication in a Multiprocessor System”, filed Oct. 14, 2011, whose inventors are Michael B. Doerr, Carl S. Dobbs, Michael B. Solka, Michael R Trocino, and David A. Gibson.\",\n \"Terms The following is a glossary of terms used in the present application: Memory Medium—Any of various types of memory devices or storage devices.\",\n \"The term “memory medium” is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks 104, or tape device; a computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.\",\n \"; or a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, optical storage, or ROM, EPROM, FLASH, etc.\",\n \"The memory medium may comprise other types of memory as well, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer in which the programs are executed, and/or may be located in a second different computer which connects to the first computer over a network, such as the Internet.\",\n \"In the latter instance, the second computer may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution.\",\n \"The term “memory medium” may include two or more memory mediums which may reside in different locations, e.g., in different computers that are connected over a network.\",\n \"Carrier Medium—a memory medium as described above, as well as a physical transmission medium, such as a bus, network, and/or other physical transmission medium that conveys signals such as electrical or optical signals.\",\n \"Programmable Hardware Element—includes various hardware devices comprising multiple programmable function blocks connected via a programmable or hardwired interconnect.\",\n \"Examples include FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (Field Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs).\",\n \"The programmable function blocks may range from fine grained (combinatorial logic or look up tables) to coarse grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores).\",\n \"A programmable hardware element may also be referred to as “reconfigurable logic”.\",\n \"Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)—this term is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning.\",\n \"The term ASIC is intended to include an integrated circuit customized for a particular application, rather than a general purpose programmable device, although ASIC may contain programmable processor cores as building blocks.\",\n \"Cell phone cell, MP3 player chip, and many other single-function ICs are examples of ASICs.\",\n \"An ASIC is usually described in a hardware description language such as Verilog or VHDL.\",\n \"Program—the term “program” is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning.\",\n \"The term “program” includes 1) a software program which may be stored in a memory and is executable by a processor or 2) a hardware configuration program useable for configuring a programmable hardware element or ASIC.\",\n \"Software Program—the term “software program” is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and includes any type of program instructions, code, script and/or data, or combinations thereof, that may be stored in a memory medium and executed by a processor.\",\n \"Exemplary software programs include programs written in text-based programming languages, e.g., imperative or procedural languages, such as C, C++, PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL, JAVA, assembly language, etc.\",\n \"; graphical programs (programs written in graphical programming languages); assembly language programs; programs that have been compiled to machine language; scripts; and other types of executable software.\",\n \"A software program may comprise two or more software programs that interoperate in some manner.\",\n \"Hardware Configuration Program—a program, e.g., a netlist or bit file, that can be used to program or configure a programmable hardware element or ASIC.\",\n \"Computer System—any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices.\",\n \"In general, the term “computer system” can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.\",\n \"Automatically—refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.\",\n \"), without user input directly specifying or performing the action or operation.\",\n \"Thus the term “automatically” is in contrast to an operation being manually performed or specified by the user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation.\",\n \"An automatic procedure may be initiated by input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions that are performed “automatically” are not specified by the user, i.e., are not performed “manually”, where the user specifies each action to perform.\",\n \"For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.)\",\n \"is filling out the form manually, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user actions.\",\n \"The form may be automatically filled out by the computer system where the computer system (e.g., software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills in the form without any user input specifying the answers to the fields.\",\n \"As indicated above, the user may invoke the automatic filling of the form, but is not involved in the actual filling of the form (e.g., the user is not manually specifying answers to fields but rather they are being automatically completed).\",\n \"The present specification provides various examples of operations being automatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.\",\n \"Development Process—refers to the life-cycle for development based on a methodology.\",\n \"At a coarse level it describes how to drive user requirements and constraints through design, implementation, verification, deployment, and maintenance.\",\n \"Processing Element—the term “processing element” (PE) is used interchangeably with “processor” and refers to various elements or combinations of elements configured to execute program instructions.\",\n \"Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), entire processor cores, individual processors, and programmable hardware devices such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA).\",\n \"Overview This disclosure initially describes, with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1-5A, an overview of software development for MPAs which may include embodiments of techniques disclosed herein.\",\n \"It then describes embodiments of cell-based software development techniques with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"5B-11.Various techniques disclosed herein may allow flexible design re-use in the MPA context.\",\n \"The following describes various embodiments of a tool or toolkit, such as a programming language or programming language extension, for multiprocessor array (MPA) software development, including program instructions or commands specific to design, development, and implementation of software targeted for execution on MPA systems.\",\n \"A MPA generally includes a plurality of processing elements, supporting memory, and a high bandwidth interconnection network (IN).\",\n \"Other terms used to describe a MPA may include a multiprocessor fabric or a multiprocessor mesh.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a MPA (or fabric/mesh) is a plurality of processors and a plurality of communication elements, coupled to the plurality of processors, where each of the plurality of communication elements includes a memory.\",\n \"The toolkit may be used to implement modular, hierarchical design reuse of functions executing on multiprocessor arrays, and thus may allow a designer to create generalized functional cells that can be configured and used in many different designs (or multiple times in the same design) thereby saving the effort needed to manually create situation-specific versions of the cells.\",\n \"This approach may be referred to herein as a “cell model” (CM), although this terminology is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the approach to any particular form, function, or appearance, and thus any other name or names may be used as desired.\",\n \"The toolkit may allow configuration of: communication between cells, an amount of hardware usable to execute cell functionality, cell hierarchy, etc.\",\n \"It should be noted that the techniques disclosed herein may be used in MPAs of various different array sizes.\",\n \"For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the MPA may include three or more PEs.\",\n \"In other exemplary embodiments, the size (number of PEs, supporting memory, and associated communication resources in the array) of the MPA may be greater than or equal to some specified number, which in various different embodiments may have any value desired, e.g., 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 64, etc.\",\n \"More generally, depending on the particular application or use, the number of PEs in the MPA may have a specified lower bound, which may be specified to be any plural value, as desired.\",\n \"Software Development for MPAs A software development project is the combination of human and machine work to generate the software that causes some product or service to operate according to the requirements taken on by the development team.\",\n \"Generally, more design and test automation is beneficial because it allows for more testing of the generated software and thus may eliminate more bugs.\",\n \"A software development environment for embedded systems is pictured in FIG.\",\n \"1.Apart from the human software engineers and programmers, FIG.\",\n \"1 shows three main parts to the development environment: the final product, the workstation, and the test bench.\",\n \"In various embodiments, software code may be configured on a workstation and deployed on a MPA.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the final product specifies at least a list of technical requirements.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a test bench is configured to generate test pattern inputs for the device under test (DUT) and capture the outputs of the DUT and compare to known good patterns.\",\n \"The closer the DUT matches the final product the higher is the confidence that the developed software will operate as expected in the final product.\",\n \"A workstation may be a desktop or laptop computer, for example, with an operating system (OS) that manages the details of mass storage, a database of design data, and a set (or suite) of design tools that read and write the project database.\",\n \"There may be more than one project and more than one project database and tools and libraries can be shared between them to lower development costs.\",\n \"Typically, the memory for computers and DSPs is organized in a hierarchy with fast memory at the top and slower but higher capacity memory at each step down the hierarchy.\",\n \"In some embodiments of a MPA, supporting memories at the top of the hierarchy are located nearby each PE.\",\n \"In some embodiments, each supporting memory may be specialized to hold only instructions or only data.\",\n \"In other embodiments, supporting memories may store both instructions and data.\",\n \"Supporting memory for a particular PE may be private to that PE or shared with other PE.\",\n \"Further down the memory hierarchy there may be a larger shared memory (e.g., semiconductor SDRAM) with a bit capacity many times larger than that of the supporting memory adjacent to each PE.\",\n \"In some embodiments, storage elements such as flash memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks may be accessible further down the memory hierarchy.\",\n \"As noted above, a multiprocessor array (MPA) in some embodiments includes an array of processing elements (PEs), supporting memories (SMs), and a primary interconnection network (PIN or simply IN) that supports high bandwidth data communication among the PEs and/or memories.\",\n \"Exemplary MPAs are illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 3, described below.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a PE has registers to buffer input data and output data, an instruction processing unit (IPU), and means to perform arithmetic and logic functions on the data, plus a number of switches and ports to communicate with other parts of a system.\",\n \"In these embodiments, the IPU fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and sets appropriate control signals to move data in and out of the PE and to perform arithmetic and logic functions on the data.\",\n \"PEs suitable for large MPAs are often selected or designed to be more energy efficient than general purpose processors (GPP), because of the large number of PEs per IC chip that contains a large MPA.\",\n \"As used herein, the term MPA covers both relatively homogeneous arrays of processors, as well as heterogeneous collections of general purpose and specialized processors that are integrated on so-called “platform IC” chips.\",\n \"Platform IC chips also typically have many kinds of I/O circuits to communicate with many different types of other devices.\",\n \"One example MPA architecture is the HyperX™ architecture discussed in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,415,594.In one embodiment of the HyperX™ architecture, a multiprocessor array with a wide range of sizes may be composed of a unit-cell-based hardware fabric (mesh), wherein each cell is referred to as a HyperSlice.\",\n \"The hardware fabric may be formed by arranging the unit-cells on a grid and interconnecting adjacent cells.\",\n \"Each HyperSlice may include one or more data memory and routers (DMRs) and one or more processing elements (PEs).\",\n \"In U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,415,594 a DMR is referred to as a dynamically configurable communication (DCC) element, and a PE is referred to as a dynamically configurable processing (DCP) element.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the DMR may provide supporting memory for its neighboring PEs, as well as routers and links for the interconnection network (IN).\",\n \"The hardware fabric may be created by abutting HyperSlices together, which involves aligning the HyperSlices to form correct electrical connections.\",\n \"These connections include links to DMRs and connections to a power supply grid.\",\n \"The techniques of replicating the HyperSlices, aligning them, and connecting by abutment are well understood techniques of very large scale integration (VLSI) of integrated circuits (IC) chips, especially ICs fabricated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit technology.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the hardware fabric has a PIN that operates independently and transparently to the processing elements, and may provide on-demand bandwidth through an ensemble of real-time programmable and adaptable communication pathways (which may be referred to as routes or channels) between HyperSlices supporting arbitrary communication network topologies.\",\n \"Coordinated groups of HyperSlices may be formed and reformed “on-the-fly” under software control.\",\n \"This ability to dynamically alter the amount of hardware used to evaluate a function may allow for efficient or optimal application of hardware resources to relieve processing bottlenecks.\",\n \"At the edge of the hardware fabric, links may connect to circuits specialized for types of memory that are further down the memory hierarchy, or for I/O at the edge of an integrated circuit (IC) chip.\",\n \"The interconnected DMRs may provide nearest-neighbor, regional, and global communication across the chip and from chip to chip.\",\n \"Each of these communication modes may physically use the DMR resources to send data/messages differently depending on locality of data and software algorithm requirements.\",\n \"A “Quick Port” facility may be provided to support low latency transfer of one or more words of data from a processor to any network destination.\",\n \"For block transfers, Direct Memory Access (DMA) engines within the DMR may be available to manage the movement of data across the memory and routing fabric.\",\n \"For nearest-neighbor communication between PEs, the use of shared memory and/or registers may be the most efficient method of data movement.\",\n \"For regional and global data movement, using the routing fabric (the PIN) may be the most efficient method.\",\n \"Communication pathways (or routes) can either be dynamic or static.\",\n \"Dynamic routes may be set up for data transfer and torn down upon the completion of the transfer to free up PIN resources for other routes and data transfers.\",\n \"Static routes may remain in place throughout the program execution and are primarily used for high priority and critical communications.\",\n \"The physical location of communication pathways and the timing of data transfers across them may be under software program control.\",\n \"Multiple communication pathways may exist to support simultaneous data transfer between any senders and receivers.\",\n \"The architecture of the DMR may allow different interchangeable PEs to be used in a multiprocessor fabric to optimize the system for specific applications.\",\n \"A HyperX™ multiprocessor system may comprise either a heterogeneous or homogeneous array of PEs.\",\n \"A PE may be a conventional processor, or alternatively a PE may not conform to the conventional definition of a processor.\",\n \"A PE may simply be a collection of logic gates serving as a hard-wired processor for certain logic functions where programmability is traded off for higher performance, smaller area, and/or lower power.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a view of the network of processing elements (PE's) and Data Memory Routers (DMRs) of one exemplary embodiment of a HyperX™ system.\",\n \"The PE's are shown as rectangular blocks and the DMRs are shown as circles.\",\n \"The routing channels between DMRs are shown as dotted lines.\",\n \"In the illustrated embodiment, solid triangles show off-mesh communication (which may also be referred to as chip inputs and/or outputs) and solid lines show active data communication between DMRs.\",\n \"A computational task is shown by its numerical identifier and is placed on the PE that is executing it.\",\n \"A data variable being used for communication is shown by its name and is placed on the DMR that contains it.\",\n \"In the illustrated example, the top left PE has been assigned a task with task ID 62, and may communicate with other PEs or memory via the respective DMRs adjacent to the PE, designated by communication path variables t, w, and u.\",\n \"As also shown, in this embodiment, an active communication channel connects a PE designated 71 (e.g., another task ID) to an off-mesh communication path or port.\",\n \"In some embodiments, PEs may communicate with each other using both shared variables (e.g., using neighboring DMRs) and message passing along the IN.\",\n \"In various embodiments, software modules developed according to the techniques disclosed herein may be deployed on portions of the illustrated network.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates an exemplary multiprocessor system implemented on a chip.\",\n \"As shown, the chip includes multiple I/O routers for communication with off-chip devices, as well as an interior multiprocessor fabric, similar to the exemplary system of FIG.\",\n \"2.A HyperX™ processor architecture may include inherent multi-dimensionality, but may be implemented physically in a planar realization as shown.\",\n \"The processor architecture may have high energy-efficient characteristics and may also be fundamentally scalable (to large arrays) and reliable—representing both low- power and dependable notions.\",\n \"Aspects that enable the processor architecture to achieve this performance include the streamlined processors, memory-network, and flexible IO.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the processing elements (PEs) may be full-fledged DSP/GPPs and based on a memory to memory (cacheless) architecture sustained by a variable width instruction word instruction set architecture that may dynamically expand the execution pipeline to maintain throughput while simultaneously maximizing use of hardware resources.\",\n \"In the illustrated embodiment, the multiprocessor system includes MPA inputs/outputs which may be used to communicate with general-purpose off-mesh memory (e.g., one or more DRAMs in one embodiment) and/or other peripherals.\",\n \"Software is the ensemble of instructions (also called program code) that is required to operate a computer or other stored-program device.\",\n \"Software can be categorized according to its use.\",\n \"Software that operates a computer for an end user for a specific use (such as word processing, web surfing, video or cell phone signal processing, etc.)\",\n \"may be termed application software.\",\n \"Application software includes the source program and scripts written by human programmers, a variety of intermediate compiled forms, and the final form called run time software may be executed by the target device (PE, microprocessor, or CPU).\",\n \"Run time software may also be executed by an emulator which is a device designed to provide more visibility into the internal states of the target device than the actual target device for the purposes of debugging (error elimination).\",\n \"Development software (a group or suite of software development tools) is software used to generate application software.\",\n \"Basic development tools include a compiler, an assembler, and a linker, as indicated in FIG.\",\n \"4, which illustrates an exemplary software design and development flow for a MPA based system.\",\n \"An editor whereby a user writes source code may also be considered to be a basic development tool.\",\n \"A human engineer or programmer typically designs a program and translates it to source code, represented by the documents of FIG.\",\n \"4 labeled “a complete design”, which may be created via a program editor.\",\n \"In the block labeled “language compilation/assembly”, a compiler is used to translate source code into modular address-relocatable object code; an assembler is then used to create modular machine code; and finally, a linker is used to create an executable binary image of the entire program.\",\n \"This process of compiling, assembling, and linking (making a binary image), labeled “process the design to create chip programming files,” may be automated with instructions to the operating system stored in “make files”.\",\n \"To test the program, the binary image is typically loaded into the memory of the target device, represented in FIG.\",\n \"4 by the provision and implementation of “chip programming information” to a “processor IC chip”, i.e., “program the chip”, and executed (i.e., “run the program”).\",\n \"Other common software tools include a debugger (to load, start, pause, dump, and disassemble the binary image from the target PE), and cycle-accurate simulators.\",\n \"Cycle accurate simulators provide complete visibility into the processor internal states but they run much slower than the target hardware, e.g., by factors of 10000 to a million.\",\n \"For multiprocessors systems there is an important extra step compared to a single processor system, which is the allocation of particular processing tasks or modules to particular physical hardware resources—such as PEs and the communication resources between and among PEs and system I/O ports.\",\n \"Note that resource allocation may include allocation of data variables onto memory resources, because allocation of shared and localized memory may have an impact on allocation of the PE and communication resources, and vice versa.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"4 this extra step is represented by the block labeled Resource Allocation (which may also be referred to as physical design).\",\n \"The resource allocation part of the flow may utilize a placement and routing tool, which may be used to assign tasks to particular PE in the array, and to select specific ports and communication pathways in the IN.\",\n \"These communication pathways may be static after creation or dynamically changing during the software execution.\",\n \"When dynamic pathways are routed and torn down during normal operation, the optimization of the system can include the time dimension as well as space dimensions.\",\n \"Additionally, optimization of the system may be influenced by system constraints, e.g.\",\n \"run-time latency, delay, power dissipation, data processing dependencies, etc.\",\n \"Thus, the optimization of such systems may be a multi-dimensional optimization.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5A illustrates a more detailed exemplary software design data flow.\",\n \"As may be seen, a third party system development tool is generally used to create a program, e.g., an ANSI-C program, which is compiled, assembled, and linked, to generate an image (binary executable).\",\n \"As also shown, the results of the compilation may be further utilized to optimize the software in light of the target hardware.\",\n \"More specifically, task extraction, multi-dimensional optimization (mentioned above), and resource assignment/allocation may be performed based on system constraints and the target hardware product, e.g., a HyperX™ hardware product, as indicated.\",\n \"As shown, this process may be iterative in nature.\",\n \"When few processors are involved, the physical design (the assignment of application software tasks to physical locations and the specific routing of communication pathways) may be relatively simple and may be done manually.\",\n \"Even so, the work load of each processor may vary dramatically over time, so that some form of dynamic allocation may be desirable to maximize throughput.\",\n \"Further, for MPAs with large numbers of PEs, the physical design process can be tedious and error prone if done manually.\",\n \"To address these issues software development tools for multiprocessor systems may define tasks (blocks of program code) and communication requirements (source and destination for each pathway) and automatically allocate resources to tasks (place and route).\",\n \"If a design is large or contains many repeated tasks it may be more manageable if expressed as a hierarchy of cells.\",\n \"However, a hierarchical description will generally have to be flattened into a list of all the tasks and all the communication pathways that are required at run time before the place and route tools can be used to complete the physical design.\",\n \"The idea of hierarchical, configurable cells has been used in the area of Hardware Description Languages (HDLs).\",\n \"Hierarchical configurability is built into commonly used HDLs such as Verilog and VHDL.\",\n \"However, those methods are oriented toward creating designs that are implemented in logical gates and are not usually utilized in a multiprocessor array.\",\n \"The major differences are the models of computation used in each domain.\",\n \"In the HDL model, all the computation resources typically default to concurrent execution, but can be specified for sequential execution.\",\n \"The multiprocessor model typically assumes a restricted number of streams of parallel computation, each of which may follow a sequential execution model.\",\n \"Such HDLs have no representations of the unique properties of multiprocessor arrays, e.g., unique or shared memory spaces, unique or shared synchronization resources, or sets of processor specific machine instructions.\",\n \"In contrast, software languages for multiprocessors typically include representations of these features.\",\n \"In the field of software languages, function configurability has been utilized for some time.\",\n \"However, prior art software programming languages do not support programming reusability (of both fixed and reconfigurable cells) and managing design complexity with hierarchical decomposition.\",\n \"For example, the construct known as “templates” in C++ allows a function to be specialized for a particular use; however, the range of parameterization is limited to the data types of its arguments and does not allow changes in the parallel implementation of the computation, e.g., on a MPA.\",\n \"Cell-Based Development Overview In some embodiments, the cell model may enable the encapsulation and parameterization of parallel implementation of a function, which may allow the amount of parallelism employed in any particular use of the function to be expanded or contracted to fit the environment in which it is being used.\",\n \"For example, the techniques disclosed herein may allow the utilization of more hardware resources (through more parallelism) to construct a higher performance version of the cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the cell model may allow the cell to operate on memory and synchronization resources that are defined external to the cell, and thus can be shared with other cells.\",\n \"This may further enable cell reuse because the cell can be shrunk to only encompass key functionality, and simpler and more functionally pure cells are easier to reuse.\",\n \"Generally, the cell model may include software constructs that allow specification of connectivity between a cell and other cells and/or an amount of communication resources available to a given cell.\",\n \"The resource allocation of a cell on a MPA may also be sensitive to parameters.\",\n \"For example, a cell may be designed with a parameter that may determine whether it was laid out linearly or in a rectangular form.\",\n \"As another example, the parameter may represent a bounding box of the resources onto which the cell is designed to be allocated.\",\n \"In some embodiments, parameters may be configurable to change operation of the function of a cell.\",\n \"For example, one some embodiments a parameter may be used to configure how many iterations of a process to run or set a convergence criterion for completion of a process.\",\n \"In another embodiment a parameter may be configurable to completely change the function of a cell, e.g., by selecting among a number of different algorithms available in the cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the cell model may also be used to dynamically change the resources the cell is using as it is executing, e.g., by dynamically changing the amount of resources being used and/or changing the specific set of resources that are being used.\",\n \"For example, based on changing load conditions the cell may use more processors to complete computations in a timely manner.\",\n \"Another example is to change the amount of data used to store temporary state during computations based on the size of the data that is being communicated to the cell.\",\n \"A further example is to use more communication resources to more quickly get the data into the cell.\",\n \"Further, parameters may be used to provide a cell access to MPA inputs and/or outputs as well as one or more system memories external to the MPA.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the allocation of the resources used by a particular cell may be changed dynamically, e.g., when a cell expands it needs to allocate its additional resources onto the multiprocessor array.\",\n \"As another example, if a neighboring cell needs to expand and use more resources, the cell may minimize the resources it is using, or re-allocate the set of resources it is using in order to give the neighboring cell more room.\",\n \"The programming language extensions disclosed herein, which may be referred to as “Multiprocessor Programming Language Extensions for Design Reuse (MPPLEDR)”, may address design reuse and scalability to large numbers of PE.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the basis of scalability is a cell-based hierarchy approach in which parameterized cells may be designed and stored in one or more libraries for customizable re-use across many projects.\",\n \"Exemplary programming constructs or programming language extensions disclosed herein are presented as an extension to the C language; however, it should be noted that other programming languages may be extended or defined in similar fashion, e.g., C++, Java, FORTRAN, and so forth, and that the C language based embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the programming languages considered to any particular set of programming languages.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the programming language or programming language extensions disclosed may be used to create and instantiate cells.\",\n \"Moreover, in some embodiments, the techniques disclosed herein may provide or facilitate a tool flow that implements the cells and instantiations onto a multiprocessor array.\",\n \"In the description below, a cell created with the present techniques, e.g., language extension, is termed a “generalized cell.” The generalized cells may be hierarchical, i.e., able to utilize other generalized cells as part of their definition, and the configuration of the sub-cells may be modified by the configuration of the parent cell.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5B shows a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method for cell-based software development.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the steps of FIG.\",\n \"5B may be performed as part of the processes of FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5A.\",\n \"The method shown in FIG.\",\n \"5B may be used in conjunction with any of the computer systems, devices, elements, or components disclosed herein, among other devices.\",\n \"In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted.\",\n \"Additional method elements may also be performed as desired.\",\n \"Flow begins at block 510.At block 510, a cell type or definition is created for a particular function.\",\n \"The particular function may be any of various functions such as a mathematical transform, for example.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the cell type includes one or more language constructs that are configurable to specify at least (1) communication with other software code and (2) one or more parameters.\",\n \"Exemplary software constructs are discussed with reference to code examples below.\",\n \"Creation of the cell type may be performed by a software developer for a particular application or as part of a library of cell types, for example, which may be available for creating various applications.\",\n \"In some embodiments, cell types or definitions may be created that do not include a particular function, but merely act as wrappers for other cells, for example.\",\n \"Flow proceeds to block 520.At block 520, an instantiation of the cell is created.\",\n \"This step may be performed when writing a particular software application.\",\n \"The software application may include multiple cells of the same or of different types and may or may not include other software that does not conform to the cell model.\",\n \"In this embodiment, instantiating the cell includes specifying communication of the cell with the software application and specifying a set of hardware resources usable to perform the particular function.\",\n \"Specifying communication may include specifying communication with other cells and/or placement of a cell within other cells.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the software constructs may define communication ports.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the communication ports include one or more fabric ports (e.g., to an IN) and one of more shared memory ports (e.g.\",\n \"for communication using shared variables in a memory available to multiple PEs).\",\n \"Specifying communication may include specifying connections for such ports.\",\n \"In some embodiments, creating a cell type (e.g., as in step 510) may include defining different hardware configurations for deployment of the cells.\",\n \"In these embodiments, specifying the set of hardware resources usable to perform the particular function may include providing a parameter in the cell instantiation that selects one of the defined hardware configurations.\",\n \"In other embodiments, specifying the set of hardware resources may not be based on a pre-defined configuration, but may define the set of hardware resources using parameters (e.g., by specifying a number of processors, communication resources, etc.).\",\n \"Flow proceeds to block 530.At block 530, the instantiated cell is deployed on a multiprocessor array with the software application.\",\n \"This may include storing data and/or instructions on one or more memories and/or PEs that are part of he set of hardware resources and assigning PEs for execution of instructions to perform the particular functionality.\",\n \"Flow proceeds to block 540.At block 540, the particular function is executed on the MPA.\",\n \"Execution of the particular function may have different performance characteristics depending on the amount of hardware resources specified in step 520.Further, assignment of hardware resources to the cell may be adjusted dynamically.\",\n \"In some embodiments, dynamic adjustment may be based on information from other cells (e.g., neighboring cells on the MPA) about their use of hardware resources.\",\n \"Thus, the cell may also be configured to communicate its resource usage to other cells.\",\n \"Flow ends at block 540.FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates an exemplary hierarchy of cells, according to one embodiment, in which a cell A includes and uses cells B (two instances), C, and D, and where cell C includes and utilizes cell D (four instances).\",\n \"Such modular hierarchies may facilitate complex functional and architectural schemes, as well as module reuse.\",\n \"Such hierarchies of generalized cells facilitate highly configurable solutions for parallelizing execution of software applications on MPAs.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates an exemplary cell hierarchy comprising cell A, cell B, cell C, cell D, and cell E. Cell B is an example of a parameterized cell, and is parameterized to include two sub cells, in this case, two instances of cell E. FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a modified version of the cell hierarchy of FIG.\",\n \"7, according to one embodiment.\",\n \"As may be seen, in this example, cell B has been parameterized to include four sub cells, specifically, four instances of cell E, thereby providing increased parallelism of cell B's tasks via additional sub cells.\",\n \"In other embodiments, a sub cells tasks may be parallelized by configured hardware resources available to a particular sub cell, using a parameter for example.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a parameter configurable to change the number of sub cells in Cell B may be numeric, e.g., indicating the number of instances of Cell E to include.\",\n \"In other embodiments, a parameter configurable to change the number of sub cells in Cell B may indicate or reference an instance or type of Cell E (e.g., Cell B may not include information associated with Cell E, but this information may be passed as a parameter).\",\n \"In some embodiments, a cell may not include code indicating any particular functionality, but may serve as a wrapper for other cells that may be plugged in to perform different configurable functionalities.\",\n \"The configuration or parameterization of the generalized cell may be used to configure or modify the logical and/or functional operation of the cell.\",\n \"A generalized cell may utilize zero or more processors in the multiprocessor array, and the cell configuration information may change the number of processors that the cell utilizes.\",\n \"Similarly, a generalized cell may utilize zero or more components of the primary interconnection array and the cell configuration information may change the number of components of the interconnection network (IN) that the cell utilizes.\",\n \"Similarly, a generalized cell may utilize zero or more storage locations in the MPA's supporting memory and the cell configuration information may change the number of storage locations that the cell utilizes.\",\n \"The definition of the generalized cell may also include information that controls the physical realization of the cell, and the physical realization may be modified by changing the configuration.\",\n \"The physical realization may, for example, include the exact or relative processors used, the methods and realization of processor-to-processor communication, and the location of the functional variables in the array memory or memories.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"9 and 10 illustrate two cells (cells A and B) physically occupying respective parts of a MPA.\",\n \"In these figures the area of the each cell is intended to represent the processing and/or memory resources used.\",\n \"More specifically, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates respective resource usage for cell A and cell B according to a first configuration (or parameterization), where, as may be seen, cell B utilizes more of the multiprocessor array resources than cell A.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates respective resource usage for cell A and cell B according to a second configuration (or parameterization), in which resources for the cells of FIG.\",\n \"9 have been re-allocated such that cell A changes shape and location when cell B expands.\",\n \"Note that in this new configuration, cell B utilizes much more of the multiprocessor array resources than cell A, and substantially more than Cell B with the configuration of FIG.\",\n \"9.This re-allocation may be dynamic (e.g., while a software application that contains cell's A and B is executing) or may be performed during development of a program (e.g., cells A and B may be deployed using different amounts of hardware resources in different applications).\",\n \"In one embodiment, language construct or parameters may allow a cell to share memory or synchronization resources (e.g., semaphores) with neighboring cells or functions running on neighboring processors.\",\n \"It should be noted that the techniques disclosed herein, including embodiments of the cell model and its use, applies to any of various MPA architectures, both homogeneous and heterogeneous.\",\n \"Exemplary Embodiments and Implementations The following describes various exemplary embodiments and implementations of the techniques disclosed herein.\",\n \"However, it should be noted that the particular embodiments and techniques described do not limit the invention to any particular form, function, or appearance.\",\n \"For example, some of the embodiments are described in terms of an extension to the C programming language, with C-type data structures, syntax, and specific function, structure, or element names; however, the techniques described may be implemented in or as any of various programming languages (or extensions to such languages), may use any syntax and names, as desired.\",\n \"Cells A generalized cell may be defined for scalable hierarchical designs on MPAs.\",\n \"The basis of scalability is a cell-based hierarchy approach in which parameterized cells may be designed and stored in one or more libraries, sets, or collections, for customizable re-use across many projects, in some embodiments.\",\n \"Cells may be components used to build a hierarchical design.\",\n \"A cell may include one or more tasks or functions as well as instances of other cells.\",\n \"Cells may implement an abstract functionality which can be as simple as a pass-thorough (one input, one output communication structure) or as complex as (or more complex than) a matrix multiplication or Viterbi decoder, for example.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a cell may have two major parts: a cell definition and a view.\",\n \"The multiprocessor cell definition construct may define the cell name and an ordered list of port and parameter names and their types.\",\n \"Ports are the channels for communication of data between the cell and other cells or the outside world.\",\n \"Parameters configure the cell and are bound to constant values when the cell is instantiated.\",\n \"In one embodiment, an exemplary cell definition construct may be defined according to the following syntax: mp_celldef cellname { mpx_param int P; mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int sharedvar; } As may be seen, the above exemplary cell definition construct mpx_celldef includes the cell name and a list of the cell's ports and parameters.\",\n \"Views A view (which may have a different name as desired) may be defined by a view definition, e.g., using a view definition construct, e.g., mpx_view construct.\",\n \"The view definition construct may define the view name, tasks, and possibly instantiation of other cells.\",\n \"More generally, a view may define the body of the cell, and may contain leaf tasks.\",\n \"A view may also contain instances of other cells.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a cell can have multiple views.\",\n \"Each view of a cell may be independent of any other views.\",\n \"Views provide the cell's functionality, and can be implemented in different ways depending upon the system requirements.\",\n \"Reasons for different implementations may include, but are not limited to, latency and throughput requirements, PE instruction memory availability, DMR data memory availability, and routing congestion, among others.\",\n \"Thus, different implementations of the cell may be defined as views, using a view definition construct, e.g., mpx_view.\",\n \"Each view implementation or instance may have its own file.\",\n \"In one embodiment, an exemplary view definition construct may be defined according to the following syntax: mpx_view viewname( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { // code... } } The terms “rank” and “MPX_PARALLEL” (mentioned below) are particular semantics of an exemplary implementation of the hierarchical functionality of the present techniques.\",\n \"Per the definitions used herein, cells may have functionality and instantiate other cells.\",\n \"Functionality may be created through tasks, and other cells may be instantiated using the MPX_PARALLEL construct.\",\n \"As used herein, a task is a piece of functionality, e.g., a function, block of code, or set of program instructions, that is executed on a processor, and rank is an assigned unique identifier for the task.\",\n \"Tasks may, by default, execute concurrently with all other tasks executing on other processors.\",\n \"If more than one task is assigned to the same processor, provisions may be made to execute the multiple tasks on the processor—extensive art exists describing multi-tasking mechanisms.\",\n \"A special rank identifier, MPX_PARALLEL, provides a convenient syntactic means of importing other cells and all their tasks into the current view, thereby instantiating separately defined sets of multiple tasks collectively declared as cells in this embodiment.\",\n \"Said in a slightly different way, a task is a piece of functionality that is executed on a processor, and rank is a means of creating different tasks for instantiated cells depending upon the particular processor where they are eventually located.\",\n \"An MPX_PARALLEL rank is a special rank in which other cells are instantiated.\",\n \"It should be noted, however, that the term “rank” may not only apply to MPX_PARALLEL (or functional equivalents); rather, in some embodiments, a rank may be a serial task or a block of parallel cell instances.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the predefined rank symbol MPX_PARALLEL specifies that the statements contained within are concurrent statements and not serial statements.\",\n \"It should be noted that in some embodiments, the hierarchical system may be implemented without any tasks, but only instantiations of other cells Ports Communications between tasks in the view and tasks that are outside of the view may be configured using the port interface.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a cell's port interface may declare two types of ports: comm ports and data ports.\",\n \"In one embodiment, comm (short for communication path) ports may be declared with input, output, or port types, e.g., mpx_input, mpx_output, or mpx_port.\",\n \"Comm ports may be used for fabric communications while data ports may be used for shared variable communication, in some embodiments.\",\n \"Comm ports may be used for routed communications such as DMA transfers.\",\n \"In one embodiment, comm port types (e.g., mpx_port, mpx_input, mpx_output) may only be used in declarations of cell definitions (mpx_celldef), and may not be used to declare local or global variables or to declare function parameters.\",\n \"In some embodiments, arrays of comm ports may also be supported.\",\n \"For example, an array of input comm ports may be declared according to the following exemplary syntax in one embodiment: mpx_celldef cellname { mpx_input in[ SIZE ]; mpx_output out; }; Note that in some embodiments, the declared size of an array port may be required to be a constant or a previously declared parameter, i.e., a general variable may not be allowed.\",\n \"In some embodiments, data ports may be declared with type qualifiers shared or semaphore, e.g., mpx_shared or mpx_semaphore, and may associate a shared variable or semaphore that is declared external to the cell with a local port symbol.\",\n \"Tasks in the cell's view may reference the port symbol to directly access the shared variable or semaphore.\",\n \"Note that in some embodiments, the non-direction-specific mpx_port (or functional equivalent) may be supported.\",\n \"The final direction may be chosen by the implementation system.\",\n \"The scope of ports may be global within the cell declared using mpx_celldef (or functional equivalent).\",\n \"Ports may not need to be passed as parameters to functions called within the cell.\",\n \"In one embodiment, to be able to reference ports, the function may be required to be in the same file as the mpx_celldef.\",\n \"Cell ports may be used as a comm ID in send and receive APIs.\",\n \"The exemplary type qualifiers mpx_shared or mpx_semaphore may declare data ports when used in an mpx_celldef declaration.\",\n \"A data port may provide access to a variable that is declared outside the cell.\",\n \"The declaration may be required have global scope, and so may not be allowed to be inside a function, cell definition (e.g., mpx_celldef or mpx_cell), or implementation (e.g., mpx_view).\",\n \"The following illustrates an exemplary required external declaration according to one embodiment: extern mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int shv; }; mpx_shared int shared Var = 0; main( ) { // ... if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { U1: cellA( 1000, 2000, sharedVar ); } } In this examples, sharedVar is declared externally to the functionality or definition of cell A.\",\n \"Actual comm.\",\n \"symbols and shared variables associated with a cell instantiation may match the port positions in the formal cell definition.\",\n \"In the example above, a comm.\",\n \"with identifier 1000 is associated with the input comm.\",\n \"port “in”, 2000 is associated with output comm port “out”, and sharedVar is associated with the shared variable data port “shv”.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the ports and parameters may be matched by name to the comm IDs and parameter values in the instantiation.\",\n \"A variable declared with qualifier mpx_semaphore (or functional equivalent) may be used as a semaphore for controlling mutual exclusive access of shared resources.\",\n \"Semaphore variables, in some embodiments, whether declared as variables or data ports, may only be set using the MPX_Lock and MPX_Unlock functions (or functional equivalents) and may not be passed as parameters to other functions.\",\n \"Note that the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to any particular implementation of a semaphore; for example, in some embodiments, fetch and increment instructions may be utilized.\",\n \"Example Shared Memory The following is an exemplary set of declarations regarding shared memory, according to one embodiment.\",\n \"File: main.c extern mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int shv; }; mpx_shared int shared Var = 0; main( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { while ( sharedVar != 0) MPX_Nop(1); shared Var = 1; ... } if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { U1: cellA( 1000, 2000, sharedVar ); } } File: cellA.c mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input in; mpx_output out; mpx_shared int shv; }; mpx_view_cellA_view( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { while ( shv != 1) MPX_Nop(1); shv = 2; ... } } In the above declarations, the ports in and out are comm ports, and shv is a data port.\",\n \"Within cellA, shv is a reference to the shared variable declared and owned outside of the cell as sharedVar in main.c.\",\n \"In some embodiments, data ports may be passed through multiple levels of the cell hierarchy.\",\n \"For example, the following instantiation of cellB within the viewA implementation of cellA passes shA through.\",\n \"Note that the shared variable sizes match in this example.\",\n \"extern mpx_celldef cellB { mpx_input inportB; mpx_output outportB; mpx_shared int shB[ SIZE ]; }; mpx_celldef cellA{ mpx_input inportA; mpx_shared int shA[ SIZE ]; }; mpx_view viewA() { ... if ( MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL ){ UB: cellB( comm1, comm2, shA ); } } Exemplary Cell Parameters As noted above, cells may be parameterized.\",\n \"The following presents embodiments using an exemplary implementation using C-style language constructs.\",\n \"A parameterized cell may have mpx_param declarations in its interface definition.\",\n \"The following is an exemplary declaration of cell parameters: mpx_celldef cell { mpx_param int M; mpx_param int N; mpx_param float F; mpx_input IN; mpx_output OUT; }; In one exemplary embodiment, declarations of cell parameters may be required to appear within the mpx_celldef (or functional equivalent) definition.\",\n \"A parameter may be required to be declared before its use in some embodiments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a parameter may be used to size a cell port or an array variable declared in the file global scope (i.e.\",\n \"a task-global variable or a shared variable), as indicated by the following exemplary declaration that uses parameters to size ports: mpx_celldef cell { mpx_param int M; mpx_param int N; mpx_param float F; mpx_input P[N+1]; mpx_shared int A[N]; mpx_output OUT; }; int arr[N]; mpx_shared int sharr[N]; A parameter may affect the number (quantity) and/or selection of tasks and/or cell instances, as illustrated in the following example: mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK >= 0 && MPX RANK < M) { ... } if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { if (N == 2) { U1: kernel(...); U2: kernel(...); } else if (N == 4) { U3: kernel(...); U4: kernel(...); U5: kernel(...); U6: kernel(...); } } In some embodiments, a parameter may be used in a loop to generate instances, as illustrated in the following example: mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { int i; for (i = 0; i < N; i++) { U: kernel(COMM+i, COMM+i+1); } } } In this example, the loop may be unrolled, the comm.\",\n \"id expressions evaluated and instance labels generated, e.g., by the programming toolkit.\",\n \"For ease of discussion, a parameter that sizes ports or variables or controls task or instance selection/generation may be referred to as a structural parameter.\",\n \"A parameter may affect a view functionally such as selection of computation, task, or function, and in general may be used in expressions in situations a constant variable may be used.\",\n \"Such uses of a parameter may not impact structure.\",\n \"The following is an exemplary use of parameters to control a computation: mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK == 0) { if (M <= 2) { }else { } } } Ranks In some embodiments, a rank is a scope or block containing a list of statements.\",\n \"The statements may be serial or concurrent.\",\n \"A rank that contains serial statements may execute directly on a processor in the MPA.\",\n \"A rank that contains concurrent statements may contain instantiations of cells.\",\n \"Each of the concurrent statements may be a hierarchical call of the ranks of that instantiated cell.\",\n \"Exemplary Cell Instantiation In some embodiments, to use a cell, it must be instantiated.\",\n \"Syntactically, this may resemble a function call but semantically the two concepts may be very different.\",\n \"A cell instantiation is a parallel construct that (in some embodiments) can only occur within a special rank, e.g., called MPX_PARALLEL.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the list of arguments passed to the cell instantiation may correspond to the cell's ports in the order defined by the cell interface definition.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the following may be passed via a cell's interface: constant comm id; comm port of the parent cell; name of an array variable declared with const MPX_Comm_t; shared or semaphore variable declared in the parent cell; data port of the parent cell; and cell parameters.\",\n \"Parameter Passing When a parameterized cell is instantiated, each parameter may be passed an actual expression which in some embodiments may be, without limitation: a scalar constant value; a simple expression involving only scalar constants; an array variable declared as MPX_Comm_t a parameter of the parent (instantiating) cell; and a simple expression involving parameters of the parent cell and scalar constants; The following exemplary code presents exemplary parameter passing: extern mpx_celldef cellB { mpx_param int NUM_PROCS; mpx_input DATA; mpx_output RESULT; }; mpx_celldef cellA { mpx_input IN; mpx_output OUT; }; mpx_view viewA( ) { if (MPX_RANK == MPX_PARALLEL) { U1: cellB(2, IN, 1000); U2: cellB(4, 1000, OUT); } } FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates use of a configurable cell following the above exemplary parameter passing example.\",\n \"The diagram shows the two instances, U1 and U2, of cell B inside cell A (strictly, inside this particular example, viewA, of cellA).\",\n \"Shaded squares represent processor resources (PEs) and circles represent memory resources (DMRs) available to those processors.\",\n \"In the illustrated embodiment, cell B is a configurable cell whose parameter NUM_PROCS defines the number of processors it uses.\",\n \"Thus, the instance U1 of cell B has two processors and the instance U2 has four processors (per the declaration above).\",\n \"Note that the input port of cell A, IN, is directly connected to the input port, DATA, of the instance U1 of cell B in this example.\",\n \"The output port OUT of cell A is directly connected to the output port, RESULT, of the instance U2 of cell B in this example.\",\n \"Further, the output RESULT of instance U1 is connected to the input DATA of U2 via a communication channel 1000 internal to cell A.\",\n \"Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.\",\n \"It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872421"}}},{"rowIdx":4494072,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A REAL-TIME WORKFLOW PLATFORM","Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for enabling design, generation, and execution of real-time workflows.","Such embodiments provide a graphical designer including a plurality of shapes representing the various objects of a workflow that are used to model the workflow.","In addition, various embodiments of the graphical designer provide shapes to model aspects of the workflow not found in previous graphical designers.","Various embodiments also provide a code generator that converts the representation of the workflow into executable code for multiple target languages.","Various embodiments also provide a workflow engine based on a Petri net model responsible for executing the workflow and for delegating tasks to be performed for the workflow to an operating system.","In various embodiments, the workflow engine further includes a platform abstraction layer that provides a transition layer from the Petri net language to the operating system language."],["1.A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing code executable by one or more processors to generate a graphical designer comprising: a desktop workspace; and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer, each shape expressing performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes express a role of communicating with a resource external to the workflow process so that a workflow engine adapted for executing code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical designer and having at least one shape of the one or more shapes expressing the role of communicating with the external resource is further adapted to manage communicating with the process external to the particular workflow.","2.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more shapes of the graphical designer expressing the role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow process comprise one or more gateways.","3.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.","4.A system for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow comprising: memory adapted to store a graphical designer module and a workflow engine module; and at least one processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module and the workflow engine module stored in memory, wherein: the graphical designer module is adapted for execution by the at least one processor to: generate a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow comprising: a desktop workspace; and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer, each shape expressing performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow wherein one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; and generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and the workflow engine module is adapted for execution by the at least one processor to execute the code to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.","5.The system of claim 4, wherein the graphical designer is adapted to generate code to indicate communicating with the resource external to the workflow and is adapted not to generate code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","6.The system of claim 4, wherein the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.","7.A computer-implemented method for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow, the method comprising: generating, via one or more processors, a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a workspace provided by a graphical designer residing one at least one computing device, each shape expressing performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow wherein one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; generating, via the one or more processors, executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and executing, via the one or more processors, the code using a workflow engine residing on the at least one computing device to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.","8.The method of claim 7 wherein, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","9.The method of claim 7 wherein, the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A workflow is the flow or progression of work that describes the tasks, procedural steps, organizations or people involved in a particular business process.","In addition, a workflow may indicate the required input and output information, and tools needed for each step in the business process.","A number of organizations institute workflow automation products that allow the organization to create a workflow model and components such as online forms and then to use this product as a way to manage and enforce the consistent handling of work.","For example, a manufacturing company may use a workflow automation application to ensure that a purchase order received for merchandise is handled consistently from the initial receiving of the order to the final shipment of the merchandise to the customer.","Thus, the workflow ensures each person and system involved in the process of fulfilling purchase orders successfully completes their step before allowing the process to proceed to the next procedural step in the process.","In various industries, operations have numerous business processes that have high-throughput and short running requirements.","These may be known as real-time systems.","Such processes involve real-time computing with hardware and software systems that are subject to real-time constraints.","In many cases, overall orchestration or choreography of the workflow must happen very fast, sometimes in the order of a few hundred milliseconds.","Various real-time systems are known to be “hard,” that is completion of an operation after its deadline is considered useless.","Ultimately, this may lead to a critical failure of the complete system.","Other real-time systems are known to be “soft” and will tolerate lateness of an operation, though the lateness may lead to decreased service quality.","For example, a real-time system may be designed to produce a label for a package running on a conveyor belt.","The package has a bar code and runs on the conveyor belt and is scanned by an operator using a handheld device.","The information is processed by the real-time computer system and the system goes through and connects to multiple external systems to obtain the information needed to produce a package label.","Different external systems make decisions based on the scanned information.","For instance, a system will determine whether the address indicated in the scanned information is correct or not and another system will look at the dimensions indicated in the scanned information and will evaluate whether they are different than the actual dimensions of the package to determine whether the package needs to be re-billed.","All of this information processing must be performed within 200 to 300 milliseconds.","This is because the package label must be produced and printed out at the end of the conveyor belt so that the operator can retrieve the label from a printer, apply the label to the package, and place the package in the correct bin at the end of the conveyor belt.","Many commercial workflow products (e.g., workflow engines on the market) are not designed for such business processes.","This is because many of these products involve a great deal of overhead such as a database engine, a message server, and/or a WebLogic® server.","As a result, these workflow engines cannot scale down to very short time frames.","Thus, a need exists for a workflow product that allows a designer to design high performance, short duration workflows and that can execute such workflows."],[" BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A system for executing a workflow according to various embodiments includes memory adapted to store a workflow engine module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the workflow engine module.","In various embodiments, the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.","In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module includes a Petri net domain model.","The Petri net domain model includes a set of objects wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.","In various embodiments, the Petri net model is a single token, non-color Petri net.","In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module is adapted to read source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.","In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to load the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow and each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects of the Petri net domain model based on rules governing the Petri net model.","Furthermore, the workflow engine module according to various embodiments is adapted to execute the particular workflow loaded into memory.","The set of objects of the Petri net domain model in various embodiments includes a token object, a place object, an arc object, and a transition object.","In addition, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more trigger objects to represent triggering a transition object based on stimuli external to the workflow engine.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more guard objects to represent conditional logic placed on objects representing connectors of the particular workflow.","In various embodiments, the workflow engine module also includes one or more abstraction layer components adapted for delegating tasks associated with one or more elements of the particular workflow to an operating system to be performed by the operating system.","These abstraction layer components of various embodiments include one or more delegate components comprising pointers to source code for the tasks.","In addition, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted to pass the delegate components to the operating system so that the operating system can used the pointers to access the source code to execute to perform the tasks.","A computer-implemented process to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.","The process, according to various embodiments, further includes reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.","In addition, the process, according to various embodiments, includes loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.","Furthermore, the process, according to various embodiments, includes executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.","A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.","The computer-readable medium of various embodiments further includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.","In addition, the runtime components in various embodiments are further adapted for executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.","Further embodiments also include a system for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow that includes memory adapted to store a graphical designer module.","In various embodiments, the system also includes a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.","The graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.","In particular embodiments, the graphical designer includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","Each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.","In particular embodiments, the system further includes a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module.","For instance, the workflow engine module executes the code to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.","In various embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow by managing threads.","For instance, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module manages the threads by performing one or more of managing an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, managing thread creation, and managing thread synchronization.","Furthermore, a computer-implemented process for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a desktop workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.","In various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by managing threads.","In addition, in various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by executing code to manage one or more of an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, thread creation, and thread synchronization.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to manage the threads.","A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer according to further embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes are adapted to express a role of concurrency within the workflow process.","In addition, in various embodiments, a workflow engine is adapted to execute code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of concurrency.","The workflow engine of these particular embodiments is also adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow.","In particular embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a parallel fork and a parallel merge.","These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein all of the processes complete before the workflow continues.","In addition, in various embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a conditional fork and a conditional merge.","These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein the workflow continues when any one of the processes completes.","Further embodiments include a system for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow.","The system includes a memory adapted to store a graphical designer module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.","According to various embodiments, the graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","The graphical designer module includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow.","Furthermore, the system of various embodiments may also include a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.","In various embodiments, the graphical designer is adapted to generate code to indicate communicating with the resource external to the workflow; however the graphical designer is not adapted to generate code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer.","The computer-readable medium of these embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with a resource external to the workflow process.","This is so that a workflow engine adapted for executing code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical workflow designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of communicating with the external resource is further adapted to manage communicating with the process external to the particular workflow.","In various embodiments, the shapes expressing the role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow process comprise one or more gateways.","A computer-implemented process for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.","In various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","A system for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.","In various embodiments, the target language includes one of C++, C#, .Net, or Java programming language.","In various embodiments, the code generator is adapted to read a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.","Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.","Furthermore, the code generator of various embodiments is adapted to create a target language domain model that includes a second set of objects.","Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.","In various embodiments, the code generator is further adapted to transcribe the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model, and generate the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.","In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.","In various embodiments, the source code indicates each activity of the workflow and the connections between the activities.","In addition, the source code includes a set of one or more methods.","Each method is associated with a particular workflow activity and each method serves as a skeleton for a developer to write the content to perform for the specific workflow activity.","In various embodiments, these methods are callback methods.","Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable to generate source code for a workflow in a particular target language.","The computer-readable medium includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.","Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.","Furthermore, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted for creating a target language domain model including a second set of objects.","Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.","In various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and for generating source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.","In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.","A computer-implemented process for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes the step of reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow that includes a first set of objects.","Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.","The process, according to various embodiments, further includes the step of creating a target language domain model comprising a second set of objects.","Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.","In various embodiments, the process further includes the steps of transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and generating the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.","In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what the source code is going to be generated.","Further embodiments include a system for generating one or more source code files that include memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.","The code generator is adapted to operate on a domain model that includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.","In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serving as the root of the hierarchy of classes.","In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the source code language.","Each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.","Furthermore, the hierarchy of claims according to various embodiments includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.","In various embodiments, each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.","The code generator of particular embodiments is further adapted to generate a file of the one or more source code files by composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.","In various embodiments, these generated source code files may include header files and/or implementation files.","In addition, in particular embodiments, the domain model also includes one or more networks of classes, wherein a network includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.","In various embodiments, invoking the write method on the appropriate source file class implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.","In various embodiments, the source code language is C++.","In addition, in various embodiments, the element class is an abstract class.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the method for writing the declaration and the method for writing the implementation are abstract methods.","A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate one or more source code files according to further embodiments includes one or more runtime components adapted for including a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.","In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and that serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.","In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes representing the artifacts of the source code language.","In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.","Each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.","In various embodiment, the runtime components are further adapted for composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.","In various embodiments, a network of the one or more networks includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.","Further embodiments include a computer-implemented process for generating one or mores source code files that include the step of operating on a domain model.","In various embodiments, the domain model includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.","The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.","In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the language.","In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact, and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.","The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments may also include one or more source code file classes representing source code files.","In various embodiments, each source file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.","In addition, in various embodiments, the domain module includes one or more networks, wherein a network of the one or more networks comprises more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.","Furthermore, the process according to various embodiments further includes the steps of composing the one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source code file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.","In various embodiments, the step of invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/196,482, filed Mar.","4, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/433,563 filed Apr.","30, 2009, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A workflow is the flow or progression of work that describes the tasks, procedural steps, organizations or people involved in a particular business process.","In addition, a workflow may indicate the required input and output information, and tools needed for each step in the business process.","A number of organizations institute workflow automation products that allow the organization to create a workflow model and components such as online forms and then to use this product as a way to manage and enforce the consistent handling of work.","For example, a manufacturing company may use a workflow automation application to ensure that a purchase order received for merchandise is handled consistently from the initial receiving of the order to the final shipment of the merchandise to the customer.","Thus, the workflow ensures each person and system involved in the process of fulfilling purchase orders successfully completes their step before allowing the process to proceed to the next procedural step in the process.","In various industries, operations have numerous business processes that have high-throughput and short running requirements.","These may be known as real-time systems.","Such processes involve real-time computing with hardware and software systems that are subject to real-time constraints.","In many cases, overall orchestration or choreography of the workflow must happen very fast, sometimes in the order of a few hundred milliseconds.","Various real-time systems are known to be “hard,” that is completion of an operation after its deadline is considered useless.","Ultimately, this may lead to a critical failure of the complete system.","Other real-time systems are known to be “soft” and will tolerate lateness of an operation, though the lateness may lead to decreased service quality.","For example, a real-time system may be designed to produce a label for a package running on a conveyor belt.","The package has a bar code and runs on the conveyor belt and is scanned by an operator using a handheld device.","The information is processed by the real-time computer system and the system goes through and connects to multiple external systems to obtain the information needed to produce a package label.","Different external systems make decisions based on the scanned information.","For instance, a system will determine whether the address indicated in the scanned information is correct or not and another system will look at the dimensions indicated in the scanned information and will evaluate whether they are different than the actual dimensions of the package to determine whether the package needs to be re-billed.","All of this information processing must be performed within 200 to 300 milliseconds.","This is because the package label must be produced and printed out at the end of the conveyor belt so that the operator can retrieve the label from a printer, apply the label to the package, and place the package in the correct bin at the end of the conveyor belt.","Many commercial workflow products (e.g., workflow engines on the market) are not designed for such business processes.","This is because many of these products involve a great deal of overhead such as a database engine, a message server, and/or a WebLogic® server.","As a result, these workflow engines cannot scale down to very short time frames.","Thus, a need exists for a workflow product that allows a designer to design high performance, short duration workflows and that can execute such workflows.","BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A system for executing a workflow according to various embodiments includes memory adapted to store a workflow engine module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the workflow engine module.","In various embodiments, the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.","In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module includes a Petri net domain model.","The Petri net domain model includes a set of objects wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.","In various embodiments, the Petri net model is a single token, non-color Petri net.","In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module is adapted to read source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.","In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to load the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow and each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects of the Petri net domain model based on rules governing the Petri net model.","Furthermore, the workflow engine module according to various embodiments is adapted to execute the particular workflow loaded into memory.","The set of objects of the Petri net domain model in various embodiments includes a token object, a place object, an arc object, and a transition object.","In addition, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more trigger objects to represent triggering a transition object based on stimuli external to the workflow engine.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more guard objects to represent conditional logic placed on objects representing connectors of the particular workflow.","In various embodiments, the workflow engine module also includes one or more abstraction layer components adapted for delegating tasks associated with one or more elements of the particular workflow to an operating system to be performed by the operating system.","These abstraction layer components of various embodiments include one or more delegate components comprising pointers to source code for the tasks.","In addition, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted to pass the delegate components to the operating system so that the operating system can used the pointers to access the source code to execute to perform the tasks.","A computer-implemented process to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.","The process, according to various embodiments, further includes reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.","In addition, the process, according to various embodiments, includes loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.","Furthermore, the process, according to various embodiments, includes executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.","A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.","The computer-readable medium of various embodiments further includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.","In addition, the runtime components in various embodiments are further adapted for executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.","Further embodiments also include a system for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow that includes memory adapted to store a graphical designer module.","In various embodiments, the system also includes a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.","The graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.","In particular embodiments, the graphical designer includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","Each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.","In particular embodiments, the system further includes a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module.","For instance, the workflow engine module executes the code to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.","In various embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow by managing threads.","For instance, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module manages the threads by performing one or more of managing an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, managing thread creation, and managing thread synchronization.","Furthermore, a computer-implemented process for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a desktop workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.","In various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by managing threads.","In addition, in various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by executing code to manage one or more of an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, thread creation, and thread synchronization.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to manage the threads.","A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer according to further embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes are adapted to express a role of concurrency within the workflow process.","In addition, in various embodiments, a workflow engine is adapted to execute code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of concurrency.","The workflow engine of these particular embodiments is also adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow.","In particular embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a parallel fork and a parallel merge.","These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein all of the processes complete before the workflow continues.","In addition, in various embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a conditional fork and a conditional merge.","These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein the workflow continues when any one of the processes completes.","Further embodiments include a system for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow.","The system includes a memory adapted to store a graphical designer module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.","According to various embodiments, the graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","The graphical designer module includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow.","Furthermore, the system of various embodiments may also include a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.","In various embodiments, the graphical designer is adapted to generate code to indicate communicating with the resource external to the workflow; however the graphical designer is not adapted to generate code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer.","The computer-readable medium of these embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.","In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with a resource external to the workflow process.","This is so that a workflow engine adapted for executing code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical workflow designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of communicating with the external resource is further adapted to manage communicating with the process external to the particular workflow.","In various embodiments, the shapes expressing the role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow process comprise one or more gateways.","A computer-implemented process for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.","In various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.","A system for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.","In various embodiments, the target language includes one of C++, C#, .Net, or Java programming language.","In various embodiments, the code generator is adapted to read a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.","Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.","Furthermore, the code generator of various embodiments is adapted to create a target language domain model that includes a second set of objects.","Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.","In various embodiments, the code generator is further adapted to transcribe the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model, and generate the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.","In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.","In various embodiments, the source code indicates each activity of the workflow and the connections between the activities.","In addition, the source code includes a set of one or more methods.","Each method is associated with a particular workflow activity and each method serves as a skeleton for a developer to write the content to perform for the specific workflow activity.","In various embodiments, these methods are callback methods.","Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable to generate source code for a workflow in a particular target language.","The computer-readable medium includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.","Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.","Furthermore, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted for creating a target language domain model including a second set of objects.","Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.","In various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and for generating source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.","In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.","A computer-implemented process for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes the step of reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow that includes a first set of objects.","Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.","In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.","The process, according to various embodiments, further includes the step of creating a target language domain model comprising a second set of objects.","Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.","In various embodiments, the process further includes the steps of transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and generating the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.","In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what the source code is going to be generated.","Further embodiments include a system for generating one or more source code files that include memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.","The code generator is adapted to operate on a domain model that includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.","In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serving as the root of the hierarchy of classes.","In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the source code language.","Each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.","Furthermore, the hierarchy of claims according to various embodiments includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.","In various embodiments, each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.","The code generator of particular embodiments is further adapted to generate a file of the one or more source code files by composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.","In various embodiments, these generated source code files may include header files and/or implementation files.","In addition, in particular embodiments, the domain model also includes one or more networks of classes, wherein a network includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.","In various embodiments, invoking the write method on the appropriate source file class implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.","In various embodiments, the source code language is C++.","In addition, in various embodiments, the element class is an abstract class.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the method for writing the declaration and the method for writing the implementation are abstract methods.","A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate one or more source code files according to further embodiments includes one or more runtime components adapted for including a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.","In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and that serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.","In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes representing the artifacts of the source code language.","In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.","Each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.","In various embodiment, the runtime components are further adapted for composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.","In various embodiments, a network of the one or more networks includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.","Further embodiments include a computer-implemented process for generating one or mores source code files that include the step of operating on a domain model.","In various embodiments, the domain model includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.","The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.","In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the language.","In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact, and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.","The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments may also include one or more source code file classes representing source code files.","In various embodiments, each source file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.","In addition, in various embodiments, the domain module includes one or more networks, wherein a network of the one or more networks comprises more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.","Furthermore, the process according to various embodiments further includes the steps of composing the one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source code file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.","In various embodiments, the step of invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.","1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a process for enabling design, generation, and execution of a real-time workflow according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system including a workflow engine device according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a workflow engine device according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","4 is a diagram illustrating the architecture of a workflow engine device according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","5 is an illustration of a desktop workspace according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","6 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.","5 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","7 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.","5 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","8 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.","5 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","9 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.","5 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","10 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.","5 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","11 is an illustration of a case data entry screen according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","12 is an illustration of generated XML according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","13 is a diagram illustrating the base model for a workflow domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","14 is a diagram illustrating the base model for a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","15 is a diagram illustrating examples of objects in a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","16 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating source code according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","17 is a diagram illustrating several important language elements in a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","18 is a diagram illustrating some of the compositional relationships provided in a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","19 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the declaration of a CppClass is written according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","20 is a diagram illustrating the containment relationship between CppImplementationFile and the other elements of a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","21 is a diagram illustrating invoking a Write method on a file object according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","22 is a diagram illustrating a C++ programming framework that represents a Petri net model according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","23 is a diagram illustrating tracking objects according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","24 is an illustration of a workflow diagram on a desktop workspace according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","25 is an illustration of case data for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","26 is an illustration of XML for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","27 is an illustration of generated C++ source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","28 is an illustration of generated C++ source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","29 is an illustration of generated C++ source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","30 is an illustration of generated C# source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","31 is an illustration of generated C# source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","32 is an illustration of generated C# source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","33 is a diagram illustrating the mapping of the objects of the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 to Petri net classes according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","34 provides an exemplary process for executing a request for the workflow illustrated in FIG.","24 according to various embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","35 is a diagram illustrating relationships between Petri net classes and flowchart classes according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.","FIG.","36 is an illustration of a workflow diagram on a desktop workspace according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS The present invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown.","Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.","Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.","As should be appreciated, the embodiments may be implemented in various ways, including as methods, apparatus, systems, or computer program products.","Accordingly, the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment in which a processor is programmed to perform certain steps.","Furthermore, the various implementations may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions embodied in the storage medium.","Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.","The embodiments are described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products.","It should be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, may be implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps or operations executing on a processor in a computing system.","These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, such as a special purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.","These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the functionality specified in the flowchart block or blocks.","The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.","Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support various combinations for performing the specified functions, combinations of operations for performing the specified functions and program instructions for performing the specified functions.","It should also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or operations, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.","BRIEF OVERVIEW Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for enabling design, generation, and execution of a real-time workflow.","For example, FIG.","1 provides an overview of an exemplary process to enable design, generation, and execution a real-time workflow model for a particular workflow.","The process begins with building a representation of the particular workflow using a graphical designer executed by a computing device, shown as Step 110.This graphical designer provides a plurality of shapes that represent the various objects of a workflow that can be dragged and dropped onto a desktop workspace to model the workflow.","In various embodiments, the graphical designer also provides shapes to model various aspects of the workflow not found in previous graphical designer workflow tools.","For instance, the graphical designer of various embodiments provides one or more shapes to indicate in the workflow where the workflow communicates with an external resource such as a database.","In addition, the graphical designer of various embodiments provides one or more shapes to indicate concurrency within the workflow.","In Step 120, the process continues with converting the representation of the workflow built using the graphical designer into executable code.","In various embodiments, a code generator executed by a computing device reads the representation of the workflow and converts the representation into executable code.","In addition, in various embodiments, the code generator provides a framework capable of generating source code for multiple target languages.","This is accomplished by combining the design pattern “bridge” and “builder” and employing two distinct domain models.","Thus, the code generator can take a single representation of the workflow and can provide executable code in a plurality of source code languages such as C++, C#, .Net, or Java.","In Step 130, the process continues with executing the code to perform the particular workflow.","In various embodiments, a workflow engine is employed to carry out this step.","The workflow engine of various embodiments is executed on a computing device and is responsible for sequencing the workflow (e.g., the infrastructure of the workflow) and for calling a number of callback methods to implement the application specific level of the workflow.","In addition, the workflow engine of various embodiments is based on a Petri net mathematical model and on a microkernel architectural framework, and therefore is adapted to enable high performance business processes.","That is, the Petri net microkernel of various embodiments is adapted to orchestrate a number of business processes that have an extremely short lifetime (e.g., in the order of milliseconds).","Finally, the process continues executing the workflow by delegating various tasks to the operating system of the computing device running the workflow engine to execute the tasks, shown as Step 140.For instance, the workflow engine hands over the callback methods associated with the different objects of the workflow to execute.","This helps to minimize the overhead performed by the workflow engine in various embodiments.","Furthermore, in various embodiments, the workflow engine includes a platform abstraction layer that provides a transition layer from the Petri net language of the microkernel to the operating system language.","As a result, the core engine of the workflow engine remains untouched as the workflow engine is moved from one operating system to another.","Thus, the workflow engine of various embodiments is easily adaptable to run on any number of operating systems and on any number of devices.","System Architecture An exemplary system 2 according to various embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG.","2.As may be understood from this figure, the system 2 includes a workflow engine device 200 and one or more external resources 210, 220, 230 that are connected via a network 270 (e.g., a LAN, the Internet, a wireless network, and/or a private network) to communicate with one another.","In various embodiments, the workflow engine device 200 may be a server, a handheld device, or some other non-server machine.","In addition, in various embodiments, the external resources 210, 220, 230 may be one or more databases or one or more devices, such as servers, workstations, or handheld devices.","Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the system 2 also includes a graphical designer device 240.In one embodiment of the invention, the workflow engine device 200 is configured for communicating (e.g., sending and receiving) data to the one or more external resources 210, 220, 230.In addition, in one embodiment, the graphical designer device 240 is configured for communicating data to the workflow engine device 200.In other embodiments, the workflow engine device 200, the external resources 210, 220, 230, and/or the graphical designer device 240 are one or more computers or software programs running on one or more computers.","FIG.","3 shows a schematic diagram of a workflow engine device 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.","The workflow engine device 200 includes a processor 60 that communicates with other elements within the workflow engine device 200 via a system interface or bus 61.Also included in the device 200 is a display device/input device 64 for receiving and displaying data.","This display device/input device 64 may be, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device that is used in combination with a monitor.","The device 200 further includes memory 66, which preferably includes both read only memory (ROM) 65 and random access memory (RAM) 67.The device's ROM 65 is used to store a basic input/output system 26 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the device 200.Alternatively, the workflow engine device 200 can operate on one computer or on multiple computers that are networked together.","In addition, the device 200 includes at least one storage device 63, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, flash drive, or optical disk drive, for storing information on various computer-readable media, such as a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, or a CD-ROM disk.","As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of these storage devices 63 is connected to the server bus 61 by an appropriate interface.","The storage devices 63 and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage.","It is important to note that the computer-readable media described above could be replaced by any other type of computer-readable media known in the art.","Such media include, for example, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, and Bernoulli cartridges.","A number of program modules may be stored by the various storage devices and within RAM 67.For example, as shown in FIG.","3, program modules of the workflow engine device 200 may include an operating system 80, a graphical designer module 300, and a workflow engine module 400.","(Note that the graphical designer module 300 may reside on another device such as the graphical designer device 240 previously discussed.)","The graphical designer module 300 and workflow engine module 400 may be used to control certain aspects of the operation of the workflow engine device 200, as is described in more detail below, with the assistance of the processor 60 and the operating system 80.Also located within the device 200 is a network interface 74, for interfacing and communicating with other elements of a computer network.","It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the device's 200 components may be located geographically remotely from other device 200 components.","Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined, and additional components performing functions described herein may be included in the system 2.Exemplary System Operation As mentioned above, the system 2 according to various embodiments enables design, generation, and execution of real-time workflows.","In particular, in various embodiments, the workflow engine device 200 includes a graphical designer module 300 and a workflow engine module 400.FIG.","4 depicts the architecture of the workflow engine device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.","In this depiction, the graphical designer module 300 includes several different components: (1) graphical designer components 310; (2) code generator components 320; (3) compiler components 330; (4) state machine builder components 340; and (5) flow chart builder components 350.In addition, the workflow engine module 400 shown in FIG.","4 is broken down into two sets of components.","The first set of components (shown in FIG.","4 as the runtime components) include: (1) Petri net microkernel components 410; (2) object pool components 420; (3) tracking components 430; (4) state management components 440; and (5) garbage collection components 450.The second set of components (shown in FIG.","4 as the platform abstraction layer components) include: (1) delegate components 460; (2) thread pools components 470; (3) communication components 480; (4) instrumentation components 490; (5) concurrency primitives components 491; and (6) serialization components 492.It should be noted that these components need not be present on the same machine (e.g., be stored in memory on the same computer).","For example, the graphical designer module 300 and corresponding components may be stored on a separate machine such as the graphical designer device 240 shown in FIG.","2.In general, the graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments is configured to provide a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace to model a particular workflow so that the model of the workflow can be converted into code the workflow engine module 400 can execute.","The workflow engine module 400 of various embodiments is configured to execute a real-time workflow and communicate information (e.g., data) between one or more external resources 210, 220, 230 as instructed by the workflow.","These modules 300 and 400 and corresponding components are discussed in more detail below.","Graphical Designer Module As discussed above, various embodiments of the graphical designer module 300 include several different components: (1) graphical designer components 310; (2) code generator components 320; (3) compiler components 330; (4) state machine builder components 340; and (5) flow chart builder components 350.This module 300 may be stored in RAM memory 67 and executed by the processor 60 in the device 200 shown in FIG.","3 according to various embodiments.","Further details of the various components are provided below.","Graphical Designer Components The graphical designer components (graphical designer) 310 according to various embodiments provide a desktop workspace on which a designer builds a flow chart (or state machine) that represents a particular workflow.","The flow chart is a definition of discrete processes linked together to represent the workflow's path.","Shown in FIG.","5, there are several types of shapes 510 that may be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace 500.Each shape 510 expresses the performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process.","For example, the embodiment of the available shapes 510 shown in FIG.","5 include: (1) Start; (2) Process; (3) Decision; (4) Gateway; (5) SubWorkflow; (6) Conditional Merge; (7) Conditional Fork; (8) Parallel Fork; (9) Parallel Merge; and (10) End.","In addition, each shape 510 has different attributes.","For instance, the basic attributes for the Process shape are to either execute right away or execute after a timeout.","The designer can drag and drop the Process shape 520 onto the desktop workspace 500 as shown in FIG.","5.The designer can then perform a right-click on the Process shape 520 to bring up a property page for the process shape 520.This allows the designer to set the timeout attribute for the particular Process shape 520.In addition, the designer can provide a name for the Process shape 520 on the property page such as “READ SCANNED INFORMATION” that is descriptive of the process performed represented by this shape 520 of the workflow.","The designer continues to build the flow chart of the particular workflow.","For example, the designer may drag and drop a Decision shape 610 onto the desktop workspace 500 after the Process shape 520 as shown in FIG.","6.The Decision shape 610 represents a condition that is placed in the workflow.","In this case, the designer names the Decision shape 610 “WANT TO UPDATE INFO?” In addition, the designer places one or more subsequent shapes 510 following the Decision shape 610 and the Decision shape 610 represents a position in which the particular workflow branches into separate paths.","Thus, the workflow follows a path to one or more of the shapes 510 based on the condition placed on the Decision shape 610.The logic implemented to define the condition is described in greater detail below.","In FIG.","6, the designer has dragged and dropped a subsequent Process shape 620 named “PRINT PACKAGE LABEL” following the Decision shape 610.In various embodiments, connectors are also placed between shapes 510 to represent the directional path of the workflow.","In the case of the Decision shape 610 shown in FIG.","6, the designer places a branch condition on the connector 630 between the Decision shape 610 and the subsequent Process shape 620.For example, the designer selects the branch condition “NO” on the property page for the connector 630 between the Decision shape 610 and the Process shape 620 entitled “PRINT PACKAGE LABEL,” as shown in FIG.","6.This is further shown in FIG.","7.Thus, when the workflow is executed, the workflow branches to the process “PRINT PACKAGE LABEL” if the condition on the decision “WANT TO UPDATE INFO?” is determined to be no.","FIG.","7 displays the completed flow chart for the workflow.","This particular flow chart represents a workflow for printing a package label.","In various embodiments of the graphical designer module 300, the connectors placed between shapes 510 are based on line routing logic that produces connectors that take the shortest and most direct path between two shapes.","The connectors automatically adjust on the desktop workspace 500 and automatically go around a shape 510 placed in the way between two shapes 510 connected in the workflow.","The designer accomplishes this by selecting a group of shapes 510 and right-clicking on the desktop workspace 500 to “align” the connectors 810 as shown in FIG.","8.The module 300 aligns the connectors automatically and the result is shown in FIG.","9.In various embodiments, such capability provides the advantage of organizing a flow chart placed on the desktop workspace 500 for a complex workflow because it produces a more clean and precise representation of the workflow that is easier to follow for the designer.","In addition to providing a flow chart representation of the workflow, the graphical designer 310 also accepts data from the designer associated with the particular workflow according to various embodiments.","For instance, the designer right-clicks on the surface of the desktop workspace 500 and the module 300 brings up the property page 1010 for the workflow, as shown in FIG.","10.The developer selects the link 1020 to the data contract for the workflow.","The module 300 then brings up the screen shown in FIG.","11.On this screen, the designer can enter data for two types of data: (1) case data 1110; and (2) working set 1120.The case data 1110 is the inputs to the workflow and the outputs of the workflow result.","The working set 1120 is data that is used only internally by the workflow.","Thus, a workflow object can convey additional data to another object in the workflow by modifying the data in the working set 1120 when the object executes.","In the example shown in FIG.","11, the designer has added the variable “NumberOfTimesUpdatedInfo” 1130 to the case data 1110 and selected the variable type as “long” 1140.Once the designer has finished entering the data, the graphical designer module 300 saves the data to an XML schema file as shown in FIG.","12.As a result, the variable “NumberOfTimesUpdatedInfo” 1130 is saved to the file as an attribute 1210.In addition to building workflows on the desktop workspace 500, the graphical designer module 300 is also adapted in various embodiments so that a designer can build a state machine model as well.","A state machine is a model of behavior composed of a finite number of states, transitions between states, and actions.","A state stores information that reflects input changes from the system start to the present moment.","A transition indicates a state change and is described by a condition that needs to be fulfilled to enable the transition.","An action is a description of an activity that is to be performed at a given moment.","In various embodiments, the graphical designer module 300 provides the shapes: (1) Start State; (2) End State; (3) State; (4) Transition; (5) Conditional Merge; (6) Conditional Fork; (7) Parallel Merge; and (8) Parallel Fork.","As previously discussed, a need exists for a workflow product that allows a designer to design high performance, short duration workflows and that can execute such workflows.","Various embodiments of the graphical designer module 300 allow modeling of real-time applications by bringing forward aspects not typically found in a visual designer.","For instance, in one embodiment, the graphical designer module 300 includes a shape 510 called a Gateway.","This Gateway shape allows a designer to model a workflow by including in the flow chart connections to external resources such as computer systems and/or databases.","In general, a gateway is an object that is configured to connect to an external resource.","Thus, a gateway may indicate where in the workflow the workflow engine relies on an external application program interface (API) to communicate with the external resource.","For example, the designer drags and drops a Gateway shape onto the desktop workspace 500 to model in the flow chart where in the workflow the process leaves the workflow to access a resource external to the workflow such as a different computer system or database.","As is described in more detail below, the graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments converts the flow chart into executable code.","In turn, the workflow engine module 400 of various embodiments executes the code to run the workflow, and without any further development in the source code, the workflow engine module 400 executes delegation to the operating system to communicate with the external resource.","In many commercial workflow products, the components to communicate with the external resource are typically embedded in the source code language and must be written by the source code developer.","As a result, in many cases, the developer is required to write a great deal of this code by hand.","However, by providing a Gateway shape at the designer level and managing the delegation of communicating with the external resource at the engine level, the implementation of a gateway is surfaced to the architecture level, and as a result this greatly simplifies the source code development in various embodiments of the invention.","In addition, the graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments also provides one or more shapes to express concurrency within a workflow.","For instance, one embodiment of the graphical designer component includes the shapes 510 Conditional Merge, Conditional Fork, Parallel Merge, and Parallel Fork to model concurrency within a workflow.","According to an embodiment, the Conditional Fork shape and the Parallel Fork shape model in the workflow where the path of the workflow branches into two separate paths with each path leading to a different shape, such as a Process shape, for example.","In conjunction, the Conditional Merge shape and the Parallel Merge shape model in the workflow where the two separate paths converge back into a single path.","The difference between the Parallel shapes and the Conditional shapes is the use of the Parallel shapes models that whatever lies on the two separate paths must complete before the workflow is allowed to continue at the Merge.","For example, Process A may be on one path of the Parallel Fork and Process B may be on the other path of the Parallel Fork.","Therefore, if the workflow engine module 400 executes the workflow with this particular concurrency, the workflow engine module 400 executes Process A and Process B, and waits for each Process to complete before continuing with executing the remainder of the workflow.","In contrast, for the Conditional shapes, the workflow engine module 400 waits for either Process A or Process B to complete before the workflow engine module 400 continues executing the workflow.","Therefore, if Process A finishes prior to Process B finishing, the workflow engine module 400 does not wait for Process B to complete before the module 400 continues to execute the workflow.","As is the case with the Gateway shape, in various embodiments, the designer drags and drops the concurrency shapes onto the desktop workspace 500 to model concurrency within the workflow.","In turn, as is described in more detail below, the graphical designer model 300 generates executable code to indicate the concurrency in the workflow, and the workflow engine module 400 executes the code to run the workflow and actually manages the concurrency within the workflow.","Thus, the source code developer does not need to write anything within the source code to manage the concurrency modeled in the workflow by the designer.","In many cases, the writing of such code (e.g., multi-threaded code) is fairly complex, very tedious, and error prone even for an experienced developer.","Thus, by bringing the implementation of concurrency up to the designer level and by having the workflow engine module 400 execute concurrency management, the developer does not need to write code to perform this task.","As a result, various embodiments of the invention allow for the generation of workflow executable code much faster than typical commercial workflow products and with less error.","XML Schema Once the designer has completed designing the workflow on the desktop workspace 500, the designer selects the “code generate” button on the designer screen in various embodiments.","The graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments includes components that take the workflow and construct an in-memory workflow domain model based on the workflow designed on the desktop workspace 500 and serialize the model to XML.","This representation includes the various objects of the workflow along with the connectors between the workflow objects.","As previously discussed, two types of workflows are supported in various embodiments, flow charts and state machines.","The workflow domain model is composed of a base model which represents a Petri net and two derivatives of the base model (one for flow charts and one for state machines).","A Petri net is one of several mathematical modeling languages used to describe discrete distributed systems.","In particular, a Petri net may be defined as a graphical depiction (e.g., bipartite graph) of the structure of a distributed system.","A Petri net includes places, transitions, and arcs.","Arcs run between places and transitions, but not between places and places or transitions and transitions.","FIG.","13 provides a simplified view of the base model.","As one can see in FIG.","13, the base model (workflow) is composed of the basic components of a Petri net such as a transition 1310, place 1320, and connector (arc) 1330.As previously discussed, the developer models the workflow using the graphical designer 310 as either a flow chart or a state machine.","In turn, the graphical designer 310 models flow charts and state machines as classes derived from the base model (workflow).","Thus, there are several specializations of transition and place, which are part of the base model workflow.","The flow chart and the state machine models simply place restrictions on which of these specializations the developer can add to the workflow based on the rules of flow charts and state machines.","As a result, in various embodiments, the workflow domain model is derived from a set of classes wherein each class represents a particular object of the workflow, these objects dependent on whether the workflow is a flow chart or a state machine.","Code Generator Components The code generator components 320 (code generator) of various embodiments provide a framework capable of generating source code for multiple target languages.","This is accomplished by combining the design pattern “bridge” and “builder.” In addition, the code generator 320 employs two distinct domain models according to various embodiments.","One of the domain models represents the workflow (e.g., the XML workflow domain model discussed above) and the other domain model represents the target programming language (target language domain model).","In various embodiments, the builder pattern is used to bridge the two domain models to together.","These aspects are described in further detail below.","As discussed, various embodiments of the code generator 320 make use of a target language domain model to represent the target programming language.","This model encapsulates elements representing artifacts (features) of a specific target language.","In various embodiments, the target language domain model is composed of a base model and a derivative for each target language.","The base model contains abstractions common to all supported target languages.","For instance, FIG.","14 provides a simplified view of such a base model.","The objects in the target language domain model for each target language are based on those objects found in the base model.","The responsibility of these objects is to produce artifacts in the source files specific to the syntax of the particular target language.","For instance, FIG.","15 provides some examples of objects in the target language domain model for three specific target languages.","The objects CppClass 1501 and CppEnumeration 1502 support C++, the objects CliReferenceType 1503 and CliEnumeration 1504 support C++/CLI, and the objects CsReferenceType 1505 and CsEnumeration 1506 support C#.","In one embodiment, the target language domain model is derived from a set of classes that represent the objects (features) of the target language.","For example, the set of classes may be C# classes and the target language may be C++.","Therefore, a C# class is developed for each feature of the C++ language such as a class method, a class variable, and a method parameter.","The code generator 320 is configured to traverse through the list of all of the objects of the workflow and to generate source code for each of the objects.","It should be appreciated that the source code for the code generator 320 does not necessarily need to be C# but may be any number of programming languages such as C++ or .Net in light of this disclosure.","As a result of the workflow domain model and the target language domain model being two separate models, the workflow domain model of various embodiments does not carry with it any information about what the source code to be generated is going to look like.","In addition, the workflow domain model provides no information to indicate what methods need to be generated.","Thus, the abstraction of the workflow (e.g., the workflow domain model) is decoupled from its implementation (e.g., the target language domain model) and the two can vary independently.","As a result, the developer can generate source code in multiple languages from a single description of the workflow.","Thus, in various embodiments, the designer can encode business logic into the diagram of the workflow developed via the graphical designer component 310 and this diagram of the workflow can be used to build a program that can be executed by applications running on multiple platforms.","Therefore, the most expensive aspect (e.g., the business logic of the workflow) of the program is designed only once, in many cases, and is encoded in a language independent of the target language.","In general, a builder design pattern allows an object to have multiple representations.","Accordingly, the code generator 320 includes a builder component that allows the code generator 320 to manipulate a single in-memory representation of the workflow domain model to any one of a number of target languages.","In particular, the builder component is responsible for using the workflow domain model as a “requirements document” and the target language domain model as a “toolbox” to generate source code.","Thus, the builder component “bridges” the workflow domain model to the target language domain model.","As a result, the code generator 320 provides source code expected by the workflow engine module 400, as well as provides source code that implements the process flow described in the workflow domain model.","In addition, the builder of various embodiments also includes a class called the director.","The director's job is to wire all of the objects (e.g., classes) of the workflow in the right sequence.","As a result, the developer is not required to write the source code for sequencing the steps of the workflow.","The director class includes one or more methods to assemble the workflow as a sequence of classes that are invoked by the workflow engine module 400 upon execution.","Thus, upon kick off of the workflow engine module 400, the engine 400 effectively traverses a link list of the classes (e.g., C++ classes) built in memory as an object graph and invokes each of the classes as it traverses the graph.","Furthermore, the builder of various embodiments also translates the representation of the workflow based on multiple platforms.","For example, if a developer wants to generate C++ code for the workflow and execute the code on a device running a Window® operating system and on a device running a Linux® operating system, the generated code will need to look different for each machine because the compilers for both platforms are different.","Thus, the code generator 320 of various embodiments includes a builder for Microsoft® C++ and a builder for Linux® C++.","As a result, the code generator 320 of various embodiments provides three levels of decoupling.","The workflow domain model is decoupled from the target language domain model and the target language domain model is decoupled from the platform specific aspects.","Therefore, if the developer wants to add a builder for a new platform, the developer does not need to change the aspects of the workflow domain model and the target language domain model.","The only part the developer needs to develop is a new builder to account for the specific aspects of the new platform.","Generating Source Code Using the Code Generator FIG.","16 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for generating source code according to various embodiments of the invention.","This flow diagram may correspond to the steps carried out by the processor 60 in the device 200 shown in FIG.","3 as it executes the code generator components 320 of the graphical designer module 300 in the device's 200 RAM memory 67 according to various embodiments.","In general, the code generator 320 of various embodiments is analogous to the back end of a compiler.","The input is the workflow domain model (rather than a parse tree) and the output is source code (rather than object code).","Beginning at Step 1610, the graphical designer 310 invokes the code generator 320 and the code generator 320 receives the workflow domain model (e.g., as an XML schema file) and several parameters indicating the target language from the graphical designer 310.In response, the code generator 320 restores the workflow domain model from the XML schema file by using a serializer (such as, for example, the XmlSerializer class provided by .Net which implements the infrastructure to serialize .Net objects from XML) and passes the restored domain model to the builder component, shown as Step 1620.In response, the builder constructs the domain model for the target language by creating instances of the appropriate class for each workflow object of the workflow and transcribing the properties associated with each object from the workflow model to the target language domain model, shown as Step 1630.For instance, in one embodiment, the set of classes are C# classes.","Thus, the builder reads each element in the restored workflow domain model and creates a C# class that carries with it the XML description of the workflow for the particular element.","In Step 1640, the builder generates the target language domain model into workflow assembly source code.","Thus, as previously mentioned, the builder of various embodiments “bridges” the workflow domain model to the target language domain model.","The generated workflow assembly source code implements the flow of the business logic of the workflow.","Thus, the workflow assembly source code includes the work activities of the workflow and how the activities are wired together.","In addition to creating the workflow assembly source code, the code generator 320 of various embodiments also creates workflow object callback classes and corresponding callback methods based on the target language domain model, shown as Step 1650 in FIG.","16.These callback methods serve as skeletons for the developer to write content to as needed for the specific workflow application.","In one embodiment, the code generator 320 generates each callback method with a stub implementation.","That is, the code generator 320 includes code in the method to throw an exception, e.g., to create an error if the code is executed.","This ensures that the developer does not accidentally forget to implement one of the callback methods.","Thus, the developer deletes the code to throw an exception when the developer writes the code for the particular method.","For example, the workflow may include a task to query a database.","The designer represents this task on the desktop workspace 500 as a gateway to instruct the workflow engine module 400 to delegate the communication with the database to the operating system.","The code generator 320 generates a callback class for this task that includes the method “on execute” with a reference to the case data for the workflow.","As described, this method serves as the skeleton and the developer enters the code to query the database.","Therefore, if the workflow engine module 400 executes the code for this workflow and comes to this particular task, the workflow engine 400 delegates to the operating system to communicate with the database and to execute the method “on execute” to query the database.","According to one embodiment, the code generator 320 is also configured to round-trip engineer the one or more implementation files that include the implementation of the callback methods.","Thus, if the code generator 320 re-generates executable code for a particular workflow, the code generator 320 does not just simply write over the one or more implementation files that include the implementation of the callback methods.","Instead, the code generator 620 first reads the one or more implementation files and extracts the code from the files that the developer has written.","Then, if the code generator 320 regenerates the one or more implementation files, the code generator 620 inserts the extracted code into the newly regenerated files.","As a result, the code written by the developer is preserved.","C++ Domain Model for Code Generator Component As previously mentioned, various embodiments of the code generator component 320 make use of a C++ target language domain model to generate C++ source code executable by a workflow engine module 400 accepting such code.","This is particularly advantageous in various embodiments because, with regard to other programming languages, C++ executes more quickly and therefore it is ideal for implementing real-time workflows.","A particular embodiment of the C++ domain model simplifies the forward generation of this C++ source code by treating the source code files containing C++ language features as de-facto elements of the C++ language.","In short, this is accomplished by applying the design pattern “composite” to both language features and source code files.","C++ is a compiled, general purpose programming language which employs static, unsafe, nominative data typing.","Data types must be declared before they are used.","For some data constructs, such as class, separating declaration from definition (e.g., implementation) in the source code is preferred.","C++ source code is stored in files referred to as source files.","Standard C++ defines two types of source files known as header files and implementation files.","For example, most compilers expect header files to end with the extension “.h” and implementation files to end with the extension “.cpp.” By convention, but not necessity, class declarations are typically placed in “.h” files and class implementations are placed in “.cpp” files.","However, for technical reasons, it is not uncommon for either “.h” files or “.cpp” files to contain both declarations and implementations.","C++ compilers treat header files and implementation files somewhat differently.","An implementation file references header files to provide declarations available to the implementation file.","The header file is not processed by the compiler, but is included in the build and thus in the final executable program.","As a result, there is a many-to-many relationship among “.h” files and “.cpp” files.","A “.cpp” file may need to reference multiple “.h” files to ensure all the declarations needed by the implementation are available to the compiler.","In turn, an “.h” file may provide declarations need by multiple “.cpp” files, and therefore the file may be referenced from several “.cpp” files.","C++ language features are largely composed on other language features.","At the bottom of this hierarchy are primitive elements such as symbols (e.g., names), literals (e.g., values), keywords, operators, and delimiters.","Moving up the containment hierarchy are composites such as variables, methods, structures, and namespaces.","At the top of the containment hierarchy, the C++ elements are contained in the source files previously described.","Some C++ constructs have distinct declarations and implementations.","In other constructs, the declaration and implementation are one and the same.","Thus, the code generated for any language feature is the composite of the code generated by all component language features in the containment hierarchy.","For example, a class may be defined as: class Logger { public: void Write(char* msg) { ::printf(msg); } }; In this example, the declaration of the class Logger is the composite of the declaration for the instance method Write(char* msg) plus the construct class Logger { .",".",".","}.","Similarly, the implementation of the class Logger is the composite of the implementations of all the components, i.e., void Logger::Write(char* msg) { .",".",".","}.","As previously discussed, the code generator 320 of various embodiments is written in a source code such as C#.","Thus, the target language domain model is composed of a hierarchy of C# classes representing the features of the C++ language.","At the root of this hierarchy is the abstraction element (e.g., CodeElement).","This abstraction encapsulates the fundamental behavior of separating declaration from implementation.","For example, in one embodiment, the class CodeElement is defined as: Public abstract class CodeElement { public abstract void WriteDeclaration(TextWriter writer); public abstract void WriteImplementation(TextWriter writer); } In turn, all language elements of the C++ language are represented as derivations of the CodeElement class.","Each derived C# class must provide an implementation of the methods WriteDeclaration and WriteImplementation that makes semantic sense for the particular feature of the C++ language.","For example, the following view of the domain model shown in FIG.","17 illustrates several important C++ language elements and their relationship to CodeElement 1701.In this example, some derivations of CodeElement 1701, such as CppClass 1702, are composites of other CodeElements 1701, such as CppInstanceVariable 1703, CppInstanceMethod 1704, CppClassVariable 1705, and CppClassMethod 1706.Similarly, CppClassMethod 1706 and CppInstanceMethod 1704 are composites of CppMethodParameter 1707.FIG.","18 illustrates some of these compositional relationships provided in the domain model.","Composites implement the behavior of the WriteDeclaration and WriteImplementation methods by delegating to their constituents.","For instance, FIG.","19 illustrates an example of how the declaration of a CppClass 1702 is written through the coordinated efforts of CppClass 1702 plus all of its contained methods and variables.","Actor 1 1901 (e.g., code generator 620) implements a WriteDeclaration on CppClass 1702.In turn, CppClass 1702 implements a WriteDeclaration on CppInstanceVariable 1703 and CppInstanceMethod 1704, and CppInstanceMethod 1704 implements a WriteDeclaration on CppMethodParameter 1707.Thus, by the composite CppClass 1702 delegating to its constituents, the Actor1 1901 is able to implement the WriteDeclaration for each constituent by simply implementing a WriteDeclaration on CppClass 1702.The following provides a sample of code implemented by using the target language domain model of various embodiments composed of the hierarchy of C# classes.","This particular sample of code illustrates a C++ class called Logger that is composed of one instance variable, fileStream, and two instance methods, a constructor, and Write.","The declaration and implementation are as follows.","Declaration: Class Logger { FileStream& _fileStream; Public: Logger(FileStream& fileStream); Void Write(char* message); }; Implementation: Logger::Logger(FileStream& fileStream) : _fileStream(fileStream) { } Void Logger::Write(char* message) { _fileStream.Write(message); } Therefore, in this example, the code generator 320 produces FileStream& _fileStream by implementing the WriteDeclaration method of CppInstanceVariable 1703 of the domain model.","The code generator 320 produces the initialization of _fileStream with the argument passed to the constructor, i.e., _fileStream(fileStream), by implementing the WriteImplementation method of CppInstanceVariable 1703 of the domain model.","The code generator 320 produces the signature of Write, i.e., void Write(char* message), by implementing the WriteDeclaration method of CppInstanceMethod 1704 of the domain model.","Finally, the code generator 320 produces the body of Write, i.e., void Logger::Write(char* message) {_fileStream.Write(message);}, by implementing the WriteImplementation method of CppInstanceMethod 1704.The C++ language does not specify an internal structuring to C++ source files (e.g., “.h” files and “.cpp” files).","As previously mentioned, declarations and implementations can appear anywhere within these files, as long as the rules of the C++ language are preserved.","The primary rule that guides the order in which elements are placed in source files is the declaration of a C++ language element must be seen by the compiler before its implementation.","Therefore, by convention, declarations appear at the top of the source file and implementations appear after them.","Various embodiments of the domain model provide two additional classes to represent C++ source files.","For example, in one embodiment, these classes are CppDeclarationFile and CppImplementationFile.","According to various embodiments, each of these classes provides implementations for WriteDeclaration and WriteImplementation, each is composed of other elements in the C++ domain model, and each provides a top-level method (e.g., Write) that orchestrates the contents to file.","FIG.","20 illustrates the containment relationship between CppImplementationFile 2010 and the other elements of the domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.","The code generator 320 generates code by composing networks of objects from the domain model and adding each composition to either the declarations collection or implementations collection (or both) of the appropriate file object (e.g., CppImplementationFile or CppDeclarationFile).","The code generator 320 then invokes the Write method on the file object.","FIG.","21 illustrates this process.","In FIG.","21, Actor2 2101 (e.g., the code generator 320) implements the Write method 2102 on CppImplementationFile 2103.In turn, CppImplementationFile 2103 implements a WriteDeclaration on Declarations 2104 and Declarations 2104 implements a WriteDeclaration on CodeElements 2106.CppImplementationFile 2103 then implements a WriteImplementation on Implementations 2105 and Implementations 2105 implements a WriteImplementation on CodeElements 2106.Thus, the Write method 2102 ensures all the declarations are written to file before the implementations.","Thus, a significant advantage realized in various embodiments that make use of such a C++ domain model is a change to the organization of the source code of the code generator component 320 can be accomplished rapidly due to the compositional nature of the model.","This is because such a C++ domain model minimizes the number of source code lines in various embodiments of the code generator 320 that will need to be changed.","Such a change may be brought about, for example, to adapt the code generator 320 to new features implemented in the graphical designer 310 or the workflow engine module 400.For instance, once a C++ class is defined in the domain model, the declaration and implementation of the class can be easily moved among the source files prior to code generation.","The following code snippet illustrates: CppClass workflowDirector= new CppClass(“MyWorkflowDirector”); CppInstanceMethod executeMethod= new CppInstanceMethod(“Execute”, workflowDirector, false); workflowDirector.AddMethod( executeMethod, CppMemberVisibility.Public); CppDeclarationFile workflowDeclarationFile= new CppDeclarationFile(new RelativeFilePath(“Program.h”)); CppImplementationFile workflowImplementationFile= new CppImplementationFile(new RelativeFilePath(“Program.cpp”)); workflowDeclarationFile.AppendDeclaration(workflowDirector); workflowImplementationFile.AppendImplementation(workflowDirector); workflowDeclarationFile.Write( ); workflowImplementationFile.Write( ); This code snippet will place the declaration for the C++ class MyWorkflowDirector in the file Program.h and the implementation in the file Program.cpp.","A developer re-organizing the generated source code such that both the implementation and the declaration of the method Execute appear in Program.h rather than Program.cpp can be accomplished by declaring the method to be “inlined” by changing the following line: CppInstanceMethod executeMethod= new CppInstanceMethod(“Execute”, workflowDirector, false); to CppInstanceMethod executeMethod= new CppInstanceMethod(“Execute”, workflowDirector, true); The developer can accomplish a more substantial re-organization by moving the entire implementation of MyWorkflowDirector from Program.cpp to Program.h by changing the following line: workflowImplementationFile.AppendImplementation(workflowDirector); to workflowDeclarationFile.AppendImplementation(workflowDirector); Compiler Components In various embodiments of the invention, the compiler components 330 verify that the workflow drawn on the desktop workspace 500 and converted into executable code conforms to the workflow domain model.","The compiler components 330 also verify that the executable code conforms to the Petri net domain model the workflow engine module 400 operates on (as is described in more detail below).","Thus, the compiler components 330 perform an integrity check on the produced source code files.","State Machine Builder and Flow Chart Builder Components The state machine builder and flow chart builder components 340, 350 of various embodiments provide a façade that interfaces a particular workflow with the workflow engine module 400 so that the engine 400 can execute the workflow.","For instance, in one embodiment, the builders 340, 350 are composed of façade classes that enable morphing a Petri net into a state machine or a flow chart.","If a builder 340, 350 is called to execute the source code for a particular workflow and create a process, the builder 340, 350 creates the process by converting the workflow into a Petri net based on a set of classes that represent the components of a Petri Net.","For example, the set of classes may be composed of a before Place class, a Transition class, an after Place class, an inward Arc class, an outward Arc class, and optionally a Guard class.","Thus, the builder 340, 350 reads in the various objects of the workflow from the source code and converts the object to the appropriate Petri net class that can be invoked by the workflow engine 400.Further details on the workflow engine module 400 and the Petri net classes are provided below.","Workflow Engine Module As described above, various embodiments of the workflow engine module 400 (workflow engine) are divided into two sets of components (See FIG.","4).","The first set of components (runtime components) includes: (1) Petri net microkernel components 410; (2) object pool components 420; (3) tracking components 430; (4) state management components 440; and (5) garbage collection components 450.The second set of components (platform abstraction layer components) includes: (1) delegate components 460; (2) thread pools components 470; (3) communication components 480; (4) instrumentation components 490; (5) concurrency primitives components 491; and (6) serialization components 492.In addition, this module 400 may be stored in RAM memory 67 and executed by the processor 60 in the device 200 shown in FIG.","3 according to various embodiments.","Further details of the various components are provided below.","As should be appreciated, the workflow engine 400 and the engine's components may be programmed using any number of source code languages in light of this disclosure.","For example, the workflow engine 400 and its corresponding components may be programmed using C++, .Net, C#, and Java, independently or in combination.","Though, various embodiments of the workflow engine module 400 make use of C++ source code because such code executes faster than other programming languages such as .Net and Java.","This enables the use of the workflow engine 400 in many instances to execute real-time workflows.","However, it should be understood that the workflow engine 400 is not limited to being implemented using C++ source code only.","Furthermore, the main engine of the workflow engine module 400 in various embodiments is implemented as a class.","For example, in one embodiment, the main engine is implemented as a C++ class CWorkFlowEngine.","This class is responsible for obtaining the particular workflow to be executed and for starting the workflow.","Thus, the class CWorkFlowEngine contains one or more methods that are called to perform tasks such as retrieving an available workflow from an object pool and waiting for all workflows to execute.","The execution of the workflow engine 400 is provided in greater detail below.","Runtime Components Petri Net Microkernel Components The Petri net microkernel components 410 according to various embodiments are responsible for sequencing the workflow (e.g., the infrastructure of the workflow) and for managing the execution of the callback methods to implement the application specific level of the workflow.","In addition, the Petri net microkernel components 410 of various embodiments are adapted to enable high performance business processes.","That is, the Petri net microkernel components 410 are adapted to orchestrate a number of business processes that have an extremely short lifetime (e.g., in the order of milliseconds).","As the name of the components 410 suggests, the Petri net microkernel components 410 are based on a Petri net domain model according to various embodiments.","As previously discussed, a Petri net is one of several mathematical modeling languages used to describe discrete distributed systems.","A Petri net includes places, transitions, and arcs.","Arcs run between places and transitions, but not between places and places or transitions and transitions.","In addition, places may contain any number of tokens.","In various Petri nets, these token represent information on which transitions will act (e.g., the data that moves the system).","Thus, a transition acts on input tokens (e.g., fires) if the transition is enabled, e.g., when there are tokens in every input place for the transaction.","If a transition fires, it consumes the tokens from its input places, performs some processing task, and places a specified number of tokens into each of its output places.","In addition, the Petri net microkernel components 410 are also based on a microkernel architectural pattern according to various embodiments.","The microkernel philosophy is based on the idea that the workflow engine 410 should contain only the bare minimum needed for ninety-nine percent of the applications and should delegate all of the other work to be done to another layer (and, in many cases, the engine 400 does not need to know how that work is to be done).","For example, the workflow engine 400 does not need a persistent state such as a database.","Accordingly, all the workflow engine 400 needs to do in various embodiments is sequence the business operations of the workflow and perform a certain amount of concurrency management.","As a result, the workflow engine 410 is scaled down and able to execute in resource restrained environments.","In addition, the workflow engine 410 of various embodiments at runtime is not dependent upon a particular operating system.","As mentioned, the Petri net microkernel components 410 of various embodiments have adapted the Petri net model into a target language framework.","For example, one embodiment of the Petri net microkernel components 410 has adapted the Petri net model into a C++ programming framework.","This framework is composed of a set of C++ classes wherein each class represents an element of the Petri net model.","In this particular embodiment, the Petri net model used is a single token, non-color Petri net.","Therefore, through the entire life cycle of the workflow model, only one token is passed on.","In addition, there exits only one main execution path, though the path may have parallel branches.","FIG.","22 illustrates the C++ programming framework (e.g., C++ Petri net domain model) that represents the Petri net model.","The framework includes the basic components of the Petri net model such as CToken 2201, CPlace 2202, CArc 2203, and CTransition 2204.The representation of each class is broken up into three sections in FIG.","22.The first section is the name of the class.","The second section is the members of the class.","For example, the class CTransition 2204 includes the members onExecuteActivity and inwardArcs.","The third section is the functions and methods of the class.","The black diamond illustrates that the class with the diamond contains the class connected to the class with the diamond.","For example, the class CPlace 2202 contains the class CToken 2201.Thus, there is a direct one-to-one correspondence between the concepts of the Petri net mathematical model and the C++ classes of the framework.","In general, the class CToken 2201 is linked to class CPlace 2202.The class CPlace 2202 is the passive element of the system (e.g., a state in a state machine).","The methods of this class involve determining whether a place has a token inside of it.","Thus, these methods allow the workflow engine 400 to delegate to a place to determine whether it has acquired a token or not.","If a place (CPlace 2202) acquires a token, the workflow engine 400 triggers the transition (CTransition 2204) (e.g., the work activity) connected to the place to introduce work.","Thus, the token (Ctoken 2201) is the data based on a state where the token can reside in and the transition (CTransition 2204) is where work happens on the token (active element of the system).","The class CArc 2203 represents the connection between a place and a transition.","Furthermore, the C++ framework includes additional components according to various embodiments.","For instance, the class CTrigger 2205 represents triggering a transition based on external stimuli.","This is particularly useful in executing state machine applications.","The IGuard 2206 represents conditional logic placed on a connection (e.g., CArc 2203).","In regard to IGuard 2206, this particular embodiment of the framework includes the classes CBinaryGuard 2207, CGenericGuard 2208, and CNullGuard 2209.The class CBinaryGuard 2207 represents a binary condition (e.g., yes/no condition).","The class CGenericGuard 2208 represents a non-binary condition (e.g., multiple conditions).","The class CNullGuard 2209 represents a pass through filter.","In addition, the framework includes the classes CAndJoin 2210, CAndSplit 2211, COrJoin 2212, and COrSplit 2213.These classes represent high levels of Boolean algebra to be implemented for a workflow.","In various embodiments of the workflow engine 400, these classes are used in conjunction with executing concurrency within the workflow.","Object Pool Components According to various embodiments, the object pool components 420 place loaded workflows into memory so that the workflow engine 400 can pull a workflow from the pool to execute.","Thus, once a workflow as been executed, the workflow is not simply discarded but instead is placed in memory.","Therefore, if the workflow engine 400 needs to execute the workflow again, the engine 400 simply invokes one or more object pool components 420 to retrieve the workflow from the pool (e.g., call method GetAvailableWorkflowFromObjectPool) so that the workflow engine 400 can execute the workflow.","As a result, the workflow engine 400 is able to execute the workflow more quickly because it does not need to wait for the particular workflow to be loaded.","In various embodiments, the object pool components 420 are implemented as one or more classes.","For example, in one embodiment, the object pool components 420 are implemented as the class CSimpleObjectPool.","This particular class may include such methods to: (1) retrieve an instance of a workflow from the pool (e.g., memory); (2) delete an instance of a workflow from the pool; (3) get an available object from the pool; (4) return an object to the pool; and (5) clear the pool.","Tracking Components The tracking components 430 of various embodiments track the execution of a workflow by the workflow engine 400.In particular, these components 430 generate data that allows an operator or the engine 400 to track the progress of the workflow as it transitions from one task to another.","Thus, the operator or the engine 400 can determine what part of a particular workflow is currently executing at any given time.","For example, the operator can use the tracking components 430 to determine that a workflow executing is waiting for an external system to execute a callback method.","This may be very helpful in trouble shooting any potential problem experienced when a particular workflow is executed.","The tracking components 430 in various embodiments are composed of one more classes.","For instance, in one embodiment, the tracking components are divided into event tracking classes and activity tracing classes as shown in FIG.","23.For example, the event tracking classes may include the classes PerformanceEvent 2301 and BaseEvent 2302.Thus, the workflow engine 400 makes use of the event tracking classes to record certain events occurring and the activity tracing classes to record information that trace certain activities occurring.","State Management Components The state management components 440 of various embodiments manage the overall state of the workflow.","For example, during the execution of a workflow, if an application level call is made, a copy of the workflow's case data is sent to the application.","Therefore, the state management components 440 cache the case data prior to the call so that the workflow can recover if the call fails.","Garbage Collection Components The garbage collection components 450 of various embodiments reclaim resources that have become orphaned.","For instance, the workflow engine 400 executes a gateway to communicate with an external resource, however the resource never responds.","This can happen for several different reasons such as the resource resides on a system that crashes prior to the workflow engine 400 delegating to the operating system to communicate with the resource.","As a result, the resources allocated to manage the gateway (e.g., a thread) become orphaned.","After a certain time period, the garbage collection components 450 free up these resources so that they may be used again.","In various embodiments, the garbage collection components 450 are implemented as one or more classes.","For instance, in one embodiment, the garbage collection components are implemented as class GarbageCollector with corresponding methods such as RemoveThreadFromMonitor and ActivateSensor.","Platform Abstraction Layer Components The platform abstraction layer components in various embodiments are what enable the workflow engine 400 to operate across multiple platforms.","For instance, for the workflow engine 400 to execute a conditional fork in various embodiments, the engine 400 needs to make use of threads provided by the operating system of the device the engine 400 is running on.","Thus, various embodiments of the workflow engine 400 require operating system support to perform tasks such as concurrency, queuing requests, locking data from concurrent access, etc.","In various embodiments, the platform abstraction layer components provide a transition layer from the Petri net language to the operating system language.","More specifically, the platform abstraction layer components take on more of the operating system language than the Petri net language.","As a result, the core engine (e.g., the runtime components) of the workflow engine 400 remains untouched as the workflow engine 400 is moved from one operating system to another.","Thus, the workflow engine 400 of various embodiments is easily adaptable to run on any number of operating systems and on any number of devices.","Delegate Components As previously discussed, in various embodiments the developer will insert custom code for a particular workflow application into the methods of a callback class representing a particular object (e.g., activity) of the workflow.","This custom code represents the work to be performed by the activity.","Delegates are a computer science concept in which a piece of code is used as if it where a piece of data.","For instance, a function itself is passed as a parameter in another function call.","In various embodiments, the developer does not pass the state machine builder 340 or the flow chart builder components 350 the actual method to execute but passes the builder 340, 350 a pointer (e.g., a reference to the method), and the builder 340, 350 wraps the method pointer into a class that operates as a delegate and passes the delegate to the workflow engine 400.Thus, by using a delegate (e.g., delegate class), the workflow engine 400 is using a first class citizen (e.g., using the delegate without restriction).","As a result, the engine 400 does not take raw method pointers from the developer.","Instead, the engine 400 takes the delegate and re-delegates it to the operating system so that there is a level of indirection between the raw method pointer created and managed by the developer and what the engine 400 operates on.","In turn, the operating system of the device on which the workflow engine 400 is running uses the delegate to access the code of the method to execute the code (e.g., the delegate points back to the application level callback method for the particular activity of the workflow).","However, the workflow engine 400 does not know the pointers, it only knows about the methods.","Thus, the workflow engine 400 is solving the higher-order method, which translates in the operating system to calling a method pointer.","This pointer is what is making the translation from the Petri net model the workflow engine 400 operates on to the developer's code that the operating system can execute.","For example, the code generator 320 generates code for a callback class to read data from a file.","class ReadDataFromFileTransition { void OnExecute (CaseData& caseData, WorkingSet& workingSet) { } } The flow chart builder 350 include a method “BuildTransition” then uses this callback class and wraps the class's callback method “OnExecute” in a delegate (e.g., the delegate class CSimpleDelege2).","void BuildTransition(...) { ReadDataFromFileTransition transition; CSimpleDelegate2< CaseData, WorkingSet > delegate(transition, &ReadDataFromFileTransition::OnExecute); } The workflow engine 400 then invokes this delegate using the overloaded ( ) operator of the CSimpleDelegate2 class.","void Enable( ) { ...","Delegate ( caseData, workingSet); } The delegate components of various embodiments of the workflow engine module 400 include the classes CSimpleDelegate, CSimpleDelegateAsync, CMulticastDelegate, CMulticastDelegateAsync, and CSimpleDelegate2.In certain circumstances, the builder 340, 350 may wrap a pointer that calls multiple pathways at the same time wherein the same dataset is used for all of the pathways.","In these circumstances, the CMulticastDelegate and CMulticastDelegateAsync classes are used.","These classes contain multiple pieces of operating system code in the same class.","Thus, the workflow engine 400 does not need to determine how many pointers in the operating system will be executed once the method is invoked.","The delegate class wraps that behind the scenes and calls the multiple pointers in the operating system.","Thread Pools Components The thread pools components 470 of various embodiments manage the thread pools used to execute concurrency within a workflow.","In particular, the thread pools components 470 use or create a background thread to invoke a callback method.","Thus, the thread pools components 470 place the method pointer on a thread and the operating system starts execution of the method from the pointer placed on the thread.","In various embodiments, the thread pools components 470 are composed of various classes such as CDefaultlocpBuffer, COverlappedOContext, and ClocpThreadPoolManager.","In a particular embodiment, the class ClocpThreadPoolManager includes one or more delegate classes as members and includes various methods to manage the thread pool such as StartThreadPool and AttachHandle.","Communication Components The communication components 480 of various embodiments enable the workflow to be invoked by a remote client using such services as NamedPipes, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, and middleware products.","In various embodiments, the communication components 480 are composed of various classes related to communications channels.","For example, an embodiment includes the classes CTcpServer and CTcpClient related to TCP/IP communication.","Instrumentation Components The instrumentation components 490 of various embodiments provide a logging mechanism, such as an event log.","For instance, these components 490 generate detailed diagnostic traces, performance metrics, workflow health data, critical alerts, and plug-in interfaces that hook in custom instrumentation sinks.","Concurrency Primitives Components The concurrency primitives components 491 of various embodiments are used in conjunction with providing concurrency within a workflow.","In particular, these components 491 serve as abstracts of various operating system concurrencies.","For example, CSimpleDelegateAsync handles splitting a workflow into two parallel pathways.","This class in turn spawns operating system threads, packs up the callback method arguments, and then marshals these arguments to each spawned thread callback.","In the case of a conditional split, various embodiments make use of additional classes in conjunction with CSimpleDelegateAsync such as CProtectAccess and CCriticalSection.","CProtectAccess abstracts a resource monitor and CCriticalSection abstracts an operating system's critical section so that data associated with the callback methods (e.g., workflow data) is not accessed by more than one thread of execution at a time.","Furthermore, the concurrency primitives components 491 provide the gateway counterparts according to various embodiments.","Thus, a piece of data needs to be protected if the piece of data is shared between two threads or two parallel branches are trying to operate on the same piece of data at the same time.","In various embodiments, the Petri net microkernel 410 in conjunction with these components acquire a system log before allowing a write so that if the other branch is trying to write, the second write cannot occur until the first write is complete.","Therefore, if a piece of data is to be modified that has been split on multiple pathways, only one pathway gets the log to modify the data, though more than one pathway can read the data at the same time.","Serialization Components The serialization components 492 of various embodiments ensure that binary coupling does not occur if the workflow engine 400 invokes a gateway.","In various embodiments, the engine 400 does not pass classes, pointers, or references to the gateway to expose memory structures to the gateway.","Instead, the serialization components 492 take the entire workflow data (or a subset of the workflow data) and create a memory stream and pass the memory stream to the gateway.","The gateway then receives the memory stream and turns the stream back into a class (e.g., a C++ class).","As a result, the class is in the memory inside the gateway and is independent of the workflow.","In various embodiments, the serialization components 492 are composed of several classes and an interface to a gateway.","For instance, in one embodiment, the serialization components 492 are composed of the class CXmlToCppSerializer.","This class includes methods to serialize a stream of data and to get a serialized stream of data and de-serialize the stream of data.","In addition, the class CXmlToCppSerializer communicates with an interface (e.g., ISerializer) to communicate the serialized stream of data to a gateway.","An Example of Providing a Workflow FIG.","24 provides an example of a workflow developed using the desktop workspace 500 of the graphical designer module 300.This example is provided for illustration purposes only and in no way should be construed to limit the scope of the claimed invention.","In the example, the workflow begins with the Start 2401 of the workflow and proceeds to a Decision 2402.The workflow path separates into two paths based on the evaluation of the Decision 2402.If the Decision evaluates to “NO,” the workflow proceeds to Process 2403.If the Decision evaluates to “YES,” the workflow proceeds to Database Query 2404.Database Query 2404 is considered a gateway in which the workflow engine 400 delegates to the operating system to communicate with an external database and to execute a query on the database.","Once the workflow has either proceeded to Process 2403 or Database Query 2404, the workflow then proceeds to Extract Information 2405.Extract Information 2405 is considered an embedded workflow.","Thus, the workflow proceeds to another workflow entitled “extract information.” The workflow may pass information to the embedded workflow and the embedded workflow may return information to the workflow depending on the particular implementations of each workflow.","Once the embedded workflow has completed and control has passed back to the primary workflow, the primary workflow proceeds to C Fork 2406.C Fork 2406 represents a split in the path of the workflow into two independent paths.","Thus, C Fork 2406 indicates concurrency within the workflow.","As previously mentioned, the designer places the C Fork shape 2406 into the workflow during the construction of the workflow on the desktop workspace 500 and this is converted into executable code that indicates to the workflow engine module 400 to perform concurrency within the workflow.","In this particular example, the workflow performs two concurrent paths wherein the first path proceeds to Task A 2407 and the second path proceeds to Task B 2408.The two paths converge back at C Merge 2409.C Merge 2409 represents a conditional merge (note that in this example, C Fork 2406 represents a conditional fork).","Therefore, the workflow engine module 400 executing the workflow shown in this example does not wait for both Task A 2407 and Task B 2408 to complete before proceeding with the remainder of the workflow.","The workflow engine module 400 proceeds with the remainder of the workflow once Task A 2407 or Task B 2408 has completed.","Finally, the workflow proceeds to the End 2410 of the workflow as shown in FIG.","24.As previously discussed, a designer builds the workflow on the desktop workspace 500 by simply dragging and dropping the appropriate shape for each workflow object onto the desktop workspace 500.In addition, the designer indicates on the workspace 500 the connectors between the shapes to represent the flow of the workflow and any conditions related to the connectors.","Furthermore, the designer indicates what variables to include into the case data and working set data sets for the workflow, as shown in FIG.","25.Once the designer has completed designing the workflow on the desktop workspace 500, the designer selects the “code generate” button on the designer screen.","The graphical designer module 300 reads the diagram of the workflow and creates an XML representation of the workflow (e.g., workflow domain model).","FIG.","26 displays a sample of XML generated when the designer selects the “code generate” button for the example discussed above in FIG.","24.The various objects of the workflow are shown in the element 2601 such as “Start,” “Decision,” and “Database Query.” The connectors of the workflow are shown in the element 2602.In addition, the data (e.g., the case data and working set data) is incorporated by reference to the XML schema definition file “SampleFlowChart.xsd” 2603 and the fields for the database query are incorporated by reference to the XML schema definition file “MyGatewayDataContract.xsd” 2604.Furthermore, the conditions placed on the connectors associated with the Decision 2402 of the workflow are shown in the element .","Thus, the XML found in the file describes the objects of the workflow and how they are wired together.","FIGS.","27, 28, and 29 illustrate the C++ source code generated by the code generator components 320 for the example of the workflow depicted in FIG.","24.Specifically, FIG.","27 illustrates an example of an implementation file containing the workflow assembly source code generated based on a C++ domain model.","The file also includes the method “AssembleWorkFlow” 2701 that is executed by the builder 340, 350 to construct the workflow and implement the sequencing of the workflow.","Thus, as previously discussed, if the builder 340, 350 executes the method “AssembleWorkFlow” 2701, the builder 340, 350 first builds the individual objects 2702 of the workflow and the connectors between the objects 2703 in memory as an object graph and the workflow engine 400 invokes each of the objects as the engine 400 traverses the graph.","FIG.","28 illustrates an example of a header file declaring callback classes for each object of the workflow depicted in FIG.","24 and the corresponding callback methods for each class.","For example, the “DecisionTransition” class 2801 represents the Decision 2402 displayed in the workflow depicted in FIG.","24.This class includes the declaration for two methods, “EvaluateCondition” 2802 and “OnEvaluateCondition” 2803.These two methods are the callback methods for the Decision 2402.In addition, the methods for each class reference the case data (e.g., SampleFlowChartCaseData 2804) and the working set data (e.g., SampleFlowChartWorkingSet 2805) for the workflow.","FIG.","29 illustrates an example of a file containing the implementation for each of the workflow object callback methods.","In particular, the workflow engine module 400 delegates to the operating system to call back the methods for a particular workflow object in various embodiments if the engine 400 invokes the object (e.g., class) during execution of the workflow.","Therefore, the developer edits this file to write the contents of these methods as needed for the specific application.","For example, the developer inserts the code for the method “ProcessTransition::OnExecute” 2901 that is executed for the Process 2403 of the workflow if the engine 400 invokes this Process 2403.In addition, this file in various embodiments is round-trip engineered as previously discussed.","This is to ensure that the code written by the developer is preserved if the workflow is re-complied.","Furthermore, the file illustrated in FIG.","29 also depicts the stub implementation as previously discussed.","Such an implementation is shown in the method “DecisionTransition::OnEvaluateCondition” 2902.Thus, as previously discussed, the developer replaces this exception with the desired code for the particular object of the workflow.","As previously mentioned, code generator components 320 can generate source code in multiple languages from a single description of the workflow.","Thus, FIGS.","30, 31, and 32 illustrate the C# source code (similar to the C++ source code discussed above) generated by the code generator components 320 for the example of the workflow depicted in FIG.","24.Once the developer has written the application specific code for the workflow, the developer saves the code as an executable program.","Thus, to execute the particular workflow, the state machine builder 340 or the flow chart builder 350 reads the workflow assembly source code of the workflow and maps the various objects of the workflow to Petri net classes and builds the workflow in memory.","FIG.","33 illustrates the mapping of the workflow depicted in FIG.","24 to the corresponding Petri net classes.","For example, the Start 2401, End 2410, Process 2403, Task A 2407, and Task B 2408 map to the transition class CTransition 3301.As the builder 340, 350 maps the workflow into memory, the builder 340, 350 morphs the objects of the workflow to fit into a Petri net model.","For example, the builder 340, 350 first builds a start place for the workflow in memory.","This start place serves as the first placeholder for the token to start the workflow (e.g., the first input for the token in the workflow).","The builder 340, 350 then builds a start transition (e.g., CTransition) in memory to represent the start 2401 of the workflow shown in FIG.","24 and places an arc between the start place and start transition to connect the two objects.","Next, the builder 340, 350 builds a place in memory for the start transition to output the token into.","This place is associated with the decision 2402 shown in the workflow displayed in FIG.","24.Thus, this decision place will serve as the input place to trigger the decision 2402 to execute.","The builder 340, 350 then builds a transition in memory to represent the decision 2402.Again, the builder 340, 350 also builds an arc between the decision place and the decision transition.","Next, the builder 340, 350 builds two places into memory leading on different paths from the decision transition along with corresponding arcs between the decision transition and the two places.","In this case, the builder 340, 350 also builds into memory a binary guard (e.g., CBinaryGuard) to represent the decision and the direction the workflow will take depending on the returned data (e.g., resulting case data) from the execution of the decision task.","In addition, the builder 340, 350 builds the process 2403 and the database query 2404 displayed in FIG.","24 into memory as transitions along with arcs leading from the corresponding places built after the decision transition.","The builder 340, 350 continues to build the workflow shown in FIG.","24 in memory by morphing the corresponding workflow objects indicated in the workflow assembly source code shown in FIG.","27 into a Petri net model according to the mapping shown in FIG.","33.Once the builder 340, 350 has written the workflow into memory, the workflow engine 400 receives a request to execute the workflow.","The execution of the workflow is shown in FIG.","34.Thus, the workflow engine 400 receives the request and begins to execute the workflow, shown as Step 3401.The engine 400 extracts the case data from the token and places the token into the InputPlace (e.g., start place) for the workflow, shown as Step 3402.In this example, the workflow engine 400 then invokes the one or more delegates (e.g., CMultiCastDelegate) in which the corresponding pointers for the transition have been wrapped into by the builder 340, 350, shown as Step 3403.For example, according to one embodiment, the class StartTransition has the callback method OnExecute (see FIGS.","28 and 29).","Therefore, the builder 340, 350 wraps the pointer for this method into the appropriate delegate and writes the delegate into memory and the workflow engine 400 invokes this delegate.","Next, the workflow engine 400 activates the start in the workflow, shown as Step 3404.The start of the workflow has been translated into the class CTransition.","The engine 400 determines that the transition has been activated (i.e., the engine 400 determines that the token has been placed in the input place for the start transition), and invokes the method onExecuteActivity, shown as Step 3405.The engine 400 delegates the pointer for the method OnExecute associated with the start of the workflow to the appropriate adapter (e.g., CCustomTransition) and the adapter passes the pointer to the operating system.","The operating system receives the pointer and executes the callback method OnExecute by utilizing the pointer and returns the result to the workflow engine 400.The workflow engine 400 then transfers the token along with the case data to each of the outward arcs for the start transition, shown as Step 3406.Thus, in this example, the workflow engine 400 transfers the token to the outward arc (e.g., CArc) in Step 3407 and the engine 400 then releases the token to the appropriate output place (e.g., OutputPlace) in Step 3408.This output place serves as the input place for the decision object in the workflow.","Thus, the process starts over for the decision transition.","In Steps 3403 and 3404, the workflow engine 400 invokes the appropriate delegate for the callback method for the decision transition and determines whether the decision transition has been enabled.","If the engine 400 determines the decision transition has been enabled (e.g., the input place for the decision transition is holding the token), the engine 400 executes the transition, shown as Step 3405.In this case, the corresponding callback method for the decision transition is the method OnEvaluateCondition (See FIG.","29).","Thus, the workflow engine 400 delegates the pointer for the method OnEvaluateCondition to the appropriate adapter and the adapter passes the pointer to the operating system to execute the callback method.","For example, the start transition's method OnExecute involves executing logic that produces an output variable based on one or more variables present in the case data.","Therefore, the operating system executes the method OnExecute for the start transition and returns in the case data the new output variable.","In turn, the operating system executes the method OnEvaluateCondition for the decision transition and determines whether the value of the new output variable produced for the start transition is above a predetermined threshold.","If the value is above the predetermined threshold, the operating system creates a determination variable of “YES.” If the value is equal to or below the predetermined threshold, the operating system creates a determination variable of “NO.” The operating system then returns the case data to the workflow engine 400 with the new determination variable.","The workflow engine 400 then evaluates the returned case data to determine the appropriate outward arcs for the decision transition by invoking the method GuardEvaluatesToTrue, shown as Step 3409.Thus, the workflow engine 400 evaluates the determination variable to determine the appropriate outward arc.","If the determination variable indicates “YES,” the workflow engine 400 transfers the token to the outward arc leading to the input place for the process transition.","If the determination variable indicated “NO,” the workflow engine 400 transfers the token to the outward arc leading to the appropriate input place for the database query transition.","The workflow engine 400 continues by releasing the token to the input place for either the process transition or the database query transition based on which outward arc the engine 400 had previously placed the token into.","If the workflow engine 400 determines that the appropriate outward arc leads to the input place for the database query transition and, the workflow engine 400 holds the token in the input place for the database query transition, and as a result enables the database query transition to execute, shown as Step 3405.The callback methods associated with the database query transition are OnSetGatewayRequest and OnGetGatewayResponse.","In this case, the workflow engine 400 invokes the appropriate delegates for the method pointers for a gateway and delegates the pointers to the adapter to pass to the operating system.","As previously discussed, the gateway serves as a connection to an external source.","Thus, the operating system uses the appropriate API to communicate with the database and performs the query for the database as specified by the method pointers.","As a result, the queried information is returned to the workflow in the case data.","Furthermore, the workflow engine 400 executes the conditional fork representing concurrency within the workflow if the engine 400 encounters this object during execution by invoking the appropriate classes (e.g., CSimpleDelegateAsync, CProtectAccess, and CCriticalSection).","Thus, the workflow engine 400 spawns two operating system threads, a first thread used by the operating system to execute the one or more callback methods associated with Task A 2407 and a second thread used by the operating system to execute the one or more callback methods associated with Task B 2408.The workflow engine 400 delegates the pointer for the methods for both Task A 2407 and Task B 2408 to the appropriate adapter and the adapter passes the pointer to the operating system to execute the callback methods.","In this case since the concurrency is represented as conditional, once the operating system has completed executing the methods associated with either Task A 2407 or Task B 2408 and has returned the corresponding case data back to the workflow engine 400, the engine 400 continues to execute the workflow by placing the token into the input place for the end of the workflow without waiting for the operating system to complete the execution of the methods for the other task.","That is, if the operating system completes the callback methods for Task A 2407 and returns the corresponding case data to the workflow engine 400 before the operating system has completed the callback methods for Task B 2408, the engine 400 continues to execute the workflow without waiting for the operating system to return the case data after executing the callback methods associated with Task B 2408.Thus, the workflow engine 400 traverses the workflow until the engine 400 has completed executing the workflow.","At this point, the engine 400 sends a response (e.g., the end resulting case data) back to the client that issued the request to the engine 400 to execute the workflow.","FIG.","35 is an exemplary embodiment of a diagram illustrating relationships between Petri net classes and flowchart classes according to an exemplary embodiment.","FIG.","36 provides an example of a workflow developed on the desktop workspace 500 of the graphical designer module 300 according to an exemplary embodiment.","CONCLUSION Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.","Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended listing of inventive concepts.","Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A REAL-TIME WORKFLOW PLATFORM\",\n \"Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for enabling design, generation, and execution of real-time workflows.\",\n \"Such embodiments provide a graphical designer including a plurality of shapes representing the various objects of a workflow that are used to model the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, various embodiments of the graphical designer provide shapes to model aspects of the workflow not found in previous graphical designers.\",\n \"Various embodiments also provide a code generator that converts the representation of the workflow into executable code for multiple target languages.\",\n \"Various embodiments also provide a workflow engine based on a Petri net model responsible for executing the workflow and for delegating tasks to be performed for the workflow to an operating system.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow engine further includes a platform abstraction layer that provides a transition layer from the Petri net language to the operating system language.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing code executable by one or more processors to generate a graphical designer comprising: a desktop workspace; and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer, each shape expressing performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes express a role of communicating with a resource external to the workflow process so that a workflow engine adapted for executing code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical designer and having at least one shape of the one or more shapes expressing the role of communicating with the external resource is further adapted to manage communicating with the process external to the particular workflow.\",\n \"2.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more shapes of the graphical designer expressing the role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow process comprise one or more gateways.\",\n \"3.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.\",\n \"4.A system for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow comprising: memory adapted to store a graphical designer module and a workflow engine module; and at least one processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module and the workflow engine module stored in memory, wherein: the graphical designer module is adapted for execution by the at least one processor to: generate a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow comprising: a desktop workspace; and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer, each shape expressing performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow wherein one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; and generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and the workflow engine module is adapted for execution by the at least one processor to execute the code to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 4, wherein the graphical designer is adapted to generate code to indicate communicating with the resource external to the workflow and is adapted not to generate code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 4, wherein the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.\",\n \"7.A computer-implemented method for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow, the method comprising: generating, via one or more processors, a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a workspace provided by a graphical designer residing one at least one computing device, each shape expressing performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow wherein one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; generating, via the one or more processors, executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and executing, via the one or more processors, the code using a workflow engine residing on the at least one computing device to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 7 wherein, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 7 wherein, the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A workflow is the flow or progression of work that describes the tasks, procedural steps, organizations or people involved in a particular business process.\",\n \"In addition, a workflow may indicate the required input and output information, and tools needed for each step in the business process.\",\n \"A number of organizations institute workflow automation products that allow the organization to create a workflow model and components such as online forms and then to use this product as a way to manage and enforce the consistent handling of work.\",\n \"For example, a manufacturing company may use a workflow automation application to ensure that a purchase order received for merchandise is handled consistently from the initial receiving of the order to the final shipment of the merchandise to the customer.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow ensures each person and system involved in the process of fulfilling purchase orders successfully completes their step before allowing the process to proceed to the next procedural step in the process.\",\n \"In various industries, operations have numerous business processes that have high-throughput and short running requirements.\",\n \"These may be known as real-time systems.\",\n \"Such processes involve real-time computing with hardware and software systems that are subject to real-time constraints.\",\n \"In many cases, overall orchestration or choreography of the workflow must happen very fast, sometimes in the order of a few hundred milliseconds.\",\n \"Various real-time systems are known to be “hard,” that is completion of an operation after its deadline is considered useless.\",\n \"Ultimately, this may lead to a critical failure of the complete system.\",\n \"Other real-time systems are known to be “soft” and will tolerate lateness of an operation, though the lateness may lead to decreased service quality.\",\n \"For example, a real-time system may be designed to produce a label for a package running on a conveyor belt.\",\n \"The package has a bar code and runs on the conveyor belt and is scanned by an operator using a handheld device.\",\n \"The information is processed by the real-time computer system and the system goes through and connects to multiple external systems to obtain the information needed to produce a package label.\",\n \"Different external systems make decisions based on the scanned information.\",\n \"For instance, a system will determine whether the address indicated in the scanned information is correct or not and another system will look at the dimensions indicated in the scanned information and will evaluate whether they are different than the actual dimensions of the package to determine whether the package needs to be re-billed.\",\n \"All of this information processing must be performed within 200 to 300 milliseconds.\",\n \"This is because the package label must be produced and printed out at the end of the conveyor belt so that the operator can retrieve the label from a printer, apply the label to the package, and place the package in the correct bin at the end of the conveyor belt.\",\n \"Many commercial workflow products (e.g., workflow engines on the market) are not designed for such business processes.\",\n \"This is because many of these products involve a great deal of overhead such as a database engine, a message server, and/or a WebLogic® server.\",\n \"As a result, these workflow engines cannot scale down to very short time frames.\",\n \"Thus, a need exists for a workflow product that allows a designer to design high performance, short duration workflows and that can execute such workflows.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A system for executing a workflow according to various embodiments includes memory adapted to store a workflow engine module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the workflow engine module.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module includes a Petri net domain model.\",\n \"The Petri net domain model includes a set of objects wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the Petri net model is a single token, non-color Petri net.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module is adapted to read source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to load the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow and each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects of the Petri net domain model based on rules governing the Petri net model.\",\n \"Furthermore, the workflow engine module according to various embodiments is adapted to execute the particular workflow loaded into memory.\",\n \"The set of objects of the Petri net domain model in various embodiments includes a token object, a place object, an arc object, and a transition object.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more trigger objects to represent triggering a transition object based on stimuli external to the workflow engine.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more guard objects to represent conditional logic placed on objects representing connectors of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow engine module also includes one or more abstraction layer components adapted for delegating tasks associated with one or more elements of the particular workflow to an operating system to be performed by the operating system.\",\n \"These abstraction layer components of various embodiments include one or more delegate components comprising pointers to source code for the tasks.\",\n \"In addition, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted to pass the delegate components to the operating system so that the operating system can used the pointers to access the source code to execute to perform the tasks.\",\n \"A computer-implemented process to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.\",\n \"The process, according to various embodiments, further includes reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In addition, the process, according to various embodiments, includes loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.\",\n \"Furthermore, the process, according to various embodiments, includes executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.\",\n \"A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.\",\n \"The computer-readable medium of various embodiments further includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.\",\n \"In addition, the runtime components in various embodiments are further adapted for executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.\",\n \"Further embodiments also include a system for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow that includes memory adapted to store a graphical designer module.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the system also includes a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.\",\n \"The graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the graphical designer includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"Each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the system further includes a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module.\",\n \"For instance, the workflow engine module executes the code to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow by managing threads.\",\n \"For instance, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module manages the threads by performing one or more of managing an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, managing thread creation, and managing thread synchronization.\",\n \"Furthermore, a computer-implemented process for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a desktop workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by managing threads.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by executing code to manage one or more of an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, thread creation, and thread synchronization.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to manage the threads.\",\n \"A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer according to further embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes are adapted to express a role of concurrency within the workflow process.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, a workflow engine is adapted to execute code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of concurrency.\",\n \"The workflow engine of these particular embodiments is also adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a parallel fork and a parallel merge.\",\n \"These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein all of the processes complete before the workflow continues.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a conditional fork and a conditional merge.\",\n \"These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein the workflow continues when any one of the processes completes.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a system for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"The system includes a memory adapted to store a graphical designer module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"The graphical designer module includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow.\",\n \"Furthermore, the system of various embodiments may also include a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the graphical designer is adapted to generate code to indicate communicating with the resource external to the workflow; however the graphical designer is not adapted to generate code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer.\",\n \"The computer-readable medium of these embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with a resource external to the workflow process.\",\n \"This is so that a workflow engine adapted for executing code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical workflow designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of communicating with the external resource is further adapted to manage communicating with the process external to the particular workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the shapes expressing the role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow process comprise one or more gateways.\",\n \"A computer-implemented process for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"A system for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the target language includes one of C++, C#, .Net, or Java programming language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the code generator is adapted to read a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.\",\n \"Furthermore, the code generator of various embodiments is adapted to create a target language domain model that includes a second set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the code generator is further adapted to transcribe the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model, and generate the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the source code indicates each activity of the workflow and the connections between the activities.\",\n \"In addition, the source code includes a set of one or more methods.\",\n \"Each method is associated with a particular workflow activity and each method serves as a skeleton for a developer to write the content to perform for the specific workflow activity.\",\n \"In various embodiments, these methods are callback methods.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable to generate source code for a workflow in a particular target language.\",\n \"The computer-readable medium includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.\",\n \"Furthermore, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted for creating a target language domain model including a second set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and for generating source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.\",\n \"A computer-implemented process for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes the step of reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow that includes a first set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.\",\n \"The process, according to various embodiments, further includes the step of creating a target language domain model comprising a second set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the process further includes the steps of transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and generating the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what the source code is going to be generated.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a system for generating one or more source code files that include memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.\",\n \"The code generator is adapted to operate on a domain model that includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serving as the root of the hierarchy of classes.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the source code language.\",\n \"Each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.\",\n \"Furthermore, the hierarchy of claims according to various embodiments includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.\",\n \"The code generator of particular embodiments is further adapted to generate a file of the one or more source code files by composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.\",\n \"In various embodiments, these generated source code files may include header files and/or implementation files.\",\n \"In addition, in particular embodiments, the domain model also includes one or more networks of classes, wherein a network includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.\",\n \"In various embodiments, invoking the write method on the appropriate source file class implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the source code language is C++.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the element class is an abstract class.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the method for writing the declaration and the method for writing the implementation are abstract methods.\",\n \"A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate one or more source code files according to further embodiments includes one or more runtime components adapted for including a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and that serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes representing the artifacts of the source code language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.\",\n \"Each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.\",\n \"In various embodiment, the runtime components are further adapted for composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a network of the one or more networks includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a computer-implemented process for generating one or mores source code files that include the step of operating on a domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the domain model includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.\",\n \"The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact, and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.\",\n \"The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments may also include one or more source code file classes representing source code files.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each source file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the domain module includes one or more networks, wherein a network of the one or more networks comprises more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.\",\n \"Furthermore, the process according to various embodiments further includes the steps of composing the one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source code file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the step of invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/196,482, filed Mar.\",\n \"4, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/433,563 filed Apr.\",\n \"30, 2009, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A workflow is the flow or progression of work that describes the tasks, procedural steps, organizations or people involved in a particular business process.\",\n \"In addition, a workflow may indicate the required input and output information, and tools needed for each step in the business process.\",\n \"A number of organizations institute workflow automation products that allow the organization to create a workflow model and components such as online forms and then to use this product as a way to manage and enforce the consistent handling of work.\",\n \"For example, a manufacturing company may use a workflow automation application to ensure that a purchase order received for merchandise is handled consistently from the initial receiving of the order to the final shipment of the merchandise to the customer.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow ensures each person and system involved in the process of fulfilling purchase orders successfully completes their step before allowing the process to proceed to the next procedural step in the process.\",\n \"In various industries, operations have numerous business processes that have high-throughput and short running requirements.\",\n \"These may be known as real-time systems.\",\n \"Such processes involve real-time computing with hardware and software systems that are subject to real-time constraints.\",\n \"In many cases, overall orchestration or choreography of the workflow must happen very fast, sometimes in the order of a few hundred milliseconds.\",\n \"Various real-time systems are known to be “hard,” that is completion of an operation after its deadline is considered useless.\",\n \"Ultimately, this may lead to a critical failure of the complete system.\",\n \"Other real-time systems are known to be “soft” and will tolerate lateness of an operation, though the lateness may lead to decreased service quality.\",\n \"For example, a real-time system may be designed to produce a label for a package running on a conveyor belt.\",\n \"The package has a bar code and runs on the conveyor belt and is scanned by an operator using a handheld device.\",\n \"The information is processed by the real-time computer system and the system goes through and connects to multiple external systems to obtain the information needed to produce a package label.\",\n \"Different external systems make decisions based on the scanned information.\",\n \"For instance, a system will determine whether the address indicated in the scanned information is correct or not and another system will look at the dimensions indicated in the scanned information and will evaluate whether they are different than the actual dimensions of the package to determine whether the package needs to be re-billed.\",\n \"All of this information processing must be performed within 200 to 300 milliseconds.\",\n \"This is because the package label must be produced and printed out at the end of the conveyor belt so that the operator can retrieve the label from a printer, apply the label to the package, and place the package in the correct bin at the end of the conveyor belt.\",\n \"Many commercial workflow products (e.g., workflow engines on the market) are not designed for such business processes.\",\n \"This is because many of these products involve a great deal of overhead such as a database engine, a message server, and/or a WebLogic® server.\",\n \"As a result, these workflow engines cannot scale down to very short time frames.\",\n \"Thus, a need exists for a workflow product that allows a designer to design high performance, short duration workflows and that can execute such workflows.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A system for executing a workflow according to various embodiments includes memory adapted to store a workflow engine module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the workflow engine module.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow represents a progression of physical work to perform.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module includes a Petri net domain model.\",\n \"The Petri net domain model includes a set of objects wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the Petri net model is a single token, non-color Petri net.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module is adapted to read source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to load the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow and each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects of the Petri net domain model based on rules governing the Petri net model.\",\n \"Furthermore, the workflow engine module according to various embodiments is adapted to execute the particular workflow loaded into memory.\",\n \"The set of objects of the Petri net domain model in various embodiments includes a token object, a place object, an arc object, and a transition object.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more trigger objects to represent triggering a transition object based on stimuli external to the workflow engine.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the set of objects further includes one or more guard objects to represent conditional logic placed on objects representing connectors of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow engine module also includes one or more abstraction layer components adapted for delegating tasks associated with one or more elements of the particular workflow to an operating system to be performed by the operating system.\",\n \"These abstraction layer components of various embodiments include one or more delegate components comprising pointers to source code for the tasks.\",\n \"In addition, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted to pass the delegate components to the operating system so that the operating system can used the pointers to access the source code to execute to perform the tasks.\",\n \"A computer-implemented process to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.\",\n \"The process, according to various embodiments, further includes reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In addition, the process, according to various embodiments, includes loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.\",\n \"Furthermore, the process, according to various embodiments, includes executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.\",\n \"A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a workflow engine according to further embodiments includes a Petri net domain model that includes a set of objects, wherein each object represents a particular type of element of a Petri net model.\",\n \"The computer-readable medium of various embodiments further includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading source code representing a particular workflow that indicates elements of the particular workflow and connectors between elements of the particular workflow to sequence the elements of the particular workflow.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for loading the particular workflow into memory by mapping each element of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects and mapping each connector of the particular workflow to one or more objects of the set of objects based on rules governing the Petri net model.\",\n \"In addition, the runtime components in various embodiments are further adapted for executing the particular workflow loaded into memory.\",\n \"Further embodiments also include a system for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow that includes memory adapted to store a graphical designer module.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the system also includes a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.\",\n \"The graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the graphical designer includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"Each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the system further includes a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module.\",\n \"For instance, the workflow engine module executes the code to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow engine module is further adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow by managing threads.\",\n \"For instance, in various embodiments, the workflow engine module manages the threads by performing one or more of managing an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, managing thread creation, and managing thread synchronization.\",\n \"Furthermore, a computer-implemented process for executing a workflow containing concurrency within the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a desktop workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more of the shapes express a role of concurrency within the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow containing concurrency; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage the concurrency of the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by managing threads.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the step of executing the code using the workflow engine to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow is performed by executing code to manage one or more of an internal thread pool, spinning off a thread, thread creation, and thread synchronization.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to manage the threads.\",\n \"A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer according to further embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes are adapted to express a role of concurrency within the workflow process.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, a workflow engine is adapted to execute code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of concurrency.\",\n \"The workflow engine of these particular embodiments is also adapted to manage the concurrency of the particular workflow.\",\n \"In particular embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a parallel fork and a parallel merge.\",\n \"These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein all of the processes complete before the workflow continues.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the one or more shapes expressing the role of concurrency include a conditional fork and a conditional merge.\",\n \"These shapes are adapted to represent two or more processes of the workflow performing concurrently, wherein the workflow continues when any one of the processes completes.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a system for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"The system includes a memory adapted to store a graphical designer module and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the graphical designer module.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the graphical designer module is adapted to generate a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"The graphical designer module includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the graphical designer module is further adapted to generate executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow.\",\n \"Furthermore, the system of various embodiments may also include a workflow engine module adapted to execute the code generated by the graphical designer module to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the graphical designer is adapted to generate code to indicate communicating with the resource external to the workflow; however the graphical designer is not adapted to generate code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate a graphical designer.\",\n \"The computer-readable medium of these embodiments includes a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes adapted to be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace by a designer.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process, wherein one or more of the shapes express a role of communicating with a resource external to the workflow process.\",\n \"This is so that a workflow engine adapted for executing code generated to represent a particular workflow designed using the graphical workflow designer and having at least one shape expressing the role of communicating with the external resource is further adapted to manage communicating with the process external to the particular workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the shapes expressing the role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow process comprise one or more gateways.\",\n \"A computer-implemented process for executing a workflow communicating with a resource external to the workflow according to further embodiments includes the steps of: (1) generating a graphical representation of the workflow communicating with the resource external to the workflow by dragging and dropping a plurality of shapes onto a workspace, wherein each shape expresses performance of at least one predefined role in the workflow and one or more shapes express a role of communicating with the resource external to the workflow; (2) generating executable code based on the graphical representation of the workflow; and (3) executing the code using a workflow engine to perform the workflow and to manage communication with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the step of generating executable code does not entail generating code to perform communicating with the resource external to the workflow.\",\n \"A system for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the target language includes one of C++, C#, .Net, or Java programming language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the code generator is adapted to read a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.\",\n \"Furthermore, the code generator of various embodiments is adapted to create a target language domain model that includes a second set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the code generator is further adapted to transcribe the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model, and generate the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the source code indicates each activity of the workflow and the connections between the activities.\",\n \"In addition, the source code includes a set of one or more methods.\",\n \"Each method is associated with a particular workflow activity and each method serves as a skeleton for a developer to write the content to perform for the specific workflow activity.\",\n \"In various embodiments, these methods are callback methods.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a computer-readable medium containing code executable to generate source code for a workflow in a particular target language.\",\n \"The computer-readable medium includes one or more runtime components adapted for reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow including a first set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.\",\n \"Furthermore, the runtime components of various embodiments are further adapted for creating a target language domain model including a second set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the runtime components are further adapted for transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and for generating source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what source code is going to be generated.\",\n \"A computer-implemented process for generating source code for a workflow in a particular target language according to further embodiments includes the step of reading a file including a workflow domain model for a workflow that includes a first set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the first set of objects represents a particular workflow activity of the workflow or a particular connection between two activities of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, each object carries properties associated with the particular workflow activity or the particular connection.\",\n \"The process, according to various embodiments, further includes the step of creating a target language domain model comprising a second set of objects.\",\n \"Each object of the second set of objects represents an appropriate object of the target language for each object of the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the process further includes the steps of transcribing the properties associated with each object of the workflow domain model to the corresponding object of the target language domain model and generating the source code for the workflow in the particular target language from the target language domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow domain model does not carry with it any information about what the source code is going to be generated.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a system for generating one or more source code files that include memory adapted to store a code generator and a processor in communication with the memory and adapted to execute the code generator.\",\n \"The code generator is adapted to operate on a domain model that includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serving as the root of the hierarchy of classes.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the source code language.\",\n \"Each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.\",\n \"Furthermore, the hierarchy of claims according to various embodiments includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.\",\n \"The code generator of particular embodiments is further adapted to generate a file of the one or more source code files by composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.\",\n \"In various embodiments, these generated source code files may include header files and/or implementation files.\",\n \"In addition, in particular embodiments, the domain model also includes one or more networks of classes, wherein a network includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.\",\n \"In various embodiments, invoking the write method on the appropriate source file class implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the source code language is C++.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the element class is an abstract class.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the method for writing the declaration and the method for writing the implementation are abstract methods.\",\n \"A computer-readable medium containing code executable by a processor to generate one or more source code files according to further embodiments includes one or more runtime components adapted for including a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and that serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes representing the artifacts of the source code language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more source code file classes representing source code files.\",\n \"Each source code file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.\",\n \"In various embodiment, the runtime components are further adapted for composing one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a network of the one or more networks includes more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.\",\n \"Further embodiments include a computer-implemented process for generating one or mores source code files that include the step of operating on a domain model.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the domain model includes a hierarchy of classes in a source code language.\",\n \"The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments includes an element class that includes a method for writing a declaration and a method for writing an implementation and serves as the root of the hierarchy of classes.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the hierarchy of classes includes one or more artifact classes that represent the artifacts of the language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each artifact class is represented as a derivation of the element class and includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact, and an implementation of the method for writing the implementation that makes semantic sense for the particular artifact.\",\n \"The hierarchy of classes according to various embodiments may also include one or more source code file classes representing source code files.\",\n \"In various embodiments, each source file class includes an implementation of the method for writing the declaration, an implementation of the method for writing the implementation, and a write method which orchestrates writing the contents to the one or more source code files.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the domain module includes one or more networks, wherein a network of the one or more networks comprises more than one class and one or more of the classes of the network serve as constituents of one or more of the other classes of the network.\",\n \"Furthermore, the process according to various embodiments further includes the steps of composing the one or more networks of the classes from the domain model, adding each composition of the networks to either the implementation of the method for writing the declaration or the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of the appropriate source code file class, and invoking the write method on the appropriate source code file class to generate a source code file.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the step of invoking the write method implements the behavior of the implementation of the method for writing the declaration and the implementation of the method for writing the implementation of a particular class of the network by delegating to the constituents of the particular class.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a process for enabling design, generation, and execution of a real-time workflow according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system including a workflow engine device according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a workflow engine device according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram illustrating the architecture of a workflow engine device according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is an illustration of a desktop workspace according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is an additional illustration of the desktop workspace shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is an illustration of a case data entry screen according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is an illustration of generated XML according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 is a diagram illustrating the base model for a workflow domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a diagram illustrating the base model for a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 is a diagram illustrating examples of objects in a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating source code according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 is a diagram illustrating several important language elements in a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 is a diagram illustrating some of the compositional relationships provided in a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the declaration of a CppClass is written according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 is a diagram illustrating the containment relationship between CppImplementationFile and the other elements of a target language domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21 is a diagram illustrating invoking a Write method on a file object according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 is a diagram illustrating a C++ programming framework that represents a Petri net model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23 is a diagram illustrating tracking objects according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 is an illustration of a workflow diagram on a desktop workspace according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25 is an illustration of case data for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"26 is an illustration of XML for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"27 is an illustration of generated C++ source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"28 is an illustration of generated C++ source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"29 is an illustration of generated C++ source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"30 is an illustration of generated C# source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"31 is an illustration of generated C# source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"32 is an illustration of generated C# source code for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"33 is a diagram illustrating the mapping of the objects of the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 to Petri net classes according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"34 provides an exemplary process for executing a request for the workflow illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"35 is a diagram illustrating relationships between Petri net classes and flowchart classes according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"36 is an illustration of a workflow diagram on a desktop workspace according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS The present invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown.\",\n \"Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.\",\n \"Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.\",\n \"As should be appreciated, the embodiments may be implemented in various ways, including as methods, apparatus, systems, or computer program products.\",\n \"Accordingly, the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment in which a processor is programmed to perform certain steps.\",\n \"Furthermore, the various implementations may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions embodied in the storage medium.\",\n \"Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.\",\n \"The embodiments are described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products.\",\n \"It should be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, may be implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps or operations executing on a processor in a computing system.\",\n \"These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, such as a special purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.\",\n \"These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the functionality specified in the flowchart block or blocks.\",\n \"The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.\",\n \"Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support various combinations for performing the specified functions, combinations of operations for performing the specified functions and program instructions for performing the specified functions.\",\n \"It should also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or operations, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.\",\n \"BRIEF OVERVIEW Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for enabling design, generation, and execution of a real-time workflow.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"1 provides an overview of an exemplary process to enable design, generation, and execution a real-time workflow model for a particular workflow.\",\n \"The process begins with building a representation of the particular workflow using a graphical designer executed by a computing device, shown as Step 110.This graphical designer provides a plurality of shapes that represent the various objects of a workflow that can be dragged and dropped onto a desktop workspace to model the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the graphical designer also provides shapes to model various aspects of the workflow not found in previous graphical designer workflow tools.\",\n \"For instance, the graphical designer of various embodiments provides one or more shapes to indicate in the workflow where the workflow communicates with an external resource such as a database.\",\n \"In addition, the graphical designer of various embodiments provides one or more shapes to indicate concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"In Step 120, the process continues with converting the representation of the workflow built using the graphical designer into executable code.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a code generator executed by a computing device reads the representation of the workflow and converts the representation into executable code.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the code generator provides a framework capable of generating source code for multiple target languages.\",\n \"This is accomplished by combining the design pattern “bridge” and “builder” and employing two distinct domain models.\",\n \"Thus, the code generator can take a single representation of the workflow and can provide executable code in a plurality of source code languages such as C++, C#, .Net, or Java.\",\n \"In Step 130, the process continues with executing the code to perform the particular workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, a workflow engine is employed to carry out this step.\",\n \"The workflow engine of various embodiments is executed on a computing device and is responsible for sequencing the workflow (e.g., the infrastructure of the workflow) and for calling a number of callback methods to implement the application specific level of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, the workflow engine of various embodiments is based on a Petri net mathematical model and on a microkernel architectural framework, and therefore is adapted to enable high performance business processes.\",\n \"That is, the Petri net microkernel of various embodiments is adapted to orchestrate a number of business processes that have an extremely short lifetime (e.g., in the order of milliseconds).\",\n \"Finally, the process continues executing the workflow by delegating various tasks to the operating system of the computing device running the workflow engine to execute the tasks, shown as Step 140.For instance, the workflow engine hands over the callback methods associated with the different objects of the workflow to execute.\",\n \"This helps to minimize the overhead performed by the workflow engine in various embodiments.\",\n \"Furthermore, in various embodiments, the workflow engine includes a platform abstraction layer that provides a transition layer from the Petri net language of the microkernel to the operating system language.\",\n \"As a result, the core engine of the workflow engine remains untouched as the workflow engine is moved from one operating system to another.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow engine of various embodiments is easily adaptable to run on any number of operating systems and on any number of devices.\",\n \"System Architecture An exemplary system 2 according to various embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.As may be understood from this figure, the system 2 includes a workflow engine device 200 and one or more external resources 210, 220, 230 that are connected via a network 270 (e.g., a LAN, the Internet, a wireless network, and/or a private network) to communicate with one another.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the workflow engine device 200 may be a server, a handheld device, or some other non-server machine.\",\n \"In addition, in various embodiments, the external resources 210, 220, 230 may be one or more databases or one or more devices, such as servers, workstations, or handheld devices.\",\n \"Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the system 2 also includes a graphical designer device 240.In one embodiment of the invention, the workflow engine device 200 is configured for communicating (e.g., sending and receiving) data to the one or more external resources 210, 220, 230.In addition, in one embodiment, the graphical designer device 240 is configured for communicating data to the workflow engine device 200.In other embodiments, the workflow engine device 200, the external resources 210, 220, 230, and/or the graphical designer device 240 are one or more computers or software programs running on one or more computers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a schematic diagram of a workflow engine device 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.\",\n \"The workflow engine device 200 includes a processor 60 that communicates with other elements within the workflow engine device 200 via a system interface or bus 61.Also included in the device 200 is a display device/input device 64 for receiving and displaying data.\",\n \"This display device/input device 64 may be, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device that is used in combination with a monitor.\",\n \"The device 200 further includes memory 66, which preferably includes both read only memory (ROM) 65 and random access memory (RAM) 67.The device's ROM 65 is used to store a basic input/output system 26 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the device 200.Alternatively, the workflow engine device 200 can operate on one computer or on multiple computers that are networked together.\",\n \"In addition, the device 200 includes at least one storage device 63, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, flash drive, or optical disk drive, for storing information on various computer-readable media, such as a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, or a CD-ROM disk.\",\n \"As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of these storage devices 63 is connected to the server bus 61 by an appropriate interface.\",\n \"The storage devices 63 and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage.\",\n \"It is important to note that the computer-readable media described above could be replaced by any other type of computer-readable media known in the art.\",\n \"Such media include, for example, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, and Bernoulli cartridges.\",\n \"A number of program modules may be stored by the various storage devices and within RAM 67.For example, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"3, program modules of the workflow engine device 200 may include an operating system 80, a graphical designer module 300, and a workflow engine module 400.\",\n \"(Note that the graphical designer module 300 may reside on another device such as the graphical designer device 240 previously discussed.)\",\n \"The graphical designer module 300 and workflow engine module 400 may be used to control certain aspects of the operation of the workflow engine device 200, as is described in more detail below, with the assistance of the processor 60 and the operating system 80.Also located within the device 200 is a network interface 74, for interfacing and communicating with other elements of a computer network.\",\n \"It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the device's 200 components may be located geographically remotely from other device 200 components.\",\n \"Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined, and additional components performing functions described herein may be included in the system 2.Exemplary System Operation As mentioned above, the system 2 according to various embodiments enables design, generation, and execution of real-time workflows.\",\n \"In particular, in various embodiments, the workflow engine device 200 includes a graphical designer module 300 and a workflow engine module 400.FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts the architecture of the workflow engine device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.\",\n \"In this depiction, the graphical designer module 300 includes several different components: (1) graphical designer components 310; (2) code generator components 320; (3) compiler components 330; (4) state machine builder components 340; and (5) flow chart builder components 350.In addition, the workflow engine module 400 shown in FIG.\",\n \"4 is broken down into two sets of components.\",\n \"The first set of components (shown in FIG.\",\n \"4 as the runtime components) include: (1) Petri net microkernel components 410; (2) object pool components 420; (3) tracking components 430; (4) state management components 440; and (5) garbage collection components 450.The second set of components (shown in FIG.\",\n \"4 as the platform abstraction layer components) include: (1) delegate components 460; (2) thread pools components 470; (3) communication components 480; (4) instrumentation components 490; (5) concurrency primitives components 491; and (6) serialization components 492.It should be noted that these components need not be present on the same machine (e.g., be stored in memory on the same computer).\",\n \"For example, the graphical designer module 300 and corresponding components may be stored on a separate machine such as the graphical designer device 240 shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.In general, the graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments is configured to provide a desktop workspace and a plurality of shapes selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace to model a particular workflow so that the model of the workflow can be converted into code the workflow engine module 400 can execute.\",\n \"The workflow engine module 400 of various embodiments is configured to execute a real-time workflow and communicate information (e.g., data) between one or more external resources 210, 220, 230 as instructed by the workflow.\",\n \"These modules 300 and 400 and corresponding components are discussed in more detail below.\",\n \"Graphical Designer Module As discussed above, various embodiments of the graphical designer module 300 include several different components: (1) graphical designer components 310; (2) code generator components 320; (3) compiler components 330; (4) state machine builder components 340; and (5) flow chart builder components 350.This module 300 may be stored in RAM memory 67 and executed by the processor 60 in the device 200 shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 according to various embodiments.\",\n \"Further details of the various components are provided below.\",\n \"Graphical Designer Components The graphical designer components (graphical designer) 310 according to various embodiments provide a desktop workspace on which a designer builds a flow chart (or state machine) that represents a particular workflow.\",\n \"The flow chart is a definition of discrete processes linked together to represent the workflow's path.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, there are several types of shapes 510 that may be selectively dragged and dropped onto the workspace 500.Each shape 510 expresses the performance of at least one predefined role in a workflow process.\",\n \"For example, the embodiment of the available shapes 510 shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 include: (1) Start; (2) Process; (3) Decision; (4) Gateway; (5) SubWorkflow; (6) Conditional Merge; (7) Conditional Fork; (8) Parallel Fork; (9) Parallel Merge; and (10) End.\",\n \"In addition, each shape 510 has different attributes.\",\n \"For instance, the basic attributes for the Process shape are to either execute right away or execute after a timeout.\",\n \"The designer can drag and drop the Process shape 520 onto the desktop workspace 500 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5.The designer can then perform a right-click on the Process shape 520 to bring up a property page for the process shape 520.This allows the designer to set the timeout attribute for the particular Process shape 520.In addition, the designer can provide a name for the Process shape 520 on the property page such as “READ SCANNED INFORMATION” that is descriptive of the process performed represented by this shape 520 of the workflow.\",\n \"The designer continues to build the flow chart of the particular workflow.\",\n \"For example, the designer may drag and drop a Decision shape 610 onto the desktop workspace 500 after the Process shape 520 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6.The Decision shape 610 represents a condition that is placed in the workflow.\",\n \"In this case, the designer names the Decision shape 610 “WANT TO UPDATE INFO?” In addition, the designer places one or more subsequent shapes 510 following the Decision shape 610 and the Decision shape 610 represents a position in which the particular workflow branches into separate paths.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow follows a path to one or more of the shapes 510 based on the condition placed on the Decision shape 610.The logic implemented to define the condition is described in greater detail below.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"6, the designer has dragged and dropped a subsequent Process shape 620 named “PRINT PACKAGE LABEL” following the Decision shape 610.In various embodiments, connectors are also placed between shapes 510 to represent the directional path of the workflow.\",\n \"In the case of the Decision shape 610 shown in FIG.\",\n \"6, the designer places a branch condition on the connector 630 between the Decision shape 610 and the subsequent Process shape 620.For example, the designer selects the branch condition “NO” on the property page for the connector 630 between the Decision shape 610 and the Process shape 620 entitled “PRINT PACKAGE LABEL,” as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6.This is further shown in FIG.\",\n \"7.Thus, when the workflow is executed, the workflow branches to the process “PRINT PACKAGE LABEL” if the condition on the decision “WANT TO UPDATE INFO?” is determined to be no.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 displays the completed flow chart for the workflow.\",\n \"This particular flow chart represents a workflow for printing a package label.\",\n \"In various embodiments of the graphical designer module 300, the connectors placed between shapes 510 are based on line routing logic that produces connectors that take the shortest and most direct path between two shapes.\",\n \"The connectors automatically adjust on the desktop workspace 500 and automatically go around a shape 510 placed in the way between two shapes 510 connected in the workflow.\",\n \"The designer accomplishes this by selecting a group of shapes 510 and right-clicking on the desktop workspace 500 to “align” the connectors 810 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.The module 300 aligns the connectors automatically and the result is shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.In various embodiments, such capability provides the advantage of organizing a flow chart placed on the desktop workspace 500 for a complex workflow because it produces a more clean and precise representation of the workflow that is easier to follow for the designer.\",\n \"In addition to providing a flow chart representation of the workflow, the graphical designer 310 also accepts data from the designer associated with the particular workflow according to various embodiments.\",\n \"For instance, the designer right-clicks on the surface of the desktop workspace 500 and the module 300 brings up the property page 1010 for the workflow, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"10.The developer selects the link 1020 to the data contract for the workflow.\",\n \"The module 300 then brings up the screen shown in FIG.\",\n \"11.On this screen, the designer can enter data for two types of data: (1) case data 1110; and (2) working set 1120.The case data 1110 is the inputs to the workflow and the outputs of the workflow result.\",\n \"The working set 1120 is data that is used only internally by the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, a workflow object can convey additional data to another object in the workflow by modifying the data in the working set 1120 when the object executes.\",\n \"In the example shown in FIG.\",\n \"11, the designer has added the variable “NumberOfTimesUpdatedInfo” 1130 to the case data 1110 and selected the variable type as “long” 1140.Once the designer has finished entering the data, the graphical designer module 300 saves the data to an XML schema file as shown in FIG.\",\n \"12.As a result, the variable “NumberOfTimesUpdatedInfo” 1130 is saved to the file as an attribute 1210.In addition to building workflows on the desktop workspace 500, the graphical designer module 300 is also adapted in various embodiments so that a designer can build a state machine model as well.\",\n \"A state machine is a model of behavior composed of a finite number of states, transitions between states, and actions.\",\n \"A state stores information that reflects input changes from the system start to the present moment.\",\n \"A transition indicates a state change and is described by a condition that needs to be fulfilled to enable the transition.\",\n \"An action is a description of an activity that is to be performed at a given moment.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the graphical designer module 300 provides the shapes: (1) Start State; (2) End State; (3) State; (4) Transition; (5) Conditional Merge; (6) Conditional Fork; (7) Parallel Merge; and (8) Parallel Fork.\",\n \"As previously discussed, a need exists for a workflow product that allows a designer to design high performance, short duration workflows and that can execute such workflows.\",\n \"Various embodiments of the graphical designer module 300 allow modeling of real-time applications by bringing forward aspects not typically found in a visual designer.\",\n \"For instance, in one embodiment, the graphical designer module 300 includes a shape 510 called a Gateway.\",\n \"This Gateway shape allows a designer to model a workflow by including in the flow chart connections to external resources such as computer systems and/or databases.\",\n \"In general, a gateway is an object that is configured to connect to an external resource.\",\n \"Thus, a gateway may indicate where in the workflow the workflow engine relies on an external application program interface (API) to communicate with the external resource.\",\n \"For example, the designer drags and drops a Gateway shape onto the desktop workspace 500 to model in the flow chart where in the workflow the process leaves the workflow to access a resource external to the workflow such as a different computer system or database.\",\n \"As is described in more detail below, the graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments converts the flow chart into executable code.\",\n \"In turn, the workflow engine module 400 of various embodiments executes the code to run the workflow, and without any further development in the source code, the workflow engine module 400 executes delegation to the operating system to communicate with the external resource.\",\n \"In many commercial workflow products, the components to communicate with the external resource are typically embedded in the source code language and must be written by the source code developer.\",\n \"As a result, in many cases, the developer is required to write a great deal of this code by hand.\",\n \"However, by providing a Gateway shape at the designer level and managing the delegation of communicating with the external resource at the engine level, the implementation of a gateway is surfaced to the architecture level, and as a result this greatly simplifies the source code development in various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"In addition, the graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments also provides one or more shapes to express concurrency within a workflow.\",\n \"For instance, one embodiment of the graphical designer component includes the shapes 510 Conditional Merge, Conditional Fork, Parallel Merge, and Parallel Fork to model concurrency within a workflow.\",\n \"According to an embodiment, the Conditional Fork shape and the Parallel Fork shape model in the workflow where the path of the workflow branches into two separate paths with each path leading to a different shape, such as a Process shape, for example.\",\n \"In conjunction, the Conditional Merge shape and the Parallel Merge shape model in the workflow where the two separate paths converge back into a single path.\",\n \"The difference between the Parallel shapes and the Conditional shapes is the use of the Parallel shapes models that whatever lies on the two separate paths must complete before the workflow is allowed to continue at the Merge.\",\n \"For example, Process A may be on one path of the Parallel Fork and Process B may be on the other path of the Parallel Fork.\",\n \"Therefore, if the workflow engine module 400 executes the workflow with this particular concurrency, the workflow engine module 400 executes Process A and Process B, and waits for each Process to complete before continuing with executing the remainder of the workflow.\",\n \"In contrast, for the Conditional shapes, the workflow engine module 400 waits for either Process A or Process B to complete before the workflow engine module 400 continues executing the workflow.\",\n \"Therefore, if Process A finishes prior to Process B finishing, the workflow engine module 400 does not wait for Process B to complete before the module 400 continues to execute the workflow.\",\n \"As is the case with the Gateway shape, in various embodiments, the designer drags and drops the concurrency shapes onto the desktop workspace 500 to model concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"In turn, as is described in more detail below, the graphical designer model 300 generates executable code to indicate the concurrency in the workflow, and the workflow engine module 400 executes the code to run the workflow and actually manages the concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, the source code developer does not need to write anything within the source code to manage the concurrency modeled in the workflow by the designer.\",\n \"In many cases, the writing of such code (e.g., multi-threaded code) is fairly complex, very tedious, and error prone even for an experienced developer.\",\n \"Thus, by bringing the implementation of concurrency up to the designer level and by having the workflow engine module 400 execute concurrency management, the developer does not need to write code to perform this task.\",\n \"As a result, various embodiments of the invention allow for the generation of workflow executable code much faster than typical commercial workflow products and with less error.\",\n \"XML Schema Once the designer has completed designing the workflow on the desktop workspace 500, the designer selects the “code generate” button on the designer screen in various embodiments.\",\n \"The graphical designer module 300 of various embodiments includes components that take the workflow and construct an in-memory workflow domain model based on the workflow designed on the desktop workspace 500 and serialize the model to XML.\",\n \"This representation includes the various objects of the workflow along with the connectors between the workflow objects.\",\n \"As previously discussed, two types of workflows are supported in various embodiments, flow charts and state machines.\",\n \"The workflow domain model is composed of a base model which represents a Petri net and two derivatives of the base model (one for flow charts and one for state machines).\",\n \"A Petri net is one of several mathematical modeling languages used to describe discrete distributed systems.\",\n \"In particular, a Petri net may be defined as a graphical depiction (e.g., bipartite graph) of the structure of a distributed system.\",\n \"A Petri net includes places, transitions, and arcs.\",\n \"Arcs run between places and transitions, but not between places and places or transitions and transitions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 provides a simplified view of the base model.\",\n \"As one can see in FIG.\",\n \"13, the base model (workflow) is composed of the basic components of a Petri net such as a transition 1310, place 1320, and connector (arc) 1330.As previously discussed, the developer models the workflow using the graphical designer 310 as either a flow chart or a state machine.\",\n \"In turn, the graphical designer 310 models flow charts and state machines as classes derived from the base model (workflow).\",\n \"Thus, there are several specializations of transition and place, which are part of the base model workflow.\",\n \"The flow chart and the state machine models simply place restrictions on which of these specializations the developer can add to the workflow based on the rules of flow charts and state machines.\",\n \"As a result, in various embodiments, the workflow domain model is derived from a set of classes wherein each class represents a particular object of the workflow, these objects dependent on whether the workflow is a flow chart or a state machine.\",\n \"Code Generator Components The code generator components 320 (code generator) of various embodiments provide a framework capable of generating source code for multiple target languages.\",\n \"This is accomplished by combining the design pattern “bridge” and “builder.” In addition, the code generator 320 employs two distinct domain models according to various embodiments.\",\n \"One of the domain models represents the workflow (e.g., the XML workflow domain model discussed above) and the other domain model represents the target programming language (target language domain model).\",\n \"In various embodiments, the builder pattern is used to bridge the two domain models to together.\",\n \"These aspects are described in further detail below.\",\n \"As discussed, various embodiments of the code generator 320 make use of a target language domain model to represent the target programming language.\",\n \"This model encapsulates elements representing artifacts (features) of a specific target language.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the target language domain model is composed of a base model and a derivative for each target language.\",\n \"The base model contains abstractions common to all supported target languages.\",\n \"For instance, FIG.\",\n \"14 provides a simplified view of such a base model.\",\n \"The objects in the target language domain model for each target language are based on those objects found in the base model.\",\n \"The responsibility of these objects is to produce artifacts in the source files specific to the syntax of the particular target language.\",\n \"For instance, FIG.\",\n \"15 provides some examples of objects in the target language domain model for three specific target languages.\",\n \"The objects CppClass 1501 and CppEnumeration 1502 support C++, the objects CliReferenceType 1503 and CliEnumeration 1504 support C++/CLI, and the objects CsReferenceType 1505 and CsEnumeration 1506 support C#.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the target language domain model is derived from a set of classes that represent the objects (features) of the target language.\",\n \"For example, the set of classes may be C# classes and the target language may be C++.\",\n \"Therefore, a C# class is developed for each feature of the C++ language such as a class method, a class variable, and a method parameter.\",\n \"The code generator 320 is configured to traverse through the list of all of the objects of the workflow and to generate source code for each of the objects.\",\n \"It should be appreciated that the source code for the code generator 320 does not necessarily need to be C# but may be any number of programming languages such as C++ or .Net in light of this disclosure.\",\n \"As a result of the workflow domain model and the target language domain model being two separate models, the workflow domain model of various embodiments does not carry with it any information about what the source code to be generated is going to look like.\",\n \"In addition, the workflow domain model provides no information to indicate what methods need to be generated.\",\n \"Thus, the abstraction of the workflow (e.g., the workflow domain model) is decoupled from its implementation (e.g., the target language domain model) and the two can vary independently.\",\n \"As a result, the developer can generate source code in multiple languages from a single description of the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, in various embodiments, the designer can encode business logic into the diagram of the workflow developed via the graphical designer component 310 and this diagram of the workflow can be used to build a program that can be executed by applications running on multiple platforms.\",\n \"Therefore, the most expensive aspect (e.g., the business logic of the workflow) of the program is designed only once, in many cases, and is encoded in a language independent of the target language.\",\n \"In general, a builder design pattern allows an object to have multiple representations.\",\n \"Accordingly, the code generator 320 includes a builder component that allows the code generator 320 to manipulate a single in-memory representation of the workflow domain model to any one of a number of target languages.\",\n \"In particular, the builder component is responsible for using the workflow domain model as a “requirements document” and the target language domain model as a “toolbox” to generate source code.\",\n \"Thus, the builder component “bridges” the workflow domain model to the target language domain model.\",\n \"As a result, the code generator 320 provides source code expected by the workflow engine module 400, as well as provides source code that implements the process flow described in the workflow domain model.\",\n \"In addition, the builder of various embodiments also includes a class called the director.\",\n \"The director's job is to wire all of the objects (e.g., classes) of the workflow in the right sequence.\",\n \"As a result, the developer is not required to write the source code for sequencing the steps of the workflow.\",\n \"The director class includes one or more methods to assemble the workflow as a sequence of classes that are invoked by the workflow engine module 400 upon execution.\",\n \"Thus, upon kick off of the workflow engine module 400, the engine 400 effectively traverses a link list of the classes (e.g., C++ classes) built in memory as an object graph and invokes each of the classes as it traverses the graph.\",\n \"Furthermore, the builder of various embodiments also translates the representation of the workflow based on multiple platforms.\",\n \"For example, if a developer wants to generate C++ code for the workflow and execute the code on a device running a Window® operating system and on a device running a Linux® operating system, the generated code will need to look different for each machine because the compilers for both platforms are different.\",\n \"Thus, the code generator 320 of various embodiments includes a builder for Microsoft® C++ and a builder for Linux® C++.\",\n \"As a result, the code generator 320 of various embodiments provides three levels of decoupling.\",\n \"The workflow domain model is decoupled from the target language domain model and the target language domain model is decoupled from the platform specific aspects.\",\n \"Therefore, if the developer wants to add a builder for a new platform, the developer does not need to change the aspects of the workflow domain model and the target language domain model.\",\n \"The only part the developer needs to develop is a new builder to account for the specific aspects of the new platform.\",\n \"Generating Source Code Using the Code Generator FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for generating source code according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"This flow diagram may correspond to the steps carried out by the processor 60 in the device 200 shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 as it executes the code generator components 320 of the graphical designer module 300 in the device's 200 RAM memory 67 according to various embodiments.\",\n \"In general, the code generator 320 of various embodiments is analogous to the back end of a compiler.\",\n \"The input is the workflow domain model (rather than a parse tree) and the output is source code (rather than object code).\",\n \"Beginning at Step 1610, the graphical designer 310 invokes the code generator 320 and the code generator 320 receives the workflow domain model (e.g., as an XML schema file) and several parameters indicating the target language from the graphical designer 310.In response, the code generator 320 restores the workflow domain model from the XML schema file by using a serializer (such as, for example, the XmlSerializer class provided by .Net which implements the infrastructure to serialize .Net objects from XML) and passes the restored domain model to the builder component, shown as Step 1620.In response, the builder constructs the domain model for the target language by creating instances of the appropriate class for each workflow object of the workflow and transcribing the properties associated with each object from the workflow model to the target language domain model, shown as Step 1630.For instance, in one embodiment, the set of classes are C# classes.\",\n \"Thus, the builder reads each element in the restored workflow domain model and creates a C# class that carries with it the XML description of the workflow for the particular element.\",\n \"In Step 1640, the builder generates the target language domain model into workflow assembly source code.\",\n \"Thus, as previously mentioned, the builder of various embodiments “bridges” the workflow domain model to the target language domain model.\",\n \"The generated workflow assembly source code implements the flow of the business logic of the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow assembly source code includes the work activities of the workflow and how the activities are wired together.\",\n \"In addition to creating the workflow assembly source code, the code generator 320 of various embodiments also creates workflow object callback classes and corresponding callback methods based on the target language domain model, shown as Step 1650 in FIG.\",\n \"16.These callback methods serve as skeletons for the developer to write content to as needed for the specific workflow application.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the code generator 320 generates each callback method with a stub implementation.\",\n \"That is, the code generator 320 includes code in the method to throw an exception, e.g., to create an error if the code is executed.\",\n \"This ensures that the developer does not accidentally forget to implement one of the callback methods.\",\n \"Thus, the developer deletes the code to throw an exception when the developer writes the code for the particular method.\",\n \"For example, the workflow may include a task to query a database.\",\n \"The designer represents this task on the desktop workspace 500 as a gateway to instruct the workflow engine module 400 to delegate the communication with the database to the operating system.\",\n \"The code generator 320 generates a callback class for this task that includes the method “on execute” with a reference to the case data for the workflow.\",\n \"As described, this method serves as the skeleton and the developer enters the code to query the database.\",\n \"Therefore, if the workflow engine module 400 executes the code for this workflow and comes to this particular task, the workflow engine 400 delegates to the operating system to communicate with the database and to execute the method “on execute” to query the database.\",\n \"According to one embodiment, the code generator 320 is also configured to round-trip engineer the one or more implementation files that include the implementation of the callback methods.\",\n \"Thus, if the code generator 320 re-generates executable code for a particular workflow, the code generator 320 does not just simply write over the one or more implementation files that include the implementation of the callback methods.\",\n \"Instead, the code generator 620 first reads the one or more implementation files and extracts the code from the files that the developer has written.\",\n \"Then, if the code generator 320 regenerates the one or more implementation files, the code generator 620 inserts the extracted code into the newly regenerated files.\",\n \"As a result, the code written by the developer is preserved.\",\n \"C++ Domain Model for Code Generator Component As previously mentioned, various embodiments of the code generator component 320 make use of a C++ target language domain model to generate C++ source code executable by a workflow engine module 400 accepting such code.\",\n \"This is particularly advantageous in various embodiments because, with regard to other programming languages, C++ executes more quickly and therefore it is ideal for implementing real-time workflows.\",\n \"A particular embodiment of the C++ domain model simplifies the forward generation of this C++ source code by treating the source code files containing C++ language features as de-facto elements of the C++ language.\",\n \"In short, this is accomplished by applying the design pattern “composite” to both language features and source code files.\",\n \"C++ is a compiled, general purpose programming language which employs static, unsafe, nominative data typing.\",\n \"Data types must be declared before they are used.\",\n \"For some data constructs, such as class, separating declaration from definition (e.g., implementation) in the source code is preferred.\",\n \"C++ source code is stored in files referred to as source files.\",\n \"Standard C++ defines two types of source files known as header files and implementation files.\",\n \"For example, most compilers expect header files to end with the extension “.h” and implementation files to end with the extension “.cpp.” By convention, but not necessity, class declarations are typically placed in “.h” files and class implementations are placed in “.cpp” files.\",\n \"However, for technical reasons, it is not uncommon for either “.h” files or “.cpp” files to contain both declarations and implementations.\",\n \"C++ compilers treat header files and implementation files somewhat differently.\",\n \"An implementation file references header files to provide declarations available to the implementation file.\",\n \"The header file is not processed by the compiler, but is included in the build and thus in the final executable program.\",\n \"As a result, there is a many-to-many relationship among “.h” files and “.cpp” files.\",\n \"A “.cpp” file may need to reference multiple “.h” files to ensure all the declarations needed by the implementation are available to the compiler.\",\n \"In turn, an “.h” file may provide declarations need by multiple “.cpp” files, and therefore the file may be referenced from several “.cpp” files.\",\n \"C++ language features are largely composed on other language features.\",\n \"At the bottom of this hierarchy are primitive elements such as symbols (e.g., names), literals (e.g., values), keywords, operators, and delimiters.\",\n \"Moving up the containment hierarchy are composites such as variables, methods, structures, and namespaces.\",\n \"At the top of the containment hierarchy, the C++ elements are contained in the source files previously described.\",\n \"Some C++ constructs have distinct declarations and implementations.\",\n \"In other constructs, the declaration and implementation are one and the same.\",\n \"Thus, the code generated for any language feature is the composite of the code generated by all component language features in the containment hierarchy.\",\n \"For example, a class may be defined as: class Logger { public: void Write(char* msg) { ::printf(msg); } }; In this example, the declaration of the class Logger is the composite of the declaration for the instance method Write(char* msg) plus the construct class Logger { .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"}.\",\n \"Similarly, the implementation of the class Logger is the composite of the implementations of all the components, i.e., void Logger::Write(char* msg) { .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"}.\",\n \"As previously discussed, the code generator 320 of various embodiments is written in a source code such as C#.\",\n \"Thus, the target language domain model is composed of a hierarchy of C# classes representing the features of the C++ language.\",\n \"At the root of this hierarchy is the abstraction element (e.g., CodeElement).\",\n \"This abstraction encapsulates the fundamental behavior of separating declaration from implementation.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment, the class CodeElement is defined as: Public abstract class CodeElement { public abstract void WriteDeclaration(TextWriter writer); public abstract void WriteImplementation(TextWriter writer); } In turn, all language elements of the C++ language are represented as derivations of the CodeElement class.\",\n \"Each derived C# class must provide an implementation of the methods WriteDeclaration and WriteImplementation that makes semantic sense for the particular feature of the C++ language.\",\n \"For example, the following view of the domain model shown in FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates several important C++ language elements and their relationship to CodeElement 1701.In this example, some derivations of CodeElement 1701, such as CppClass 1702, are composites of other CodeElements 1701, such as CppInstanceVariable 1703, CppInstanceMethod 1704, CppClassVariable 1705, and CppClassMethod 1706.Similarly, CppClassMethod 1706 and CppInstanceMethod 1704 are composites of CppMethodParameter 1707.FIG.\",\n \"18 illustrates some of these compositional relationships provided in the domain model.\",\n \"Composites implement the behavior of the WriteDeclaration and WriteImplementation methods by delegating to their constituents.\",\n \"For instance, FIG.\",\n \"19 illustrates an example of how the declaration of a CppClass 1702 is written through the coordinated efforts of CppClass 1702 plus all of its contained methods and variables.\",\n \"Actor 1 1901 (e.g., code generator 620) implements a WriteDeclaration on CppClass 1702.In turn, CppClass 1702 implements a WriteDeclaration on CppInstanceVariable 1703 and CppInstanceMethod 1704, and CppInstanceMethod 1704 implements a WriteDeclaration on CppMethodParameter 1707.Thus, by the composite CppClass 1702 delegating to its constituents, the Actor1 1901 is able to implement the WriteDeclaration for each constituent by simply implementing a WriteDeclaration on CppClass 1702.The following provides a sample of code implemented by using the target language domain model of various embodiments composed of the hierarchy of C# classes.\",\n \"This particular sample of code illustrates a C++ class called Logger that is composed of one instance variable, fileStream, and two instance methods, a constructor, and Write.\",\n \"The declaration and implementation are as follows.\",\n \"Declaration: Class Logger { FileStream& _fileStream; Public: Logger(FileStream& fileStream); Void Write(char* message); }; Implementation: Logger::Logger(FileStream& fileStream) : _fileStream(fileStream) { } Void Logger::Write(char* message) { _fileStream.Write(message); } Therefore, in this example, the code generator 320 produces FileStream& _fileStream by implementing the WriteDeclaration method of CppInstanceVariable 1703 of the domain model.\",\n \"The code generator 320 produces the initialization of _fileStream with the argument passed to the constructor, i.e., _fileStream(fileStream), by implementing the WriteImplementation method of CppInstanceVariable 1703 of the domain model.\",\n \"The code generator 320 produces the signature of Write, i.e., void Write(char* message), by implementing the WriteDeclaration method of CppInstanceMethod 1704 of the domain model.\",\n \"Finally, the code generator 320 produces the body of Write, i.e., void Logger::Write(char* message) {_fileStream.Write(message);}, by implementing the WriteImplementation method of CppInstanceMethod 1704.The C++ language does not specify an internal structuring to C++ source files (e.g., “.h” files and “.cpp” files).\",\n \"As previously mentioned, declarations and implementations can appear anywhere within these files, as long as the rules of the C++ language are preserved.\",\n \"The primary rule that guides the order in which elements are placed in source files is the declaration of a C++ language element must be seen by the compiler before its implementation.\",\n \"Therefore, by convention, declarations appear at the top of the source file and implementations appear after them.\",\n \"Various embodiments of the domain model provide two additional classes to represent C++ source files.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment, these classes are CppDeclarationFile and CppImplementationFile.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, each of these classes provides implementations for WriteDeclaration and WriteImplementation, each is composed of other elements in the C++ domain model, and each provides a top-level method (e.g., Write) that orchestrates the contents to file.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates the containment relationship between CppImplementationFile 2010 and the other elements of the domain model according to various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"The code generator 320 generates code by composing networks of objects from the domain model and adding each composition to either the declarations collection or implementations collection (or both) of the appropriate file object (e.g., CppImplementationFile or CppDeclarationFile).\",\n \"The code generator 320 then invokes the Write method on the file object.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21 illustrates this process.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"21, Actor2 2101 (e.g., the code generator 320) implements the Write method 2102 on CppImplementationFile 2103.In turn, CppImplementationFile 2103 implements a WriteDeclaration on Declarations 2104 and Declarations 2104 implements a WriteDeclaration on CodeElements 2106.CppImplementationFile 2103 then implements a WriteImplementation on Implementations 2105 and Implementations 2105 implements a WriteImplementation on CodeElements 2106.Thus, the Write method 2102 ensures all the declarations are written to file before the implementations.\",\n \"Thus, a significant advantage realized in various embodiments that make use of such a C++ domain model is a change to the organization of the source code of the code generator component 320 can be accomplished rapidly due to the compositional nature of the model.\",\n \"This is because such a C++ domain model minimizes the number of source code lines in various embodiments of the code generator 320 that will need to be changed.\",\n \"Such a change may be brought about, for example, to adapt the code generator 320 to new features implemented in the graphical designer 310 or the workflow engine module 400.For instance, once a C++ class is defined in the domain model, the declaration and implementation of the class can be easily moved among the source files prior to code generation.\",\n \"The following code snippet illustrates: CppClass workflowDirector= new CppClass(“MyWorkflowDirector”); CppInstanceMethod executeMethod= new CppInstanceMethod(“Execute”, workflowDirector, false); workflowDirector.AddMethod( executeMethod, CppMemberVisibility.Public); CppDeclarationFile workflowDeclarationFile= new CppDeclarationFile(new RelativeFilePath(“Program.h”)); CppImplementationFile workflowImplementationFile= new CppImplementationFile(new RelativeFilePath(“Program.cpp”)); workflowDeclarationFile.AppendDeclaration(workflowDirector); workflowImplementationFile.AppendImplementation(workflowDirector); workflowDeclarationFile.Write( ); workflowImplementationFile.Write( ); This code snippet will place the declaration for the C++ class MyWorkflowDirector in the file Program.h and the implementation in the file Program.cpp.\",\n \"A developer re-organizing the generated source code such that both the implementation and the declaration of the method Execute appear in Program.h rather than Program.cpp can be accomplished by declaring the method to be “inlined” by changing the following line: CppInstanceMethod executeMethod= new CppInstanceMethod(“Execute”, workflowDirector, false); to CppInstanceMethod executeMethod= new CppInstanceMethod(“Execute”, workflowDirector, true); The developer can accomplish a more substantial re-organization by moving the entire implementation of MyWorkflowDirector from Program.cpp to Program.h by changing the following line: workflowImplementationFile.AppendImplementation(workflowDirector); to workflowDeclarationFile.AppendImplementation(workflowDirector); Compiler Components In various embodiments of the invention, the compiler components 330 verify that the workflow drawn on the desktop workspace 500 and converted into executable code conforms to the workflow domain model.\",\n \"The compiler components 330 also verify that the executable code conforms to the Petri net domain model the workflow engine module 400 operates on (as is described in more detail below).\",\n \"Thus, the compiler components 330 perform an integrity check on the produced source code files.\",\n \"State Machine Builder and Flow Chart Builder Components The state machine builder and flow chart builder components 340, 350 of various embodiments provide a façade that interfaces a particular workflow with the workflow engine module 400 so that the engine 400 can execute the workflow.\",\n \"For instance, in one embodiment, the builders 340, 350 are composed of façade classes that enable morphing a Petri net into a state machine or a flow chart.\",\n \"If a builder 340, 350 is called to execute the source code for a particular workflow and create a process, the builder 340, 350 creates the process by converting the workflow into a Petri net based on a set of classes that represent the components of a Petri Net.\",\n \"For example, the set of classes may be composed of a before Place class, a Transition class, an after Place class, an inward Arc class, an outward Arc class, and optionally a Guard class.\",\n \"Thus, the builder 340, 350 reads in the various objects of the workflow from the source code and converts the object to the appropriate Petri net class that can be invoked by the workflow engine 400.Further details on the workflow engine module 400 and the Petri net classes are provided below.\",\n \"Workflow Engine Module As described above, various embodiments of the workflow engine module 400 (workflow engine) are divided into two sets of components (See FIG.\",\n \"4).\",\n \"The first set of components (runtime components) includes: (1) Petri net microkernel components 410; (2) object pool components 420; (3) tracking components 430; (4) state management components 440; and (5) garbage collection components 450.The second set of components (platform abstraction layer components) includes: (1) delegate components 460; (2) thread pools components 470; (3) communication components 480; (4) instrumentation components 490; (5) concurrency primitives components 491; and (6) serialization components 492.In addition, this module 400 may be stored in RAM memory 67 and executed by the processor 60 in the device 200 shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 according to various embodiments.\",\n \"Further details of the various components are provided below.\",\n \"As should be appreciated, the workflow engine 400 and the engine's components may be programmed using any number of source code languages in light of this disclosure.\",\n \"For example, the workflow engine 400 and its corresponding components may be programmed using C++, .Net, C#, and Java, independently or in combination.\",\n \"Though, various embodiments of the workflow engine module 400 make use of C++ source code because such code executes faster than other programming languages such as .Net and Java.\",\n \"This enables the use of the workflow engine 400 in many instances to execute real-time workflows.\",\n \"However, it should be understood that the workflow engine 400 is not limited to being implemented using C++ source code only.\",\n \"Furthermore, the main engine of the workflow engine module 400 in various embodiments is implemented as a class.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment, the main engine is implemented as a C++ class CWorkFlowEngine.\",\n \"This class is responsible for obtaining the particular workflow to be executed and for starting the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, the class CWorkFlowEngine contains one or more methods that are called to perform tasks such as retrieving an available workflow from an object pool and waiting for all workflows to execute.\",\n \"The execution of the workflow engine 400 is provided in greater detail below.\",\n \"Runtime Components Petri Net Microkernel Components The Petri net microkernel components 410 according to various embodiments are responsible for sequencing the workflow (e.g., the infrastructure of the workflow) and for managing the execution of the callback methods to implement the application specific level of the workflow.\",\n \"In addition, the Petri net microkernel components 410 of various embodiments are adapted to enable high performance business processes.\",\n \"That is, the Petri net microkernel components 410 are adapted to orchestrate a number of business processes that have an extremely short lifetime (e.g., in the order of milliseconds).\",\n \"As the name of the components 410 suggests, the Petri net microkernel components 410 are based on a Petri net domain model according to various embodiments.\",\n \"As previously discussed, a Petri net is one of several mathematical modeling languages used to describe discrete distributed systems.\",\n \"A Petri net includes places, transitions, and arcs.\",\n \"Arcs run between places and transitions, but not between places and places or transitions and transitions.\",\n \"In addition, places may contain any number of tokens.\",\n \"In various Petri nets, these token represent information on which transitions will act (e.g., the data that moves the system).\",\n \"Thus, a transition acts on input tokens (e.g., fires) if the transition is enabled, e.g., when there are tokens in every input place for the transaction.\",\n \"If a transition fires, it consumes the tokens from its input places, performs some processing task, and places a specified number of tokens into each of its output places.\",\n \"In addition, the Petri net microkernel components 410 are also based on a microkernel architectural pattern according to various embodiments.\",\n \"The microkernel philosophy is based on the idea that the workflow engine 410 should contain only the bare minimum needed for ninety-nine percent of the applications and should delegate all of the other work to be done to another layer (and, in many cases, the engine 400 does not need to know how that work is to be done).\",\n \"For example, the workflow engine 400 does not need a persistent state such as a database.\",\n \"Accordingly, all the workflow engine 400 needs to do in various embodiments is sequence the business operations of the workflow and perform a certain amount of concurrency management.\",\n \"As a result, the workflow engine 410 is scaled down and able to execute in resource restrained environments.\",\n \"In addition, the workflow engine 410 of various embodiments at runtime is not dependent upon a particular operating system.\",\n \"As mentioned, the Petri net microkernel components 410 of various embodiments have adapted the Petri net model into a target language framework.\",\n \"For example, one embodiment of the Petri net microkernel components 410 has adapted the Petri net model into a C++ programming framework.\",\n \"This framework is composed of a set of C++ classes wherein each class represents an element of the Petri net model.\",\n \"In this particular embodiment, the Petri net model used is a single token, non-color Petri net.\",\n \"Therefore, through the entire life cycle of the workflow model, only one token is passed on.\",\n \"In addition, there exits only one main execution path, though the path may have parallel branches.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 illustrates the C++ programming framework (e.g., C++ Petri net domain model) that represents the Petri net model.\",\n \"The framework includes the basic components of the Petri net model such as CToken 2201, CPlace 2202, CArc 2203, and CTransition 2204.The representation of each class is broken up into three sections in FIG.\",\n \"22.The first section is the name of the class.\",\n \"The second section is the members of the class.\",\n \"For example, the class CTransition 2204 includes the members onExecuteActivity and inwardArcs.\",\n \"The third section is the functions and methods of the class.\",\n \"The black diamond illustrates that the class with the diamond contains the class connected to the class with the diamond.\",\n \"For example, the class CPlace 2202 contains the class CToken 2201.Thus, there is a direct one-to-one correspondence between the concepts of the Petri net mathematical model and the C++ classes of the framework.\",\n \"In general, the class CToken 2201 is linked to class CPlace 2202.The class CPlace 2202 is the passive element of the system (e.g., a state in a state machine).\",\n \"The methods of this class involve determining whether a place has a token inside of it.\",\n \"Thus, these methods allow the workflow engine 400 to delegate to a place to determine whether it has acquired a token or not.\",\n \"If a place (CPlace 2202) acquires a token, the workflow engine 400 triggers the transition (CTransition 2204) (e.g., the work activity) connected to the place to introduce work.\",\n \"Thus, the token (Ctoken 2201) is the data based on a state where the token can reside in and the transition (CTransition 2204) is where work happens on the token (active element of the system).\",\n \"The class CArc 2203 represents the connection between a place and a transition.\",\n \"Furthermore, the C++ framework includes additional components according to various embodiments.\",\n \"For instance, the class CTrigger 2205 represents triggering a transition based on external stimuli.\",\n \"This is particularly useful in executing state machine applications.\",\n \"The IGuard 2206 represents conditional logic placed on a connection (e.g., CArc 2203).\",\n \"In regard to IGuard 2206, this particular embodiment of the framework includes the classes CBinaryGuard 2207, CGenericGuard 2208, and CNullGuard 2209.The class CBinaryGuard 2207 represents a binary condition (e.g., yes/no condition).\",\n \"The class CGenericGuard 2208 represents a non-binary condition (e.g., multiple conditions).\",\n \"The class CNullGuard 2209 represents a pass through filter.\",\n \"In addition, the framework includes the classes CAndJoin 2210, CAndSplit 2211, COrJoin 2212, and COrSplit 2213.These classes represent high levels of Boolean algebra to be implemented for a workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments of the workflow engine 400, these classes are used in conjunction with executing concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"Object Pool Components According to various embodiments, the object pool components 420 place loaded workflows into memory so that the workflow engine 400 can pull a workflow from the pool to execute.\",\n \"Thus, once a workflow as been executed, the workflow is not simply discarded but instead is placed in memory.\",\n \"Therefore, if the workflow engine 400 needs to execute the workflow again, the engine 400 simply invokes one or more object pool components 420 to retrieve the workflow from the pool (e.g., call method GetAvailableWorkflowFromObjectPool) so that the workflow engine 400 can execute the workflow.\",\n \"As a result, the workflow engine 400 is able to execute the workflow more quickly because it does not need to wait for the particular workflow to be loaded.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the object pool components 420 are implemented as one or more classes.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment, the object pool components 420 are implemented as the class CSimpleObjectPool.\",\n \"This particular class may include such methods to: (1) retrieve an instance of a workflow from the pool (e.g., memory); (2) delete an instance of a workflow from the pool; (3) get an available object from the pool; (4) return an object to the pool; and (5) clear the pool.\",\n \"Tracking Components The tracking components 430 of various embodiments track the execution of a workflow by the workflow engine 400.In particular, these components 430 generate data that allows an operator or the engine 400 to track the progress of the workflow as it transitions from one task to another.\",\n \"Thus, the operator or the engine 400 can determine what part of a particular workflow is currently executing at any given time.\",\n \"For example, the operator can use the tracking components 430 to determine that a workflow executing is waiting for an external system to execute a callback method.\",\n \"This may be very helpful in trouble shooting any potential problem experienced when a particular workflow is executed.\",\n \"The tracking components 430 in various embodiments are composed of one more classes.\",\n \"For instance, in one embodiment, the tracking components are divided into event tracking classes and activity tracing classes as shown in FIG.\",\n \"23.For example, the event tracking classes may include the classes PerformanceEvent 2301 and BaseEvent 2302.Thus, the workflow engine 400 makes use of the event tracking classes to record certain events occurring and the activity tracing classes to record information that trace certain activities occurring.\",\n \"State Management Components The state management components 440 of various embodiments manage the overall state of the workflow.\",\n \"For example, during the execution of a workflow, if an application level call is made, a copy of the workflow's case data is sent to the application.\",\n \"Therefore, the state management components 440 cache the case data prior to the call so that the workflow can recover if the call fails.\",\n \"Garbage Collection Components The garbage collection components 450 of various embodiments reclaim resources that have become orphaned.\",\n \"For instance, the workflow engine 400 executes a gateway to communicate with an external resource, however the resource never responds.\",\n \"This can happen for several different reasons such as the resource resides on a system that crashes prior to the workflow engine 400 delegating to the operating system to communicate with the resource.\",\n \"As a result, the resources allocated to manage the gateway (e.g., a thread) become orphaned.\",\n \"After a certain time period, the garbage collection components 450 free up these resources so that they may be used again.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the garbage collection components 450 are implemented as one or more classes.\",\n \"For instance, in one embodiment, the garbage collection components are implemented as class GarbageCollector with corresponding methods such as RemoveThreadFromMonitor and ActivateSensor.\",\n \"Platform Abstraction Layer Components The platform abstraction layer components in various embodiments are what enable the workflow engine 400 to operate across multiple platforms.\",\n \"For instance, for the workflow engine 400 to execute a conditional fork in various embodiments, the engine 400 needs to make use of threads provided by the operating system of the device the engine 400 is running on.\",\n \"Thus, various embodiments of the workflow engine 400 require operating system support to perform tasks such as concurrency, queuing requests, locking data from concurrent access, etc.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the platform abstraction layer components provide a transition layer from the Petri net language to the operating system language.\",\n \"More specifically, the platform abstraction layer components take on more of the operating system language than the Petri net language.\",\n \"As a result, the core engine (e.g., the runtime components) of the workflow engine 400 remains untouched as the workflow engine 400 is moved from one operating system to another.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow engine 400 of various embodiments is easily adaptable to run on any number of operating systems and on any number of devices.\",\n \"Delegate Components As previously discussed, in various embodiments the developer will insert custom code for a particular workflow application into the methods of a callback class representing a particular object (e.g., activity) of the workflow.\",\n \"This custom code represents the work to be performed by the activity.\",\n \"Delegates are a computer science concept in which a piece of code is used as if it where a piece of data.\",\n \"For instance, a function itself is passed as a parameter in another function call.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the developer does not pass the state machine builder 340 or the flow chart builder components 350 the actual method to execute but passes the builder 340, 350 a pointer (e.g., a reference to the method), and the builder 340, 350 wraps the method pointer into a class that operates as a delegate and passes the delegate to the workflow engine 400.Thus, by using a delegate (e.g., delegate class), the workflow engine 400 is using a first class citizen (e.g., using the delegate without restriction).\",\n \"As a result, the engine 400 does not take raw method pointers from the developer.\",\n \"Instead, the engine 400 takes the delegate and re-delegates it to the operating system so that there is a level of indirection between the raw method pointer created and managed by the developer and what the engine 400 operates on.\",\n \"In turn, the operating system of the device on which the workflow engine 400 is running uses the delegate to access the code of the method to execute the code (e.g., the delegate points back to the application level callback method for the particular activity of the workflow).\",\n \"However, the workflow engine 400 does not know the pointers, it only knows about the methods.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow engine 400 is solving the higher-order method, which translates in the operating system to calling a method pointer.\",\n \"This pointer is what is making the translation from the Petri net model the workflow engine 400 operates on to the developer's code that the operating system can execute.\",\n \"For example, the code generator 320 generates code for a callback class to read data from a file.\",\n \"class ReadDataFromFileTransition { void OnExecute (CaseData& caseData, WorkingSet& workingSet) { } } The flow chart builder 350 include a method “BuildTransition” then uses this callback class and wraps the class's callback method “OnExecute” in a delegate (e.g., the delegate class CSimpleDelege2).\",\n \"void BuildTransition(...) { ReadDataFromFileTransition transition; CSimpleDelegate2< CaseData, WorkingSet > delegate(transition, &ReadDataFromFileTransition::OnExecute); } The workflow engine 400 then invokes this delegate using the overloaded ( ) operator of the CSimpleDelegate2 class.\",\n \"void Enable( ) { ...\",\n \"Delegate ( caseData, workingSet); } The delegate components of various embodiments of the workflow engine module 400 include the classes CSimpleDelegate, CSimpleDelegateAsync, CMulticastDelegate, CMulticastDelegateAsync, and CSimpleDelegate2.In certain circumstances, the builder 340, 350 may wrap a pointer that calls multiple pathways at the same time wherein the same dataset is used for all of the pathways.\",\n \"In these circumstances, the CMulticastDelegate and CMulticastDelegateAsync classes are used.\",\n \"These classes contain multiple pieces of operating system code in the same class.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow engine 400 does not need to determine how many pointers in the operating system will be executed once the method is invoked.\",\n \"The delegate class wraps that behind the scenes and calls the multiple pointers in the operating system.\",\n \"Thread Pools Components The thread pools components 470 of various embodiments manage the thread pools used to execute concurrency within a workflow.\",\n \"In particular, the thread pools components 470 use or create a background thread to invoke a callback method.\",\n \"Thus, the thread pools components 470 place the method pointer on a thread and the operating system starts execution of the method from the pointer placed on the thread.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the thread pools components 470 are composed of various classes such as CDefaultlocpBuffer, COverlappedOContext, and ClocpThreadPoolManager.\",\n \"In a particular embodiment, the class ClocpThreadPoolManager includes one or more delegate classes as members and includes various methods to manage the thread pool such as StartThreadPool and AttachHandle.\",\n \"Communication Components The communication components 480 of various embodiments enable the workflow to be invoked by a remote client using such services as NamedPipes, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, and middleware products.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the communication components 480 are composed of various classes related to communications channels.\",\n \"For example, an embodiment includes the classes CTcpServer and CTcpClient related to TCP/IP communication.\",\n \"Instrumentation Components The instrumentation components 490 of various embodiments provide a logging mechanism, such as an event log.\",\n \"For instance, these components 490 generate detailed diagnostic traces, performance metrics, workflow health data, critical alerts, and plug-in interfaces that hook in custom instrumentation sinks.\",\n \"Concurrency Primitives Components The concurrency primitives components 491 of various embodiments are used in conjunction with providing concurrency within a workflow.\",\n \"In particular, these components 491 serve as abstracts of various operating system concurrencies.\",\n \"For example, CSimpleDelegateAsync handles splitting a workflow into two parallel pathways.\",\n \"This class in turn spawns operating system threads, packs up the callback method arguments, and then marshals these arguments to each spawned thread callback.\",\n \"In the case of a conditional split, various embodiments make use of additional classes in conjunction with CSimpleDelegateAsync such as CProtectAccess and CCriticalSection.\",\n \"CProtectAccess abstracts a resource monitor and CCriticalSection abstracts an operating system's critical section so that data associated with the callback methods (e.g., workflow data) is not accessed by more than one thread of execution at a time.\",\n \"Furthermore, the concurrency primitives components 491 provide the gateway counterparts according to various embodiments.\",\n \"Thus, a piece of data needs to be protected if the piece of data is shared between two threads or two parallel branches are trying to operate on the same piece of data at the same time.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the Petri net microkernel 410 in conjunction with these components acquire a system log before allowing a write so that if the other branch is trying to write, the second write cannot occur until the first write is complete.\",\n \"Therefore, if a piece of data is to be modified that has been split on multiple pathways, only one pathway gets the log to modify the data, though more than one pathway can read the data at the same time.\",\n \"Serialization Components The serialization components 492 of various embodiments ensure that binary coupling does not occur if the workflow engine 400 invokes a gateway.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the engine 400 does not pass classes, pointers, or references to the gateway to expose memory structures to the gateway.\",\n \"Instead, the serialization components 492 take the entire workflow data (or a subset of the workflow data) and create a memory stream and pass the memory stream to the gateway.\",\n \"The gateway then receives the memory stream and turns the stream back into a class (e.g., a C++ class).\",\n \"As a result, the class is in the memory inside the gateway and is independent of the workflow.\",\n \"In various embodiments, the serialization components 492 are composed of several classes and an interface to a gateway.\",\n \"For instance, in one embodiment, the serialization components 492 are composed of the class CXmlToCppSerializer.\",\n \"This class includes methods to serialize a stream of data and to get a serialized stream of data and de-serialize the stream of data.\",\n \"In addition, the class CXmlToCppSerializer communicates with an interface (e.g., ISerializer) to communicate the serialized stream of data to a gateway.\",\n \"An Example of Providing a Workflow FIG.\",\n \"24 provides an example of a workflow developed using the desktop workspace 500 of the graphical designer module 300.This example is provided for illustration purposes only and in no way should be construed to limit the scope of the claimed invention.\",\n \"In the example, the workflow begins with the Start 2401 of the workflow and proceeds to a Decision 2402.The workflow path separates into two paths based on the evaluation of the Decision 2402.If the Decision evaluates to “NO,” the workflow proceeds to Process 2403.If the Decision evaluates to “YES,” the workflow proceeds to Database Query 2404.Database Query 2404 is considered a gateway in which the workflow engine 400 delegates to the operating system to communicate with an external database and to execute a query on the database.\",\n \"Once the workflow has either proceeded to Process 2403 or Database Query 2404, the workflow then proceeds to Extract Information 2405.Extract Information 2405 is considered an embedded workflow.\",\n \"Thus, the workflow proceeds to another workflow entitled “extract information.” The workflow may pass information to the embedded workflow and the embedded workflow may return information to the workflow depending on the particular implementations of each workflow.\",\n \"Once the embedded workflow has completed and control has passed back to the primary workflow, the primary workflow proceeds to C Fork 2406.C Fork 2406 represents a split in the path of the workflow into two independent paths.\",\n \"Thus, C Fork 2406 indicates concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"As previously mentioned, the designer places the C Fork shape 2406 into the workflow during the construction of the workflow on the desktop workspace 500 and this is converted into executable code that indicates to the workflow engine module 400 to perform concurrency within the workflow.\",\n \"In this particular example, the workflow performs two concurrent paths wherein the first path proceeds to Task A 2407 and the second path proceeds to Task B 2408.The two paths converge back at C Merge 2409.C Merge 2409 represents a conditional merge (note that in this example, C Fork 2406 represents a conditional fork).\",\n \"Therefore, the workflow engine module 400 executing the workflow shown in this example does not wait for both Task A 2407 and Task B 2408 to complete before proceeding with the remainder of the workflow.\",\n \"The workflow engine module 400 proceeds with the remainder of the workflow once Task A 2407 or Task B 2408 has completed.\",\n \"Finally, the workflow proceeds to the End 2410 of the workflow as shown in FIG.\",\n \"24.As previously discussed, a designer builds the workflow on the desktop workspace 500 by simply dragging and dropping the appropriate shape for each workflow object onto the desktop workspace 500.In addition, the designer indicates on the workspace 500 the connectors between the shapes to represent the flow of the workflow and any conditions related to the connectors.\",\n \"Furthermore, the designer indicates what variables to include into the case data and working set data sets for the workflow, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"25.Once the designer has completed designing the workflow on the desktop workspace 500, the designer selects the “code generate” button on the designer screen.\",\n \"The graphical designer module 300 reads the diagram of the workflow and creates an XML representation of the workflow (e.g., workflow domain model).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"26 displays a sample of XML generated when the designer selects the “code generate” button for the example discussed above in FIG.\",\n \"24.The various objects of the workflow are shown in the element 2601 such as “Start,” “Decision,” and “Database Query.” The connectors of the workflow are shown in the element 2602.In addition, the data (e.g., the case data and working set data) is incorporated by reference to the XML schema definition file “SampleFlowChart.xsd” 2603 and the fields for the database query are incorporated by reference to the XML schema definition file “MyGatewayDataContract.xsd” 2604.Furthermore, the conditions placed on the connectors associated with the Decision 2402 of the workflow are shown in the element .\",\n \"Thus, the XML found in the file describes the objects of the workflow and how they are wired together.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"27, 28, and 29 illustrate the C++ source code generated by the code generator components 320 for the example of the workflow depicted in FIG.\",\n \"24.Specifically, FIG.\",\n \"27 illustrates an example of an implementation file containing the workflow assembly source code generated based on a C++ domain model.\",\n \"The file also includes the method “AssembleWorkFlow” 2701 that is executed by the builder 340, 350 to construct the workflow and implement the sequencing of the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, as previously discussed, if the builder 340, 350 executes the method “AssembleWorkFlow” 2701, the builder 340, 350 first builds the individual objects 2702 of the workflow and the connectors between the objects 2703 in memory as an object graph and the workflow engine 400 invokes each of the objects as the engine 400 traverses the graph.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"28 illustrates an example of a header file declaring callback classes for each object of the workflow depicted in FIG.\",\n \"24 and the corresponding callback methods for each class.\",\n \"For example, the “DecisionTransition” class 2801 represents the Decision 2402 displayed in the workflow depicted in FIG.\",\n \"24.This class includes the declaration for two methods, “EvaluateCondition” 2802 and “OnEvaluateCondition” 2803.These two methods are the callback methods for the Decision 2402.In addition, the methods for each class reference the case data (e.g., SampleFlowChartCaseData 2804) and the working set data (e.g., SampleFlowChartWorkingSet 2805) for the workflow.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"29 illustrates an example of a file containing the implementation for each of the workflow object callback methods.\",\n \"In particular, the workflow engine module 400 delegates to the operating system to call back the methods for a particular workflow object in various embodiments if the engine 400 invokes the object (e.g., class) during execution of the workflow.\",\n \"Therefore, the developer edits this file to write the contents of these methods as needed for the specific application.\",\n \"For example, the developer inserts the code for the method “ProcessTransition::OnExecute” 2901 that is executed for the Process 2403 of the workflow if the engine 400 invokes this Process 2403.In addition, this file in various embodiments is round-trip engineered as previously discussed.\",\n \"This is to ensure that the code written by the developer is preserved if the workflow is re-complied.\",\n \"Furthermore, the file illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"29 also depicts the stub implementation as previously discussed.\",\n \"Such an implementation is shown in the method “DecisionTransition::OnEvaluateCondition” 2902.Thus, as previously discussed, the developer replaces this exception with the desired code for the particular object of the workflow.\",\n \"As previously mentioned, code generator components 320 can generate source code in multiple languages from a single description of the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, FIGS.\",\n \"30, 31, and 32 illustrate the C# source code (similar to the C++ source code discussed above) generated by the code generator components 320 for the example of the workflow depicted in FIG.\",\n \"24.Once the developer has written the application specific code for the workflow, the developer saves the code as an executable program.\",\n \"Thus, to execute the particular workflow, the state machine builder 340 or the flow chart builder 350 reads the workflow assembly source code of the workflow and maps the various objects of the workflow to Petri net classes and builds the workflow in memory.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"33 illustrates the mapping of the workflow depicted in FIG.\",\n \"24 to the corresponding Petri net classes.\",\n \"For example, the Start 2401, End 2410, Process 2403, Task A 2407, and Task B 2408 map to the transition class CTransition 3301.As the builder 340, 350 maps the workflow into memory, the builder 340, 350 morphs the objects of the workflow to fit into a Petri net model.\",\n \"For example, the builder 340, 350 first builds a start place for the workflow in memory.\",\n \"This start place serves as the first placeholder for the token to start the workflow (e.g., the first input for the token in the workflow).\",\n \"The builder 340, 350 then builds a start transition (e.g., CTransition) in memory to represent the start 2401 of the workflow shown in FIG.\",\n \"24 and places an arc between the start place and start transition to connect the two objects.\",\n \"Next, the builder 340, 350 builds a place in memory for the start transition to output the token into.\",\n \"This place is associated with the decision 2402 shown in the workflow displayed in FIG.\",\n \"24.Thus, this decision place will serve as the input place to trigger the decision 2402 to execute.\",\n \"The builder 340, 350 then builds a transition in memory to represent the decision 2402.Again, the builder 340, 350 also builds an arc between the decision place and the decision transition.\",\n \"Next, the builder 340, 350 builds two places into memory leading on different paths from the decision transition along with corresponding arcs between the decision transition and the two places.\",\n \"In this case, the builder 340, 350 also builds into memory a binary guard (e.g., CBinaryGuard) to represent the decision and the direction the workflow will take depending on the returned data (e.g., resulting case data) from the execution of the decision task.\",\n \"In addition, the builder 340, 350 builds the process 2403 and the database query 2404 displayed in FIG.\",\n \"24 into memory as transitions along with arcs leading from the corresponding places built after the decision transition.\",\n \"The builder 340, 350 continues to build the workflow shown in FIG.\",\n \"24 in memory by morphing the corresponding workflow objects indicated in the workflow assembly source code shown in FIG.\",\n \"27 into a Petri net model according to the mapping shown in FIG.\",\n \"33.Once the builder 340, 350 has written the workflow into memory, the workflow engine 400 receives a request to execute the workflow.\",\n \"The execution of the workflow is shown in FIG.\",\n \"34.Thus, the workflow engine 400 receives the request and begins to execute the workflow, shown as Step 3401.The engine 400 extracts the case data from the token and places the token into the InputPlace (e.g., start place) for the workflow, shown as Step 3402.In this example, the workflow engine 400 then invokes the one or more delegates (e.g., CMultiCastDelegate) in which the corresponding pointers for the transition have been wrapped into by the builder 340, 350, shown as Step 3403.For example, according to one embodiment, the class StartTransition has the callback method OnExecute (see FIGS.\",\n \"28 and 29).\",\n \"Therefore, the builder 340, 350 wraps the pointer for this method into the appropriate delegate and writes the delegate into memory and the workflow engine 400 invokes this delegate.\",\n \"Next, the workflow engine 400 activates the start in the workflow, shown as Step 3404.The start of the workflow has been translated into the class CTransition.\",\n \"The engine 400 determines that the transition has been activated (i.e., the engine 400 determines that the token has been placed in the input place for the start transition), and invokes the method onExecuteActivity, shown as Step 3405.The engine 400 delegates the pointer for the method OnExecute associated with the start of the workflow to the appropriate adapter (e.g., CCustomTransition) and the adapter passes the pointer to the operating system.\",\n \"The operating system receives the pointer and executes the callback method OnExecute by utilizing the pointer and returns the result to the workflow engine 400.The workflow engine 400 then transfers the token along with the case data to each of the outward arcs for the start transition, shown as Step 3406.Thus, in this example, the workflow engine 400 transfers the token to the outward arc (e.g., CArc) in Step 3407 and the engine 400 then releases the token to the appropriate output place (e.g., OutputPlace) in Step 3408.This output place serves as the input place for the decision object in the workflow.\",\n \"Thus, the process starts over for the decision transition.\",\n \"In Steps 3403 and 3404, the workflow engine 400 invokes the appropriate delegate for the callback method for the decision transition and determines whether the decision transition has been enabled.\",\n \"If the engine 400 determines the decision transition has been enabled (e.g., the input place for the decision transition is holding the token), the engine 400 executes the transition, shown as Step 3405.In this case, the corresponding callback method for the decision transition is the method OnEvaluateCondition (See FIG.\",\n \"29).\",\n \"Thus, the workflow engine 400 delegates the pointer for the method OnEvaluateCondition to the appropriate adapter and the adapter passes the pointer to the operating system to execute the callback method.\",\n \"For example, the start transition's method OnExecute involves executing logic that produces an output variable based on one or more variables present in the case data.\",\n \"Therefore, the operating system executes the method OnExecute for the start transition and returns in the case data the new output variable.\",\n \"In turn, the operating system executes the method OnEvaluateCondition for the decision transition and determines whether the value of the new output variable produced for the start transition is above a predetermined threshold.\",\n \"If the value is above the predetermined threshold, the operating system creates a determination variable of “YES.” If the value is equal to or below the predetermined threshold, the operating system creates a determination variable of “NO.” The operating system then returns the case data to the workflow engine 400 with the new determination variable.\",\n \"The workflow engine 400 then evaluates the returned case data to determine the appropriate outward arcs for the decision transition by invoking the method GuardEvaluatesToTrue, shown as Step 3409.Thus, the workflow engine 400 evaluates the determination variable to determine the appropriate outward arc.\",\n \"If the determination variable indicates “YES,” the workflow engine 400 transfers the token to the outward arc leading to the input place for the process transition.\",\n \"If the determination variable indicated “NO,” the workflow engine 400 transfers the token to the outward arc leading to the appropriate input place for the database query transition.\",\n \"The workflow engine 400 continues by releasing the token to the input place for either the process transition or the database query transition based on which outward arc the engine 400 had previously placed the token into.\",\n \"If the workflow engine 400 determines that the appropriate outward arc leads to the input place for the database query transition and, the workflow engine 400 holds the token in the input place for the database query transition, and as a result enables the database query transition to execute, shown as Step 3405.The callback methods associated with the database query transition are OnSetGatewayRequest and OnGetGatewayResponse.\",\n \"In this case, the workflow engine 400 invokes the appropriate delegates for the method pointers for a gateway and delegates the pointers to the adapter to pass to the operating system.\",\n \"As previously discussed, the gateway serves as a connection to an external source.\",\n \"Thus, the operating system uses the appropriate API to communicate with the database and performs the query for the database as specified by the method pointers.\",\n \"As a result, the queried information is returned to the workflow in the case data.\",\n \"Furthermore, the workflow engine 400 executes the conditional fork representing concurrency within the workflow if the engine 400 encounters this object during execution by invoking the appropriate classes (e.g., CSimpleDelegateAsync, CProtectAccess, and CCriticalSection).\",\n \"Thus, the workflow engine 400 spawns two operating system threads, a first thread used by the operating system to execute the one or more callback methods associated with Task A 2407 and a second thread used by the operating system to execute the one or more callback methods associated with Task B 2408.The workflow engine 400 delegates the pointer for the methods for both Task A 2407 and Task B 2408 to the appropriate adapter and the adapter passes the pointer to the operating system to execute the callback methods.\",\n \"In this case since the concurrency is represented as conditional, once the operating system has completed executing the methods associated with either Task A 2407 or Task B 2408 and has returned the corresponding case data back to the workflow engine 400, the engine 400 continues to execute the workflow by placing the token into the input place for the end of the workflow without waiting for the operating system to complete the execution of the methods for the other task.\",\n \"That is, if the operating system completes the callback methods for Task A 2407 and returns the corresponding case data to the workflow engine 400 before the operating system has completed the callback methods for Task B 2408, the engine 400 continues to execute the workflow without waiting for the operating system to return the case data after executing the callback methods associated with Task B 2408.Thus, the workflow engine 400 traverses the workflow until the engine 400 has completed executing the workflow.\",\n \"At this point, the engine 400 sends a response (e.g., the end resulting case data) back to the client that issued the request to the engine 400 to execute the workflow.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"35 is an exemplary embodiment of a diagram illustrating relationships between Petri net classes and flowchart classes according to an exemplary embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"36 provides an example of a workflow developed on the desktop workspace 500 of the graphical designer module 300 according to an exemplary embodiment.\",\n \"CONCLUSION Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.\",\n \"Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended listing of inventive concepts.\",\n \"Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872425"}}},{"rowIdx":4494073,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["PAD FOR A MASK","A cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask.","The pad has a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward and terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks.","The main body is made of a breathable material, e.g., foam.","The pad may include adhesive and/or an attached portion, e.g., a ring, to couple the pad to the patient and/or portion of the mask."],["1-20.","(canceled) 21.A respiratory mask system configured to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB), the respiratory mask system comprising: a mask comprising: a rigid frame constructed of a first material; a flexible cushion constructed of a second material that is a different material from the first material; and an elbow configured to be connected to an air delivery conduit to provide a supply of pressurized air from a blower or a flow generator to the rigid frame; headgear configured to hold the rigid frame and the flexible cushion in position on the patient during therapy, the headgear including headgear clips and/or headgear straps; and a cushion pad constructed of a conformable material that is a different material from the first material and the second material, the cushion pad comprising: a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose that extends from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, the main body portion having lateral side portions structured to extend downward along the sides of the patient's nose, and the main body portion having an opening to receive at least the patient's nose; and a pair of attachment portions, each of the pair of attachment portions extending from opposing sides of the main body portion and each of the pair of attachment portions including an aperture or a slit structured to receive a corresponding one of the headgear clips or a corresponding one of the headgear straps, wherein, in use, a first side of the main body portion is configured to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, is configured to contact the flexible cushion.","22.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the main body portion includes a horizontal portion connecting the lateral side portions.","23.The respiratory mask system according to claim 22, wherein the horizontal portion is adapted to extend over the upper lip or below the lower lip or on the chin of the patient.","24.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein each of the pair of attachment portions is formed as an extension or a wing that extends from a corresponding one of the lateral side portions and/or the horizontal portion.","25.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the cushion pad has a shape that substantially matches a shape of a sealing portion of the flexible cushion.","26.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the cushion pad is thermoformed, molded, machined, stitched, die cut and/or compression cut.","27.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the flexible cushion is positioned between the rigid frame and the cushion pad in use.","28.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the conformable material of the cushion pad is foam.","29.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the rigid frame and the cushion at least partly form a breathing cavity configured to receive the supply of pressurized air and provide the supply of pressurized air to the patient's airways.","30.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the cushion pad is configured to be removed from the mask and the headgear for replacement.","31.A cushion pad for use with a respiratory mask system configured to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and including a cushion, the cushion pad comprising: a main body portion having a generally triangular shape, the main body portion further comprising: a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose without obstructing the patient's line of sight; a pair of lateral side portions, each of the lateral side portions structured to extend from the central portion and along corresponding lateral sides of the patient's nose; and a horizontal portion connecting the pair of lateral side portions of the main body portion; and a pair of attachment portions, each of the pair of attachment portions extending from a corresponding lateral side of the main body portion and each of the pair of attachment portions including an aperture that is structured to receive a portion of a component configured to hold the respiratory mask system in position on the patient during use, wherein the central portion, the lateral side portions, and the horizontal portion of the main body portion form an opening that is configured to receive the patient's nose and mouth; wherein, in use, a first side of the main body portion is configured to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, is configured to contact the cushion, and wherein the cushion pad is constructed of a foam material.","32.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the horizontal portion is adapted to extend below the lower lip of the patient.","33.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the aperture of each of the attachment portions is configured to receive a corresponding clip or a corresponding headgear strap.","34.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein each of the attachment portions is formed as an extension or a wing that extends from a corresponding one of the lateral side portions and/or the horizontal portion.","35.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the cushion pad has a shape that substantially matches a shape of a sealing portion of the cushion.","36.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the cushion pad is thermoformed, molded, machined, stitched, die cut and/or compression cut.","37.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the cushion pad is constructed of a single piece of foam.","38.A respiratory mask system configured to deliver CPAP therapy to a patient to treat SDB, the respiratory mask system comprising: a mask comprising: a rigid frame constructed of a first material; a flexible cushion constructed of a second material that is a different material from the first material; and an elbow configured to be connected to an air delivery conduit to provide a supply of pressurized air from a blower or a flow generator to the rigid frame; headgear configured to hold the rigid frame and the cushion in position on the patient during therapy, the headgear including headgear clips and/or headgear straps; and the cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the foam material is a different material from the first material and the second material.","39.The cushion pad according to claim 38, wherein the flexible cushion is positioned between the rigid frame and the cushion pad in use.","40.The respiratory mask system according to claim 38, wherein the rigid frame and the flexible cushion at least partly form a breathing cavity configured to receive the supply of pressurized air and provide the supply of pressurized air to the patient's airways.","41.The respiratory mask system according to claim 38, wherein the cushion pad is configured to be removed from the mask and the headgear for replacement."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, respiratory therapy is delivered in the form of a respiratory mask or mask system positioned between a patient and apparatus providing a supply of pressurized air or breathing gas.","Mask systems in the field of the invention differ from mask systems used in other applications such as aviation and safety in particular because of their emphasis on comfort.","This high level of comfort is desired because patients must sleep wearing the masks for hours, possibly every night for the rest of their lives.","In addition, therapy compliance can be improved if the patient's bed partner is not adversely affected by the patient's therapy and wearing of the mask generally.","Mask systems typically, although not always, comprise (i) a rigid or semi-rigid portion often referred to as a shell or frame, (ii) a soft, patient contacting portion often referred to as a cushion, and (iii) some form of headgear to hold the frame and cushion in position.","If the mask system does include multiple components, at least some assembly and adjustment may be required, which can be difficult for patients who may suffer from lack of dexterity, etc.","Further, mask systems often include a mechanism for connecting an air delivery conduit.","The air delivery conduit may preferably be connected to a blower or flow generator.","A range of mask systems are known including nasal masks, nose & mouth masks, full face masks and nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles & cannulae.","Masks typically cover more of the face than nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles and cannulae.","Some respiratory masks cause discomfort or are difficult to seal on some patients.","Comfort and seal may be particularly troublesome in the nasal bridge region.","Other portions of the mask system including but not limited to the forehead support and headgear clips may cause discomfort or cause skin breakdown (e.g.","ulceration, skin marking, irritation, redness, etc)."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present technology relates to a pad for a mask system.","One form of a pad in accordance with the present technology comprises a pad for a mask system with an adhesive.","In another form, no adhesive is used.","In accordance with one aspect of the present technology, a mask system including a cushion is provided.","A pad may be removably held in fixed spacial relation with respect to the cushion.","In one form the pad may be tethered to the mask system.","In one form the pad may be secured at a particular location on the mask so that it does not fall off when the mask is removed from the face.","In one form the pad comprises a tether so that the pad may be selectively held at different regions of the cushion to resolve a seal problem at the different regions.","In one form the mask system further includes a mechanical fastener to hold a pad.","In one form a pad may be tethered to the mask system without requiring the pad to be held in a fixed location with respect to the cushion.","In one form in accordance with the present technology, a pad further comprising a tether is provided.","One form of pad in accordance with the present technology relates to a pad for use with a forehead support.","In one form a pad comprises a portion for use with a forehead support and a portion for use with a nasal cushion.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pad for a mask system with an attachment portion, e.g., the pad is shaped to cover a designated portion of the patient's face, e.g., the forehead, the nasal bridge region, the cheek region and/or the upper lip or lower lip/chin region, and the attachment portion may be releasably connected to the mask system, e.g., a forehead support (dial, joining member, etc.","), frame, headgear, and/or headgear clip, etc.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, a second side, opposite the first side, to contact the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover the nasal bridge region of the patient, the main body portion having an attachment portion to attach the cushion pad to the mask.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward and terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks, the main body being made of a breathable material.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward along the sides of the nose, the main body being made of a conformable material.","Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of manufacturing a mask pad, e.g., via thermoforming, molding, machining, stitching, die cutting and/or compression cutting."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","12/801,377, now allowed, which claims the benefit of Australian Application No.","AU 2009903495, filed Jul.","24, 2009, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/478,537, filed Jun.","4, 2009, now U.S. Pat.","No.","8,291,906, which claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/058,659, filed Jun.","4, 2008 and No.","61/080,847, tiled Jul.","15, 2008, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pad for a respiratory mask for the delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient.","Various respiratory conditions include Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).","Respiratory therapies used to treat these conditions include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV), and Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP).","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, respiratory therapy is delivered in the form of a respiratory mask or mask system positioned between a patient and apparatus providing a supply of pressurized air or breathing gas.","Mask systems in the field of the invention differ from mask systems used in other applications such as aviation and safety in particular because of their emphasis on comfort.","This high level of comfort is desired because patients must sleep wearing the masks for hours, possibly every night for the rest of their lives.","In addition, therapy compliance can be improved if the patient's bed partner is not adversely affected by the patient's therapy and wearing of the mask generally.","Mask systems typically, although not always, comprise (i) a rigid or semi-rigid portion often referred to as a shell or frame, (ii) a soft, patient contacting portion often referred to as a cushion, and (iii) some form of headgear to hold the frame and cushion in position.","If the mask system does include multiple components, at least some assembly and adjustment may be required, which can be difficult for patients who may suffer from lack of dexterity, etc.","Further, mask systems often include a mechanism for connecting an air delivery conduit.","The air delivery conduit may preferably be connected to a blower or flow generator.","A range of mask systems are known including nasal masks, nose & mouth masks, full face masks and nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles & cannulae.","Masks typically cover more of the face than nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles and cannulae.","Some respiratory masks cause discomfort or are difficult to seal on some patients.","Comfort and seal may be particularly troublesome in the nasal bridge region.","Other portions of the mask system including but not limited to the forehead support and headgear clips may cause discomfort or cause skin breakdown (e.g.","ulceration, skin marking, irritation, redness, etc).","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present technology relates to a pad for a mask system.","One form of a pad in accordance with the present technology comprises a pad for a mask system with an adhesive.","In another form, no adhesive is used.","In accordance with one aspect of the present technology, a mask system including a cushion is provided.","A pad may be removably held in fixed spacial relation with respect to the cushion.","In one form the pad may be tethered to the mask system.","In one form the pad may be secured at a particular location on the mask so that it does not fall off when the mask is removed from the face.","In one form the pad comprises a tether so that the pad may be selectively held at different regions of the cushion to resolve a seal problem at the different regions.","In one form the mask system further includes a mechanical fastener to hold a pad.","In one form a pad may be tethered to the mask system without requiring the pad to be held in a fixed location with respect to the cushion.","In one form in accordance with the present technology, a pad further comprising a tether is provided.","One form of pad in accordance with the present technology relates to a pad for use with a forehead support.","In one form a pad comprises a portion for use with a forehead support and a portion for use with a nasal cushion.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pad for a mask system with an attachment portion, e.g., the pad is shaped to cover a designated portion of the patient's face, e.g., the forehead, the nasal bridge region, the cheek region and/or the upper lip or lower lip/chin region, and the attachment portion may be releasably connected to the mask system, e.g., a forehead support (dial, joining member, etc.","), frame, headgear, and/or headgear clip, etc.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, a second side, opposite the first side, to contact the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover the nasal bridge region of the patient, the main body portion having an attachment portion to attach the cushion pad to the mask.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward and terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks, the main body being made of a breathable material.","Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward along the sides of the nose, the main body being made of a conformable material.","Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of manufacturing a mask pad, e.g., via thermoforming, molding, machining, stitching, die cutting and/or compression cutting.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of various embodiments of the present technology.","FIG.","1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","2 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","3 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","4 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","5 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIGS.","5A to 5G show alternatives of the first embodiment.","FIG.","6 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","7 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention with a mask system FIG.","8 shows a back view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","9 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","11 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","12 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","13 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","14 shows a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention with a mask system.","FIG.","15 shows a back view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","16 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","17 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","18 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","19 shows a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","20 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","21 shows a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","22 shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in use.","FIG.","23 shows a front view of a fifth embodiment of present invention in use.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION A mask system typically includes a frame, a cushion and a headgear.","The frame may anchor the cushion in position and allow for attachment of a headgear.","The frame is typically a rigid or semi rigid component constructed of, for example, polycarbonate.","The cushion may seal with the face of the patient in order to provide therapy to the patient.","The cushion is typically a flexible element constructed of, for example, silicone.","The headgear may stabilize and support the frame and cushion in position on the patient's face when in use.","The headgear is typically a flexible or semi rigid element constructed of, for example, fabric.","Some patients may have difficulty attaining a seal when the mask system is in position on the patients face (both dynamic and static) for several reasons, such as unique facial profiles.","Some patients may experience discomfort, such as irritation due to prolonged contact with the mask system, particularly the cushion.","In addition, if the patient has damaged skin that may contact the mask system, the patient may need a pad to reduce pressure and enhance healing at the damaged skin when the mask system is next used.","A pad may also reduce rubbing of the patient's hair and thereby reduce hair loss.","The present technology relates to a pad for use with a respiratory mask that may be shaped to cover the nasal bridge, forehead region, or any other area of a patient.","The pad may be positioned between the patient and the mask system.","The pads may have an adhesive to adhere the pad to the face of the patient and/or to the mask, e.g., the seal and/or another part thereof.","The pads may have an anchoring or attachment portion, e.g., a ring, to interface with the mask system so as to secure the pad in position on the mask system.","Pad with Adhesive Attachment In a first embodiment of the present invention, a pad may be provided for use with a mask system that may attach to the patient and/or mask system by an adhesive.","Pad preferably includes breathable and/or conformable material, such as foam.","In a first preferred embodiment, the pad may be provided for the nasal bridge region of the patient, as shown in FIGS.","1-5.The pad 100 has a main body portion that may be generally longer than it is wide, so as to accommodate various nose shapes e.g.","nose width and nose bridge height.","Pad 100 includes lateral side portions that extend across and/or downwards.","Lateral side portions terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks.","Pad 100 may be generally elliptical, rectangular, trilobular, or any other desired shape (such as that shown in FIGS.","1 and 2).","Pad 100 may include a peak 120 in its central portion so as to fit a wider range of patients (e.g.","to conform over a variety of nasal bridge heights).","It may also cover more the of nasal bridge region that tends to suffer the most discomfort or damage (since the top of the nose bridge is a small area, it is most susceptible to skin breakdown as the force from the mask system is distributed over a smaller area, also the skin can be thinner in this region when compared to other regions of the face e.g.","cheeks).","Peak 120 may be shaped so as to avoid obstructing the patient's line of sight.","Pad 100 may also have a trough 130 so as to avoid the pad extending past the end of the patient's nose when in use.","Furthermore, trough 130 and peak 120 may be shaped such that pad 100 can be easily nested when manufactured, thereby increasing yield, reducing waste and reducing part cost.","Pad 100 may be about 5 mm to 60 mm wide.","Preferably, pad 100 is about 10 mm to 50 mm.","Preferably, pad 100 may be 45 mm wide.","Pad 100 may be the same width along the length of the pad.","Pad 100 may not have the same width along the length of the pad.","Pad may include lateral side portions to extend down and terminate along the sides of the nose, and may extend along the cheeks, and may seal in the nasal crease.","Pad 100 may be about 10 mm to 200 mm long.","Preferably, pad 100 may be about 20 mm to 100 mm.","Preferably, pad 100 may be about 100 mm long.","Pad 100 may have adhesive 150 at its distal ends 110 (shown in FIGS.","1 and 2), on one entire side of pad 100 or in any region/s of pad 100.Pad 100 may be about 1 to 15 mm thick.","Preferably, pad 100 is about 5 mm thick.","Preferably, pad 100 is about 7 mm thick.","The thickness of pad 100 may be constant along the length of the pad.","The thickness of pad 100 may vary along its length, e.g.","thicker in the middle where the most force from the mask system is applied; or thinner at the distal ends 110 of the pad where the pad no longer contacts the mask system and may cause leaks.","Its thickness may vary from the top of the nose to the nasal bridge region, e.g., thicker near nasal bridge region as compared to nose tip.","Pad 100 may be available in multiple sizes to accommodate varying patient facial profiles, e.g., a number of differently shaped pads 100′, 100″ and 100′″ can be packaged within a lot, as shown in FIGS.","5A, 5B and 5C.","Pads may be available in a variety of shapes, see, e.g., FIG.","5D to 5G, to suit noses of various shapes.","For example, FIGS.","5D suits flatter noses via a smaller angle, whereas FIG.","5G suits sharper noses and has a larger angle, with FIGS.","5E and 5F being suitable for nose shapes in between.","Pad 100 may also be customizable so that patients can vary the size of the pad, e.g.","perforations to tear off sections of the pad, or markings to indicate where the patient can cut away portions of the pad to suit their facial profile.","Adhesive 150 may contact the patient's face thereby applying the pad directly to the patient's skin (as shown in FIG.","3).","The width of the adhesive may be about 10 mm.","The mask system 160 may then be positioned on the patient's face and on top of some or all of pad 100 (as shown in FIGS.","4 and 5).","Adhesive 150 may contact the mask system 160 directly and then be applied to the patient's face (no adhesive applied to the face).","Also, adhesive may be applied to both sides of the pad, to adhere to the mask system and the patient.","Pad 100 may be constructed from a flexible material.","Preferably pad 100 may be constructed from a foam such as that disclosed in pending US patent application US 2008/0047560, filed 27 Jul.","2007; pending US patent application US 2008/0060649, filed 27 Jul.","2007; pending US patent application U.S. Ser.","No.","12/448,250, filed 15 Jun.","2009, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","Other foams are also possible.","Pad 100 may be constructed from fabric (e.g.","woven or non-woven), gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or any other suitable material.","Pad 100 may be constructed from a combination of materials e.g.","fabric and foam.","Adhesive 150 may be a skin compatible adhesive such as a silicone adhesive.","Adhesive may be same as those disclose in pending US patent application U.S. Ser.","No.","12/478537, filed 4 Jun.","2009, included herein by reference in its entirety.","The adhesive may be a low tack adhesive.","Adhesive 150 may be covered with a release liner when not in use.","Release line may be kraft paper, silicone backed paper or any other suitable material.","Preferably, pad 100 may be formed by die cutting.","Pad 100 may be formed by compression cutting.","Pad 100 may be formed by molding.","Adhesive 150 may be laminated on to the foam before or after cutting the pad.","Pad 100 may be used with a full face mask (i.e.","covering the nose and mouth of the patient), or with a nasal-only mask (i.e.","cover the nose only), or with nasal pillows (prongs inserted into the patient's nose) Advantages of the pad are that it may be disposable, intuitive to fit due to the shape and size, comfortable, enable a better or enhanced seal of the mask system when in use, and/or may encourage patient's to be compliant with therapy.","The pad is ideally suited to allow both comfort and sealing in areas that are particularly sensitive, while avoiding application of extensive headgear strap tension to compensate for leaks, in which case unwanted pressure can be applied to other areas of the face, such as the cheeks and elsewhere.","The pad may provide an improved seal especially with patients that have unusual facial shapes, beards/moustaches, and can assist with stability if the patient uses moisturizer or otherwise has greasy skin.","The pad can also help avoid or dissipate uncomfortable leak around the patient's eyes.","Pad with Ring Attachment In a second embodiment of the present invention, pad 200 may be provided to a mask system 260.Pad 200 may be provided with an attachment portion, e.g., a ring 280 to attach to a portion of mask system 260, such as a forehead support 270.As shown in FIGS.","6 to 12, pad 200 may be attached to forehead support 270 of mask system 260 by ring 280 of pad 200.Ring 280 may loop over a portion of forehead support 270 (for example, a dial portion or a joining portion 270.1 for a forehead support) such that pad 200 is positioned over the nasal bridge region of mask system 260.Pad 200 may include a connecting region 225 to join ring 280 to distal ends 210.Trough 230 may be provided to pad 200 to avoid the pad extending past the end of the patient's nose in use.","Trough 230 may have radius of about 20 mm to 40 mm.","Preferably, trough 230 may have a radius of about 30 mm.","Pad 200 may be about 100 mm to 130 mm long.","Preferably, pad 200 may have a length of about 115 mm.","Pad 200 may be about 75 mm to 130 mm wide.","Preferably, pad 200 may have a width of about 100 mm.","Ring 280 may have an inner diameter of about 14 mm to 18 mm.","Ring 280 may have an outer diameter of about 40 mm to 44 mm.","In an alternative form shown in FIGS.","21 to 23, pad 500 may connect or otherwise attach to headgear clips 570 or headgear 600.Pad 500 may have a main body 530 that may be shaped to match the sealing profile of mask 360, for example generally triangular, elliptical, trapezoidal.","In the case of a nasal-only mask, main body includes a generally horizontal portion to extend above the upper lip.","In the case of an oro-nasal mask, the horizontal portion extends below the lower lip (or on the chin).","Pad 500 may include one or more attachment portions, e.g., wings or extensions 520 adapted to wrap or extend from the sealing portion of mask 360 to the headgear clips 570 or headgear 600.Pad 500 may include an aperture 510 to receive a patient's nose and/or mouth for communication with an interior of a mask system.","Pad 500, e.g., wings/extensions, may further include rings 580, e.g., in the form of an elongated aperture or slit adapted to connect or receive a headgear clip 570 or headgear 600.In a third embodiment of the present invention, pad 300 may be provided to a mask system 360.Pad 300 may be provided with an attachment portion, e.g., a ring 380 to attach to a portion of mask system 360, such as a forehead support 370 and provide additional coverage of forehead support pads 375.As shown in FIGS.","13 to 19, pad 300 may be attached to forehead support 370 of mask system 360 by ring 380 of pad 300.Ring 380 may loop over a portion of forehead support 370 (for example a dial portion) and may additionally fold over the top of forehead support 370, such that pad 300 is positioned over the nasal bridge region of mask system 360.Distal ends 310 may cover some or a portion of the patient's nasal bridge region and cheeks.","At least one forehead support pad cover 385 may cover some or all of forehead support pad(s) 375 of a forehead support 370.Pad 300 may include a connecting regions 325 to join ring 380 to forehead pad covers 385 and distal ends 310.If desired support pad covers 385 may be attached to support pads, without the portion that contacts the nasal bridge region.","The pad can have perforations, cutting lines, or pre-scored lines to render various parts removable.","For example, the lateral sides of pad covers 385 can be removed along vertical score lines 385.1 to leave only that part of the pad that contacts the patient's nasal bridge region as well as the attachment portion.","In another example, a horizontal perforation or score line 385.2 can be used to separate the pad covers 385 and its associated attachment portion from the main body that covers the nasal bridge region.","Thus, a single pad can be produced that can be modified by the patient depending on patient preference and/or mask type, e.g., nasal-only mask in which case pad covers 385 would not be needed, or forehead pad cover and attachment portion only, or nasal bridge region with or without attachment portion.","See FIG.","13.If only the nasal bridge region is to include padding, the pad is torn along contoured score line 320.1.If the nasal bridge pad is to be used with an attachment portion, then pad covers 385 are removed along score lines 385.1 in which case the upper attachment portion remains.","If the upper attachment portion is inappropriately sized, another aperture (lower attachment portion) can be formed by punching out padding along score line 380.1, in which case the upper attachment portion can be separated via score lines 380.2.Trough 330 may be provided to pad 300 to avoid the pad extending past the end of the patient's nose in use.","Trough 330 may have radius of about 20 mm to 40 mm.","Preferably, trough 330 may have a radius of about 30 mm.","Pad 300 may be about 155 mm to 205 mm long.","Preferably, pad 300 may have a length of about 180 mm.","Pad 300 may be about 75 mm to 130 mm wide.","Pad 300 may be about 95 mm to 110 mm wide.","Preferably, pad 300 may have a width of about 100 mm.","Pad 300 may be about 1 mm to 15 mm thick.","Preferably, pad 300 may have a thickness of about 5 mm.","Preferably, pad 300 may have a thickness of about 4 mm.","Forehead support pad covers may be about 25 mm to 40 mm wide.","Ring 380 may have an inner diameter of about 14 mm to 18 mm.","Ring 280 may have an outer diameter of about 40 mm to 44 mm.","Ring may have a circular opening, or another shape.","It may also have a slit to facilitate assembly and disassembly to/from the frame.","Pad 300 may be constructed from a flexible, breathable material.","Preferably pad 100 may be constructed from a foam such as that disclosed in pending US patent application US 2008/0047560, filed 27 Jul.","2007; pending US patent application US 2008/0060649, filed 27 Jul.","2007; pending US patent application U.S. Ser.","No.","12/448,250, tiled 15 Jun.","2009.Other foams are also possible.","Pad 300 may be constructed from fabric (e.g.","woven or non-woven), gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or any other suitable material.","Pad 300 may be constructed from a combination of materials e.g.","fabric and foam.","Pad 300 may be used with a full face mask (i.e.","covering the nose and mouth of the patient), or with a nasal-only mask (i.e.","cover the nose only).","Advantages of the pad are that it may be disposable, intuitive to tit due to the shape and size, comfortable, enable a better or enhance seal of the mask system when in use, and/or may encourage patient's to be compliant with therapy.","An alternative cushion pad 400 is shown in FIG.","20.Main body portion is similar to that shown in FIGS.","1 and 2.However, extending from peak portion 420 is a forehead support pad cover 485.Connecting portion 425 connects the main body and the pad cover 485.Cushion pad 400 may have a symmetrical shape so it cannot be attached (e.g., adhesively) in the wrong orientation.","Pad 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 (hereafter ‘pad’) may be about 1 mm to 15 mm thick.","Preferably, pad may have a thickness of about 5 mm.","Preferably, pad may have a thickness of about 4 mm.","Pad may be constructed from a flexible and/or conformable material.","Preferably, pad may be constructed from a foam such as that disclosed in pending US patent application US 2008/0047560, filed 27 Jul.","2007; pending US patent application US 2008/0060649, filed 27 Jul.","2007; pending US patent application U.S. Ser.","No.","12/448,250, filed 15 Jun.","2009.Other foams are also possible.","Pad may be constructed from fabric (e.g.","woven or non-woven), gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or any other suitable material.","Pad may be constructed from a combination of materials e.g.","fabric and foam.","Pad may be thermoformed and/or die (or compression) cut.","Pad may be formed by thermoforming and ultrasonic die cutting.","Alternatively, pad may be molded, for example by injection molding, compression molding, etc.","In a further alternative, pad may be machined and/or stitched.","Pad may be formed by any other suitable means.","Pad may be used with a full face mask (i.e.","covering the nose and mouth of the patient), or with a nasal-only mask (i.e.","cover the nose only).","Advantages of the pad are that it may be disposable, intuitive to fit due to the shape and size, comfortable, enable a better or enhance seal of the mask system when in use, and/or may encourage patient's to be compliant with therapy.","Another advantage of a pad in accordance with the attachment and or tether aspects of the present technology is that it does not fall off the mask and get lost, or become soiled when the mask is removed from the face.","While the invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention.","Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments.","Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.","Furthermore, each individual component of any given assembly, one or more portions of an individual component of any given assembly, and various combinations of components from one or more embodiments may include one or more ornamental design features.","In addition, while the invention has particular application to patients who suffer from OSA, it is to be appreciated that patients who suffer from other illnesses (e.g., congestive heart failure, diabetes, morbid obesity, stroke, bariatric surgery, etc, derive benefit from the above teachings.","Moreover, the above teachings have applicability with patients and non-patients alike in non-medical applications."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"PAD FOR A MASK\",\n \"A cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask.\",\n \"The pad has a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward and terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks.\",\n \"The main body is made of a breathable material, e.g., foam.\",\n \"The pad may include adhesive and/or an attached portion, e.g., a ring, to couple the pad to the patient and/or portion of the mask.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-20.\",\n \"(canceled) 21.A respiratory mask system configured to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB), the respiratory mask system comprising: a mask comprising: a rigid frame constructed of a first material; a flexible cushion constructed of a second material that is a different material from the first material; and an elbow configured to be connected to an air delivery conduit to provide a supply of pressurized air from a blower or a flow generator to the rigid frame; headgear configured to hold the rigid frame and the flexible cushion in position on the patient during therapy, the headgear including headgear clips and/or headgear straps; and a cushion pad constructed of a conformable material that is a different material from the first material and the second material, the cushion pad comprising: a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose that extends from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, the main body portion having lateral side portions structured to extend downward along the sides of the patient's nose, and the main body portion having an opening to receive at least the patient's nose; and a pair of attachment portions, each of the pair of attachment portions extending from opposing sides of the main body portion and each of the pair of attachment portions including an aperture or a slit structured to receive a corresponding one of the headgear clips or a corresponding one of the headgear straps, wherein, in use, a first side of the main body portion is configured to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, is configured to contact the flexible cushion.\",\n \"22.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the main body portion includes a horizontal portion connecting the lateral side portions.\",\n \"23.The respiratory mask system according to claim 22, wherein the horizontal portion is adapted to extend over the upper lip or below the lower lip or on the chin of the patient.\",\n \"24.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein each of the pair of attachment portions is formed as an extension or a wing that extends from a corresponding one of the lateral side portions and/or the horizontal portion.\",\n \"25.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the cushion pad has a shape that substantially matches a shape of a sealing portion of the flexible cushion.\",\n \"26.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the cushion pad is thermoformed, molded, machined, stitched, die cut and/or compression cut.\",\n \"27.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the flexible cushion is positioned between the rigid frame and the cushion pad in use.\",\n \"28.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the conformable material of the cushion pad is foam.\",\n \"29.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the rigid frame and the cushion at least partly form a breathing cavity configured to receive the supply of pressurized air and provide the supply of pressurized air to the patient's airways.\",\n \"30.The respiratory mask system according to claim 21, wherein the cushion pad is configured to be removed from the mask and the headgear for replacement.\",\n \"31.A cushion pad for use with a respiratory mask system configured to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and including a cushion, the cushion pad comprising: a main body portion having a generally triangular shape, the main body portion further comprising: a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose without obstructing the patient's line of sight; a pair of lateral side portions, each of the lateral side portions structured to extend from the central portion and along corresponding lateral sides of the patient's nose; and a horizontal portion connecting the pair of lateral side portions of the main body portion; and a pair of attachment portions, each of the pair of attachment portions extending from a corresponding lateral side of the main body portion and each of the pair of attachment portions including an aperture that is structured to receive a portion of a component configured to hold the respiratory mask system in position on the patient during use, wherein the central portion, the lateral side portions, and the horizontal portion of the main body portion form an opening that is configured to receive the patient's nose and mouth; wherein, in use, a first side of the main body portion is configured to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, is configured to contact the cushion, and wherein the cushion pad is constructed of a foam material.\",\n \"32.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the horizontal portion is adapted to extend below the lower lip of the patient.\",\n \"33.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the aperture of each of the attachment portions is configured to receive a corresponding clip or a corresponding headgear strap.\",\n \"34.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein each of the attachment portions is formed as an extension or a wing that extends from a corresponding one of the lateral side portions and/or the horizontal portion.\",\n \"35.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the cushion pad has a shape that substantially matches a shape of a sealing portion of the cushion.\",\n \"36.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the cushion pad is thermoformed, molded, machined, stitched, die cut and/or compression cut.\",\n \"37.The cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the cushion pad is constructed of a single piece of foam.\",\n \"38.A respiratory mask system configured to deliver CPAP therapy to a patient to treat SDB, the respiratory mask system comprising: a mask comprising: a rigid frame constructed of a first material; a flexible cushion constructed of a second material that is a different material from the first material; and an elbow configured to be connected to an air delivery conduit to provide a supply of pressurized air from a blower or a flow generator to the rigid frame; headgear configured to hold the rigid frame and the cushion in position on the patient during therapy, the headgear including headgear clips and/or headgear straps; and the cushion pad according to claim 31, wherein the foam material is a different material from the first material and the second material.\",\n \"39.The cushion pad according to claim 38, wherein the flexible cushion is positioned between the rigid frame and the cushion pad in use.\",\n \"40.The respiratory mask system according to claim 38, wherein the rigid frame and the flexible cushion at least partly form a breathing cavity configured to receive the supply of pressurized air and provide the supply of pressurized air to the patient's airways.\",\n \"41.The respiratory mask system according to claim 38, wherein the cushion pad is configured to be removed from the mask and the headgear for replacement.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, respiratory therapy is delivered in the form of a respiratory mask or mask system positioned between a patient and apparatus providing a supply of pressurized air or breathing gas.\",\n \"Mask systems in the field of the invention differ from mask systems used in other applications such as aviation and safety in particular because of their emphasis on comfort.\",\n \"This high level of comfort is desired because patients must sleep wearing the masks for hours, possibly every night for the rest of their lives.\",\n \"In addition, therapy compliance can be improved if the patient's bed partner is not adversely affected by the patient's therapy and wearing of the mask generally.\",\n \"Mask systems typically, although not always, comprise (i) a rigid or semi-rigid portion often referred to as a shell or frame, (ii) a soft, patient contacting portion often referred to as a cushion, and (iii) some form of headgear to hold the frame and cushion in position.\",\n \"If the mask system does include multiple components, at least some assembly and adjustment may be required, which can be difficult for patients who may suffer from lack of dexterity, etc.\",\n \"Further, mask systems often include a mechanism for connecting an air delivery conduit.\",\n \"The air delivery conduit may preferably be connected to a blower or flow generator.\",\n \"A range of mask systems are known including nasal masks, nose & mouth masks, full face masks and nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles & cannulae.\",\n \"Masks typically cover more of the face than nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles and cannulae.\",\n \"Some respiratory masks cause discomfort or are difficult to seal on some patients.\",\n \"Comfort and seal may be particularly troublesome in the nasal bridge region.\",\n \"Other portions of the mask system including but not limited to the forehead support and headgear clips may cause discomfort or cause skin breakdown (e.g.\",\n \"ulceration, skin marking, irritation, redness, etc).\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present technology relates to a pad for a mask system.\",\n \"One form of a pad in accordance with the present technology comprises a pad for a mask system with an adhesive.\",\n \"In another form, no adhesive is used.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present technology, a mask system including a cushion is provided.\",\n \"A pad may be removably held in fixed spacial relation with respect to the cushion.\",\n \"In one form the pad may be tethered to the mask system.\",\n \"In one form the pad may be secured at a particular location on the mask so that it does not fall off when the mask is removed from the face.\",\n \"In one form the pad comprises a tether so that the pad may be selectively held at different regions of the cushion to resolve a seal problem at the different regions.\",\n \"In one form the mask system further includes a mechanical fastener to hold a pad.\",\n \"In one form a pad may be tethered to the mask system without requiring the pad to be held in a fixed location with respect to the cushion.\",\n \"In one form in accordance with the present technology, a pad further comprising a tether is provided.\",\n \"One form of pad in accordance with the present technology relates to a pad for use with a forehead support.\",\n \"In one form a pad comprises a portion for use with a forehead support and a portion for use with a nasal cushion.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pad for a mask system with an attachment portion, e.g., the pad is shaped to cover a designated portion of the patient's face, e.g., the forehead, the nasal bridge region, the cheek region and/or the upper lip or lower lip/chin region, and the attachment portion may be releasably connected to the mask system, e.g., a forehead support (dial, joining member, etc.\",\n \"), frame, headgear, and/or headgear clip, etc.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, a second side, opposite the first side, to contact the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover the nasal bridge region of the patient, the main body portion having an attachment portion to attach the cushion pad to the mask.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward and terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks, the main body being made of a breathable material.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward along the sides of the nose, the main body being made of a conformable material.\",\n \"Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of manufacturing a mask pad, e.g., via thermoforming, molding, machining, stitching, die cutting and/or compression cutting.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/801,377, now allowed, which claims the benefit of Australian Application No.\",\n \"AU 2009903495, filed Jul.\",\n \"24, 2009, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/478,537, filed Jun.\",\n \"4, 2009, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,291,906, which claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/058,659, filed Jun.\",\n \"4, 2008 and No.\",\n \"61/080,847, tiled Jul.\",\n \"15, 2008, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pad for a respiratory mask for the delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient.\",\n \"Various respiratory conditions include Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).\",\n \"Respiratory therapies used to treat these conditions include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV), and Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP).\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, respiratory therapy is delivered in the form of a respiratory mask or mask system positioned between a patient and apparatus providing a supply of pressurized air or breathing gas.\",\n \"Mask systems in the field of the invention differ from mask systems used in other applications such as aviation and safety in particular because of their emphasis on comfort.\",\n \"This high level of comfort is desired because patients must sleep wearing the masks for hours, possibly every night for the rest of their lives.\",\n \"In addition, therapy compliance can be improved if the patient's bed partner is not adversely affected by the patient's therapy and wearing of the mask generally.\",\n \"Mask systems typically, although not always, comprise (i) a rigid or semi-rigid portion often referred to as a shell or frame, (ii) a soft, patient contacting portion often referred to as a cushion, and (iii) some form of headgear to hold the frame and cushion in position.\",\n \"If the mask system does include multiple components, at least some assembly and adjustment may be required, which can be difficult for patients who may suffer from lack of dexterity, etc.\",\n \"Further, mask systems often include a mechanism for connecting an air delivery conduit.\",\n \"The air delivery conduit may preferably be connected to a blower or flow generator.\",\n \"A range of mask systems are known including nasal masks, nose & mouth masks, full face masks and nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles & cannulae.\",\n \"Masks typically cover more of the face than nasal prongs, pillows, nozzles and cannulae.\",\n \"Some respiratory masks cause discomfort or are difficult to seal on some patients.\",\n \"Comfort and seal may be particularly troublesome in the nasal bridge region.\",\n \"Other portions of the mask system including but not limited to the forehead support and headgear clips may cause discomfort or cause skin breakdown (e.g.\",\n \"ulceration, skin marking, irritation, redness, etc).\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present technology relates to a pad for a mask system.\",\n \"One form of a pad in accordance with the present technology comprises a pad for a mask system with an adhesive.\",\n \"In another form, no adhesive is used.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present technology, a mask system including a cushion is provided.\",\n \"A pad may be removably held in fixed spacial relation with respect to the cushion.\",\n \"In one form the pad may be tethered to the mask system.\",\n \"In one form the pad may be secured at a particular location on the mask so that it does not fall off when the mask is removed from the face.\",\n \"In one form the pad comprises a tether so that the pad may be selectively held at different regions of the cushion to resolve a seal problem at the different regions.\",\n \"In one form the mask system further includes a mechanical fastener to hold a pad.\",\n \"In one form a pad may be tethered to the mask system without requiring the pad to be held in a fixed location with respect to the cushion.\",\n \"In one form in accordance with the present technology, a pad further comprising a tether is provided.\",\n \"One form of pad in accordance with the present technology relates to a pad for use with a forehead support.\",\n \"In one form a pad comprises a portion for use with a forehead support and a portion for use with a nasal cushion.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pad for a mask system with an attachment portion, e.g., the pad is shaped to cover a designated portion of the patient's face, e.g., the forehead, the nasal bridge region, the cheek region and/or the upper lip or lower lip/chin region, and the attachment portion may be releasably connected to the mask system, e.g., a forehead support (dial, joining member, etc.\",\n \"), frame, headgear, and/or headgear clip, etc.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, a second side, opposite the first side, to contact the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover the nasal bridge region of the patient, the main body portion having an attachment portion to attach the cushion pad to the mask.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward and terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks, the main body being made of a breathable material.\",\n \"Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cushion pad for a mask worn by a patient, comprising a first side to contact skin of the patient, and a second side, opposite the first side, to contact or face the mask, the pad having a main body portion having a central portion shaped to cover a portion of the patient's nose extending from above the nose tip to the nasal bridge region without obstructing the patient's line of sight, and lateral side portions to extend downward along the sides of the nose, the main body being made of a conformable material.\",\n \"Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of manufacturing a mask pad, e.g., via thermoforming, molding, machining, stitching, die cutting and/or compression cutting.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of various embodiments of the present technology.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"5A to 5G show alternatives of the first embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention with a mask system FIG.\",\n \"8 shows a back view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 shows a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention with a mask system.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 shows a back view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19 shows a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21 shows a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in use.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23 shows a front view of a fifth embodiment of present invention in use.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION A mask system typically includes a frame, a cushion and a headgear.\",\n \"The frame may anchor the cushion in position and allow for attachment of a headgear.\",\n \"The frame is typically a rigid or semi rigid component constructed of, for example, polycarbonate.\",\n \"The cushion may seal with the face of the patient in order to provide therapy to the patient.\",\n \"The cushion is typically a flexible element constructed of, for example, silicone.\",\n \"The headgear may stabilize and support the frame and cushion in position on the patient's face when in use.\",\n \"The headgear is typically a flexible or semi rigid element constructed of, for example, fabric.\",\n \"Some patients may have difficulty attaining a seal when the mask system is in position on the patients face (both dynamic and static) for several reasons, such as unique facial profiles.\",\n \"Some patients may experience discomfort, such as irritation due to prolonged contact with the mask system, particularly the cushion.\",\n \"In addition, if the patient has damaged skin that may contact the mask system, the patient may need a pad to reduce pressure and enhance healing at the damaged skin when the mask system is next used.\",\n \"A pad may also reduce rubbing of the patient's hair and thereby reduce hair loss.\",\n \"The present technology relates to a pad for use with a respiratory mask that may be shaped to cover the nasal bridge, forehead region, or any other area of a patient.\",\n \"The pad may be positioned between the patient and the mask system.\",\n \"The pads may have an adhesive to adhere the pad to the face of the patient and/or to the mask, e.g., the seal and/or another part thereof.\",\n \"The pads may have an anchoring or attachment portion, e.g., a ring, to interface with the mask system so as to secure the pad in position on the mask system.\",\n \"Pad with Adhesive Attachment In a first embodiment of the present invention, a pad may be provided for use with a mask system that may attach to the patient and/or mask system by an adhesive.\",\n \"Pad preferably includes breathable and/or conformable material, such as foam.\",\n \"In a first preferred embodiment, the pad may be provided for the nasal bridge region of the patient, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1-5.The pad 100 has a main body portion that may be generally longer than it is wide, so as to accommodate various nose shapes e.g.\",\n \"nose width and nose bridge height.\",\n \"Pad 100 includes lateral side portions that extend across and/or downwards.\",\n \"Lateral side portions terminate along the sides of the nose or on the patient's cheeks.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be generally elliptical, rectangular, trilobular, or any other desired shape (such as that shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2).\",\n \"Pad 100 may include a peak 120 in its central portion so as to fit a wider range of patients (e.g.\",\n \"to conform over a variety of nasal bridge heights).\",\n \"It may also cover more the of nasal bridge region that tends to suffer the most discomfort or damage (since the top of the nose bridge is a small area, it is most susceptible to skin breakdown as the force from the mask system is distributed over a smaller area, also the skin can be thinner in this region when compared to other regions of the face e.g.\",\n \"cheeks).\",\n \"Peak 120 may be shaped so as to avoid obstructing the patient's line of sight.\",\n \"Pad 100 may also have a trough 130 so as to avoid the pad extending past the end of the patient's nose when in use.\",\n \"Furthermore, trough 130 and peak 120 may be shaped such that pad 100 can be easily nested when manufactured, thereby increasing yield, reducing waste and reducing part cost.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be about 5 mm to 60 mm wide.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 is about 10 mm to 50 mm.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 may be 45 mm wide.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be the same width along the length of the pad.\",\n \"Pad 100 may not have the same width along the length of the pad.\",\n \"Pad may include lateral side portions to extend down and terminate along the sides of the nose, and may extend along the cheeks, and may seal in the nasal crease.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be about 10 mm to 200 mm long.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 may be about 20 mm to 100 mm.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 may be about 100 mm long.\",\n \"Pad 100 may have adhesive 150 at its distal ends 110 (shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2), on one entire side of pad 100 or in any region/s of pad 100.Pad 100 may be about 1 to 15 mm thick.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 is about 5 mm thick.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 is about 7 mm thick.\",\n \"The thickness of pad 100 may be constant along the length of the pad.\",\n \"The thickness of pad 100 may vary along its length, e.g.\",\n \"thicker in the middle where the most force from the mask system is applied; or thinner at the distal ends 110 of the pad where the pad no longer contacts the mask system and may cause leaks.\",\n \"Its thickness may vary from the top of the nose to the nasal bridge region, e.g., thicker near nasal bridge region as compared to nose tip.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be available in multiple sizes to accommodate varying patient facial profiles, e.g., a number of differently shaped pads 100′, 100″ and 100′″ can be packaged within a lot, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"5A, 5B and 5C.\",\n \"Pads may be available in a variety of shapes, see, e.g., FIG.\",\n \"5D to 5G, to suit noses of various shapes.\",\n \"For example, FIGS.\",\n \"5D suits flatter noses via a smaller angle, whereas FIG.\",\n \"5G suits sharper noses and has a larger angle, with FIGS.\",\n \"5E and 5F being suitable for nose shapes in between.\",\n \"Pad 100 may also be customizable so that patients can vary the size of the pad, e.g.\",\n \"perforations to tear off sections of the pad, or markings to indicate where the patient can cut away portions of the pad to suit their facial profile.\",\n \"Adhesive 150 may contact the patient's face thereby applying the pad directly to the patient's skin (as shown in FIG.\",\n \"3).\",\n \"The width of the adhesive may be about 10 mm.\",\n \"The mask system 160 may then be positioned on the patient's face and on top of some or all of pad 100 (as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5).\",\n \"Adhesive 150 may contact the mask system 160 directly and then be applied to the patient's face (no adhesive applied to the face).\",\n \"Also, adhesive may be applied to both sides of the pad, to adhere to the mask system and the patient.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be constructed from a flexible material.\",\n \"Preferably pad 100 may be constructed from a foam such as that disclosed in pending US patent application US 2008/0047560, filed 27 Jul.\",\n \"2007; pending US patent application US 2008/0060649, filed 27 Jul.\",\n \"2007; pending US patent application U.S. Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/448,250, filed 15 Jun.\",\n \"2009, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"Other foams are also possible.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be constructed from fabric (e.g.\",\n \"woven or non-woven), gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or any other suitable material.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be constructed from a combination of materials e.g.\",\n \"fabric and foam.\",\n \"Adhesive 150 may be a skin compatible adhesive such as a silicone adhesive.\",\n \"Adhesive may be same as those disclose in pending US patent application U.S. Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/478537, filed 4 Jun.\",\n \"2009, included herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"The adhesive may be a low tack adhesive.\",\n \"Adhesive 150 may be covered with a release liner when not in use.\",\n \"Release line may be kraft paper, silicone backed paper or any other suitable material.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 100 may be formed by die cutting.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be formed by compression cutting.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be formed by molding.\",\n \"Adhesive 150 may be laminated on to the foam before or after cutting the pad.\",\n \"Pad 100 may be used with a full face mask (i.e.\",\n \"covering the nose and mouth of the patient), or with a nasal-only mask (i.e.\",\n \"cover the nose only), or with nasal pillows (prongs inserted into the patient's nose) Advantages of the pad are that it may be disposable, intuitive to fit due to the shape and size, comfortable, enable a better or enhanced seal of the mask system when in use, and/or may encourage patient's to be compliant with therapy.\",\n \"The pad is ideally suited to allow both comfort and sealing in areas that are particularly sensitive, while avoiding application of extensive headgear strap tension to compensate for leaks, in which case unwanted pressure can be applied to other areas of the face, such as the cheeks and elsewhere.\",\n \"The pad may provide an improved seal especially with patients that have unusual facial shapes, beards/moustaches, and can assist with stability if the patient uses moisturizer or otherwise has greasy skin.\",\n \"The pad can also help avoid or dissipate uncomfortable leak around the patient's eyes.\",\n \"Pad with Ring Attachment In a second embodiment of the present invention, pad 200 may be provided to a mask system 260.Pad 200 may be provided with an attachment portion, e.g., a ring 280 to attach to a portion of mask system 260, such as a forehead support 270.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"6 to 12, pad 200 may be attached to forehead support 270 of mask system 260 by ring 280 of pad 200.Ring 280 may loop over a portion of forehead support 270 (for example, a dial portion or a joining portion 270.1 for a forehead support) such that pad 200 is positioned over the nasal bridge region of mask system 260.Pad 200 may include a connecting region 225 to join ring 280 to distal ends 210.Trough 230 may be provided to pad 200 to avoid the pad extending past the end of the patient's nose in use.\",\n \"Trough 230 may have radius of about 20 mm to 40 mm.\",\n \"Preferably, trough 230 may have a radius of about 30 mm.\",\n \"Pad 200 may be about 100 mm to 130 mm long.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 200 may have a length of about 115 mm.\",\n \"Pad 200 may be about 75 mm to 130 mm wide.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 200 may have a width of about 100 mm.\",\n \"Ring 280 may have an inner diameter of about 14 mm to 18 mm.\",\n \"Ring 280 may have an outer diameter of about 40 mm to 44 mm.\",\n \"In an alternative form shown in FIGS.\",\n \"21 to 23, pad 500 may connect or otherwise attach to headgear clips 570 or headgear 600.Pad 500 may have a main body 530 that may be shaped to match the sealing profile of mask 360, for example generally triangular, elliptical, trapezoidal.\",\n \"In the case of a nasal-only mask, main body includes a generally horizontal portion to extend above the upper lip.\",\n \"In the case of an oro-nasal mask, the horizontal portion extends below the lower lip (or on the chin).\",\n \"Pad 500 may include one or more attachment portions, e.g., wings or extensions 520 adapted to wrap or extend from the sealing portion of mask 360 to the headgear clips 570 or headgear 600.Pad 500 may include an aperture 510 to receive a patient's nose and/or mouth for communication with an interior of a mask system.\",\n \"Pad 500, e.g., wings/extensions, may further include rings 580, e.g., in the form of an elongated aperture or slit adapted to connect or receive a headgear clip 570 or headgear 600.In a third embodiment of the present invention, pad 300 may be provided to a mask system 360.Pad 300 may be provided with an attachment portion, e.g., a ring 380 to attach to a portion of mask system 360, such as a forehead support 370 and provide additional coverage of forehead support pads 375.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"13 to 19, pad 300 may be attached to forehead support 370 of mask system 360 by ring 380 of pad 300.Ring 380 may loop over a portion of forehead support 370 (for example a dial portion) and may additionally fold over the top of forehead support 370, such that pad 300 is positioned over the nasal bridge region of mask system 360.Distal ends 310 may cover some or a portion of the patient's nasal bridge region and cheeks.\",\n \"At least one forehead support pad cover 385 may cover some or all of forehead support pad(s) 375 of a forehead support 370.Pad 300 may include a connecting regions 325 to join ring 380 to forehead pad covers 385 and distal ends 310.If desired support pad covers 385 may be attached to support pads, without the portion that contacts the nasal bridge region.\",\n \"The pad can have perforations, cutting lines, or pre-scored lines to render various parts removable.\",\n \"For example, the lateral sides of pad covers 385 can be removed along vertical score lines 385.1 to leave only that part of the pad that contacts the patient's nasal bridge region as well as the attachment portion.\",\n \"In another example, a horizontal perforation or score line 385.2 can be used to separate the pad covers 385 and its associated attachment portion from the main body that covers the nasal bridge region.\",\n \"Thus, a single pad can be produced that can be modified by the patient depending on patient preference and/or mask type, e.g., nasal-only mask in which case pad covers 385 would not be needed, or forehead pad cover and attachment portion only, or nasal bridge region with or without attachment portion.\",\n \"See FIG.\",\n \"13.If only the nasal bridge region is to include padding, the pad is torn along contoured score line 320.1.If the nasal bridge pad is to be used with an attachment portion, then pad covers 385 are removed along score lines 385.1 in which case the upper attachment portion remains.\",\n \"If the upper attachment portion is inappropriately sized, another aperture (lower attachment portion) can be formed by punching out padding along score line 380.1, in which case the upper attachment portion can be separated via score lines 380.2.Trough 330 may be provided to pad 300 to avoid the pad extending past the end of the patient's nose in use.\",\n \"Trough 330 may have radius of about 20 mm to 40 mm.\",\n \"Preferably, trough 330 may have a radius of about 30 mm.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be about 155 mm to 205 mm long.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 300 may have a length of about 180 mm.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be about 75 mm to 130 mm wide.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be about 95 mm to 110 mm wide.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 300 may have a width of about 100 mm.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be about 1 mm to 15 mm thick.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 300 may have a thickness of about 5 mm.\",\n \"Preferably, pad 300 may have a thickness of about 4 mm.\",\n \"Forehead support pad covers may be about 25 mm to 40 mm wide.\",\n \"Ring 380 may have an inner diameter of about 14 mm to 18 mm.\",\n \"Ring 280 may have an outer diameter of about 40 mm to 44 mm.\",\n \"Ring may have a circular opening, or another shape.\",\n \"It may also have a slit to facilitate assembly and disassembly to/from the frame.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be constructed from a flexible, breathable material.\",\n \"Preferably pad 100 may be constructed from a foam such as that disclosed in pending US patent application US 2008/0047560, filed 27 Jul.\",\n \"2007; pending US patent application US 2008/0060649, filed 27 Jul.\",\n \"2007; pending US patent application U.S. Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/448,250, tiled 15 Jun.\",\n \"2009.Other foams are also possible.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be constructed from fabric (e.g.\",\n \"woven or non-woven), gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or any other suitable material.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be constructed from a combination of materials e.g.\",\n \"fabric and foam.\",\n \"Pad 300 may be used with a full face mask (i.e.\",\n \"covering the nose and mouth of the patient), or with a nasal-only mask (i.e.\",\n \"cover the nose only).\",\n \"Advantages of the pad are that it may be disposable, intuitive to tit due to the shape and size, comfortable, enable a better or enhance seal of the mask system when in use, and/or may encourage patient's to be compliant with therapy.\",\n \"An alternative cushion pad 400 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"20.Main body portion is similar to that shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2.However, extending from peak portion 420 is a forehead support pad cover 485.Connecting portion 425 connects the main body and the pad cover 485.Cushion pad 400 may have a symmetrical shape so it cannot be attached (e.g., adhesively) in the wrong orientation.\",\n \"Pad 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 (hereafter ‘pad’) may be about 1 mm to 15 mm thick.\",\n \"Preferably, pad may have a thickness of about 5 mm.\",\n \"Preferably, pad may have a thickness of about 4 mm.\",\n \"Pad may be constructed from a flexible and/or conformable material.\",\n \"Preferably, pad may be constructed from a foam such as that disclosed in pending US patent application US 2008/0047560, filed 27 Jul.\",\n \"2007; pending US patent application US 2008/0060649, filed 27 Jul.\",\n \"2007; pending US patent application U.S. Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/448,250, filed 15 Jun.\",\n \"2009.Other foams are also possible.\",\n \"Pad may be constructed from fabric (e.g.\",\n \"woven or non-woven), gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or any other suitable material.\",\n \"Pad may be constructed from a combination of materials e.g.\",\n \"fabric and foam.\",\n \"Pad may be thermoformed and/or die (or compression) cut.\",\n \"Pad may be formed by thermoforming and ultrasonic die cutting.\",\n \"Alternatively, pad may be molded, for example by injection molding, compression molding, etc.\",\n \"In a further alternative, pad may be machined and/or stitched.\",\n \"Pad may be formed by any other suitable means.\",\n \"Pad may be used with a full face mask (i.e.\",\n \"covering the nose and mouth of the patient), or with a nasal-only mask (i.e.\",\n \"cover the nose only).\",\n \"Advantages of the pad are that it may be disposable, intuitive to fit due to the shape and size, comfortable, enable a better or enhance seal of the mask system when in use, and/or may encourage patient's to be compliant with therapy.\",\n \"Another advantage of a pad in accordance with the attachment and or tether aspects of the present technology is that it does not fall off the mask and get lost, or become soiled when the mask is removed from the face.\",\n \"While the invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention.\",\n \"Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments.\",\n \"Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.\",\n \"Furthermore, each individual component of any given assembly, one or more portions of an individual component of any given assembly, and various combinations of components from one or more embodiments may include one or more ornamental design features.\",\n \"In addition, while the invention has particular application to patients who suffer from OSA, it is to be appreciated that patients who suffer from other illnesses (e.g., congestive heart failure, diabetes, morbid obesity, stroke, bariatric surgery, etc, derive benefit from the above teachings.\",\n \"Moreover, the above teachings have applicability with patients and non-patients alike in non-medical applications.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872427"}}},{"rowIdx":4494074,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["RECEIVING PART FOR RECEIVING A ROD FOR COUPLING THE ROD TO A BONE ANCHORING ELEMENT","A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element includes a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening."],["1.A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, the receiving part comprising: a receiving part body having a first end, a second end below the first end, a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, and an opening at the second end for inserting the head into the accommodation space; and a pressure element configured to be arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element comprising a first section configured to contact the rod when the pressure element is in the receiving part, and a second section axially connected to the first section and having an expandable portion configured to accommodate and clamp the head; wherein the pressure element is insertable upwards through the opening at the second end of the receiving part body into the accommodation space; and wherein when the pressure element is in the receiving part body, the pressure element is configured to assume a pre-locking position wherein an abutment at an inner wall of the receiving part body holds the pressure element against movement towards the first end of the receiving part body, while the inner wall of the receiving part body further restricts expansion of the expandable portion to prevent removal of an inserted head of the bone anchoring element from the receiving part.","2.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein the first section of the pressure element has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the opening, and the second section of the pressure element has a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening.","3.The receiving part of claim 2, wherein the expandable portion is configured to be compressible for insertion through the opening.","4.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein in an insertion position that is different from the pre-locking position, the pressure element is positioned in the receiving part body such that a space between an outer wall of the expandable portion and an inner wall of the accommodation space provides for widening of the expandable portion for inserting the head.","5-6.","(canceled) 7.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein the receiving part body comprises a narrowing portion near the opening, the narrowing portion configured to cooperate with a corresponding portion of the pressure element to clamp the head.","8.The receiving part of claim 7, wherein at least one of the narrowing portion of the receiving part body or the corresponding portion of the pressure element is tapered.","9.The receiving part of claim 8, wherein both the narrowing portion of the receiving part body and the corresponding portion of the pressure element are tapered.","10.The receiving part of claim 8, wherein the other one of the narrowing portion of the receiving part body or the corresponding portion of the pressure element is curved.","11.The receiving part of claim 7, wherein the narrowing portion of the receiving part body comprises two adjacent curved portions forming a groove therebetween, and the corresponding portion of the pressure element comprises two corresponding adjacent curved portions forming an inner crest therebetween and further comprising an edge crest along an outer edge of one of the two corresponding adjacent curved portions, wherein the edge crest is configured to snap into the groove in a first locking position of the pressure element, and the inner crest is configured to snap into the groove in a second locking position of the pressure element.","12.The receiving part according to claim 1, wherein the expandable portion of the pressure element has a plurality of slits extending from a free end of the second section towards the first section.","13-14.","(canceled) 15.The receiving part of claim 1, further comprising a closure element, wherein the receiving part body has a bore extending between the first and second ends, and a thread at the first end for engagement with the closure element for fixing the rod in the channel.","16.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein the receiving part body has a bore extending between the first and second ends, the bore including a hollow cylindrically shaped portion, and wherein the accommodation space is positioned between the opening and the hollow cylindrically shaped portion.","17.The receiving part of claim 16, wherein the pressure element includes a substantially cylindrically shaped portion having a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the hollow cylindrically shaped portion, such that the pressure element is moveable along a longitudinal axis of the receiving part body.","18.The receiving part of claim 16, wherein the accommodation space has a larger diameter than a diameter of the hollow cylindrically shaped portion.","19.The receiving part of claim 16, wherein the expandable portion has a diameter larger than a diameter of the hollow cylindrically shaped portion.","20.A bone anchoring device comprising: a bone anchoring element comprising a shaft and a head; a receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to the bone anchoring element, the receiving part comprising: a receiving part body having a first end, a second end below the first end, a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, an accommodation space for accommodating the head of the bone anchoring element, and an opening at the second end for inserting the head into the accommodation space; and a pressure element configured to be arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element comprising a first section configured to contact the rod when the pressure element is in the receiving part, and a second section axially connected to the first section and having an expandable portion configured to accommodate and clamp the head; wherein the pressure element is insertable upwards through the opening at the second end of the receiving part body into the accommodation space; and wherein when the pressure element is in the receiving part body and the head is held in the expandable portion of the pressure element, the pressure element is configured to assume a pre-locking position wherein an abutment at an inner wall of the receiving part body holds the pressure element against movement towards the first end of the receiving part body, while the inner wall of the receiving part body further prevents removal of the head from the receiving part.","21.A method for coupling a rod to a bone via a bone anchoring element and a receiving part, the receiving part comprising a receiving part body having a first end, a second end below the first end, a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, and an opening at the second end for inserting the head into the accommodation space, and a pressure element configured to be arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element comprising a first section configured to contact the rod when the pressure element is in the receiving part, and a second section axially connected to the first section and having an expandable portion configured to accommodate and clamp the head, wherein the pressure element is insertable upwards through the opening at the second end of the receiving part body into the accommodation space, and a closure element, the method comprising: inserting the bone anchoring element into a bone; adjusting an angular position of the receiving part relative to the bone anchoring element when the head is held in the expandable portion of the pressure element and the pressure element is in the receiving part body at a pre-locking position, wherein an abutment at an inner wall of the receiving part body holds the pressure element against movement towards the first end of the receiving part body, while the inner wall of the receiving part body further prevents removal of the head from the receiving part; inserting the rod into the channel; and advancing the closure element in the substantially U-shaped recess towards the second end of the receiving part body, the closure element advancing the rod towards the second end, the rod advancing the pressure element towards the second end; wherein the closure element is advanced until the closure element locks the relative positions of the rod and the bone anchoring element with respect to the receiving part.","22.The method of claim 21, further comprising introducing the head through the opening into the pressure element after inserting the bone anchoring element into the bone.","23.The method of claim 21, further comprising introducing the head through the opening into the pressure element prior to inserting the bone anchoring element into the bone.","24.The bone anchoring device of claim 20, wherein when the pressure element is at the pre-locking position, the head is frictionally clamped in the pressure element, such that an angular position of the receiving part relative to the bone anchoring element remains adjustable upon exertion of a force on the bone anchoring element and/or the receiving part that is greater than the frictional clamping force applied on the head and greater than a force for adjusting the angular position of the receiving part relative to the bone anchoring element when the pressure element is at at least one position different than the pre-locking position.","25.","(canceled)"],[" BACKGROUND "],[" SUMMARY Embodiments of the invention provide an improved receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, and a bone anchoring device with such a receiving part, where the embodiments have fewer parts, a low profile, and provide for improved handling during surgery.","Embodiments of the invention provide a receiving part including a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving a rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening, a bone anchoring device including such a receiving part, and a method of using such a receiving part.","For the receiving part according to an embodiment of the invention, the pressure element has a slim design which allows it to be introduced from the bottom into the receiving part body.","An internal end stop within the receiving part body may form an abutment for the pressure element to be positioned in an insertion position for the head.","Therefore, there may be no additional components for holding the pressure element in the insertion position.","In some embodiments, the receiving part has a low profile and improved or maximum stiffness, since a wall thickness of the receiving part body can be increased due to the slim design of the pressure element."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/878,809, filed Oct. 8, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","12/855,395, filed Aug. 12, 2010, now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,283,000, which claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Patent Application Ser.","No.","61/233,406, filed Aug. 12, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and claims priority to European Patent Application EP 09 167 751.8, filed Aug. 12, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","BACKGROUND Field The invention relates to a receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element.","The receiving part includes a receiving part body with a channel for receiving a rod and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, and a pressure element for clamping the head.","The accommodation space has an opening at a bottom side for inserting the pressure element and for inserting the head.","Description of Related Art Various designs of polyaxial bone screws are known wherein a head is clamped from the side to lock a rotational position of the bone screw.","U.S. Pat.","No.","5,672,176 describes a bone screw with a receiving part with a conically shaped seat and a conically shaped pressure element which exerts a pressure onto the head from above and from the side.","U.S. Pat.","No.","5,669,911 describes a polyaxial orthopaedic device for use with a rod implant apparatus.","The device includes a screw having a curvate head, a locking collar disposed therearound, and a receiving member having a linearly tapered socket in which the screw and the collar are nested.","The collar is introduced from the top of the receiving member.","The head of the screw can be inserted from the bottom.","U.S. Pat.","No.","6,063,090 relates to a device used to connect a longitudinal support to a pedicle screw by an accommodating head having a channel to accommodate the longitudinal support.","The pedicle screw and the accommodating head are connected via a conical collate chuck in the accommodating head and by a spherical head on the pedicle screw.","The device allows engagement of the pedicle screw in the accommodating head after the pedicle screw has been inserted into the bone.","SUMMARY Embodiments of the invention provide an improved receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, and a bone anchoring device with such a receiving part, where the embodiments have fewer parts, a low profile, and provide for improved handling during surgery.","Embodiments of the invention provide a receiving part including a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving a rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening, a bone anchoring device including such a receiving part, and a method of using such a receiving part.","For the receiving part according to an embodiment of the invention, the pressure element has a slim design which allows it to be introduced from the bottom into the receiving part body.","An internal end stop within the receiving part body may form an abutment for the pressure element to be positioned in an insertion position for the head.","Therefore, there may be no additional components for holding the pressure element in the insertion position.","In some embodiments, the receiving part has a low profile and improved or maximum stiffness, since a wall thickness of the receiving part body can be increased due to the slim design of the pressure element.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments using the accompanying drawings.","In the drawings: FIG.","1 shows a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the bone anchoring device.","FIG.","2 shows a perspective view of the bone anchoring device of FIG.","1 in an assembled state.","FIG.","3 shows a cross-sectional view of the bone anchoring device of FIG.","1, the section being taken perpendicular to a rod axis.","FIG.","4 shows an enlarged perspective view of a pressure element according to an embodiment of the bone anchoring device.","FIG.","5 shows a cross-sectional view of the pressure element according to FIG.","4.FIG.","6 shows a side view of the pressure element of FIG.","4.FIG.","7 shows a bottom view of the pressure element of FIG.","4.FIGS.","8a to 8d show schematic views of design modifications of a pressure element and a receiving part body in a locking position according to embodiments of the bone anchoring device.","FIGS.","9a and 9b show schematic views of a further design modification of the pressure element and the receiving portion in a pre-locking position and a locking position, respectively, according to an embodiment of the bone anchoring device.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in FIGS.","1 and 2, a bone anchoring device according to a first embodiment includes a bone anchoring element 1 in the form of a bone screw having a threaded shaft 2 and a head 3, which in this embodiment is a spherical segment-shaped head.","The head 3 has a recess 4 for engagement with a screwing-in tool.","The bone anchoring device further includes a receiving part body 5 for receiving a rod 6 to connect the rod to the bone anchoring element 1.Further, a closure element 7, in the form of an inner screw or set screw in some embodiments, is provided for securing the rod 6 in the receiving part body 5.In addition, the bone anchoring device includes a pressure element 8 for locking the head 3 in the receiving part body 5.The receiving part body 5 is now explained with reference to FIGS.","1 to 3.The receiving part body 5 includes a first end 5a and a second end 5b, and an axis of symmetry M passes through the first and the second end.","A bore 9, which is coaxial with the axis of symmetry M, extends from the first end 5a to the second end 5b.","The bore 9 may have a smallest diameter at, about, or adjacent to its middle section 91 in a center region of the receiving part body 5.In a first region adjacent to the first end 5a, the receiving part body 5 has a U-shaped recess 10, which may be symmetric with respect to the symmetry axis M. The recess 10 has a bottom which may be directed towards the second end 5b and provides two free lateral legs 11a, 11b extending towards the first end 5a.","In the region of the legs 11a, 11b an internal thread 12 may be provided which may cooperate with the closure element 7, which in this embodiment is a set screw.","A channel formed by the U-shaped recess 10 is sized so as to receive the rod 6 therein, the rod for connecting a plurality of bone anchoring devices.","At a second region near the second end 5b, the receiving part body 5 has a narrowing portion 13, which narrows in a direction towards the second end 5b.","The narrowing portion 13 provides a seat for the screw head and the pressure element.","The narrowing portion 13 is located at a distance from the second end 5b to, for example, enable the screw shaft 2 to be pivoted in a certain pivot angle range.","An opening 14 is provided at the second end 5b, the diameter of which may be the same as or larger than the diameter of the narrowing portion 13 in some embodiments.","Between the narrowing portion 13 and the middle portion 91 of the bore 9, a portion with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the narrowing portion 13 is provided, which forms a space 15 for allowing the pressure element to expand, as described later.","At its side opposite to the narrowing portion 13, the space 15 connects to the middle section 91 of the bore 9 having the smaller diameter, thereby providing a circular shoulder 16.The middle section 91 of the bore 9 includes a circular projection 17 at its side opposite to the space 15, which can also act as a stop, as described below in more detail.","As can be seen in FIGS.","1 and 3 to 7, a pressure element 8 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a first section 81 which is substantially cylindrical and has an outer diameter which may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section 91 of the bore 9, so that the pressure element 8 is movable in the bore 9.It further has a second section 82, which has a hollow interior 83 which is substantially spherically-shaped and is sized to clamp the spherical head 3 therein.","The outer diameter of the first section 81 may be, as can be seen in FIG.","3, smaller than an outer diameter of the head 3 and a largest outer diameter of the second section 82 is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 81.A free end of the second section 82 provides an opening 84 for introduction of the head 3.Further, the second section 82 may have a plurality of slits 85 extending from the edge of the opening 84 through the second section 82 to define or form slightly resilient legs 90.The number and the dimension of the slits 85 may be such that the wall of the second portion is flexible enough to snap onto the head 3 when the head 3 is being inserted.","The slits 85 can extend into the first cylindrical section 81 as shown in the figures to enhance flexibility.","The outer wall surface of the second section 82 may include a first portion 86 which may be spherically-shaped, and a second portion 87 adjacent to the opening 84 which may be tapered or curved or otherwise narrowing towards the opening 84.The portion 87 cooperates with the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body when the head is locked in the receiving part body.","Further, the pressure element has a coaxial bore 88 for providing access to the screw head by a tool.","The first section 81 may have at its free end a cylindrically-shaped or cylinder segment-shaped recess 89 for receiving the rod 6 therein.","The dimensions of the pressure element 8 are such that the pressure element 8 can be inserted through the opening 14 at the second end 5b of the receiving part body 5, with the cylindrical first section 81 inserted first.","When the second section 82 passes through the opening 14, it may be compressed due to the flexibility of the second section 82, or the legs 90 thereof, which allows the pressure element 8 to be fully introduced into the receiving part body 5.The pressure element 8 can be pushed into the receiving part body 5 until an upper edge of the first section 81 abuts against the stop 17 provided by the annular projection in the receiving part body 5.When the pressure element is in this position, the flexible second section 82 is located in the portion between the middle section 91 of bore 9 and the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body 5.In this position, a free space in the space 15 between the outer wall of the second section 82 of the pressure element and the inner wall of the receiving part body 5 provides room for the flexible second section 82 to expand when the head 3 is inserted.","A depth of the cylindrical recess 89 of the pressure element is smaller than a radius of the rod 6, so that the pressure element can be pressed down by means of screwing-in the inner screw 7, which presses onto the rod 6, which in turn presses onto the pressure element 8.The pressure element 8 is oriented in the receiving part body 5 such that its cylindrical recess 89 is aligned with the U-shaped recess of the receiving part body 5.The material of which the components of the bone anchoring device are made is preferably a body compatible metal, such as stainless steel or titanium, or a body compatible alloy such as a nickel titanium alloy, in particular Nitinol.","However, body compatible plastic materials, such as medical-grade polyether ether ketone (PEEK), can also be used.","In use, first, the pressure element 8 is introduced via the bottom opening 14 into the receiving part body 5 until it abuts against stop 17.This can be done either by the surgeon, or before so that the receiving part body is preassembled with the pressure element 8.Thereafter, the head 3 is introduced through the bottom opening and pushes the pressure element 8 upwards against stop 17.This is the insertion position, which allows the screw head 3 to be introduced through the opening 84 into the pressure element 8, thereby widening the hollow interior 83, or the legs 90 respectively, until the pressure element 8 snaps onto the head 3.This can be done either before screwing the threaded shaft 2 into the bone, or after having screwed in the threaded shaft 2 into the bone, to mount the receiving part body 5, with the pressure element inside, onto the head 3.When the head 3 is inserted, it can still pivot within the pressure element 8 if the flexible section 82 is not compressed.","A plurality of bone anchoring devices may be implanted into the bone(s), for example, in the pedicles of adjacent vertebrae, and the rod 6 may be inserted into the bone anchoring devices, respectively.","Angular positions of the receiving part bodies may then be adjusted.","Finally, the set screw 7 for each bone anchoring device may be tightened, thereby pressing down the rod 6 onto the respective pressure elements, which are pressed down until the second portion 87 of the outer wall of the second section 82 of each pressure element engages with the narrowing portion 13 of the respective receiving part bodies.","In this condition, the head of each bone anchoring device is clamped in an interior of the pressure element, so that it is locked in a desired angular position.","FIGS.","8a to 8d show various designs of the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body 5 and the portion 87 of the pressure element 8 which engages the narrowing portion 13 according to embodiments of the invention.","FIG.","8a shows the two portions tapering lineally at substantially a same angle.","This provides a substantially even pressure distribution between the second portion 87 of the pressure element 8 and the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body 5.FIG.","8b and FIG.","8c show two different designs where the respective portions are tapered at different angles.","FIG.","8b shows a main contact area at a bottom of the narrowing portion 13, and FIG.","8c shows a main contact area at a top of the narrowing portion 13.FIG.","8d shows a tapering second portion 87 of the pressure element 8 and a rounded portion 13 of the receiving part body, wherein a curvature of the rounded portion is directed towards a center of the receiving part body 5.With such a configuration, a contact area positioned at the rounded portion can be achieved.","In FIGS.","9a and 9b a narrowing portion 13′ of a modified example of a receiving part body 5 has a double spherical radius formed by two curved portions 13a, 13b on top of (i.e., adjacent to) each other, with a groove 13c therebetween.","A curvature of the curved portions are directed towards the central axis M. Correspondingly, a modified pressure element 8′ has at its lower end two invertedly curved portions 8a, 8b which correspond to the curved portions 13a, 13b, with a crest 8c therebetween, and an outer crest 8d at an outer yielding edge of the pressure element 8′.","As shown in FIG.","9a, when the pressure element 8′ moves downward, its lower most edge 8d engages in the groove 13c.","In this position there is a frictional clamping of the head 3, which still allows the head 3 to be pivoted upon exertion of a force, where this force is greater than a force needed to pivot the head 3 when the head 3 is introduced in an insertion position.","This may be characterized as a pre-locking condition.","As shown in FIG.","9b, by further pressing the pressure element 8′ downward, the curvatures of the pressure element 8′ engage with the corresponding curvatures of the narrowing portion 13′ to finally lock the head 3.Further modifications of the bone anchoring device are possible.","For example, in one embodiment the pressure element 8 can have a recess corresponding to the cylindrical recess 89 described above, which may be U-shaped and provides legs extending above the rod.","A dual part closure element can then be used to separately clamp the head and the rod.","A device for preventing the pressure element from rotating can be provided (not shown).","Such a device can be realised, for example, by crimp bores or by a pin extending from the wall into a recess (not shown) of the pressure element.","Further, in some embodiments, the abutment or stop 17, on which a pressure element may abut after it is inserted through the bottom opening and pushed further inwards, can be provided at other locations in the receiving part, for example, at the circular shoulder 16, which may then interact with a corresponding projecting part of the pressure element to provide an abutment for the pressure element.","While the present invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is instead intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"RECEIVING PART FOR RECEIVING A ROD FOR COUPLING THE ROD TO A BONE ANCHORING ELEMENT\",\n \"A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element includes a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, the receiving part comprising: a receiving part body having a first end, a second end below the first end, a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, and an opening at the second end for inserting the head into the accommodation space; and a pressure element configured to be arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element comprising a first section configured to contact the rod when the pressure element is in the receiving part, and a second section axially connected to the first section and having an expandable portion configured to accommodate and clamp the head; wherein the pressure element is insertable upwards through the opening at the second end of the receiving part body into the accommodation space; and wherein when the pressure element is in the receiving part body, the pressure element is configured to assume a pre-locking position wherein an abutment at an inner wall of the receiving part body holds the pressure element against movement towards the first end of the receiving part body, while the inner wall of the receiving part body further restricts expansion of the expandable portion to prevent removal of an inserted head of the bone anchoring element from the receiving part.\",\n \"2.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein the first section of the pressure element has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the opening, and the second section of the pressure element has a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening.\",\n \"3.The receiving part of claim 2, wherein the expandable portion is configured to be compressible for insertion through the opening.\",\n \"4.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein in an insertion position that is different from the pre-locking position, the pressure element is positioned in the receiving part body such that a space between an outer wall of the expandable portion and an inner wall of the accommodation space provides for widening of the expandable portion for inserting the head.\",\n \"5-6.\",\n \"(canceled) 7.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein the receiving part body comprises a narrowing portion near the opening, the narrowing portion configured to cooperate with a corresponding portion of the pressure element to clamp the head.\",\n \"8.The receiving part of claim 7, wherein at least one of the narrowing portion of the receiving part body or the corresponding portion of the pressure element is tapered.\",\n \"9.The receiving part of claim 8, wherein both the narrowing portion of the receiving part body and the corresponding portion of the pressure element are tapered.\",\n \"10.The receiving part of claim 8, wherein the other one of the narrowing portion of the receiving part body or the corresponding portion of the pressure element is curved.\",\n \"11.The receiving part of claim 7, wherein the narrowing portion of the receiving part body comprises two adjacent curved portions forming a groove therebetween, and the corresponding portion of the pressure element comprises two corresponding adjacent curved portions forming an inner crest therebetween and further comprising an edge crest along an outer edge of one of the two corresponding adjacent curved portions, wherein the edge crest is configured to snap into the groove in a first locking position of the pressure element, and the inner crest is configured to snap into the groove in a second locking position of the pressure element.\",\n \"12.The receiving part according to claim 1, wherein the expandable portion of the pressure element has a plurality of slits extending from a free end of the second section towards the first section.\",\n \"13-14.\",\n \"(canceled) 15.The receiving part of claim 1, further comprising a closure element, wherein the receiving part body has a bore extending between the first and second ends, and a thread at the first end for engagement with the closure element for fixing the rod in the channel.\",\n \"16.The receiving part of claim 1, wherein the receiving part body has a bore extending between the first and second ends, the bore including a hollow cylindrically shaped portion, and wherein the accommodation space is positioned between the opening and the hollow cylindrically shaped portion.\",\n \"17.The receiving part of claim 16, wherein the pressure element includes a substantially cylindrically shaped portion having a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the hollow cylindrically shaped portion, such that the pressure element is moveable along a longitudinal axis of the receiving part body.\",\n \"18.The receiving part of claim 16, wherein the accommodation space has a larger diameter than a diameter of the hollow cylindrically shaped portion.\",\n \"19.The receiving part of claim 16, wherein the expandable portion has a diameter larger than a diameter of the hollow cylindrically shaped portion.\",\n \"20.A bone anchoring device comprising: a bone anchoring element comprising a shaft and a head; a receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to the bone anchoring element, the receiving part comprising: a receiving part body having a first end, a second end below the first end, a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, an accommodation space for accommodating the head of the bone anchoring element, and an opening at the second end for inserting the head into the accommodation space; and a pressure element configured to be arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element comprising a first section configured to contact the rod when the pressure element is in the receiving part, and a second section axially connected to the first section and having an expandable portion configured to accommodate and clamp the head; wherein the pressure element is insertable upwards through the opening at the second end of the receiving part body into the accommodation space; and wherein when the pressure element is in the receiving part body and the head is held in the expandable portion of the pressure element, the pressure element is configured to assume a pre-locking position wherein an abutment at an inner wall of the receiving part body holds the pressure element against movement towards the first end of the receiving part body, while the inner wall of the receiving part body further prevents removal of the head from the receiving part.\",\n \"21.A method for coupling a rod to a bone via a bone anchoring element and a receiving part, the receiving part comprising a receiving part body having a first end, a second end below the first end, a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, and an opening at the second end for inserting the head into the accommodation space, and a pressure element configured to be arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element comprising a first section configured to contact the rod when the pressure element is in the receiving part, and a second section axially connected to the first section and having an expandable portion configured to accommodate and clamp the head, wherein the pressure element is insertable upwards through the opening at the second end of the receiving part body into the accommodation space, and a closure element, the method comprising: inserting the bone anchoring element into a bone; adjusting an angular position of the receiving part relative to the bone anchoring element when the head is held in the expandable portion of the pressure element and the pressure element is in the receiving part body at a pre-locking position, wherein an abutment at an inner wall of the receiving part body holds the pressure element against movement towards the first end of the receiving part body, while the inner wall of the receiving part body further prevents removal of the head from the receiving part; inserting the rod into the channel; and advancing the closure element in the substantially U-shaped recess towards the second end of the receiving part body, the closure element advancing the rod towards the second end, the rod advancing the pressure element towards the second end; wherein the closure element is advanced until the closure element locks the relative positions of the rod and the bone anchoring element with respect to the receiving part.\",\n \"22.The method of claim 21, further comprising introducing the head through the opening into the pressure element after inserting the bone anchoring element into the bone.\",\n \"23.The method of claim 21, further comprising introducing the head through the opening into the pressure element prior to inserting the bone anchoring element into the bone.\",\n \"24.The bone anchoring device of claim 20, wherein when the pressure element is at the pre-locking position, the head is frictionally clamped in the pressure element, such that an angular position of the receiving part relative to the bone anchoring element remains adjustable upon exertion of a force on the bone anchoring element and/or the receiving part that is greater than the frictional clamping force applied on the head and greater than a force for adjusting the angular position of the receiving part relative to the bone anchoring element when the pressure element is at at least one position different than the pre-locking position.\",\n \"25.\",\n \"(canceled)\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND \"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY Embodiments of the invention provide an improved receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, and a bone anchoring device with such a receiving part, where the embodiments have fewer parts, a low profile, and provide for improved handling during surgery.\",\n \"Embodiments of the invention provide a receiving part including a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving a rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening, a bone anchoring device including such a receiving part, and a method of using such a receiving part.\",\n \"For the receiving part according to an embodiment of the invention, the pressure element has a slim design which allows it to be introduced from the bottom into the receiving part body.\",\n \"An internal end stop within the receiving part body may form an abutment for the pressure element to be positioned in an insertion position for the head.\",\n \"Therefore, there may be no additional components for holding the pressure element in the insertion position.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the receiving part has a low profile and improved or maximum stiffness, since a wall thickness of the receiving part body can be increased due to the slim design of the pressure element.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/878,809, filed Oct. 8, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/855,395, filed Aug. 12, 2010, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,283,000, which claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/233,406, filed Aug. 12, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and claims priority to European Patent Application EP 09 167 751.8, filed Aug. 12, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Field The invention relates to a receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element.\",\n \"The receiving part includes a receiving part body with a channel for receiving a rod and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, and a pressure element for clamping the head.\",\n \"The accommodation space has an opening at a bottom side for inserting the pressure element and for inserting the head.\",\n \"Description of Related Art Various designs of polyaxial bone screws are known wherein a head is clamped from the side to lock a rotational position of the bone screw.\",\n \"U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,672,176 describes a bone screw with a receiving part with a conically shaped seat and a conically shaped pressure element which exerts a pressure onto the head from above and from the side.\",\n \"U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,669,911 describes a polyaxial orthopaedic device for use with a rod implant apparatus.\",\n \"The device includes a screw having a curvate head, a locking collar disposed therearound, and a receiving member having a linearly tapered socket in which the screw and the collar are nested.\",\n \"The collar is introduced from the top of the receiving member.\",\n \"The head of the screw can be inserted from the bottom.\",\n \"U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,063,090 relates to a device used to connect a longitudinal support to a pedicle screw by an accommodating head having a channel to accommodate the longitudinal support.\",\n \"The pedicle screw and the accommodating head are connected via a conical collate chuck in the accommodating head and by a spherical head on the pedicle screw.\",\n \"The device allows engagement of the pedicle screw in the accommodating head after the pedicle screw has been inserted into the bone.\",\n \"SUMMARY Embodiments of the invention provide an improved receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, and a bone anchoring device with such a receiving part, where the embodiments have fewer parts, a low profile, and provide for improved handling during surgery.\",\n \"Embodiments of the invention provide a receiving part including a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving a rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening, a bone anchoring device including such a receiving part, and a method of using such a receiving part.\",\n \"For the receiving part according to an embodiment of the invention, the pressure element has a slim design which allows it to be introduced from the bottom into the receiving part body.\",\n \"An internal end stop within the receiving part body may form an abutment for the pressure element to be positioned in an insertion position for the head.\",\n \"Therefore, there may be no additional components for holding the pressure element in the insertion position.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the receiving part has a low profile and improved or maximum stiffness, since a wall thickness of the receiving part body can be increased due to the slim design of the pressure element.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments using the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"In the drawings: FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the bone anchoring device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a perspective view of the bone anchoring device of FIG.\",\n \"1 in an assembled state.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a cross-sectional view of the bone anchoring device of FIG.\",\n \"1, the section being taken perpendicular to a rod axis.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 shows an enlarged perspective view of a pressure element according to an embodiment of the bone anchoring device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 shows a cross-sectional view of the pressure element according to FIG.\",\n \"4.FIG.\",\n \"6 shows a side view of the pressure element of FIG.\",\n \"4.FIG.\",\n \"7 shows a bottom view of the pressure element of FIG.\",\n \"4.FIGS.\",\n \"8a to 8d show schematic views of design modifications of a pressure element and a receiving part body in a locking position according to embodiments of the bone anchoring device.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"9a and 9b show schematic views of a further design modification of the pressure element and the receiving portion in a pre-locking position and a locking position, respectively, according to an embodiment of the bone anchoring device.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2, a bone anchoring device according to a first embodiment includes a bone anchoring element 1 in the form of a bone screw having a threaded shaft 2 and a head 3, which in this embodiment is a spherical segment-shaped head.\",\n \"The head 3 has a recess 4 for engagement with a screwing-in tool.\",\n \"The bone anchoring device further includes a receiving part body 5 for receiving a rod 6 to connect the rod to the bone anchoring element 1.Further, a closure element 7, in the form of an inner screw or set screw in some embodiments, is provided for securing the rod 6 in the receiving part body 5.In addition, the bone anchoring device includes a pressure element 8 for locking the head 3 in the receiving part body 5.The receiving part body 5 is now explained with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1 to 3.The receiving part body 5 includes a first end 5a and a second end 5b, and an axis of symmetry M passes through the first and the second end.\",\n \"A bore 9, which is coaxial with the axis of symmetry M, extends from the first end 5a to the second end 5b.\",\n \"The bore 9 may have a smallest diameter at, about, or adjacent to its middle section 91 in a center region of the receiving part body 5.In a first region adjacent to the first end 5a, the receiving part body 5 has a U-shaped recess 10, which may be symmetric with respect to the symmetry axis M. The recess 10 has a bottom which may be directed towards the second end 5b and provides two free lateral legs 11a, 11b extending towards the first end 5a.\",\n \"In the region of the legs 11a, 11b an internal thread 12 may be provided which may cooperate with the closure element 7, which in this embodiment is a set screw.\",\n \"A channel formed by the U-shaped recess 10 is sized so as to receive the rod 6 therein, the rod for connecting a plurality of bone anchoring devices.\",\n \"At a second region near the second end 5b, the receiving part body 5 has a narrowing portion 13, which narrows in a direction towards the second end 5b.\",\n \"The narrowing portion 13 provides a seat for the screw head and the pressure element.\",\n \"The narrowing portion 13 is located at a distance from the second end 5b to, for example, enable the screw shaft 2 to be pivoted in a certain pivot angle range.\",\n \"An opening 14 is provided at the second end 5b, the diameter of which may be the same as or larger than the diameter of the narrowing portion 13 in some embodiments.\",\n \"Between the narrowing portion 13 and the middle portion 91 of the bore 9, a portion with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the narrowing portion 13 is provided, which forms a space 15 for allowing the pressure element to expand, as described later.\",\n \"At its side opposite to the narrowing portion 13, the space 15 connects to the middle section 91 of the bore 9 having the smaller diameter, thereby providing a circular shoulder 16.The middle section 91 of the bore 9 includes a circular projection 17 at its side opposite to the space 15, which can also act as a stop, as described below in more detail.\",\n \"As can be seen in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3 to 7, a pressure element 8 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a first section 81 which is substantially cylindrical and has an outer diameter which may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section 91 of the bore 9, so that the pressure element 8 is movable in the bore 9.It further has a second section 82, which has a hollow interior 83 which is substantially spherically-shaped and is sized to clamp the spherical head 3 therein.\",\n \"The outer diameter of the first section 81 may be, as can be seen in FIG.\",\n \"3, smaller than an outer diameter of the head 3 and a largest outer diameter of the second section 82 is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 81.A free end of the second section 82 provides an opening 84 for introduction of the head 3.Further, the second section 82 may have a plurality of slits 85 extending from the edge of the opening 84 through the second section 82 to define or form slightly resilient legs 90.The number and the dimension of the slits 85 may be such that the wall of the second portion is flexible enough to snap onto the head 3 when the head 3 is being inserted.\",\n \"The slits 85 can extend into the first cylindrical section 81 as shown in the figures to enhance flexibility.\",\n \"The outer wall surface of the second section 82 may include a first portion 86 which may be spherically-shaped, and a second portion 87 adjacent to the opening 84 which may be tapered or curved or otherwise narrowing towards the opening 84.The portion 87 cooperates with the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body when the head is locked in the receiving part body.\",\n \"Further, the pressure element has a coaxial bore 88 for providing access to the screw head by a tool.\",\n \"The first section 81 may have at its free end a cylindrically-shaped or cylinder segment-shaped recess 89 for receiving the rod 6 therein.\",\n \"The dimensions of the pressure element 8 are such that the pressure element 8 can be inserted through the opening 14 at the second end 5b of the receiving part body 5, with the cylindrical first section 81 inserted first.\",\n \"When the second section 82 passes through the opening 14, it may be compressed due to the flexibility of the second section 82, or the legs 90 thereof, which allows the pressure element 8 to be fully introduced into the receiving part body 5.The pressure element 8 can be pushed into the receiving part body 5 until an upper edge of the first section 81 abuts against the stop 17 provided by the annular projection in the receiving part body 5.When the pressure element is in this position, the flexible second section 82 is located in the portion between the middle section 91 of bore 9 and the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body 5.In this position, a free space in the space 15 between the outer wall of the second section 82 of the pressure element and the inner wall of the receiving part body 5 provides room for the flexible second section 82 to expand when the head 3 is inserted.\",\n \"A depth of the cylindrical recess 89 of the pressure element is smaller than a radius of the rod 6, so that the pressure element can be pressed down by means of screwing-in the inner screw 7, which presses onto the rod 6, which in turn presses onto the pressure element 8.The pressure element 8 is oriented in the receiving part body 5 such that its cylindrical recess 89 is aligned with the U-shaped recess of the receiving part body 5.The material of which the components of the bone anchoring device are made is preferably a body compatible metal, such as stainless steel or titanium, or a body compatible alloy such as a nickel titanium alloy, in particular Nitinol.\",\n \"However, body compatible plastic materials, such as medical-grade polyether ether ketone (PEEK), can also be used.\",\n \"In use, first, the pressure element 8 is introduced via the bottom opening 14 into the receiving part body 5 until it abuts against stop 17.This can be done either by the surgeon, or before so that the receiving part body is preassembled with the pressure element 8.Thereafter, the head 3 is introduced through the bottom opening and pushes the pressure element 8 upwards against stop 17.This is the insertion position, which allows the screw head 3 to be introduced through the opening 84 into the pressure element 8, thereby widening the hollow interior 83, or the legs 90 respectively, until the pressure element 8 snaps onto the head 3.This can be done either before screwing the threaded shaft 2 into the bone, or after having screwed in the threaded shaft 2 into the bone, to mount the receiving part body 5, with the pressure element inside, onto the head 3.When the head 3 is inserted, it can still pivot within the pressure element 8 if the flexible section 82 is not compressed.\",\n \"A plurality of bone anchoring devices may be implanted into the bone(s), for example, in the pedicles of adjacent vertebrae, and the rod 6 may be inserted into the bone anchoring devices, respectively.\",\n \"Angular positions of the receiving part bodies may then be adjusted.\",\n \"Finally, the set screw 7 for each bone anchoring device may be tightened, thereby pressing down the rod 6 onto the respective pressure elements, which are pressed down until the second portion 87 of the outer wall of the second section 82 of each pressure element engages with the narrowing portion 13 of the respective receiving part bodies.\",\n \"In this condition, the head of each bone anchoring device is clamped in an interior of the pressure element, so that it is locked in a desired angular position.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"8a to 8d show various designs of the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body 5 and the portion 87 of the pressure element 8 which engages the narrowing portion 13 according to embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8a shows the two portions tapering lineally at substantially a same angle.\",\n \"This provides a substantially even pressure distribution between the second portion 87 of the pressure element 8 and the narrowing portion 13 of the receiving part body 5.FIG.\",\n \"8b and FIG.\",\n \"8c show two different designs where the respective portions are tapered at different angles.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8b shows a main contact area at a bottom of the narrowing portion 13, and FIG.\",\n \"8c shows a main contact area at a top of the narrowing portion 13.FIG.\",\n \"8d shows a tapering second portion 87 of the pressure element 8 and a rounded portion 13 of the receiving part body, wherein a curvature of the rounded portion is directed towards a center of the receiving part body 5.With such a configuration, a contact area positioned at the rounded portion can be achieved.\",\n \"In FIGS.\",\n \"9a and 9b a narrowing portion 13′ of a modified example of a receiving part body 5 has a double spherical radius formed by two curved portions 13a, 13b on top of (i.e., adjacent to) each other, with a groove 13c therebetween.\",\n \"A curvature of the curved portions are directed towards the central axis M. Correspondingly, a modified pressure element 8′ has at its lower end two invertedly curved portions 8a, 8b which correspond to the curved portions 13a, 13b, with a crest 8c therebetween, and an outer crest 8d at an outer yielding edge of the pressure element 8′.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9a, when the pressure element 8′ moves downward, its lower most edge 8d engages in the groove 13c.\",\n \"In this position there is a frictional clamping of the head 3, which still allows the head 3 to be pivoted upon exertion of a force, where this force is greater than a force needed to pivot the head 3 when the head 3 is introduced in an insertion position.\",\n \"This may be characterized as a pre-locking condition.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9b, by further pressing the pressure element 8′ downward, the curvatures of the pressure element 8′ engage with the corresponding curvatures of the narrowing portion 13′ to finally lock the head 3.Further modifications of the bone anchoring device are possible.\",\n \"For example, in one embodiment the pressure element 8 can have a recess corresponding to the cylindrical recess 89 described above, which may be U-shaped and provides legs extending above the rod.\",\n \"A dual part closure element can then be used to separately clamp the head and the rod.\",\n \"A device for preventing the pressure element from rotating can be provided (not shown).\",\n \"Such a device can be realised, for example, by crimp bores or by a pin extending from the wall into a recess (not shown) of the pressure element.\",\n \"Further, in some embodiments, the abutment or stop 17, on which a pressure element may abut after it is inserted through the bottom opening and pushed further inwards, can be provided at other locations in the receiving part, for example, at the circular shoulder 16, which may then interact with a corresponding projecting part of the pressure element to provide an abutment for the pressure element.\",\n \"While the present invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is instead intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872428"}}},{"rowIdx":4494075,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHODS, KITS, AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF METASTATIC PAPILLARY THYROID CANCER","Provided herein are methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, and the treatment of such a subject."],["1-46.","(canceled) 47.A method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting the processed sample with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; d) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and e) administering a treatment for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α, wherein said treatment comprises administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject; and surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","48.The method of claim 47, wherein said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.","49.The method of claim 47, wherein said analyte binding assay is an immunoassay.","50.The method of claim 49, wherein said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.","51.The method of claim 47, wherein said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.","52.The method of claim 51, wherein said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.","53.The method of claim 50, wherein said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system or a manual system.","54.The method of claim 47, wherein said assay results are quantitative or semi-quantitative.","55.The method of claim 47, wherein said processing comprises formalin fixing said sample, paraffin-embedding said sample, snap freezing said sample, treating said sample to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination thereof.","56.The method of claim 47, wherein said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","57.The method of claim 47, wherein said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.","58.The method of claim 57, wherein said tyrosine kinase inhibitor is sorafenib, sunitinib, axitinib, or motesanib.","59.The method of claim 47, wherein said inhibitor comprises an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, a nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamer, or combinations thereof.","60.The method of claim 59, wherein said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Clinical or radiographic identification of thyroid nodules requires assessment for malignancy through tissue biopsy.","1,2 Typically obtained through fine needle aspiration (FNA), thyroid nodule biopsy can distinguish cancer from benign disease in approximately 65% of cases in large series and is considered essential in the workup of any thyroid nodule.","1,3 Improvements in the accuracy of tissue biopsy have utilized ultrasound and a standardized pathology reporting system.","4 Efforts to extend the utility of this tissue resource are now focused primarily on molecular methods to better predict the natural history of disease and tailor patient therapy.","5 Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), comprising more than 80% of all thyroid cancer cases, has a high propensity for spread within the lymphatic system.","6 However, one important limitation of current FNA assessment is that no information is provided on the metastatic potential of thyroid malignancy.","3,5,7 Up to 30% of papillary thyroid carcinoma cases demonstrate lymphatic metastases which, if untreated through surgery or radioactive iodine ablation, may lead to recurrent disease in the central or lateral neck.","6,8-10 Patients with metastatic or recurrent PTC often require multiple surgical resections and radioactive iodine ablative treatments with associated increased morbidity.","9-12 Predicting aggressive or metastatic variants through tissue biopsy could direct surgeons to prophylactic neck dissections and guide adjuvant radioiodine therapy to decrease the risk of local and regional recurrence and improve quality-of-life.","11-13 In the drive to develop molecular techniques to make more personalized choices for patient diagnosis and therapy, a large number of studies on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway have been undertaken to understand the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer.","14,15 It is understood that rearrangements of tyrosine kinase genes RET/PTC and activating mutations of the BRAF or RAS commonly activate the MAPK/ERK pathway.","16-18 BRAF, an isoform of a class of serine-threonine kinases, is also a potent activator of this pathway and the V600E mutation is an important and well conserved mutation in papillary thyroid cancer.","17 Activating mutations of the RAS genes, namely H-/K-/N-ras, also play an important role in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer through the MAPK/ERK pathway.","18,19 Other genotype-phenotype correlations have been undertaken in thyroid cancer using gene arrays to develop predictive tools based on galectin-3, cell cycle proteins and apoptotic markers.","19-25 RET/PTC translocations and activating mutations of BRAF and RAS genes are considered clinically relevant markers that have been endorsed for use by the American Thyroid Association in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer when tumor cytology is indeterminate.","5,25 At this time these genetic testing regimes are utilized selectively in only a few high-volume centers.","While studies of diagnostic biomarkers for thyroid cancer dominate the literature, relatively few studies have examined the pathways and processes mediating lymphatic or distant spread in thyroid cancer.","Research into biomarkers for lymphatic metastases reveal a number of changes in cell cycle proteins (cyclin D1), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF), and metalloproteinases (MMP-2) but none are clinically accepted for use.","26-29 Platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) are a family of peptides that bind to tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGF subunits α and β) and stimulate cell survival, growth, and proliferation.","30 PDGF promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important process in tumor metastases, and complements the function of VEGF in angiogenesis.","30,31 It is, therefore, desirable to provide compositions and/methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).","This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.","No admission is necessarily intended, nor should it be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) obtaining a tumor sample from a subject having thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay configured to detect a biomarker in said processed tumor sample by introducing the processed tumor sample into an assay instrument which (i) contacts a reagent which specifically binds for detection of the biomarker within the tumor sample, and (ii) generates one or more assay results indicative of binding of said biomarker, d) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting the processed sample with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; d) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and e) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample, said processed sample obtained from a subject with thyroid cancer, with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; b) generating a result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and c) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.","In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassay.","In some examples, wherein said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.","In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.","In some examples, wherein said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.","In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.","In some examples, wherein said processing comprises formalin fixing, paraffin-embedding, snap freezing, treated to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination thereof, said sample.","In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","In some examples, said treatment comprises administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.","In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent which specifically binds for detection of PDGFR-α in a tumor sample from a patient with thyroid cancer, and b) an assay instrument configured to receive a tumor sample and contact the reagent with the tumor sample, and to generate one or more assay result indicative of binding said reagent with the PDGRF-α within the tumor sample which is assayed for specific binding.","In some examples, said assay instrument comprises a detector set to detect a complex between said reagent and the PDGFR-α within the tumour sample, and wherein the instrument generates an assay results.","In some examples, the reagent is specific for PDGFR-α protein, PDGFR-α transcript, or PDGFR-α activity.","In some examples, the system further comprising a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer for said subject when the amount of the PDGFR-α in the sample is greater than that in a control sample.","In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","In some examples, said treatment comprises an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.","In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent for performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from a subject with thyroid cancer with said reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFRα; and b) instructions for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer according to the methods as described herein.","In some examples, said reagent comprises an agent which binds to PDGFRα transcript or PDGFRα protein.","In some examples, said reagent comprises an antibody.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of an inhibitor of PDGFRα for the treatment of a subject with or suspected of having metastatic or recurrent PTC.","In some examples, wherein said subject is determined as having or suspected as having metastatic or recurrent PTC by performing a) an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from said subject with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample; and b) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein said subject is determined as having or suspect as having PCT when the amount of the biomarker in said processed sample is greater than a control.","In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassays.","In some examples, said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.","In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.","In some examples, said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.","In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.","In some examples, said processing comprises formalin fixing, or paraffin-embedding, or both formalin fixing and paraffin-embedding, said sample.","In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","In some examples, said use further comprising the use of radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.","In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib."],["RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S.","Application No.","61/593,414 filed Feb. 1, 2012, the contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention generally relates to compositions and methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), as well as the treatment of such a subject population.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Clinical or radiographic identification of thyroid nodules requires assessment for malignancy through tissue biopsy.1,2 Typically obtained through fine needle aspiration (FNA), thyroid nodule biopsy can distinguish cancer from benign disease in approximately 65% of cases in large series and is considered essential in the workup of any thyroid nodule.","1,3 Improvements in the accuracy of tissue biopsy have utilized ultrasound and a standardized pathology reporting system.4 Efforts to extend the utility of this tissue resource are now focused primarily on molecular methods to better predict the natural history of disease and tailor patient therapy.5 Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), comprising more than 80% of all thyroid cancer cases, has a high propensity for spread within the lymphatic system.6 However, one important limitation of current FNA assessment is that no information is provided on the metastatic potential of thyroid malignancy.3,5,7 Up to 30% of papillary thyroid carcinoma cases demonstrate lymphatic metastases which, if untreated through surgery or radioactive iodine ablation, may lead to recurrent disease in the central or lateral neck.6,8-10 Patients with metastatic or recurrent PTC often require multiple surgical resections and radioactive iodine ablative treatments with associated increased morbidity.9-12 Predicting aggressive or metastatic variants through tissue biopsy could direct surgeons to prophylactic neck dissections and guide adjuvant radioiodine therapy to decrease the risk of local and regional recurrence and improve quality-of-life.11-13 In the drive to develop molecular techniques to make more personalized choices for patient diagnosis and therapy, a large number of studies on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway have been undertaken to understand the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer.14,15 It is understood that rearrangements of tyrosine kinase genes RET/PTC and activating mutations of the BRAF or RAS commonly activate the MAPK/ERK pathway.16-18 BRAF, an isoform of a class of serine-threonine kinases, is also a potent activator of this pathway and the V600E mutation is an important and well conserved mutation in papillary thyroid cancer.17 Activating mutations of the RAS genes, namely H-/K-/N-ras, also play an important role in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer through the MAPK/ERK pathway.18,19 Other genotype-phenotype correlations have been undertaken in thyroid cancer using gene arrays to develop predictive tools based on galectin-3, cell cycle proteins and apoptotic markers.19-25 RET/PTC translocations and activating mutations of BRAF and RAS genes are considered clinically relevant markers that have been endorsed for use by the American Thyroid Association in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer when tumor cytology is indeterminate.5,25 At this time these genetic testing regimes are utilized selectively in only a few high-volume centers.","While studies of diagnostic biomarkers for thyroid cancer dominate the literature, relatively few studies have examined the pathways and processes mediating lymphatic or distant spread in thyroid cancer.","Research into biomarkers for lymphatic metastases reveal a number of changes in cell cycle proteins (cyclin D1), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF), and metalloproteinases (MMP-2) but none are clinically accepted for use.26-29 Platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) are a family of peptides that bind to tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGF subunits α and β) and stimulate cell survival, growth, and proliferation.30 PDGF promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important process in tumor metastases, and complements the function of VEGF in angiogenesis.30,31 It is, therefore, desirable to provide compositions and/methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).","This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.","No admission is necessarily intended, nor should it be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) obtaining a tumor sample from a subject having thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay configured to detect a biomarker in said processed tumor sample by introducing the processed tumor sample into an assay instrument which (i) contacts a reagent which specifically binds for detection of the biomarker within the tumor sample, and (ii) generates one or more assay results indicative of binding of said biomarker, d) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting the processed sample with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; d) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and e) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample, said processed sample obtained from a subject with thyroid cancer, with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; b) generating a result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and c) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.","In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassay.","In some examples, wherein said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.","In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.","In some examples, wherein said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.","In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.","In some examples, wherein said processing comprises formalin fixing, paraffin-embedding, snap freezing, treated to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination thereof, said sample.","In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","In some examples, said treatment comprises administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.","In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent which specifically binds for detection of PDGFR-α in a tumor sample from a patient with thyroid cancer, and b) an assay instrument configured to receive a tumor sample and contact the reagent with the tumor sample, and to generate one or more assay result indicative of binding said reagent with the PDGRF-α within the tumor sample which is assayed for specific binding.","In some examples, said assay instrument comprises a detector set to detect a complex between said reagent and the PDGFR-α within the tumour sample, and wherein the instrument generates an assay results.","In some examples, the reagent is specific for PDGFR-α protein, PDGFR-α transcript, or PDGFR-α activity.","In some examples, the system further comprising a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer for said subject when the amount of the PDGFR-α in the sample is greater than that in a control sample.","In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","In some examples, said treatment comprises an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.","In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent for performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from a subject with thyroid cancer with said reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFRα; and b) instructions for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer according to the methods as described herein.","In some examples, said reagent comprises an agent which binds to PDGFRα transcript or PDGFRα protein.","In some examples, said reagent comprises an antibody.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of an inhibitor of PDGFRα for the treatment of a subject with or suspected of having metastatic or recurrent PTC.","In some examples, wherein said subject is determined as having or suspected as having metastatic or recurrent PTC by performing a) an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from said subject with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample; and b) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein said subject is determined as having or suspect as having PCT when the amount of the biomarker in said processed sample is greater than a control.","In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassays.","In some examples, said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.","In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.","In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.","In some examples, said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.","In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.","In some examples, said processing comprises formalin fixing, or paraffin-embedding, or both formalin fixing and paraffin-embedding, said sample.","In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","In some examples, said use further comprising the use of radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.","In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.","In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: FIG.","1 shows representative immunohistochemical stains of PDGFR-α in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) primary tumors without nodal metastases at low power (A) (100×) and high power (B) (400×), primary tumors with nodal metastases are shown (C) (100×) and (D) (400×); FIG.","2 shows Western blots of PDGFR-α and -β in patient primary tumors lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) compared to those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section), corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section; FIG.","3 shows Western blots of primary cell culture obtained from a lymph node specimen with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer confirmed by histology; FIG.","4 shows Western blots documenting the activation status of the MAPK/ERK and P13K/Akt pathways in primary tumours lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) and those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section), and corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section; FIG.","5 shows Western blots of PDGFR configuration in the papillary thyroid cancer cell lines; FIG.","6 shows Cytoselect assay results (in triplicate) for invasive potential of TPC-1 (A), 8305C (B), and BCPAP (C) cell lines; FIG.","7 shows Cytoselect invasion assays with or without PDGFR-α siRNA for TPC-1 cell line (A) with corresponding cell viability assessment (B), invasion assays for 8305C cell line with PDGFR-α siRNA shown in (C) with corresponding cell viability experiment (D); FIG.","8 show the corresponding Western blots of the TPC-1 (A) and 8305C (B) cell lines for the invasion assay as shown in FIG.","6; FIG.","9 shows disrupted invasive potential of TPC-1 cells with small molecule inhibition of (A) PI3K/Akt (Ly294002) or (B) MAPK/ERK (U0126) pathways, and bar graphs in (C) and (D); FIG.","10 depicts the selective knock down of the PDGFR-alpha and -beta subunits in the TPC-1 cell lines; FIG.","11 shows that knockdown of the PDGFR-beta subunit increases colony formation in the TPC-1 cell line while selective PDGF-alpha expression increases cell size in the TPC-1 and BCPAP cell lines; FIG.","12 shows that PDGFR-alpha subunit drives cell migration in TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C cell lines.","FIG.","13 shows knock down of PDGFR-alpha or -beta subunits results in opposing effects in tumour formation on a mice xenograft model; FIG.","14 shows immunohistochemical and immunoblot results from mouse xenographts; and FIG.","15 shows that PDGFR-alpha mRNA levels are greater in metastatic specimens than in primary tumours.","In the Detailed Description that follows, the numbers in bold face type serve to identify the component parts that are described and referred to in relation to the drawings depicting various embodiments of the invention.","It should be noted that in describing various embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same of similar elements.","Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, parts have been omitted from some figures of the drawings.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION As will be described in more detail below, in one embodiment, there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic cancer, or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent cancer.","There is also provided the treatment of such a subject population.","In one embodiment, there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.","There is also provided methods of treatment of this subject population.","In some examples, the subject is at risk for PTC, or is suspected of having PTC, and/or has been diagnosed with PTC.","The term “subject at risk for PTC” as used herein, refers to a subject with one or more risk factors for developing PTC.","Risk factors include, but are not limited to, gender, age, genetic predisposition, previous incidents with cancer, and pre-existing non-cancer diseases.","The term “subject suspected of having PTC” as used herein, refers to a subject that presents one or more symptoms indicative of PTC or that is being screened for PTC (e.g., during an examination).","A subject suspected of having PTC may also have one or more risk factors.","The term encompasses individuals who have not been tested for PTC, individuals who have received an initial diagnosis (e.g., a CT scan showing a mass) but for whom the stage of cancer is not known, as well as individuals for whom the stage and/or grade of cancer has been determined by a conventional method (e.g., Gleason score).","The term also includes patients who have previously undergone therapy for PTC.","The term “subject diagnosed with PTC” as used herein, refers to a subject who has been tested and found to have PTC.","The diagnosis may be performed using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, biopsy, x-ray, blood test, and the methods of the present invention.","The term “subject” or “patient” as used herein, refers to any mammal or non-mammal that would benefit from determining the benefit from treatment, treatment, diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and/or prognosis.","In certain examples a subject or patient includes, but is not limited to, humans, farm animals (cows, sheep, pigs, and the like), companion animals (such as cats, dogs and horses, and the like), non-human primates and rodent (such as mice and rats).","In a specific embodiment, the subject is a human.","The identification of a subject having increased likelihood of developing PTC or having metastatic PCT or recurrent (PTC), indicates that such a subject is a candidate for treatment of such metastatic or recurrent PTC.","The term “treatment” as used herein, refers to clinical intervention in an attempt to alter the course of the subject or cell being treated.","In non-limiting examples, treatment includes preventing or delaying recurrence of disease, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of any direct or indirect pathological consequences of the disease, preventing metastasis, decreasing the rate of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, and remission or improved prognosis.","In some examples such treatment decreases the risk of local and regional recurrence and improves quality-of-life of said subject.","Treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma includes, at a minimum, total thyroidectomy with a possible lymph node dissection in the central compartment of the neck to remove local metastatic deposits.","The decision to proceed with lymph node dissection is at the discretion of the surgeon and depends on the preoperative investigation including ultrasound and clinical examination.","Following surgery radioactive iodine is given to patients especially those patients with tumors larger than 1.5 cm per those patients with concerning features on pathology including signs of vascular and lymphatic invasion in the tumor specimen.","External beam radiation therapy may be used in a small percentage of cases if the papillary thyroid carcinoma is extremely aggressive and it is invading outside of the thyroid and involving the muscles in the neck or the trachea or esophagus.","In cases of recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma all of the previous treatment modalities including surgery, radioactive iodine, external beam radiotherapy may be used depending on the size and site of recurrence and if it is amenable to surgical resection.","In cases that fail these methods of treatment clinical trials (for example Phase I clinical trials) are used to test the possibility that tyrosine kinase inhibitors may slow the growth of the tumor.","In one example, treatment of metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC includes, but is not limited to, neck dissections (including prophylactic neck dissections) and/or adjuvant radioiodine therapy.","In one example, treatment of metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC includes, but is not limited to, administration of a pharmaceutical composition.","In some examples, the pharmaceutical composition is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.","In some examples, the pharmaceutical composition comprises sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","Thus, in some examples, the methods as described herein are useful in determining the benefit from treatment of a subject with cancer.","The term “cancer” as used herein, refers to or describes the physiological condition in a subject, such as a mammal, that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth In some examples, the methods as described herein are useful in determining the benefit of treatment of a subject with a cancer that is spread via the lymphatic system.","Examples include, breast cancer, colon cancer, and PTC.","In a specific example said cancer is PTC.","The term “determining the benefit from treatment” as used herein, generally refers to assessing whether a patient is a suitable candidate for treatment.","The patient may be at risk of having cancer (such as PTC), or suspected of having cancer (such as PTC), or has been diagnosed with cancer (such as PTC), or has an increased likelihood of developing metastatic cancer (such as PTC).","In some examples, a patient which is determined to benefit from treatment is a suitable candidate for surgery, and/or radiation therapy (such as radioactive iodine ablation), and/or chemotherapy.","There is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic or recurrent cancer, comprising determining the presence of a prognostic marker in a sample of said patient.","In another example, there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic or recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), comprising determining the presence of a prognostic marker in a sample of said patient.","In one example, a method as described herein comprises qualitatively or quantitatively determining, analyzing or measuring a biological sample from a subject for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of one or more prognostic marker (or biomarker) associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis and/or therapeutic monitoring of metastatic cancer or recurrent cancer.","In a specific example, a method as described herein comprises qualitatively or quantitatively determining, analyzing or measuring a biological sample from a subject for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of one or more prognostic marker (or biomarker) associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis and/or therapeutic monitoring of metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC.","The term “prognostic marker” or “biomarker” as used herein refers to a marker that informs about the outcome of a patient in the absence of systemic therapy or portends an outcome different from that of the patients without the marker, despite empiric (not targeted to the marker) systemic therapy.","The term “prognosis” as used herein, refers to the prediction of the likelihood of cancer-attributable death or progression, including recurrence, metastatic spread, and drug resistance, of a neoplastic disease, such as PTC.","The term “diagnosis” as used herein, refers to the identification of a molecular and/or pathological state, disease or condition, such as the identification of PTC, or other type of cancer.","The term “therapeutic monitoring” as used herein refers to the observation of the response of the subject to the treatment administered to it.","The determination, analysis or measurement of the biomarker is correlated with the benefit of treatment of PTC in the patient.","In some examples, a patient sample is compared to a control sample.","In some examples, a control is not used and qualitative or quantitative methods are used to determine the presence or absence, or amount or concentration of the protein of interest.","The term “sample” as used herein, encompasses a variety of cells, cell-containing bodily fluids and/or secretions as well as tissues including, but not limited to a cell(s), tissue, whole blood, blood-derived cells, plasma, serum, sputum, mucous, bodily discharge, and combinations thereof, and the like.","Methods of obtaining such samples from a subject are known to the skilled worker.","As used herein, “obtaining a sample” or “obtaining a biological sample” refers to such methods as will be well known to the skilled worker.","A biological sample may be obtained directly or indirectly from the subject.","The term “obtaining” a biological sample may comprise receiving a biological sample from an agent acting on behalf of the subject.","For example, receiving a biological sample from a doctor, nurse, hospital, medical center, etc., either directly or indirectly, e.g.","via a courier or postal service.","In some cases the biological sample is obtained from archival repositories.","In one example, the methods of the invention are carried out in vitro or ex vivo.","Means for enriching for cancer cells in a sample are known in the art.","For example, the tissue may be isolated from paraffin or cryostat sections.","Cancer cells may also be separated from normal cells by flow cytometry or laser capture microdissection.","These, as well as other techniques for separating cancerous from normal cells, are known in the art.","In one example, and in the case of PTC, a sample is obtained using fine needle aspirate (FNA).","In one example, in determining whether there is strong, moderate or minimal (or absent) amount of the biomarker, the patient sample may be compared to one or more control samples.","In one example, a control sample has had known and/or established level of the biomarker.","In one example, a control sample is a patient sample that has known and/or established levels of biomarker expression and/or known clinical outcome.","In one example, a control is a cell line that has a known amount of biomarker expression.","The term “expression”, as used herein, and for example in reference to a biomarker such as PDGFR-α, refers to all indicators of transcriptional expression of the biomarker encoding gene.","Such indicators include biomarker transcript products, generated as a result of transcription of the biomarker gene; translation products, including all forms of the biomarker protein, generated as a result of translation of the biomarker transcripts; and demonstrable or otherwise measurable biomarker activity.","As used herein, “biomarker protein”, includes, but is not limited to, full-length proteins, mature proteins, pre-proteins, polypeptides, isoforms, mutations, variants, post-translationally modified proteins and variants thereof.","Biomarker protein detection is know to the skilled worker, and is discussed herein.","Biomarker transcripts or mRNA can be measured using any of many techniques known to those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, northern hybridization, PCR, reverse transcription followed by PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, nuclease protection assay, and in situ hybridization.","Biomarker activity can be measured by a variety of assays known to those of skill in the art.","A suitable method can be selected to determine the activity of proteins encoded by the biomarker genes according to the activity of each protein analyzed.","For biomarker proteins, polypeptides, isoforms, mutations, and variants thereof known to have enzymatic activity, the activities can be determined in vitro using enzyme assays known in the art.","Such assays include, without limitation, protease assays, kinase assays, phosphatase assays, reductase assays, among many others.","Modulation of the kinetics of enzyme activities can be determined by measuring the rate constant KM using known algorithms, such as the Hill plot, Michaelis-Menten equation, linear regression plots such as Lineweaver-Burk analysis, and Scatchard plot.","Biomarker protein can be measured/detected by a variety of techniques known to the skilled worker, including, but not limited to, immunoassays using a biomarker specific antibody.","Protein levels can also be determined using a specific antibody or mass spectroscopy in conjunction with 2 dimensional gel electrophoresis (separation of proteins by their isoelectric point (IEF) in the first dimension followed by molecular weight determination using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)).","In other examples, a biomarker protein is detected using a binding agent including, but not limited to, a lectin, nucleic acid (e.g.","DNA, RNA), monoclonal antibody, polyclonal antibody, Fab, Fab′, single chain antibody, synthetic antibody, aptamer (DNA/RNA), peptoid, zDNA, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), locked nucleic acid (LNA), synthetic or naturally occurring chemical compound (including but not limited to a drug or labeling reagent), dendrimer, or any combination thereof.","In some instances, a single agent is used to detect a biomarker.","In other instances, a combination of different agents is used to detect a biomarker Detection includes direct and indirect detection.","Similarly, a binding agent can be directly or indirectly labeled.","The quantity of one or more biomarkers can be indicated as a value.","The value can be one or more numerical values resulting from the evaluation of a sample, and can be derived, e.g., by measuring level(s) of the biomarker(s) in a sample by an assay performed in a laboratory, or from dataset obtained from a provider such as a laboratory, or from a dataset stored on a server.","In some examples, qualitatively or quantitatively determining, analyzing or measuring a biological sample from a subject for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of one or more prognostic marker associated, is carried out using antibodies to the biomarker.","In a specific example, antibodies of the present invention are immunoreactive or immunospecific for, and therefore specifically and selectively bind to a biomarker, for example the protein PDGFRα.","In one example, antibodies which are immunoreactive and immunospecific for PDGFRα can be used.","Antibodies PDGFRα are preferably immunospecific.","The term “antibody” and “antibodies” includes, but is not limited to, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.","Antibodies may be derived from multiple species.","For example, antibodies include rodent (such as mouse and rat), rabbit, sheep, camel, chicken, and human antibodies.","In another example, antigen binding fragments which specifically bind to PDGFRα are used.","In some example, the antibodies also comprise a label.","The term “label” as used herein is an identifiable substance that is detectable in an assay and that can be attached to a molecule creating a labeled molecule.","The behavior of the labeled molecule can then be monitored and/or studied and/or detected.","Examples of labels include, but are not limited to, various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, positron emitting metals using various positron emission tomographies, and nonradioactive paramagnetic metal ions.","The detectable substance may be coupled or conjugated either directly to the antibody (or fragment thereof) or indirectly, through an intermediate.","The particular label used will depend upon the type of immunoassay.","Antibodies can be tagged with such labels by known methods.","The term “binds specifically” refers to high avidity and/or high affinity binding of an antibody to a specific polypeptide e.g., an epitope of PDGFR-α.","Antibody binding to its epitope on this specific polypeptide is stronger than binding of the same antibody to any other epitope, particularly those which may be present in molecules in association with, or in the same sample, as the specific polypeptide of interest.","Antibodies which bind specifically to a polypeptide of interest may be capable of binding other polypeptides at weak, yet detectable, level.","Such weak binding, or background binding, is readily discemable from the specific antibody binding to the compound or polypeptide of interest, e.g., by use of appropriate controls, as would be known to the worker skilled in the art.","In one example, a sample containing cancerous cells or suspected as containing cancerous cells is obtained from the patient which is at risk for PTC, is suspected of having PTC, and/or has been diagnosed with PTC.","Collection of such a sample is well known to the skilled worker.","In a specific example, the sample is a fine needle aspirate (FNA) sample.","Methods of obtaining a FNA sample, processing and/or storage of such a sample are also well known to the skilled worker.","In other example, a sample is obtained from surgical dissection.","Tissue samples may be fresh-frozen and/or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks prepared for study by immunohistochemistry (IHC).","In one example, the sample is a formalin fixed and/or paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from a biopsy or surgical resection of a cancer (e.g., tumour).","Samples may also be processed by, snap freezing, treated to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination.","The methods of the present invention may be accomplished using any suitable method or system of immunohistochemistry or quantifing levels of mRNA.","Non limiting examples include automated systems, quantitative IHC, semi-quantitative IHC, RT-PCR and qRT-PCR and manual methods.","The term “quantitative” immunohistochemistry refers to an automated method of scanning and scoring samples that have undergone immunohistochemistry, to identify and quantitate the presence of a specified biomarker, such as an antigen or other protein.","For example, to quantitate PDGFR-α, the score given to the sample is a numerical representation of the intensity of the immunohistochemical staining of the sample, and represents the amount of target biomarker present in the sample.","As used herein, Optical Density (OD) is a numerical score that represents intensity of staining as well as the percentage of cells that are stained.","As used herein, semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry refers to scoring of immunohistochemical results by human eye, where a trained operator ranks results numerically (e.g., as 0, 1 or 2).","In a specific example, expression of the biomarker in a sample is assessed by an operator as “2+” (denoting strong staining), “1+” (denoting moderate staining), or “0” (denoting minimal or absent staining).","In some instance, each sample is assessed in duplicate, or triplicate.","In another specific example, Nuclear staining is not scored and the correlations for staining were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.","In one example of the methods described herein, a biological sample from a subject is assessed for presence of a biomarker within the biological sample, wherein the levels and/or concentration of the biomarker indicates the aggressiveness or metastatic potential of PTC.","Automated sample processing, scanning and analysis systems suitable for use with immunohistochemistry are known in the art, and may be used with the methods described herein.","Such systems may include automated staining and microscopic scanning, computerized image analysis, serial section comparison (to control for variation in the orientation and size of a sample), digital report generation, and archiving and tracking of samples (such as slides on which tissue sections are placed).","Cellular imaging systems are commercially available that combine conventional light microscopes with digital image processing systems to perform quantitative analysis on cells and tissues, including immunostained samples.","In a specific example, the detection, analysis or measurement of PDGFR-α protein within a tissue sample is carried out using immunohistochemistry (IHC).","It will be clear to the skilled worker that other immuno assays, both qualitative and quantitative, may be used in the present invention.","In one example, immunohistochemisty is carried out using tissue microarrays from formalin tissues.","Other examples that may be used in the detection, analysis or measurement of PDGFR-α include, but are not limited to, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, mass spectrometry, quantitative fluorescence activated cell sorting, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, quantitative immunohistochemistry, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, Forster resonance energy transfer, and biomolecular fluorescence complementation.","In determining whether there is strong (e.g., 2+) or moderate (e.g., 1+) or minimal (e.g., 0) PDGFR-α staining, the patient sample may be compared to one or more control samples.","In one example, a control sample is a patient sample that has known and/or established levels of PDGFR-α tumour staining and/or known clinical outcome.","In one example, a control is a cell line that has a known amount of PDGFR-α staining.","In some example, a control is not used and qualitative or quantitative methods are used to determine the level of staining.","In practice, in the example in which a patient sample is determined to have moderate (1+) or strong (2+) expression (i.e., strong expression of PDGFR-α), the patient is identified as a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, and so is considered a good candidate for, and subjected to treatment comprising, surgical resection and/or radio therapy (such as radio iodine ablative therapy or external beam radiotherapy), and/or chemotherapy.","In practice, in the example in which a patient sample is determined to have minimal staining (“0”) expression (e.g., absent or minimal expression of PDGFR-α), the patient is identified as a subject not having an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject not having an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.","Continued treatment options for such patients identified as not having a likelihood of developing or having metastatic or recurrent are known to the skilled worker.","For example, patients lacking confirmed metastases from PTC in many cases do not get radioactive iodine, but this depends on the size of the primary tumor.","Regardless of their initial treatment including surgery and/or radioactive iodine all patients are followed with serial imaging including whole body iodine scans, neck ultrasound and serum thyroglobulin assessments on a yearly basis essentially for the rest of their life although the interval between follow-up visits decreases from six months initially for approximately 2 years to yearly after that.","Metastases from thyroid cancer typically occur within 2 to 3 years that can come back as late as 10 or 15 years after their original surgery and treatment.","In a specific example, in the case of examined PDGFR-α and β expression in a tissue array of papillary thyroid cancer including primary tumor specimens with (n=58) and without (n=66) nodal metastases, for PDGFRα, in primary tumors without lymphatic metastases, a small fraction of the tumors were positive (16%) but most of the staining was moderate at 1+ (Table 2).","However, in primary tumors with lymph node metastases the majority (83%) of the tumors were positive for PDGFRα expression (p=0.003).","Nodal deposits in all but one case are positive for PDGFR-α with most cases exhibiting strong staining (Table 2).","PDGFR-β staining in primary tumor specimens demonstrated significantly different results.","PDGFR-β staining did not follow a pattern with respect to the absence or presence of nodal metastases.","Approximately 90% of all tumors, a nearly equal fraction of lymph node negative and lymph node positive cases, stained for PDGFR-β and staining qualitatively was also very similar (p=0.82) (see Table 2).","In another specific example, in the case of freshly prepared PTC tumour isolated at operative resection, with and without nodal metastases, PDGFR (α and β) configuration and nodal involvement was determined in 14 cases that included level 6 lymph node dissections as shown in FIG.","2.Only 2 of 7 primary tumors without nodal metastases expressed PDGFR-α (patient #5 and #7).","In fact the only clearly positive result expressing PDGFR-α (patient #7) was a false positive due to an unexpected case of sarcoidosis with fibrotic reactions in all of the nodes removed as documented clearly on pathology.47,48 In 7 of 7 primary tumors with nodal metastases we observe PDGFR-α expression.","Even if we include the likely false positive (patient #7) and the very weak staining in patient #5, the difference in number of positive cases for PDGFR-α between node− (2/7) and node+ (7/7) cases is significant (P=0.02).","All of the nodal metastases examined express PDGFR-α although the levels vary significantly (FIG.","2).","It will be appreciated that in some circumstances, a patient which is initially identified a not having an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC, may relapse or reoccur.","Such a reoccurrence can manifest is several ways, including but not limited to, reoccurrence of the primary tumour and development of metastasis.","In addition to, or alternatively, an additional distinct tumour can arise.","The methods as described herein may be used in the therapeutic monitoring of a patient, to monitor and identify those patients which may relapse.","In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with, or suspected as having, PTC; b) contacting the sample with an antibody to a biomarker, to form a complex between the antibody and the biomarker present in the sample; c) measuring the complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein the determination of a benefit for treatment is determined by a strong expression of the biomarker in the sample.","In one example, the biomarker is PDGFRα.","In one example, expression of the biomarker in the sample is compared to a control.","In one example, said sample comprises a FNA sample.","In another embodiment, PDGFRα expression is associated with the development of metastasis in a patient with PTC.","In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with, or suspected as having, PTC; b) processing said sample, c) contacting the processed sample with an analyte or reagent to a biomarker, to form a complex between the analyte or reagent and the biomarker present in the processed sample; c) measuring the complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein the determination of a benefit for treatment is determined by a high amount or concentration (or strong expression) of the biomarker in the sample.","In one example, the biomarker is PDGFRα.","In one example, expression of the biomarker in the sample is compared to a control.","In one example, said sample comprises a FNA sample.","In another embodiment, PDGFRα is associated with the development of metastasis in a patient with PTC.","There is further provide the step of treating a subject with a high concentration or amount (or strong expression) of PDGFRα with a treatment for PTC.","In some examples, processing said sample permits analysis of the biomarker within the sample.","In some example, processing refers to isolating or extracting biomarker transcript from said sample, said RNA suitable for analysis.","In some examples, processing refers to isolating of extracting biomarker protein from said sample, said protein suitable for subsequent analysis.","Analysis includes, but is not limited to, performing an analyte assay with said processed sample.","For example, performing an analyte binding assay configured to detect a biomarker in said processed tumor sample by introducing the processed tumor sample into an assay instrument which (i) contacts a reagent which specifically binds for detection of the biomarker within the tumor sample, and (ii) generates one or more assay results indicative of binding of said biomarker.","As noted herein, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.","In some examples, the analyte binding assay in an immunoassays.","In some examples, said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.","In some example said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.","In some example, the analyte binding assay comprises detecting said biomarker RNA, include but limited to, using RT-PCT or in situ hybridization.","The assay results may be quantitative or semi-quantitative.","Additional specific examples of processing comprises formalin fixing, or paraffin-embedding, or both formalin fixing and paraffin-embedding, said sample.","Treatment of said subject may comprise surgical resection of thyroid and lymph nodes, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.","Radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy or external beam radiotherapy.","Chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","Treatment may comprise administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.","In some examples said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.","In some examples said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","The methods described herein are useful in the modulation of PTC progression.","As used herein, the term “modulation of PTC progression” refers to the ability of a compound to increase or decrease the likelihood that a PTC will progress to an aggressive prostate cancer and/or will metastasize.","Generally, compounds therapeutically useful are those that decrease the likelihood of PTC progression.","Accordingly, in one example, a subject identified with a likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC is treated so as to modulated PTC progression, and in particular to decrease the likelihood of PTC progression.","In one example, inhibition of PDGFRα reduces the likelihood of a patient with PTC developing metastases.","In a specific example, a subject identified with a likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC is treated with an inhibitor of PDGFRα.","There is provided a method for the treatment of a subject with a likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC, comprising administering to said subject an inhibitor of PDGFRα.","Inhibitors of PDGFRα include, but are not limited to, RNA interference molecules, small molecules, nucleic acids, antibodies, peptides, pharmaceutical compositions, and/or aptamers.","Examples of RNA interference molecules include a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.","The term siRNA (short interfering RNA) or siRNA duplexes, as used herein has the same meaning as typically in the art.","i.e.","the term siRNA refers to double stranded RNA complex.","Often, the complex has 3′-overhangs.","In one example, siRNA are commercially available.","Pharmaceutical compositions include, but are not limited to, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.","A compound or composition may be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, either simultaneously or sequentially.","Methods of the present invention are conveniently practiced in the form of a kit.","Such a kit preferably contains antibodies for PDGFRα and instructions for the use thereof.","In a specific example, the kit further comprises at least one control sample for PDGFRα.","As described herein, there is provided a kit for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, comprising: a) instructions for determining the amount of PDGFRα in a sample from said patient; b) a reagent for measuring the amount PDGFRα in said sample, wherein in the case in which said patient sample is determined to have “2+” or strong expression (i.e., strong expression of PDGFR-α), said patient is identified as a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.","In one example, said reagent is an antibody to PDGFRα.","In one example positive and/or negative control samples are also included in the kit.","As described herein, there is provided systems for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent which specifically binds for detection of PDGFR-α in a tumor sample from a patient with thyroid cancer, and b) an assay instrument configured to receive a tumor sample and contact the reagent with the tumor sample, and to generate one or more assay result indicative of binding said reagent with the PDGRF-α within the tumor sample which is assayed for specific binding.","To gain a better understanding of the invention described herein, the following examples are set forth.","It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only.","Therefore, they should not limit the scope of this invention in anyway.","EXAMPLES Example I Patients and Methods Patient Specimens Ethics approval was obtained through the University of Alberta Heath Research Ethics Board ID Pro00018758.Specimens prepared for primary cell culture were placed in culture media within 10 minutes of devascularisation.","For tissue banking specimens were placed in OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature compound) within 20 minutes of devascularisation and snap frozen in liquid N2.For the tissue array with paraffin specimens, a total of 124 patients were selected with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 66 without and 58 with lymphatic metastases.","In all cases patients had a total thyroidectomy with a level VI lymph node dissection such that histopathology could be used to document the true node negative cases that complemented our clinical assessment via ultrasound.","Both primary tumor specimens and matching nodal metastases were available in 13 cases.","Cases included were all papillary thyroid carcinoma in the absence of any aggressive variants such as insular or tall cell papillary thyroid cancer.","Two pathologists separately assessed the specimens to document primary tissue diagnosis as well as the presence of lymphatic metastases in nodes sectioned.","Immunohistochemistry Immunohistochemistry was performed using standard techniques.","Briefly, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 4 μM thickness were deparaffinized and rehydrated.","The antibodies used for the Western blots and for staining the paraffin tissue arrays as follows: antibodies against Akt, phospho-Akt (Ser473), PDGFR-α, phospho-PDGFR-α/β (Tyr849)/β (Tyr857), p44/42MAPK/ERK, and phospho-p44/42 MAPK/ERK (Thr202/Tyr204) were all purchased from Cell Signalling Technology (Danvers, Mass., USA).","The PDGFR-β antibody was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, (Santa Cruz, USA).","Heat-induced epitope retrieval was performed using citrate buffer (pH 6.0) and pressure cooked in a microwave for 20 minutes.","The endogenous peroxidase activity was blocked using 3% H2O2 in methanol for 10 minutes.","Tissue sections were then incubated with The PDGFR-α and -β overnight at 4° C. in a humidified chamber.","After 2 washes with PBS, tissue slides were incubated with biotinylated linked universal secondary antibody and subsequently with streptavidin-HRP complex as per the manufacturer's instructions (LSAB+ system, Dako).","Tissue sections were incubated with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine/H2O2 (Dako) for color development and counter-stained with hematoxylin.","Marker Scoring and Statistical Analysis Evaluation of immunostaining was performed without knowing the clinical outcome and the other staining results.","The cytoplasmic expression of PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β l was assessed for each case, in triplicate, as 2+ (strong staining), 1+ (moderate staining), 0 (minimal staining).","Nuclear staining was found in all specimens and not scored.","The correlations for staining were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.","Sample cores on the tissue array that were fragmented or incomplete were not scored.","Cell Culture TPC-1, KTC-1, BCPAP experimental cell lines were all generously provided by Dr. Ezzat, University of Toronto.","8305C was purchased from DSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany).","RET/PTC, BRAF and RAS mutation status as outlined in Table 1 and cell origin confirmed using Pax-8 and TTF-1 staining (Table 1).45 RPMI 1640 was purchased from Life Technologies (Grand Island, N.Y.).","Standard fetal bovine serum (FBS) was purchased from Hyclone (Logan, Utah, USA).","Trypsin-EDTA containing 0.25% trypsin, and PDGF-BB were purchased from GIBCO (Invitrogen, Grand Island, N.Y., USA).","Sunitinib malate was purchased from TORCIS Bioscience (Ellisville Mo.","USA).","Primary cell culture and experimental cell lines were maintained in RPMI 1640 media supplemented with 10% FBS.","The cells were seeded in a 100-mm culture dish and were grown in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator.","For PDGF-BB stimulation (25 ng/ml), cells were grown to about 80% confluence and incubated in serum-free medium overnight prior to each experiment.","MAP1C/ERK inhibitors U0126 and PD98059 were purchased from Calbiochem (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).","PI3K/Akt inhibitor 1y294002was purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, Mass., USA).","Cells that were treated with inhibitors were given varying concentrations: U0126; 2 umol/L and 10 umol/L; Ly294002 10 umol/L and 25 umol/L; Sunitinib 0.25 umol/L.","In all cases, unless otherwise indicated the inhibitors were given to cells and 60 minutes later the PDGF-BB was added to the cultures followed by Western blot analysis.","Western Blot Analyses Cells were lysed in RIPA buffer [150 mM NaCl, 100 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 1% Triton X-100, 1% deoxycholic acid, 0.1% SDS, 5 mM EDTA, and 10 mM NaF] supplemented with 1 mM sodium vanadate, 2 mM leupeptin, 2 mM aprotinin, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 1 mM DTT, 2 mM pepstatin, and 1:100 protease inhibitor cocktail set III on ice.","After centrifugation at 4° C. at 18,000 rpf for 15 mM, the supernatant was harvested as the total cellular protein extracts and stored at −80° C. The protein concentration was determined using Bio-Rad protein assay reagent (Richmond, Va., USA).","Running samples were prepared by adding a sample reducing agent and SDS sample buffer, incubating at 98° C. for 5 min.","Aliquots of protein extract samples were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane.","Membranes were blocked with 5% nonfat dry milk in 1× TBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 for 60 min, followed by incubation with primary antibodies 4° C. overnight.","Protein bands were detected by incubation with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibodies (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill., USA) and visualized with SuperSignal West Pico chemiluminescence substrate (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, Ill., USA).","Short Interfering RNA (siRNA) and Transfections siRNA for PDGFR-α and scrambled siRNA were purchased from Siegen (Foster, Calif., USA).","Transient transfections of TCP-1, 8305C cells (3×106 cells) were performed using the Electro square electroporator BTX ECM 800 (225V, 8.5 ms, 3 pulses).","1 nmol/L of siRNA or scrambled control was used 3 million of TPC-1 and 8305C cells.","The efficiency of target gene inhibition was assessed after 48 hours transfection by using Western blotting.","Transwell Migration/Invasion and Cell Growth Assays As previously described, Cytoselect™ 96-well cell invasion assay kit was used (Cell Biolabs, San Diego, Calif., USA) to assess cell invasiveness according to the manufacturer's protocol.46 Briefly, TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C after transfected with either PDGFRα siRNA or scramble siRNA, 10000 cells were starved overnight and added to the inserts, PDGF-BB was added to some wells at the concentration of 25 ng/mL, PDGF-BB was added 1 h later for inhibitors, sunitinib (0.2 umol/L), Ly294002 (10 umol/L) and (U0126) 2 umol/L,cells were seeded into the insert plate for 16 hours, the invasive cells passed through basement membrane layer to the bottom and dissociated from membrane by the addition of cells detachment buffer, the invasive cells were lysed and followed by quantification using CyQuant OR fluorescent Dye.","For cell viability analysis 10000 cells were seeded per well and cultured for 16 hours.","MTS assay (Promega, Madison, USA) was then performed in 4 replicates followed manufacturer's instructions.","PTC cell lines transfected with PDGFR specific siRNA or scrambled control were plated at a density of 10,000 or 20,000/ml and cultured for 5 days.","Cell counts were done on days 2, 3 and 5 using trypan blue (Sigma-Aldrich, Oakville, Canada) and results expressed as total number of viable cells.","MTS assay was done in 7 replicates as per manufacturer's instructions.","The absorbance was recorded by a BioRad spectrophotometer at day 5 of cell culture.","Statistical Analysis Data were expressed as the mean±S.E.","from a minimum of three independent experiments.","Statistical analyses were performed with a completely random design one-way ANOVA.","The correlations between PDGFR and the other biological markers were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.","Statistical tests are two-tailed with a P value <0.05 considered to be statistically significant.","The SAS computer program SAS (r) 9.2 (TS1M0) was used to perform the analysis Results PDGFR-α Expression, but not PDGFR-β, is Associated with Lymphatic Metastases in Papillary Thyroid Cancer We examined PDGFR-α and β expression in a tissue array of papillary thyroid cancer including primary tumor specimens with (n=58) and without (n=66) nodal metastases with representative sections shown in FIG.","1.FIG.","1 shows representative immunohistochemical stains of PDGFR-α in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) primary tumors without nodal metastases at low power (A) (100×) and high power (B) (400×).","Primary tumors with nodal metastases are shown (C) (100×) and (D) (400×).","Cytoplasmic staining demonstrates much higher levels of PDGFR-α in node-positive (C and D) primary tumor specimens as opposed to node-negative specimens (A and B).","All patients had a level 6 lymph node dissection to best assess the possibility of lymphatic metastases.","Included in the array were neighboring, normal thyroid tissue cores (n=32) and matching nodal thyroid cancer metastases from 13 primary tumors.","For PDGFR-α, in primary tumors without lymphatic metastases, a small fraction of the tumors were positive (16%) but most of the staining was weak at 1+ (Table 2).","However, in primary tumors with lymph node metastases the majority (83%) of the tumors were positive for PDGFR-α expression (p=0.003) (Table 2).","Moreover, nodal deposits in all but one case are positive for PDGFR-α with most cases exhibiting strong staining (Table 2).","PDGFR-β staining in primary tumor specimens demonstrated significantly different results.","PDGFR-β staining did not follow a pattern with respect to the absence or presence of nodal metastases.","Approximately 90% of all tumors, a nearly equal fraction of lymph node negative and lymph node positive cases, stained for PDGFR-α and staining qualitatively was also very similar (p=0.82) (see Table 2).","Nodal metastases also commonly expressed PDGFR-β (>90%).","Expression of PDGFR-α and -β was undetectable in most (95%+) of the non-neoplastic, normal thyroid tissue (Table 2).","TABLE 2 Percentage (%) of specimens staining for PDGFR-α and -β in normal thyroid, papillary thyroid cancer primary tumors and nodal metastases.","Stain Scoring 0 1+ 2+ PDGFR-α benign thyroid (n = 35) 97 3 0 node negative primary (n = 66) 84 12 4 node positive primary (n = 58) 17 39 44 lymph node metastasis (n = 13) 8 23 69 PDGFR-β benign thyroid (n = 35) 94 6 0 node negative primary (n = 66) 13 30 57 node positive primary (n = 58) 11 42 47 lymph node metastasis (n = 13) 8 8 84 To further assess differences in PDGFR-α and -β expression, we examined a cohort of freshly prepared PTC tumors isolated at operative resection, with and without nodal metastases.","PDGFR (α and β) configuration and nodal involvement was determined in 14 cases that included level 6 lymph node dissections as shown in FIG.","2.FIG.","2 shows Western blots of PDGFR-α and -β in patient primary tumors lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) compared to those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section).","Corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section.","PDGFR-α is expressed primarily in primary tumors with metastatic disease and corresponding metastatic deposits (P=0.007).","In contrast, PDGFR-β status does not correlate with metastatic disease.","Patient #7 has sarcoidosis which induces nodal proliferation and is a benign cause for increased levels of PDGFR-α.","The analysis was completed in all cases from freshly prepared tumor specimens.","TPC-1 included as an internal control.","Only 2 of 7 primary tumors without nodal metastases expressed PDGFR-α (patient #5 and #7).","In fact the only clearly positive result expressing PDGFR-α (patient #7) was a false positive due to an unexpected case of sarcoidosis with fibrotic reactions in all of the nodes removed as documented clearly on pathology.47,48 In 7 of 7 primary tumors with nodal metastases we observe PDGFR-α expression.","Even if we include the likely false positive (patient #7) and the very weak staining in patient #5, the difference in number of positive cases for PDGFR-α between node− (2/7) and node+ (7/7) cases is significant (P=0.02).","All of the nodal metastases examined express PDGFR-α although the levels vary significantly (FIG.","2).","Similar to what we observed in the tissue array, PDGFR-β expression does not appear to be linked to metastases in this patient cohort (FIG.","2).","All but one of the specimens (patient #2) exhibited PDGFR-β staining but again the levels vary significantly between cases.","PDGFR-α Activation is Associated with MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways Current models for receptor tyrosine kinase signalling involve both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways.39 To assess the role of each of these signal transduction pathways in metastatic PTC, we used primary cell culture to examine MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt activation in PTC metastatic tumour specimens.","FIG.","3 shows Western blot of primary cell culture obtained from a lymph node specimen with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer confirmed by histology.","The results show activated PDGFR-α (phospho-PDGFR) when stimulated with PDGF-BB with concomitant activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway as demonstrated by increasing levels of phospho-Akt.","The stimulatory effect can be blocked by sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.","Activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway (phospho-ERK) is present but to a much smaller degree in this semi-quantitative experiment.","Shown in FIG.","3 is a primary cell cultures of PTC metastatic tumour stimulated PDGF-BB with and without sunitinib to assess the effect of TKI therapy on PDGFR activation and downstream signaling.","We observed significant increases in phospho-Akt, consistent with activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and a small increase in phospho-ERK (MAPK/ERK pathway) with PDGF-138 stimulation of these cultured tumor cells (FIG.","3).","Activation of both pathways was completed blocked with the addition of multikinase inhibitor sunitinib.","Having demonstrated the concept that both pathways may be activated in metastatic PTC, we examined the status of both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in the 14 patients previously screened for PDGFR-α and -β.","In FIG.","4, Western blots show the activation status of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in primary tumours lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) and those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section).","Corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section.","The analysis was completed in all cases from freshly prepared tumour specimens.","TPC-1 cell line used internal control for the different membranes.","Shown in FIG.","4 is a representative Western blot documenting activation of both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in all of the PTC primary tumors, with and without metastases.","Typically we observed that both pathways are operative although in one case (patient #14) activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway was minimal.","PDGFR-α Activation Increases Invasive Potential in PTC Cell Lines and can be Blocked with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Having demonstrated a strong correlation between PDGFR-α and nodal metastases in clinical specimens, PTC experimental cell lines were surveyed for differences in PDGFR receptor expression.","We show here that there is a differential expression of PDGFR subtypes depending on the cell line (FIG.","5).","In FIG.","5, Western blot of PDGFR configuration in the papillary thyroid cancer cell lines is shown.","TPC-1 is the only cell line with both alpha and beta subunits of PDGFR.","The KTC-1 cell line represents an important naíve control for our experimental series.","All cell lines express PDGF-BB ligand.","Cell line integrity and origin was confirmed using thyroid-specific markers Pax-8 and TTF-1 (Table 1).","TPC-1 has both PDGFR-α and -β receptor isoforms, BCPAP has only PDGFR-β, 8305C only exhibits PDGFR-α and the KTC-1 cell line does not have either subunit.","Using the Cytoselect™ invasion assay and in the presence of PDGFR ligand PDGF-BB, known to bind all subunits of PDGFR, we demonstrate significant differences in invasion potential of the cell lines depending on the configuration of the PDGFR.","We also examined the effect of TKI blockade on invasive potential in these cell lines.","In PTC-1 and 8305C, two cell lines with PDGFR-α, PDGF-BB stimulation lead to a significant increase in invasive potential (FIG.","6).","Cytoselect assay results (in triplicate) for invasive potential of TPC-1 (A), 8305C (B), and BCPAP (C) cell lines as shown in FIG.","6.The cell lines with the PDGFR-α subunit (TPC-1 and 8305C) demonstrated increased invasive potential with PDGF-BB stimulation, but not the BCPAP line which has only PDGFR-β.","Sunitinib virtually completely abates any change in invasive potential with PDGF-BB stimulation of PDGFR.","Sunitinib does not alter invasive potential without PDGF-BB stimulation in any of the cell lines.","The addition of sunitinib, a multikinase inhibitor, abated any change in invasive potential as a result of PDGF-BB stimulation for both cell lines (FIG.","6).","Conversely, the BCPAP cell line (PDGFR-β only) did not exhibit any change in invasive potential (FIG.","6).","The effect of sunitinib on cell growth for all of the cell lines in the absence of PDGF-BB stimulation was not significant (FIG.","6).","KTC-1 also did not exhibit any change in invasive potential with PDGF-BB stimulation and increasing levels of PDGF-BB or longer periods of stimulation did not alter these results (not shown).","Selective Knockdown of PDGFR-α with siRNA Disrupts Invasive Potential We used siRNA to disrupt expression of PDGFR-α and examined the subsequent effect on the invasive potential of cell lines exhibiting PDGFR-α and -β (TPC-1) or only PDGFR-α (8305C).","Cytoselect invasion assays with or without PDGFR-α siRNA for TPC-1 cell line (A) with corresponding cell viability assessment (B) are shown in FIG.","7.Invasion assays for 8305C cell line with PDGFR-α siRNA shown in (C) with corresponding cell viability experiment (D).","The results strongly suggest that the PDGFR-α, but not -β, is essential to mediating increased invasive potential.","siRNA significantly reduces PDGFR-α expression as shown in the accompanying Western blot.","RFU refers to relative fluorescence units.","Shown in FIG.","7 are invasion assays in TPC-1 transfected with PDGFR-α siRNA (FIG.","7A) with corresponding cell viability assessments (FIG.","7B).","Two different PDGFR-α siRNA constructs were nearly equally effective at decreasing PDGFR-α protein expression in TPC-1 cells as shown in the inset Western blots (FIG.","7A).","For the invasion assay in TPC-1 cells using PDGFR-α siRNA1, increases in invasive potential triggered by PDGF-BB stimulation were virtually completely disrupted (FIG.","7A).","PDGFR-α siRNA alone did not significantly change invasive potential relative to the controls with scramble RNA.","Cell viability was not affected in any of the experiments (FIG.","7B).","Qualitatively and quantitatively similar results were seen with siRNA blockade of PDGFR-α in 8305C cells (FIG.","7C).","PDGFR-α siRNA could block PDGF-BB mediated increases in invasive potential but no effect was seen in the absence of PDGF-BB.","With or without PDGF-BB stimulation, scramble or siRNA constructs had no effect on cell viability (FIG.","7D).","PDGFR-α siRNA1 construct was more effective at reducing PDGFR-α protein levels and was used for these experiments in 8305C cells (inset FIG.","7C).","PDGFR-α Activation and Increased Invasion Potential is Mediated by both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt Pathways Using Western blots we demonstrate a link between PDGFR activation and up-regulation of both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in TPC-1 and 8305C cell lines.","We also examine the impact of sunitinib treatment on signal transduction in these cell lines.","The corresponding Western blots of the TPC-1 (A) and 8305C (B) cell lines for the invasion assay as shown in FIG.","6, is presented in FIG.","8.Both TPC-1 and 8305C specimens show activation of PDGFR-α (phospho-PDGFR) with corresponding up-regulation of both the PI3K/Akt (phospho-Akt) and MAPK/ERK (phospho-ERK) pathways.","Sunitinib completely disrupts PDGFR activation and corresponding up-regulation of downstream MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways.","The time-dependent changes in activation of PDGFR-α and downstream signaling pathways are shown for TPC-1 in (C).","It is clear that the activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways is essentially simultaneous.","Shown in FIG.","8 are the Western blots for (A) TPC-1 and (B) 8305C cell lines examining activation of PDGFR as well as the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathways.","For both cell lines PDGF-BB stimulation leads to strong up-regulation phospho-PDGFR-α/β, phospho-Akt, and phospho-ERK.","The degree of up-regulation for the MAPIC/ERK pathway was higher in TPC-1 cells than in 8305C which exhibits a small increase in phospho-ERK (FIG.","8).","This is likely due to the fact that the MAPK/ERK pathway in 8305C is constitutively activated with its known BRAF mutation (Table 1).","It may indicate that activation of PI3K/Akt by BRAF, if operative, does not alter the responsiveness of this pathway to PDGFR signaling.","The addition of sunitinib, which we saw previously abated changes in invasive potential in TPC-1 and 8305C cell lines, completely blocks activation of PDGFR-α/β with corresponding significant decreased activity in both the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways (FIG.","8).","To confirm that activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways occurred on a similar timescale, we stimulated TPC-1 cells with PDGF-BB and followed expression of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK over time (FIG.","8C).","We demonstrate that PDGF-BB stimulation leads to virtually simultaneous increases in phospho-PDGFR-α/β, phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK within 5 minutes.","Both pathways are maximally activated within 15 minutes and levels slowly return to baseline near 60 minutes.","TABLE 1 Experimental papillary thyroid cancer cell lines Cell Lines Histology RET/PTC BRAF PAX8 TTF1 TPC-1 PTC + wt High Low BCPAP PTC − V600E High High KTC-1 PTC − wt High High 8305C PTC/ATC − V600E Low High We also examined if both the MAPK/EKR and PI3K/Akt pathways are important in mediating changes in invasion potential triggered by PDGFR activation.","We used pharmacologic blockade of either the PI3K/Akt or MAPK/ERK pathways in TPC-I cells and assessed invasion potential as shown in FIG.","9.Disrupted invasive potential of TPC-1 cells with small molecule inhibition of (A) PI3K/Akt (Ly294002) or (B) MAPK/ERK (U0126) pathways with Western blots confirming decreased protein expression is shown in FIG.","9.The invasive assay (C) confirms that blockade of either pathway is sufficient to abrogate increases in invasive potential mediated by PDGF-BB stimulation.","Cell viability is not significantly altered by the small molecule inhibitors and does not confound our results (D).","RFU=relative fluorescence units.","Western blots of PI3K/Akt blockade (Ly294002) and MAPK/ERK blockade (U0126) in PDGF-BB stimulated TPC-1 cells are shown in FIG.","9.It is clear that blockade of either pathway prevents PDGF-BB mediated increases in invasive potential of the TPC-1 cell line (FIG.","9C).","For both pathways, the blockade was nearly complete relative to controls and the viability of the cell lines was not significantly altered.","Based on this data, and the Western blots outlined above (FIG.","8), it appears that both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways play an important role in mediating the effects of PDGFR activation and increased invasive potential.","Discussion As shown herein, PDGFR-α is strongly associated with lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.","Also, PDGFR-β does not appear to be linked to metastatic disease despite the fact it is clearly expressed in the majority of cancer specimens we surveyed.","Neither the α- or β-subunits is expressed at significant levels in normal thyroid tissue.","The association of PDGFR-α with a more aggressive, metastatic phenotype in PTC patient specimens was mirrored in studies of invasive potential in PTC experimental cell lines.","We demonstrate that PDGFR-mediated changes in invasive potential are directly and strongly related to the presence of PDGFR-α in the different cell lines (FIG.","6).","Cell lines with only PDGFR-β did not demonstrate increased invasive potential with PDGFR activation, nor did cell lines with both PDGFR-α and -β that had selective siRNA knockdown PDGFR-α (FIG.","7).","While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed the α-subunit is important in conveying increased invasive potential and the presence, or absence, of PDGFR-β does not appear modify invasive potential in response to PDGF-BB stimulation.","The differential expression of PDGFR and its association with disease progression has important diagnostic considerations and implications for therapy in the choice and design of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat metastatic thyroid cancer.","Treatment of metastatic PTC, that in many cases may be resistant to radioactive iodine, is problematic with significant morbidity incurred by patients through repeated surgical resections or high-dose radioactive iodine treatments.","Although comprising a relatively small proportion of thyroid cancer patients, these individuals suffer disproportionately and radioactive iodine resistance in thyroid cancer has prompted trials using tyrosine kinase inhibitors to address these difficult cases as reviewed by Gild et al.39 The drugs used thus far include axitinib, motesanib, sorafenib, and sunitinib.","The rationale for selecting these drugs in treating thyroid cancer has essentially been empirical, relying on observations in breast and colon cancer.40-42 Most of these drugs are multikinase inhibitors that target the different PDGFR and VEGFR to varying degrees and in some cases it is not clear which receptor subgroup is most effectively targeted.","Objective responses to TKI therapy in thyroid cancer vary anywhere between zero and 55% but because of the small number of patients treated in these trials, the varying treatment regimes and different outcome measures, it is difficult to draw conclusions.39,40 Sorafenib and sunitinib appear to have favourable outcomes and acceptable side-effect profiles that permit ongoing use and further phase III trials.38,43.As shown herein, PDGFR-α/β signaling is mediated by both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in PTC.","The cell line experiments herein demonstrate that increased invasive potential mediated by PDGF signaling requires the activity of both pathways.","The time course for activation of both pathways was very similar with PDGF-BB stimulation in TPC-1 cells and disruption of either pathway, using small molecule inhibitors, was sufficient to completely abrogate any change in invasive potential with PDGFR activation (FIG.","9).","We also show that sunitinib, through blockade of PDGFR signaling, can down-regulate signaling through both pathways effectively.","In summary, PDGFR-α is associated with lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.","The selective and strong expression of the a-subunit, but not PDGFR-β, in primary tumors with lymphatic metastases permits an immunohistochemical test to aid in identifying patients with occult metastases.","PDGFR-α also appears to confer increased invasive potential in papillary thyroid cancer cell lines with PDGF-BB stimulation.","Downstream signaling is mediated through both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways and disruption of either pathway can mitigate the effects of PDGFR-activation on cell invasion potential.","Example II Patients and Methods Patient Specimens Ethics approval was obtained through the University of Alberta Heath Research Ethics Board ID Pro00018758.Specimens prepared for primary cell culture or tissue banking were placed in culture media or OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature compound), respectively, within 10 minutes of devascularisation.","For the tissue array with paraffin specimens, a total of 124 patients were selected with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 66 without and 58 with lymphatic metastases.","In all cases patients had a total thyroidectomy with a level VI lymph node dissection such that histopathology could be used to document the true node negative cases.","Two pathologists separately assessed the specimens to document primary tissue diagnosis as well as the presence of lymphatic metastases in nodes sectioned.","Reagents and Antibodies The Mek inhibitor U0126 and PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 were from Cell Signaling (Danvers, USA) and used at 10 and 50 uM respectively.","Sunitinib malate was purchased from TORCIS Bioscience (Ellisville, USA) and used at 0.25 umol/L.","STAT3 inhibitor was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, (Santa Cruz, USA).","Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) was purchased from Molecular Probes.","The following antibodies were used for immunoblotting and for staining the paraffin tissue arrays: phospho-Erk1/2(Thr 202/Tyr204) (E10: #9106), Akt (#9272), phospho-Akt (Ser473) (587F11: #4051), PDGFR-α (D1E1E:#3174), phospho-PDGFR-α/β (Tyr849)/(Tyr857) (C43E9: #3170), were all from Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, USA).","The PDGFR-β antibody and total Erk1 antibody (K-23: sc94) were from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, (Santa Cruz, USA).","Cell Culture TPC-1 and BCPAP experimental cell lines were generously provided by Dr. S. Ezzat, University of Toronto, Canada.","8305C was purchased from DSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany).","RET/PTC (TPC-1) and BRAF (BCPAP, 8305C) mutation status and thyroid cell origin was confirmed using Pax-8 and TTF-1 staining.37 Primary cell culture and experimental cell lines were maintained in RPMI 1640 media supplemented with 10% FBS.","Western Blot Analyses Cells were lysed in RIPA buffer [150 mM NaCl, 100 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 1% Triton X-100, 1% deoxycholic acid, 0.1% SDS, 5 mM EDTA, and 10 mM NaF] supplemented with 1 mM sodium vanadate, 2 mM leupeptin, 2 mM aprotinin, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 1 mM DTT, 2 mM pepstatin, and 1:100 protease inhibitor cocktail set III on ice.","After centrifugation at 4° C. at 18,000 rpf for 15 min, the supernatant was harvested as the total cellular protein extracts, aliquoted and stored at −80° C. The protein concentration was determined using Bio-Rad protein assay reagent (Richmond, USA).","Aliquots of protein extract samples were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane.","Membranes were blocked with 5% nonfat milk in TBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 for 60 min, followed by incubation with primary antibodies 4° C. overnight.","Protein bands were detected by incubation with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibodies (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill., USA) and visualized with SuperSignal West Pico chemiluminescence substrate (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, Ill., USA).","Short Hairpin (shRNA) Stable Transductions To selectively and stably silence the expression of the PDGFR-alpha and-beta receptors in the TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C cell lines we used the HuSH-29 shRNA Vector system (HuSH-29 shRNA Retroviral Vector Systems; OriGene Technologies, Inc.).","Briefly, to silence the expression of the PDGFR-alpha receptor PTC cells were transduced with the pRS shRNA retrovirus system (Pure+) followed by selection in puromycin (2.5 ug/mL).","Resistant cells were assessed by western blot to select the sequences that produced the higest levels of protein expression knock-down.","The sequences used for these studies were GATGCCTGGCTAAGAATCTCCTTGGAGCT for the TPC-1 cell line and AGTTCCACCTTCATCAAGAGAGAGGACGA for the 8305C cell line.","To selectively knock down the PDGFR-beta receptor were transduced with the pGFP-BR-S shRNA retrovirus system (BSD+) followed by selection in blasticidin (500 ug/mL).","Resistant cells were again assessed by western blot to select the sequences that produced the higest levels of protein expression knock-down.","The sequences selected for these studies were TGCCTCCGACGAGATCTATGAGATCATGC for the TPC-1 cell line and ACCTTCTCCAGCGTGCTCACACTGACCAA for the BCPAP cell line.","Transient transfections of TCP-1, 8305C cells (3×106 cells) were performed using the Electro square electroporator BTX ECM 800 (225V, 8.5 ms, 3 pulses).","1 nmol/L of siRNA or scrambled control was used in 3 million of TPC-1 and 8305C cells.","The efficiency of target gene inhibition was assessed after 48 hours transfection by using Western blotting.","TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C were transfected with either PDGFR-α siRNA or scramble siRNA, and starved overnight prior test.","siRNA for PDGFR-α and scrambled siRNA were purchased from Siegen (Foster, Calif., USA).","Transfected PTC cell lines were plated at a density of 10,000 or 20,000/ml and cultured for 5 days.","Invasive cells passed through basement membrane layer and dissociated from the membrane using detachment buffer and quantified using CyQuant GR fluorescent dye.","Wound Healing, Clonogenic and Transwell Invasion Assays Cytoselect™ 24-well cell invasion basement membrane assay kit (Cell Biolabs, San Diego, USA) was used to measure the invasive properties of the cells.","Briefly, the stable TPC-1 cell lines were seeded at a density of 3×105 cells/well and cultured for 48 hours, as previously described37.Invasive cells passed through the basement membrane layer, dissociated using detachment buffer and then quantified by means of CyQuant GR fluorescent dye.","Adherent colony formation assays were performed as described (REF#I).","Fifty or 100 cells per well were plated in six-well plates, fed 5% FBS supplemented growth medium and allowed to form colonies for 20 days.","Colonies were stained with 0.5% crystal violet solution in 25% methanol and counted.","The methylcellulose was used assess anchorage-independent growth capabilities of the cell lines.","For the wound healing assay, cells were plated in 6 well plates at 80-90% confluence.","A wound was created by manually scratching the cell monolayer with a p1000 pipet tip.","Cellular debris was washed with PBS and the cells were fed with complete growth medium or serum-free medium.","Images and measurements were acquired at times 0, 20 and 44 hours after wound creation.","Proliferation and Apoptosis Assays To document the effect of PDGFR silencing on proliferation, cultures were incubated in regular or serum-free-medium and enumerated daily for 5 days with an electronic cell counter (Coulter Model Zf).","The MTS assay (Promega, Madison, USA) was also performed in 8-16 replicates after 48 and 72 hours of growth.","Statistical Analysis Data were expressed as the mean±S.E.","from a minimum of three independent experiments.","Statistical analyses were performed with a completely random design one-way ANOVA.","The correlations between protein expression and metastatic status were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.","Statistical tests are two-tailed with a P value <0.05 considered to be statistically significant.","The SAS computer program SAS (r) 9.2 (TS1M0) was used to perform the analysis.","Results II The Experiments of FIG.","10 depict selective knock down of the PDGFR-alpha and -beta subunits in the TPC-1 cell lines.","In Panel (a) protein expression levels were assessed by immunoreactivity to the PDGFR-alpha or PDGFR-beta antibodies.","In Panel (b) activity of signaling molecules in the STAT3, PI3K and MAPK pathways as well as expression of PDGF-BB was documented by immunoblotting with phosphospecific antibodies.","PDGFR-alpha signaling is strongly linked to PI3IC/Akt pathway.","In Panel (c) growth rate was assessed in serum free medium and cells enumerated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours.","In Panel (d) protein expression of thyroid differentiation markers was assessed by immunoreactivity to the TTF-1 and Pax8 antibodies.","It is noted that PDGFR-alpha expression is linked to dedifferentiated cells lacking expression of TTF-1 but when PDGFR-alpha is knocked-down expression of the differentiation marker is restored.","In Panel (e) tumour suppressor protein Rb and cell cycle marker protein D1 were documented by immunoblotting.","While total levels of Rb varied the relative phosphorylated Rb to total Rb ratio did not change significantly indicating that cell cycle was not altered by PDGFR-alpha or -beta expression.","This was confirmed in panel (f) where cells were synchronized at the G1/S border by a double thymidine block then released and followed with propidium iodide staining at the indicated time points and flow cytometry analysis.","There was no difference between the different cell lines expressing PDGFR-alpha or -beta in cell cycle analysis.","Increased cell size and colony formation are indicative features of cancer cells taking on a migratory and more aggressive phenotype.","The experiments of FIG.","11 depict that expression of PDGFR-alpha and knockdown of the PDGFR-beta subunit increases colony formation and cell size.","In Panel (a) TPC-1 colony formation assay demonstrates that PDGFR-alpha, when signaling without PDGFR-beta, induces more colonies to form.","In Panel (b) TPC-1 cell size also increased when PDGFR-alpha is expressed in the absence of PDGFR-beta.","In Panel (c) TPC-1-representative photographs of cells with the various knock-downs of PDGFR-alpha or -beta.","In Panel (d) BCPAP—a decrease is evident in expression of TTF-1 differentiation marker with expression of PDGFR-alpha as assessed by immunoreactivity to the PDGFR-alpha, TTF-1, Pax8 and Akt antibodies.","In Panel (e) as with TPC-1, the cell size increases with PDGFR-alpha expression in BCPAP cells.","In Panel (f) BCPAP—representative photographs.","Scale bar, 50 μm.","The experiments of FIG.","12 depict that cancer cell lines stably expressing shRNA show similar invasive potential as siRNA treatment, namely that PDGFR-alpha subunit alone drives invasive potential in TPC-1 cell lines.","Invasive potential of cells where PDGFR-beta expression is knocked down, but not PDGFR-alpha is increased as shown using the basement membrane cell invasion assay kit.","After 48 hours incubation, invasive cells were dissociated, lysed, and quantified by CyQuant GR Dye.","The experiments of FIG.","13 depict knock down of PDGFR-alpha or -beta subunit results in opposing effects in tumour formation on a mice xenograft model.","Mice (4 or 5 animals per group as indicated) were inoculated with sh NT (Scrambled), sh PDGFR-alpha (alpha knock down) or sh PDGFR-beta (beta knock down) TPC-1-derived cell lines in Matrigel.","The average tumour volume (top panel) and tumour weight (bottom panel) was much higher for mice given cell lines expressing only PDGFR-alpha and statistical significance between groups were calculated 20 days after inoculation.","In the experiments of FIG.","14, Panel (a) shows immunohistochemical pattern of PDGFR subunit expression in the mouse xenografts.","The PDGFR-alpha only tumors are more invasive and demonstrate a more diffuse growth pattern than the more differentiated PDGFR-beta expressing tumors.","Scale bar, 50 μm.","In Panel (b) immunoblots show expression of thyroid markers in the mice xenograft implantations demonstrating that tumors in mice with PDGFR-alpha are dedifferentiated thus lacking TTF-1 expression.","This correlates with the in vitro results.","In the experiments of FIG.","15, there is present the data from analysis of an SABiosciences PI3K/Akt mRNA array demonstrating that PDGFR-alpha mRNA levels in metastatic specimens from human patients are more than 5 times that in primary tumors.","In these experiments RNA was isolated from either primary tumors (“1 tumor”) or metastatic tumors (“Mets”).","The RNA was converted to cDNA, and analyzed using an SABiosciences PCR Array (PI3K-AKT Signaling PCR Array) which contains a preset mix of primers for genes in the signaling pathway (including PDGFα), together with the software to analyze the result.","Discussion II From the foregoing experiments it is evident that expression of PDGFR alpha leads to two main changes in cell lines; the first is that the cells become more invasive as based on invasion assays and secondly, in multiple cell lines, PDGFR alpha leads to dedifferentiation, both of which are associated with more aggressive metastatic tumors.","This was further demonstrated in the experiments in which tumors in mice from transplanted PDGFR alpha expressing thyroid cancer cells were larger by weight and volume than cell lines that only expressed PDGFR beta.","The combination of PDGFR alpha and beta demonstrated an intermediate phenotype compared to the slow growing, less aggressive PDGFR beta only expressing cells and the most aggressive PDGFR alpha only cells.","PDGFR subunits alpha and beta thus modulate the others activity in cells such that the cell phenotype can be determined depending on whether alpha, beta or both subunits is expressed.","This is consistent with the clinical specimens described herein, where most of the thyroid cancers expressed PDGFR beta, regardless of their metastatic status, but only the more aggressive metastatic specimens expressed PDGFR alpha.","Tumors that did not express PDGFR alpha did not typically demonstrate lymphatic metastases.","It was also shown that in human specimens that PDGFR-alpha gene expression levels are more than five times higher in metastases than in primary tumours (P=0.013) (FIG.","15).","REFERENCES 1.Dean D S, Gharib H. 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Twist1-induced invadopodia formation promotes tumor metastasis.","Cancer Cell.","2011;19:372-86.All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this Specification are indicative of the level of skill those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains and are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.","The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways.","Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modification as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHODS, KITS, AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF METASTATIC PAPILLARY THYROID CANCER\",\n \"Provided herein are methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, and the treatment of such a subject.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-46.\",\n \"(canceled) 47.A method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting the processed sample with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; d) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and e) administering a treatment for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α, wherein said treatment comprises administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject; and surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"48.The method of claim 47, wherein said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.\",\n \"49.The method of claim 47, wherein said analyte binding assay is an immunoassay.\",\n \"50.The method of claim 49, wherein said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.\",\n \"51.The method of claim 47, wherein said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.\",\n \"52.The method of claim 51, wherein said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.\",\n \"53.The method of claim 50, wherein said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system or a manual system.\",\n \"54.The method of claim 47, wherein said assay results are quantitative or semi-quantitative.\",\n \"55.The method of claim 47, wherein said processing comprises formalin fixing said sample, paraffin-embedding said sample, snap freezing said sample, treating said sample to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"56.The method of claim 47, wherein said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"57.The method of claim 47, wherein said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.\",\n \"58.The method of claim 57, wherein said tyrosine kinase inhibitor is sorafenib, sunitinib, axitinib, or motesanib.\",\n \"59.The method of claim 47, wherein said inhibitor comprises an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, a nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamer, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"60.The method of claim 59, wherein said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Clinical or radiographic identification of thyroid nodules requires assessment for malignancy through tissue biopsy.\",\n \"1,2 Typically obtained through fine needle aspiration (FNA), thyroid nodule biopsy can distinguish cancer from benign disease in approximately 65% of cases in large series and is considered essential in the workup of any thyroid nodule.\",\n \"1,3 Improvements in the accuracy of tissue biopsy have utilized ultrasound and a standardized pathology reporting system.\",\n \"4 Efforts to extend the utility of this tissue resource are now focused primarily on molecular methods to better predict the natural history of disease and tailor patient therapy.\",\n \"5 Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), comprising more than 80% of all thyroid cancer cases, has a high propensity for spread within the lymphatic system.\",\n \"6 However, one important limitation of current FNA assessment is that no information is provided on the metastatic potential of thyroid malignancy.\",\n \"3,5,7 Up to 30% of papillary thyroid carcinoma cases demonstrate lymphatic metastases which, if untreated through surgery or radioactive iodine ablation, may lead to recurrent disease in the central or lateral neck.\",\n \"6,8-10 Patients with metastatic or recurrent PTC often require multiple surgical resections and radioactive iodine ablative treatments with associated increased morbidity.\",\n \"9-12 Predicting aggressive or metastatic variants through tissue biopsy could direct surgeons to prophylactic neck dissections and guide adjuvant radioiodine therapy to decrease the risk of local and regional recurrence and improve quality-of-life.\",\n \"11-13 In the drive to develop molecular techniques to make more personalized choices for patient diagnosis and therapy, a large number of studies on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway have been undertaken to understand the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer.\",\n \"14,15 It is understood that rearrangements of tyrosine kinase genes RET/PTC and activating mutations of the BRAF or RAS commonly activate the MAPK/ERK pathway.\",\n \"16-18 BRAF, an isoform of a class of serine-threonine kinases, is also a potent activator of this pathway and the V600E mutation is an important and well conserved mutation in papillary thyroid cancer.\",\n \"17 Activating mutations of the RAS genes, namely H-/K-/N-ras, also play an important role in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer through the MAPK/ERK pathway.\",\n \"18,19 Other genotype-phenotype correlations have been undertaken in thyroid cancer using gene arrays to develop predictive tools based on galectin-3, cell cycle proteins and apoptotic markers.\",\n \"19-25 RET/PTC translocations and activating mutations of BRAF and RAS genes are considered clinically relevant markers that have been endorsed for use by the American Thyroid Association in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer when tumor cytology is indeterminate.\",\n \"5,25 At this time these genetic testing regimes are utilized selectively in only a few high-volume centers.\",\n \"While studies of diagnostic biomarkers for thyroid cancer dominate the literature, relatively few studies have examined the pathways and processes mediating lymphatic or distant spread in thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Research into biomarkers for lymphatic metastases reveal a number of changes in cell cycle proteins (cyclin D1), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF), and metalloproteinases (MMP-2) but none are clinically accepted for use.\",\n \"26-29 Platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) are a family of peptides that bind to tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGF subunits α and β) and stimulate cell survival, growth, and proliferation.\",\n \"30 PDGF promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important process in tumor metastases, and complements the function of VEGF in angiogenesis.\",\n \"30,31 It is, therefore, desirable to provide compositions and/methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).\",\n \"This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.\",\n \"No admission is necessarily intended, nor should it be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) obtaining a tumor sample from a subject having thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay configured to detect a biomarker in said processed tumor sample by introducing the processed tumor sample into an assay instrument which (i) contacts a reagent which specifically binds for detection of the biomarker within the tumor sample, and (ii) generates one or more assay results indicative of binding of said biomarker, d) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting the processed sample with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; d) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and e) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample, said processed sample obtained from a subject with thyroid cancer, with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; b) generating a result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and c) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.\",\n \"In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassay.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.\",\n \"In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said processing comprises formalin fixing, paraffin-embedding, snap freezing, treated to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination thereof, said sample.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.\",\n \"In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent which specifically binds for detection of PDGFR-α in a tumor sample from a patient with thyroid cancer, and b) an assay instrument configured to receive a tumor sample and contact the reagent with the tumor sample, and to generate one or more assay result indicative of binding said reagent with the PDGRF-α within the tumor sample which is assayed for specific binding.\",\n \"In some examples, said assay instrument comprises a detector set to detect a complex between said reagent and the PDGFR-α within the tumour sample, and wherein the instrument generates an assay results.\",\n \"In some examples, the reagent is specific for PDGFR-α protein, PDGFR-α transcript, or PDGFR-α activity.\",\n \"In some examples, the system further comprising a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer for said subject when the amount of the PDGFR-α in the sample is greater than that in a control sample.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.\",\n \"In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent for performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from a subject with thyroid cancer with said reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFRα; and b) instructions for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer according to the methods as described herein.\",\n \"In some examples, said reagent comprises an agent which binds to PDGFRα transcript or PDGFRα protein.\",\n \"In some examples, said reagent comprises an antibody.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of an inhibitor of PDGFRα for the treatment of a subject with or suspected of having metastatic or recurrent PTC.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said subject is determined as having or suspected as having metastatic or recurrent PTC by performing a) an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from said subject with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample; and b) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein said subject is determined as having or suspect as having PCT when the amount of the biomarker in said processed sample is greater than a control.\",\n \"In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassays.\",\n \"In some examples, said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.\",\n \"In some examples, said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.\",\n \"In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.\",\n \"In some examples, said processing comprises formalin fixing, or paraffin-embedding, or both formalin fixing and paraffin-embedding, said sample.\",\n \"In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"In some examples, said use further comprising the use of radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\"\n ],\n [\n \"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S.\",\n \"Application No.\",\n \"61/593,414 filed Feb. 1, 2012, the contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention generally relates to compositions and methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), as well as the treatment of such a subject population.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Clinical or radiographic identification of thyroid nodules requires assessment for malignancy through tissue biopsy.1,2 Typically obtained through fine needle aspiration (FNA), thyroid nodule biopsy can distinguish cancer from benign disease in approximately 65% of cases in large series and is considered essential in the workup of any thyroid nodule.\",\n \"1,3 Improvements in the accuracy of tissue biopsy have utilized ultrasound and a standardized pathology reporting system.4 Efforts to extend the utility of this tissue resource are now focused primarily on molecular methods to better predict the natural history of disease and tailor patient therapy.5 Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), comprising more than 80% of all thyroid cancer cases, has a high propensity for spread within the lymphatic system.6 However, one important limitation of current FNA assessment is that no information is provided on the metastatic potential of thyroid malignancy.3,5,7 Up to 30% of papillary thyroid carcinoma cases demonstrate lymphatic metastases which, if untreated through surgery or radioactive iodine ablation, may lead to recurrent disease in the central or lateral neck.6,8-10 Patients with metastatic or recurrent PTC often require multiple surgical resections and radioactive iodine ablative treatments with associated increased morbidity.9-12 Predicting aggressive or metastatic variants through tissue biopsy could direct surgeons to prophylactic neck dissections and guide adjuvant radioiodine therapy to decrease the risk of local and regional recurrence and improve quality-of-life.11-13 In the drive to develop molecular techniques to make more personalized choices for patient diagnosis and therapy, a large number of studies on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway have been undertaken to understand the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer.14,15 It is understood that rearrangements of tyrosine kinase genes RET/PTC and activating mutations of the BRAF or RAS commonly activate the MAPK/ERK pathway.16-18 BRAF, an isoform of a class of serine-threonine kinases, is also a potent activator of this pathway and the V600E mutation is an important and well conserved mutation in papillary thyroid cancer.17 Activating mutations of the RAS genes, namely H-/K-/N-ras, also play an important role in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer through the MAPK/ERK pathway.18,19 Other genotype-phenotype correlations have been undertaken in thyroid cancer using gene arrays to develop predictive tools based on galectin-3, cell cycle proteins and apoptotic markers.19-25 RET/PTC translocations and activating mutations of BRAF and RAS genes are considered clinically relevant markers that have been endorsed for use by the American Thyroid Association in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer when tumor cytology is indeterminate.5,25 At this time these genetic testing regimes are utilized selectively in only a few high-volume centers.\",\n \"While studies of diagnostic biomarkers for thyroid cancer dominate the literature, relatively few studies have examined the pathways and processes mediating lymphatic or distant spread in thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Research into biomarkers for lymphatic metastases reveal a number of changes in cell cycle proteins (cyclin D1), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF), and metalloproteinases (MMP-2) but none are clinically accepted for use.26-29 Platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) are a family of peptides that bind to tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGF subunits α and β) and stimulate cell survival, growth, and proliferation.30 PDGF promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important process in tumor metastases, and complements the function of VEGF in angiogenesis.30,31 It is, therefore, desirable to provide compositions and/methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).\",\n \"This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.\",\n \"No admission is necessarily intended, nor should it be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) obtaining a tumor sample from a subject having thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay configured to detect a biomarker in said processed tumor sample by introducing the processed tumor sample into an assay instrument which (i) contacts a reagent which specifically binds for detection of the biomarker within the tumor sample, and (ii) generates one or more assay results indicative of binding of said biomarker, d) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with thyroid cancer; b) processing said sample; c) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting the processed sample with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; d) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and e) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample, said processed sample obtained from a subject with thyroid cancer, with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and the biomarker present in the sample; b) generating a result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; and c) administering a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer to said subject when the amount of the biomarker in the sample is greater than that in a control sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFR-α.\",\n \"In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassay.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.\",\n \"In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said processing comprises formalin fixing, paraffin-embedding, snap freezing, treated to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination thereof, said sample.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.\",\n \"In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent which specifically binds for detection of PDGFR-α in a tumor sample from a patient with thyroid cancer, and b) an assay instrument configured to receive a tumor sample and contact the reagent with the tumor sample, and to generate one or more assay result indicative of binding said reagent with the PDGRF-α within the tumor sample which is assayed for specific binding.\",\n \"In some examples, said assay instrument comprises a detector set to detect a complex between said reagent and the PDGFR-α within the tumour sample, and wherein the instrument generates an assay results.\",\n \"In some examples, the reagent is specific for PDGFR-α protein, PDGFR-α transcript, or PDGFR-α activity.\",\n \"In some examples, the system further comprising a treatment for papillary thyroid cancer for said subject when the amount of the PDGFR-α in the sample is greater than that in a control sample.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises surgical resection, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"In some examples, said chemotherapy comprises, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"In some examples, said treatment comprises an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.\",\n \"In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent for performing an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from a subject with thyroid cancer with said reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample, wherein said biomarker is PDGFRα; and b) instructions for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer according to the methods as described herein.\",\n \"In some examples, said reagent comprises an agent which binds to PDGFRα transcript or PDGFRα protein.\",\n \"In some examples, said reagent comprises an antibody.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of an inhibitor of PDGFRα for the treatment of a subject with or suspected of having metastatic or recurrent PTC.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said subject is determined as having or suspected as having metastatic or recurrent PTC by performing a) an analyte binding assay comprising contacting a processed sample from said subject with a reagent to form a complex between the reagent and a biomarker present in the sample; and b) generating a result using instrumentation configured to detect said complex, said result indicative of the amount or concentration of said complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein said subject is determined as having or suspect as having PCT when the amount of the biomarker in said processed sample is greater than a control.\",\n \"In some examples, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay in an immunoassays.\",\n \"In some examples, said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.\",\n \"In some examples, said analyte binding assay is an RNA detecting assay.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA detecting assay comprises RT-PCR or in situ hybridization.\",\n \"In some examples, said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.\",\n \"In some examples, said assay results quantitative or semi-quantitative.\",\n \"In some examples, said processing comprises formalin fixing, or paraffin-embedding, or both formalin fixing and paraffin-embedding, said sample.\",\n \"In some examples, said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"In some examples, said use further comprising the use of radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples, said radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.\",\n \"In some examples, wherein said chemotherapy comprises sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 shows representative immunohistochemical stains of PDGFR-α in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) primary tumors without nodal metastases at low power (A) (100×) and high power (B) (400×), primary tumors with nodal metastases are shown (C) (100×) and (D) (400×); FIG.\",\n \"2 shows Western blots of PDGFR-α and -β in patient primary tumors lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) compared to those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section), corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section; FIG.\",\n \"3 shows Western blots of primary cell culture obtained from a lymph node specimen with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer confirmed by histology; FIG.\",\n \"4 shows Western blots documenting the activation status of the MAPK/ERK and P13K/Akt pathways in primary tumours lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) and those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section), and corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section; FIG.\",\n \"5 shows Western blots of PDGFR configuration in the papillary thyroid cancer cell lines; FIG.\",\n \"6 shows Cytoselect assay results (in triplicate) for invasive potential of TPC-1 (A), 8305C (B), and BCPAP (C) cell lines; FIG.\",\n \"7 shows Cytoselect invasion assays with or without PDGFR-α siRNA for TPC-1 cell line (A) with corresponding cell viability assessment (B), invasion assays for 8305C cell line with PDGFR-α siRNA shown in (C) with corresponding cell viability experiment (D); FIG.\",\n \"8 show the corresponding Western blots of the TPC-1 (A) and 8305C (B) cell lines for the invasion assay as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6; FIG.\",\n \"9 shows disrupted invasive potential of TPC-1 cells with small molecule inhibition of (A) PI3K/Akt (Ly294002) or (B) MAPK/ERK (U0126) pathways, and bar graphs in (C) and (D); FIG.\",\n \"10 depicts the selective knock down of the PDGFR-alpha and -beta subunits in the TPC-1 cell lines; FIG.\",\n \"11 shows that knockdown of the PDGFR-beta subunit increases colony formation in the TPC-1 cell line while selective PDGF-alpha expression increases cell size in the TPC-1 and BCPAP cell lines; FIG.\",\n \"12 shows that PDGFR-alpha subunit drives cell migration in TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C cell lines.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 shows knock down of PDGFR-alpha or -beta subunits results in opposing effects in tumour formation on a mice xenograft model; FIG.\",\n \"14 shows immunohistochemical and immunoblot results from mouse xenographts; and FIG.\",\n \"15 shows that PDGFR-alpha mRNA levels are greater in metastatic specimens than in primary tumours.\",\n \"In the Detailed Description that follows, the numbers in bold face type serve to identify the component parts that are described and referred to in relation to the drawings depicting various embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"It should be noted that in describing various embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same of similar elements.\",\n \"Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, parts have been omitted from some figures of the drawings.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION As will be described in more detail below, in one embodiment, there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic cancer, or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent cancer.\",\n \"There is also provided the treatment of such a subject population.\",\n \"In one embodiment, there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.\",\n \"There is also provided methods of treatment of this subject population.\",\n \"In some examples, the subject is at risk for PTC, or is suspected of having PTC, and/or has been diagnosed with PTC.\",\n \"The term “subject at risk for PTC” as used herein, refers to a subject with one or more risk factors for developing PTC.\",\n \"Risk factors include, but are not limited to, gender, age, genetic predisposition, previous incidents with cancer, and pre-existing non-cancer diseases.\",\n \"The term “subject suspected of having PTC” as used herein, refers to a subject that presents one or more symptoms indicative of PTC or that is being screened for PTC (e.g., during an examination).\",\n \"A subject suspected of having PTC may also have one or more risk factors.\",\n \"The term encompasses individuals who have not been tested for PTC, individuals who have received an initial diagnosis (e.g., a CT scan showing a mass) but for whom the stage of cancer is not known, as well as individuals for whom the stage and/or grade of cancer has been determined by a conventional method (e.g., Gleason score).\",\n \"The term also includes patients who have previously undergone therapy for PTC.\",\n \"The term “subject diagnosed with PTC” as used herein, refers to a subject who has been tested and found to have PTC.\",\n \"The diagnosis may be performed using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, biopsy, x-ray, blood test, and the methods of the present invention.\",\n \"The term “subject” or “patient” as used herein, refers to any mammal or non-mammal that would benefit from determining the benefit from treatment, treatment, diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and/or prognosis.\",\n \"In certain examples a subject or patient includes, but is not limited to, humans, farm animals (cows, sheep, pigs, and the like), companion animals (such as cats, dogs and horses, and the like), non-human primates and rodent (such as mice and rats).\",\n \"In a specific embodiment, the subject is a human.\",\n \"The identification of a subject having increased likelihood of developing PTC or having metastatic PCT or recurrent (PTC), indicates that such a subject is a candidate for treatment of such metastatic or recurrent PTC.\",\n \"The term “treatment” as used herein, refers to clinical intervention in an attempt to alter the course of the subject or cell being treated.\",\n \"In non-limiting examples, treatment includes preventing or delaying recurrence of disease, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of any direct or indirect pathological consequences of the disease, preventing metastasis, decreasing the rate of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, and remission or improved prognosis.\",\n \"In some examples such treatment decreases the risk of local and regional recurrence and improves quality-of-life of said subject.\",\n \"Treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma includes, at a minimum, total thyroidectomy with a possible lymph node dissection in the central compartment of the neck to remove local metastatic deposits.\",\n \"The decision to proceed with lymph node dissection is at the discretion of the surgeon and depends on the preoperative investigation including ultrasound and clinical examination.\",\n \"Following surgery radioactive iodine is given to patients especially those patients with tumors larger than 1.5 cm per those patients with concerning features on pathology including signs of vascular and lymphatic invasion in the tumor specimen.\",\n \"External beam radiation therapy may be used in a small percentage of cases if the papillary thyroid carcinoma is extremely aggressive and it is invading outside of the thyroid and involving the muscles in the neck or the trachea or esophagus.\",\n \"In cases of recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma all of the previous treatment modalities including surgery, radioactive iodine, external beam radiotherapy may be used depending on the size and site of recurrence and if it is amenable to surgical resection.\",\n \"In cases that fail these methods of treatment clinical trials (for example Phase I clinical trials) are used to test the possibility that tyrosine kinase inhibitors may slow the growth of the tumor.\",\n \"In one example, treatment of metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC includes, but is not limited to, neck dissections (including prophylactic neck dissections) and/or adjuvant radioiodine therapy.\",\n \"In one example, treatment of metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC includes, but is not limited to, administration of a pharmaceutical composition.\",\n \"In some examples, the pharmaceutical composition is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.\",\n \"In some examples, the pharmaceutical composition comprises sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"Thus, in some examples, the methods as described herein are useful in determining the benefit from treatment of a subject with cancer.\",\n \"The term “cancer” as used herein, refers to or describes the physiological condition in a subject, such as a mammal, that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth In some examples, the methods as described herein are useful in determining the benefit of treatment of a subject with a cancer that is spread via the lymphatic system.\",\n \"Examples include, breast cancer, colon cancer, and PTC.\",\n \"In a specific example said cancer is PTC.\",\n \"The term “determining the benefit from treatment” as used herein, generally refers to assessing whether a patient is a suitable candidate for treatment.\",\n \"The patient may be at risk of having cancer (such as PTC), or suspected of having cancer (such as PTC), or has been diagnosed with cancer (such as PTC), or has an increased likelihood of developing metastatic cancer (such as PTC).\",\n \"In some examples, a patient which is determined to benefit from treatment is a suitable candidate for surgery, and/or radiation therapy (such as radioactive iodine ablation), and/or chemotherapy.\",\n \"There is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic or recurrent cancer, comprising determining the presence of a prognostic marker in a sample of said patient.\",\n \"In another example, there is provided herein a method for identifying a subject with increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic or recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), comprising determining the presence of a prognostic marker in a sample of said patient.\",\n \"In one example, a method as described herein comprises qualitatively or quantitatively determining, analyzing or measuring a biological sample from a subject for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of one or more prognostic marker (or biomarker) associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis and/or therapeutic monitoring of metastatic cancer or recurrent cancer.\",\n \"In a specific example, a method as described herein comprises qualitatively or quantitatively determining, analyzing or measuring a biological sample from a subject for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of one or more prognostic marker (or biomarker) associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis and/or therapeutic monitoring of metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC.\",\n \"The term “prognostic marker” or “biomarker” as used herein refers to a marker that informs about the outcome of a patient in the absence of systemic therapy or portends an outcome different from that of the patients without the marker, despite empiric (not targeted to the marker) systemic therapy.\",\n \"The term “prognosis” as used herein, refers to the prediction of the likelihood of cancer-attributable death or progression, including recurrence, metastatic spread, and drug resistance, of a neoplastic disease, such as PTC.\",\n \"The term “diagnosis” as used herein, refers to the identification of a molecular and/or pathological state, disease or condition, such as the identification of PTC, or other type of cancer.\",\n \"The term “therapeutic monitoring” as used herein refers to the observation of the response of the subject to the treatment administered to it.\",\n \"The determination, analysis or measurement of the biomarker is correlated with the benefit of treatment of PTC in the patient.\",\n \"In some examples, a patient sample is compared to a control sample.\",\n \"In some examples, a control is not used and qualitative or quantitative methods are used to determine the presence or absence, or amount or concentration of the protein of interest.\",\n \"The term “sample” as used herein, encompasses a variety of cells, cell-containing bodily fluids and/or secretions as well as tissues including, but not limited to a cell(s), tissue, whole blood, blood-derived cells, plasma, serum, sputum, mucous, bodily discharge, and combinations thereof, and the like.\",\n \"Methods of obtaining such samples from a subject are known to the skilled worker.\",\n \"As used herein, “obtaining a sample” or “obtaining a biological sample” refers to such methods as will be well known to the skilled worker.\",\n \"A biological sample may be obtained directly or indirectly from the subject.\",\n \"The term “obtaining” a biological sample may comprise receiving a biological sample from an agent acting on behalf of the subject.\",\n \"For example, receiving a biological sample from a doctor, nurse, hospital, medical center, etc., either directly or indirectly, e.g.\",\n \"via a courier or postal service.\",\n \"In some cases the biological sample is obtained from archival repositories.\",\n \"In one example, the methods of the invention are carried out in vitro or ex vivo.\",\n \"Means for enriching for cancer cells in a sample are known in the art.\",\n \"For example, the tissue may be isolated from paraffin or cryostat sections.\",\n \"Cancer cells may also be separated from normal cells by flow cytometry or laser capture microdissection.\",\n \"These, as well as other techniques for separating cancerous from normal cells, are known in the art.\",\n \"In one example, and in the case of PTC, a sample is obtained using fine needle aspirate (FNA).\",\n \"In one example, in determining whether there is strong, moderate or minimal (or absent) amount of the biomarker, the patient sample may be compared to one or more control samples.\",\n \"In one example, a control sample has had known and/or established level of the biomarker.\",\n \"In one example, a control sample is a patient sample that has known and/or established levels of biomarker expression and/or known clinical outcome.\",\n \"In one example, a control is a cell line that has a known amount of biomarker expression.\",\n \"The term “expression”, as used herein, and for example in reference to a biomarker such as PDGFR-α, refers to all indicators of transcriptional expression of the biomarker encoding gene.\",\n \"Such indicators include biomarker transcript products, generated as a result of transcription of the biomarker gene; translation products, including all forms of the biomarker protein, generated as a result of translation of the biomarker transcripts; and demonstrable or otherwise measurable biomarker activity.\",\n \"As used herein, “biomarker protein”, includes, but is not limited to, full-length proteins, mature proteins, pre-proteins, polypeptides, isoforms, mutations, variants, post-translationally modified proteins and variants thereof.\",\n \"Biomarker protein detection is know to the skilled worker, and is discussed herein.\",\n \"Biomarker transcripts or mRNA can be measured using any of many techniques known to those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, northern hybridization, PCR, reverse transcription followed by PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, nuclease protection assay, and in situ hybridization.\",\n \"Biomarker activity can be measured by a variety of assays known to those of skill in the art.\",\n \"A suitable method can be selected to determine the activity of proteins encoded by the biomarker genes according to the activity of each protein analyzed.\",\n \"For biomarker proteins, polypeptides, isoforms, mutations, and variants thereof known to have enzymatic activity, the activities can be determined in vitro using enzyme assays known in the art.\",\n \"Such assays include, without limitation, protease assays, kinase assays, phosphatase assays, reductase assays, among many others.\",\n \"Modulation of the kinetics of enzyme activities can be determined by measuring the rate constant KM using known algorithms, such as the Hill plot, Michaelis-Menten equation, linear regression plots such as Lineweaver-Burk analysis, and Scatchard plot.\",\n \"Biomarker protein can be measured/detected by a variety of techniques known to the skilled worker, including, but not limited to, immunoassays using a biomarker specific antibody.\",\n \"Protein levels can also be determined using a specific antibody or mass spectroscopy in conjunction with 2 dimensional gel electrophoresis (separation of proteins by their isoelectric point (IEF) in the first dimension followed by molecular weight determination using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)).\",\n \"In other examples, a biomarker protein is detected using a binding agent including, but not limited to, a lectin, nucleic acid (e.g.\",\n \"DNA, RNA), monoclonal antibody, polyclonal antibody, Fab, Fab′, single chain antibody, synthetic antibody, aptamer (DNA/RNA), peptoid, zDNA, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), locked nucleic acid (LNA), synthetic or naturally occurring chemical compound (including but not limited to a drug or labeling reagent), dendrimer, or any combination thereof.\",\n \"In some instances, a single agent is used to detect a biomarker.\",\n \"In other instances, a combination of different agents is used to detect a biomarker Detection includes direct and indirect detection.\",\n \"Similarly, a binding agent can be directly or indirectly labeled.\",\n \"The quantity of one or more biomarkers can be indicated as a value.\",\n \"The value can be one or more numerical values resulting from the evaluation of a sample, and can be derived, e.g., by measuring level(s) of the biomarker(s) in a sample by an assay performed in a laboratory, or from dataset obtained from a provider such as a laboratory, or from a dataset stored on a server.\",\n \"In some examples, qualitatively or quantitatively determining, analyzing or measuring a biological sample from a subject for the presence or absence, or amount or concentration, of one or more prognostic marker associated, is carried out using antibodies to the biomarker.\",\n \"In a specific example, antibodies of the present invention are immunoreactive or immunospecific for, and therefore specifically and selectively bind to a biomarker, for example the protein PDGFRα.\",\n \"In one example, antibodies which are immunoreactive and immunospecific for PDGFRα can be used.\",\n \"Antibodies PDGFRα are preferably immunospecific.\",\n \"The term “antibody” and “antibodies” includes, but is not limited to, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.\",\n \"Antibodies may be derived from multiple species.\",\n \"For example, antibodies include rodent (such as mouse and rat), rabbit, sheep, camel, chicken, and human antibodies.\",\n \"In another example, antigen binding fragments which specifically bind to PDGFRα are used.\",\n \"In some example, the antibodies also comprise a label.\",\n \"The term “label” as used herein is an identifiable substance that is detectable in an assay and that can be attached to a molecule creating a labeled molecule.\",\n \"The behavior of the labeled molecule can then be monitored and/or studied and/or detected.\",\n \"Examples of labels include, but are not limited to, various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, positron emitting metals using various positron emission tomographies, and nonradioactive paramagnetic metal ions.\",\n \"The detectable substance may be coupled or conjugated either directly to the antibody (or fragment thereof) or indirectly, through an intermediate.\",\n \"The particular label used will depend upon the type of immunoassay.\",\n \"Antibodies can be tagged with such labels by known methods.\",\n \"The term “binds specifically” refers to high avidity and/or high affinity binding of an antibody to a specific polypeptide e.g., an epitope of PDGFR-α.\",\n \"Antibody binding to its epitope on this specific polypeptide is stronger than binding of the same antibody to any other epitope, particularly those which may be present in molecules in association with, or in the same sample, as the specific polypeptide of interest.\",\n \"Antibodies which bind specifically to a polypeptide of interest may be capable of binding other polypeptides at weak, yet detectable, level.\",\n \"Such weak binding, or background binding, is readily discemable from the specific antibody binding to the compound or polypeptide of interest, e.g., by use of appropriate controls, as would be known to the worker skilled in the art.\",\n \"In one example, a sample containing cancerous cells or suspected as containing cancerous cells is obtained from the patient which is at risk for PTC, is suspected of having PTC, and/or has been diagnosed with PTC.\",\n \"Collection of such a sample is well known to the skilled worker.\",\n \"In a specific example, the sample is a fine needle aspirate (FNA) sample.\",\n \"Methods of obtaining a FNA sample, processing and/or storage of such a sample are also well known to the skilled worker.\",\n \"In other example, a sample is obtained from surgical dissection.\",\n \"Tissue samples may be fresh-frozen and/or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks prepared for study by immunohistochemistry (IHC).\",\n \"In one example, the sample is a formalin fixed and/or paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from a biopsy or surgical resection of a cancer (e.g., tumour).\",\n \"Samples may also be processed by, snap freezing, treated to isolate DNA, RNA, or protein, or any combination.\",\n \"The methods of the present invention may be accomplished using any suitable method or system of immunohistochemistry or quantifing levels of mRNA.\",\n \"Non limiting examples include automated systems, quantitative IHC, semi-quantitative IHC, RT-PCR and qRT-PCR and manual methods.\",\n \"The term “quantitative” immunohistochemistry refers to an automated method of scanning and scoring samples that have undergone immunohistochemistry, to identify and quantitate the presence of a specified biomarker, such as an antigen or other protein.\",\n \"For example, to quantitate PDGFR-α, the score given to the sample is a numerical representation of the intensity of the immunohistochemical staining of the sample, and represents the amount of target biomarker present in the sample.\",\n \"As used herein, Optical Density (OD) is a numerical score that represents intensity of staining as well as the percentage of cells that are stained.\",\n \"As used herein, semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry refers to scoring of immunohistochemical results by human eye, where a trained operator ranks results numerically (e.g., as 0, 1 or 2).\",\n \"In a specific example, expression of the biomarker in a sample is assessed by an operator as “2+” (denoting strong staining), “1+” (denoting moderate staining), or “0” (denoting minimal or absent staining).\",\n \"In some instance, each sample is assessed in duplicate, or triplicate.\",\n \"In another specific example, Nuclear staining is not scored and the correlations for staining were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.\",\n \"In one example of the methods described herein, a biological sample from a subject is assessed for presence of a biomarker within the biological sample, wherein the levels and/or concentration of the biomarker indicates the aggressiveness or metastatic potential of PTC.\",\n \"Automated sample processing, scanning and analysis systems suitable for use with immunohistochemistry are known in the art, and may be used with the methods described herein.\",\n \"Such systems may include automated staining and microscopic scanning, computerized image analysis, serial section comparison (to control for variation in the orientation and size of a sample), digital report generation, and archiving and tracking of samples (such as slides on which tissue sections are placed).\",\n \"Cellular imaging systems are commercially available that combine conventional light microscopes with digital image processing systems to perform quantitative analysis on cells and tissues, including immunostained samples.\",\n \"In a specific example, the detection, analysis or measurement of PDGFR-α protein within a tissue sample is carried out using immunohistochemistry (IHC).\",\n \"It will be clear to the skilled worker that other immuno assays, both qualitative and quantitative, may be used in the present invention.\",\n \"In one example, immunohistochemisty is carried out using tissue microarrays from formalin tissues.\",\n \"Other examples that may be used in the detection, analysis or measurement of PDGFR-α include, but are not limited to, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, mass spectrometry, quantitative fluorescence activated cell sorting, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, quantitative immunohistochemistry, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, Forster resonance energy transfer, and biomolecular fluorescence complementation.\",\n \"In determining whether there is strong (e.g., 2+) or moderate (e.g., 1+) or minimal (e.g., 0) PDGFR-α staining, the patient sample may be compared to one or more control samples.\",\n \"In one example, a control sample is a patient sample that has known and/or established levels of PDGFR-α tumour staining and/or known clinical outcome.\",\n \"In one example, a control is a cell line that has a known amount of PDGFR-α staining.\",\n \"In some example, a control is not used and qualitative or quantitative methods are used to determine the level of staining.\",\n \"In practice, in the example in which a patient sample is determined to have moderate (1+) or strong (2+) expression (i.e., strong expression of PDGFR-α), the patient is identified as a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, and so is considered a good candidate for, and subjected to treatment comprising, surgical resection and/or radio therapy (such as radio iodine ablative therapy or external beam radiotherapy), and/or chemotherapy.\",\n \"In practice, in the example in which a patient sample is determined to have minimal staining (“0”) expression (e.g., absent or minimal expression of PDGFR-α), the patient is identified as a subject not having an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject not having an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.\",\n \"Continued treatment options for such patients identified as not having a likelihood of developing or having metastatic or recurrent are known to the skilled worker.\",\n \"For example, patients lacking confirmed metastases from PTC in many cases do not get radioactive iodine, but this depends on the size of the primary tumor.\",\n \"Regardless of their initial treatment including surgery and/or radioactive iodine all patients are followed with serial imaging including whole body iodine scans, neck ultrasound and serum thyroglobulin assessments on a yearly basis essentially for the rest of their life although the interval between follow-up visits decreases from six months initially for approximately 2 years to yearly after that.\",\n \"Metastases from thyroid cancer typically occur within 2 to 3 years that can come back as late as 10 or 15 years after their original surgery and treatment.\",\n \"In a specific example, in the case of examined PDGFR-α and β expression in a tissue array of papillary thyroid cancer including primary tumor specimens with (n=58) and without (n=66) nodal metastases, for PDGFRα, in primary tumors without lymphatic metastases, a small fraction of the tumors were positive (16%) but most of the staining was moderate at 1+ (Table 2).\",\n \"However, in primary tumors with lymph node metastases the majority (83%) of the tumors were positive for PDGFRα expression (p=0.003).\",\n \"Nodal deposits in all but one case are positive for PDGFR-α with most cases exhibiting strong staining (Table 2).\",\n \"PDGFR-β staining in primary tumor specimens demonstrated significantly different results.\",\n \"PDGFR-β staining did not follow a pattern with respect to the absence or presence of nodal metastases.\",\n \"Approximately 90% of all tumors, a nearly equal fraction of lymph node negative and lymph node positive cases, stained for PDGFR-β and staining qualitatively was also very similar (p=0.82) (see Table 2).\",\n \"In another specific example, in the case of freshly prepared PTC tumour isolated at operative resection, with and without nodal metastases, PDGFR (α and β) configuration and nodal involvement was determined in 14 cases that included level 6 lymph node dissections as shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.Only 2 of 7 primary tumors without nodal metastases expressed PDGFR-α (patient #5 and #7).\",\n \"In fact the only clearly positive result expressing PDGFR-α (patient #7) was a false positive due to an unexpected case of sarcoidosis with fibrotic reactions in all of the nodes removed as documented clearly on pathology.47,48 In 7 of 7 primary tumors with nodal metastases we observe PDGFR-α expression.\",\n \"Even if we include the likely false positive (patient #7) and the very weak staining in patient #5, the difference in number of positive cases for PDGFR-α between node− (2/7) and node+ (7/7) cases is significant (P=0.02).\",\n \"All of the nodal metastases examined express PDGFR-α although the levels vary significantly (FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"It will be appreciated that in some circumstances, a patient which is initially identified a not having an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC or recurrent PTC, may relapse or reoccur.\",\n \"Such a reoccurrence can manifest is several ways, including but not limited to, reoccurrence of the primary tumour and development of metastasis.\",\n \"In addition to, or alternatively, an additional distinct tumour can arise.\",\n \"The methods as described herein may be used in the therapeutic monitoring of a patient, to monitor and identify those patients which may relapse.\",\n \"In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with, or suspected as having, PTC; b) contacting the sample with an antibody to a biomarker, to form a complex between the antibody and the biomarker present in the sample; c) measuring the complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein the determination of a benefit for treatment is determined by a strong expression of the biomarker in the sample.\",\n \"In one example, the biomarker is PDGFRα.\",\n \"In one example, expression of the biomarker in the sample is compared to a control.\",\n \"In one example, said sample comprises a FNA sample.\",\n \"In another embodiment, PDGFRα expression is associated with the development of metastasis in a patient with PTC.\",\n \"In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a) obtaining a sample from a subject with, or suspected as having, PTC; b) processing said sample, c) contacting the processed sample with an analyte or reagent to a biomarker, to form a complex between the analyte or reagent and the biomarker present in the processed sample; c) measuring the complex formed to determine the amount or concentration of said biomarker in the sample; wherein the determination of a benefit for treatment is determined by a high amount or concentration (or strong expression) of the biomarker in the sample.\",\n \"In one example, the biomarker is PDGFRα.\",\n \"In one example, expression of the biomarker in the sample is compared to a control.\",\n \"In one example, said sample comprises a FNA sample.\",\n \"In another embodiment, PDGFRα is associated with the development of metastasis in a patient with PTC.\",\n \"There is further provide the step of treating a subject with a high concentration or amount (or strong expression) of PDGFRα with a treatment for PTC.\",\n \"In some examples, processing said sample permits analysis of the biomarker within the sample.\",\n \"In some example, processing refers to isolating or extracting biomarker transcript from said sample, said RNA suitable for analysis.\",\n \"In some examples, processing refers to isolating of extracting biomarker protein from said sample, said protein suitable for subsequent analysis.\",\n \"Analysis includes, but is not limited to, performing an analyte assay with said processed sample.\",\n \"For example, performing an analyte binding assay configured to detect a biomarker in said processed tumor sample by introducing the processed tumor sample into an assay instrument which (i) contacts a reagent which specifically binds for detection of the biomarker within the tumor sample, and (ii) generates one or more assay results indicative of binding of said biomarker.\",\n \"As noted herein, said biomarker is a biomarker protein, a biomarker transcript, or biomarker activity.\",\n \"In some examples, the analyte binding assay in an immunoassays.\",\n \"In some examples, said immunoassay is immunohistochemistry.\",\n \"In some example said immunohistochemistry is performed with an automated system, or a manual system.\",\n \"In some example, the analyte binding assay comprises detecting said biomarker RNA, include but limited to, using RT-PCT or in situ hybridization.\",\n \"The assay results may be quantitative or semi-quantitative.\",\n \"Additional specific examples of processing comprises formalin fixing, or paraffin-embedding, or both formalin fixing and paraffin-embedding, said sample.\",\n \"Treatment of said subject may comprise surgical resection of thyroid and lymph nodes, radio therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"Radio therapy comprises radio iodine ablative therapy or external beam radiotherapy.\",\n \"Chemotherapy comprises a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"Treatment may comprise administering an inhibitor of PDGFR-α to said subject.\",\n \"In some examples said inhibitor comprises, an RNA interference molecule, a small molecule, nucleic acid, an antibody, a peptide, a pharmaceutical composition, an aptamers, or combinations thereof.\",\n \"In some examples said RNA interference molecule comprises a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"The methods described herein are useful in the modulation of PTC progression.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “modulation of PTC progression” refers to the ability of a compound to increase or decrease the likelihood that a PTC will progress to an aggressive prostate cancer and/or will metastasize.\",\n \"Generally, compounds therapeutically useful are those that decrease the likelihood of PTC progression.\",\n \"Accordingly, in one example, a subject identified with a likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC is treated so as to modulated PTC progression, and in particular to decrease the likelihood of PTC progression.\",\n \"In one example, inhibition of PDGFRα reduces the likelihood of a patient with PTC developing metastases.\",\n \"In a specific example, a subject identified with a likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC is treated with an inhibitor of PDGFRα.\",\n \"There is provided a method for the treatment of a subject with a likelihood of developing or having metastatic PTC, comprising administering to said subject an inhibitor of PDGFRα.\",\n \"Inhibitors of PDGFRα include, but are not limited to, RNA interference molecules, small molecules, nucleic acids, antibodies, peptides, pharmaceutical compositions, and/or aptamers.\",\n \"Examples of RNA interference molecules include a RNAi molecule, a siRNA molecule, or a shRNA molecule.\",\n \"The term siRNA (short interfering RNA) or siRNA duplexes, as used herein has the same meaning as typically in the art.\",\n \"i.e.\",\n \"the term siRNA refers to double stranded RNA complex.\",\n \"Often, the complex has 3′-overhangs.\",\n \"In one example, siRNA are commercially available.\",\n \"Pharmaceutical compositions include, but are not limited to, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitimb, or motisanib.\",\n \"A compound or composition may be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, either simultaneously or sequentially.\",\n \"Methods of the present invention are conveniently practiced in the form of a kit.\",\n \"Such a kit preferably contains antibodies for PDGFRα and instructions for the use thereof.\",\n \"In a specific example, the kit further comprises at least one control sample for PDGFRα.\",\n \"As described herein, there is provided a kit for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, comprising: a) instructions for determining the amount of PDGFRα in a sample from said patient; b) a reagent for measuring the amount PDGFRα in said sample, wherein in the case in which said patient sample is determined to have “2+” or strong expression (i.e., strong expression of PDGFR-α), said patient is identified as a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC.\",\n \"In one example, said reagent is an antibody to PDGFRα.\",\n \"In one example positive and/or negative control samples are also included in the kit.\",\n \"As described herein, there is provided systems for treating a subject with or suspected of having papillary thyroid cancer, comprising: a) a reagent which specifically binds for detection of PDGFR-α in a tumor sample from a patient with thyroid cancer, and b) an assay instrument configured to receive a tumor sample and contact the reagent with the tumor sample, and to generate one or more assay result indicative of binding said reagent with the PDGRF-α within the tumor sample which is assayed for specific binding.\",\n \"To gain a better understanding of the invention described herein, the following examples are set forth.\",\n \"It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only.\",\n \"Therefore, they should not limit the scope of this invention in anyway.\",\n \"EXAMPLES Example I Patients and Methods Patient Specimens Ethics approval was obtained through the University of Alberta Heath Research Ethics Board ID Pro00018758.Specimens prepared for primary cell culture were placed in culture media within 10 minutes of devascularisation.\",\n \"For tissue banking specimens were placed in OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature compound) within 20 minutes of devascularisation and snap frozen in liquid N2.For the tissue array with paraffin specimens, a total of 124 patients were selected with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 66 without and 58 with lymphatic metastases.\",\n \"In all cases patients had a total thyroidectomy with a level VI lymph node dissection such that histopathology could be used to document the true node negative cases that complemented our clinical assessment via ultrasound.\",\n \"Both primary tumor specimens and matching nodal metastases were available in 13 cases.\",\n \"Cases included were all papillary thyroid carcinoma in the absence of any aggressive variants such as insular or tall cell papillary thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Two pathologists separately assessed the specimens to document primary tissue diagnosis as well as the presence of lymphatic metastases in nodes sectioned.\",\n \"Immunohistochemistry Immunohistochemistry was performed using standard techniques.\",\n \"Briefly, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 4 μM thickness were deparaffinized and rehydrated.\",\n \"The antibodies used for the Western blots and for staining the paraffin tissue arrays as follows: antibodies against Akt, phospho-Akt (Ser473), PDGFR-α, phospho-PDGFR-α/β (Tyr849)/β (Tyr857), p44/42MAPK/ERK, and phospho-p44/42 MAPK/ERK (Thr202/Tyr204) were all purchased from Cell Signalling Technology (Danvers, Mass., USA).\",\n \"The PDGFR-β antibody was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, (Santa Cruz, USA).\",\n \"Heat-induced epitope retrieval was performed using citrate buffer (pH 6.0) and pressure cooked in a microwave for 20 minutes.\",\n \"The endogenous peroxidase activity was blocked using 3% H2O2 in methanol for 10 minutes.\",\n \"Tissue sections were then incubated with The PDGFR-α and -β overnight at 4° C. in a humidified chamber.\",\n \"After 2 washes with PBS, tissue slides were incubated with biotinylated linked universal secondary antibody and subsequently with streptavidin-HRP complex as per the manufacturer's instructions (LSAB+ system, Dako).\",\n \"Tissue sections were incubated with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine/H2O2 (Dako) for color development and counter-stained with hematoxylin.\",\n \"Marker Scoring and Statistical Analysis Evaluation of immunostaining was performed without knowing the clinical outcome and the other staining results.\",\n \"The cytoplasmic expression of PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β l was assessed for each case, in triplicate, as 2+ (strong staining), 1+ (moderate staining), 0 (minimal staining).\",\n \"Nuclear staining was found in all specimens and not scored.\",\n \"The correlations for staining were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.\",\n \"Sample cores on the tissue array that were fragmented or incomplete were not scored.\",\n \"Cell Culture TPC-1, KTC-1, BCPAP experimental cell lines were all generously provided by Dr. Ezzat, University of Toronto.\",\n \"8305C was purchased from DSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany).\",\n \"RET/PTC, BRAF and RAS mutation status as outlined in Table 1 and cell origin confirmed using Pax-8 and TTF-1 staining (Table 1).45 RPMI 1640 was purchased from Life Technologies (Grand Island, N.Y.).\",\n \"Standard fetal bovine serum (FBS) was purchased from Hyclone (Logan, Utah, USA).\",\n \"Trypsin-EDTA containing 0.25% trypsin, and PDGF-BB were purchased from GIBCO (Invitrogen, Grand Island, N.Y., USA).\",\n \"Sunitinib malate was purchased from TORCIS Bioscience (Ellisville Mo.\",\n \"USA).\",\n \"Primary cell culture and experimental cell lines were maintained in RPMI 1640 media supplemented with 10% FBS.\",\n \"The cells were seeded in a 100-mm culture dish and were grown in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator.\",\n \"For PDGF-BB stimulation (25 ng/ml), cells were grown to about 80% confluence and incubated in serum-free medium overnight prior to each experiment.\",\n \"MAP1C/ERK inhibitors U0126 and PD98059 were purchased from Calbiochem (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).\",\n \"PI3K/Akt inhibitor 1y294002was purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, Mass., USA).\",\n \"Cells that were treated with inhibitors were given varying concentrations: U0126; 2 umol/L and 10 umol/L; Ly294002 10 umol/L and 25 umol/L; Sunitinib 0.25 umol/L.\",\n \"In all cases, unless otherwise indicated the inhibitors were given to cells and 60 minutes later the PDGF-BB was added to the cultures followed by Western blot analysis.\",\n \"Western Blot Analyses Cells were lysed in RIPA buffer [150 mM NaCl, 100 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 1% Triton X-100, 1% deoxycholic acid, 0.1% SDS, 5 mM EDTA, and 10 mM NaF] supplemented with 1 mM sodium vanadate, 2 mM leupeptin, 2 mM aprotinin, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 1 mM DTT, 2 mM pepstatin, and 1:100 protease inhibitor cocktail set III on ice.\",\n \"After centrifugation at 4° C. at 18,000 rpf for 15 mM, the supernatant was harvested as the total cellular protein extracts and stored at −80° C. The protein concentration was determined using Bio-Rad protein assay reagent (Richmond, Va., USA).\",\n \"Running samples were prepared by adding a sample reducing agent and SDS sample buffer, incubating at 98° C. for 5 min.\",\n \"Aliquots of protein extract samples were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane.\",\n \"Membranes were blocked with 5% nonfat dry milk in 1× TBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 for 60 min, followed by incubation with primary antibodies 4° C. overnight.\",\n \"Protein bands were detected by incubation with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibodies (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill., USA) and visualized with SuperSignal West Pico chemiluminescence substrate (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, Ill., USA).\",\n \"Short Interfering RNA (siRNA) and Transfections siRNA for PDGFR-α and scrambled siRNA were purchased from Siegen (Foster, Calif., USA).\",\n \"Transient transfections of TCP-1, 8305C cells (3×106 cells) were performed using the Electro square electroporator BTX ECM 800 (225V, 8.5 ms, 3 pulses).\",\n \"1 nmol/L of siRNA or scrambled control was used 3 million of TPC-1 and 8305C cells.\",\n \"The efficiency of target gene inhibition was assessed after 48 hours transfection by using Western blotting.\",\n \"Transwell Migration/Invasion and Cell Growth Assays As previously described, Cytoselect™ 96-well cell invasion assay kit was used (Cell Biolabs, San Diego, Calif., USA) to assess cell invasiveness according to the manufacturer's protocol.46 Briefly, TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C after transfected with either PDGFRα siRNA or scramble siRNA, 10000 cells were starved overnight and added to the inserts, PDGF-BB was added to some wells at the concentration of 25 ng/mL, PDGF-BB was added 1 h later for inhibitors, sunitinib (0.2 umol/L), Ly294002 (10 umol/L) and (U0126) 2 umol/L,cells were seeded into the insert plate for 16 hours, the invasive cells passed through basement membrane layer to the bottom and dissociated from membrane by the addition of cells detachment buffer, the invasive cells were lysed and followed by quantification using CyQuant OR fluorescent Dye.\",\n \"For cell viability analysis 10000 cells were seeded per well and cultured for 16 hours.\",\n \"MTS assay (Promega, Madison, USA) was then performed in 4 replicates followed manufacturer's instructions.\",\n \"PTC cell lines transfected with PDGFR specific siRNA or scrambled control were plated at a density of 10,000 or 20,000/ml and cultured for 5 days.\",\n \"Cell counts were done on days 2, 3 and 5 using trypan blue (Sigma-Aldrich, Oakville, Canada) and results expressed as total number of viable cells.\",\n \"MTS assay was done in 7 replicates as per manufacturer's instructions.\",\n \"The absorbance was recorded by a BioRad spectrophotometer at day 5 of cell culture.\",\n \"Statistical Analysis Data were expressed as the mean±S.E.\",\n \"from a minimum of three independent experiments.\",\n \"Statistical analyses were performed with a completely random design one-way ANOVA.\",\n \"The correlations between PDGFR and the other biological markers were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.\",\n \"Statistical tests are two-tailed with a P value <0.05 considered to be statistically significant.\",\n \"The SAS computer program SAS (r) 9.2 (TS1M0) was used to perform the analysis Results PDGFR-α Expression, but not PDGFR-β, is Associated with Lymphatic Metastases in Papillary Thyroid Cancer We examined PDGFR-α and β expression in a tissue array of papillary thyroid cancer including primary tumor specimens with (n=58) and without (n=66) nodal metastases with representative sections shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"1 shows representative immunohistochemical stains of PDGFR-α in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) primary tumors without nodal metastases at low power (A) (100×) and high power (B) (400×).\",\n \"Primary tumors with nodal metastases are shown (C) (100×) and (D) (400×).\",\n \"Cytoplasmic staining demonstrates much higher levels of PDGFR-α in node-positive (C and D) primary tumor specimens as opposed to node-negative specimens (A and B).\",\n \"All patients had a level 6 lymph node dissection to best assess the possibility of lymphatic metastases.\",\n \"Included in the array were neighboring, normal thyroid tissue cores (n=32) and matching nodal thyroid cancer metastases from 13 primary tumors.\",\n \"For PDGFR-α, in primary tumors without lymphatic metastases, a small fraction of the tumors were positive (16%) but most of the staining was weak at 1+ (Table 2).\",\n \"However, in primary tumors with lymph node metastases the majority (83%) of the tumors were positive for PDGFR-α expression (p=0.003) (Table 2).\",\n \"Moreover, nodal deposits in all but one case are positive for PDGFR-α with most cases exhibiting strong staining (Table 2).\",\n \"PDGFR-β staining in primary tumor specimens demonstrated significantly different results.\",\n \"PDGFR-β staining did not follow a pattern with respect to the absence or presence of nodal metastases.\",\n \"Approximately 90% of all tumors, a nearly equal fraction of lymph node negative and lymph node positive cases, stained for PDGFR-α and staining qualitatively was also very similar (p=0.82) (see Table 2).\",\n \"Nodal metastases also commonly expressed PDGFR-β (>90%).\",\n \"Expression of PDGFR-α and -β was undetectable in most (95%+) of the non-neoplastic, normal thyroid tissue (Table 2).\",\n \"TABLE 2 Percentage (%) of specimens staining for PDGFR-α and -β in normal thyroid, papillary thyroid cancer primary tumors and nodal metastases.\",\n \"Stain Scoring 0 1+ 2+ PDGFR-α benign thyroid (n = 35) 97 3 0 node negative primary (n = 66) 84 12 4 node positive primary (n = 58) 17 39 44 lymph node metastasis (n = 13) 8 23 69 PDGFR-β benign thyroid (n = 35) 94 6 0 node negative primary (n = 66) 13 30 57 node positive primary (n = 58) 11 42 47 lymph node metastasis (n = 13) 8 8 84 To further assess differences in PDGFR-α and -β expression, we examined a cohort of freshly prepared PTC tumors isolated at operative resection, with and without nodal metastases.\",\n \"PDGFR (α and β) configuration and nodal involvement was determined in 14 cases that included level 6 lymph node dissections as shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.FIG.\",\n \"2 shows Western blots of PDGFR-α and -β in patient primary tumors lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) compared to those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section).\",\n \"Corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section.\",\n \"PDGFR-α is expressed primarily in primary tumors with metastatic disease and corresponding metastatic deposits (P=0.007).\",\n \"In contrast, PDGFR-β status does not correlate with metastatic disease.\",\n \"Patient #7 has sarcoidosis which induces nodal proliferation and is a benign cause for increased levels of PDGFR-α.\",\n \"The analysis was completed in all cases from freshly prepared tumor specimens.\",\n \"TPC-1 included as an internal control.\",\n \"Only 2 of 7 primary tumors without nodal metastases expressed PDGFR-α (patient #5 and #7).\",\n \"In fact the only clearly positive result expressing PDGFR-α (patient #7) was a false positive due to an unexpected case of sarcoidosis with fibrotic reactions in all of the nodes removed as documented clearly on pathology.47,48 In 7 of 7 primary tumors with nodal metastases we observe PDGFR-α expression.\",\n \"Even if we include the likely false positive (patient #7) and the very weak staining in patient #5, the difference in number of positive cases for PDGFR-α between node− (2/7) and node+ (7/7) cases is significant (P=0.02).\",\n \"All of the nodal metastases examined express PDGFR-α although the levels vary significantly (FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"Similar to what we observed in the tissue array, PDGFR-β expression does not appear to be linked to metastases in this patient cohort (FIG.\",\n \"2).\",\n \"All but one of the specimens (patient #2) exhibited PDGFR-β staining but again the levels vary significantly between cases.\",\n \"PDGFR-α Activation is Associated with MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways Current models for receptor tyrosine kinase signalling involve both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways.39 To assess the role of each of these signal transduction pathways in metastatic PTC, we used primary cell culture to examine MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt activation in PTC metastatic tumour specimens.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows Western blot of primary cell culture obtained from a lymph node specimen with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer confirmed by histology.\",\n \"The results show activated PDGFR-α (phospho-PDGFR) when stimulated with PDGF-BB with concomitant activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway as demonstrated by increasing levels of phospho-Akt.\",\n \"The stimulatory effect can be blocked by sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.\",\n \"Activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway (phospho-ERK) is present but to a much smaller degree in this semi-quantitative experiment.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 is a primary cell cultures of PTC metastatic tumour stimulated PDGF-BB with and without sunitinib to assess the effect of TKI therapy on PDGFR activation and downstream signaling.\",\n \"We observed significant increases in phospho-Akt, consistent with activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and a small increase in phospho-ERK (MAPK/ERK pathway) with PDGF-138 stimulation of these cultured tumor cells (FIG.\",\n \"3).\",\n \"Activation of both pathways was completed blocked with the addition of multikinase inhibitor sunitinib.\",\n \"Having demonstrated the concept that both pathways may be activated in metastatic PTC, we examined the status of both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in the 14 patients previously screened for PDGFR-α and -β.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"4, Western blots show the activation status of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in primary tumours lacking nodal metastases (#1-7, far left) and those with nodal metastases (#8-14, middle section).\",\n \"Corresponding metastatic disease deposits from patients #8-14 are shown in the far right section.\",\n \"The analysis was completed in all cases from freshly prepared tumour specimens.\",\n \"TPC-1 cell line used internal control for the different membranes.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"4 is a representative Western blot documenting activation of both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in all of the PTC primary tumors, with and without metastases.\",\n \"Typically we observed that both pathways are operative although in one case (patient #14) activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway was minimal.\",\n \"PDGFR-α Activation Increases Invasive Potential in PTC Cell Lines and can be Blocked with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Having demonstrated a strong correlation between PDGFR-α and nodal metastases in clinical specimens, PTC experimental cell lines were surveyed for differences in PDGFR receptor expression.\",\n \"We show here that there is a differential expression of PDGFR subtypes depending on the cell line (FIG.\",\n \"5).\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"5, Western blot of PDGFR configuration in the papillary thyroid cancer cell lines is shown.\",\n \"TPC-1 is the only cell line with both alpha and beta subunits of PDGFR.\",\n \"The KTC-1 cell line represents an important naíve control for our experimental series.\",\n \"All cell lines express PDGF-BB ligand.\",\n \"Cell line integrity and origin was confirmed using thyroid-specific markers Pax-8 and TTF-1 (Table 1).\",\n \"TPC-1 has both PDGFR-α and -β receptor isoforms, BCPAP has only PDGFR-β, 8305C only exhibits PDGFR-α and the KTC-1 cell line does not have either subunit.\",\n \"Using the Cytoselect™ invasion assay and in the presence of PDGFR ligand PDGF-BB, known to bind all subunits of PDGFR, we demonstrate significant differences in invasion potential of the cell lines depending on the configuration of the PDGFR.\",\n \"We also examined the effect of TKI blockade on invasive potential in these cell lines.\",\n \"In PTC-1 and 8305C, two cell lines with PDGFR-α, PDGF-BB stimulation lead to a significant increase in invasive potential (FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"Cytoselect assay results (in triplicate) for invasive potential of TPC-1 (A), 8305C (B), and BCPAP (C) cell lines as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6.The cell lines with the PDGFR-α subunit (TPC-1 and 8305C) demonstrated increased invasive potential with PDGF-BB stimulation, but not the BCPAP line which has only PDGFR-β.\",\n \"Sunitinib virtually completely abates any change in invasive potential with PDGF-BB stimulation of PDGFR.\",\n \"Sunitinib does not alter invasive potential without PDGF-BB stimulation in any of the cell lines.\",\n \"The addition of sunitinib, a multikinase inhibitor, abated any change in invasive potential as a result of PDGF-BB stimulation for both cell lines (FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"Conversely, the BCPAP cell line (PDGFR-β only) did not exhibit any change in invasive potential (FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"The effect of sunitinib on cell growth for all of the cell lines in the absence of PDGF-BB stimulation was not significant (FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"KTC-1 also did not exhibit any change in invasive potential with PDGF-BB stimulation and increasing levels of PDGF-BB or longer periods of stimulation did not alter these results (not shown).\",\n \"Selective Knockdown of PDGFR-α with siRNA Disrupts Invasive Potential We used siRNA to disrupt expression of PDGFR-α and examined the subsequent effect on the invasive potential of cell lines exhibiting PDGFR-α and -β (TPC-1) or only PDGFR-α (8305C).\",\n \"Cytoselect invasion assays with or without PDGFR-α siRNA for TPC-1 cell line (A) with corresponding cell viability assessment (B) are shown in FIG.\",\n \"7.Invasion assays for 8305C cell line with PDGFR-α siRNA shown in (C) with corresponding cell viability experiment (D).\",\n \"The results strongly suggest that the PDGFR-α, but not -β, is essential to mediating increased invasive potential.\",\n \"siRNA significantly reduces PDGFR-α expression as shown in the accompanying Western blot.\",\n \"RFU refers to relative fluorescence units.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"7 are invasion assays in TPC-1 transfected with PDGFR-α siRNA (FIG.\",\n \"7A) with corresponding cell viability assessments (FIG.\",\n \"7B).\",\n \"Two different PDGFR-α siRNA constructs were nearly equally effective at decreasing PDGFR-α protein expression in TPC-1 cells as shown in the inset Western blots (FIG.\",\n \"7A).\",\n \"For the invasion assay in TPC-1 cells using PDGFR-α siRNA1, increases in invasive potential triggered by PDGF-BB stimulation were virtually completely disrupted (FIG.\",\n \"7A).\",\n \"PDGFR-α siRNA alone did not significantly change invasive potential relative to the controls with scramble RNA.\",\n \"Cell viability was not affected in any of the experiments (FIG.\",\n \"7B).\",\n \"Qualitatively and quantitatively similar results were seen with siRNA blockade of PDGFR-α in 8305C cells (FIG.\",\n \"7C).\",\n \"PDGFR-α siRNA could block PDGF-BB mediated increases in invasive potential but no effect was seen in the absence of PDGF-BB.\",\n \"With or without PDGF-BB stimulation, scramble or siRNA constructs had no effect on cell viability (FIG.\",\n \"7D).\",\n \"PDGFR-α siRNA1 construct was more effective at reducing PDGFR-α protein levels and was used for these experiments in 8305C cells (inset FIG.\",\n \"7C).\",\n \"PDGFR-α Activation and Increased Invasion Potential is Mediated by both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt Pathways Using Western blots we demonstrate a link between PDGFR activation and up-regulation of both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in TPC-1 and 8305C cell lines.\",\n \"We also examine the impact of sunitinib treatment on signal transduction in these cell lines.\",\n \"The corresponding Western blots of the TPC-1 (A) and 8305C (B) cell lines for the invasion assay as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6, is presented in FIG.\",\n \"8.Both TPC-1 and 8305C specimens show activation of PDGFR-α (phospho-PDGFR) with corresponding up-regulation of both the PI3K/Akt (phospho-Akt) and MAPK/ERK (phospho-ERK) pathways.\",\n \"Sunitinib completely disrupts PDGFR activation and corresponding up-regulation of downstream MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways.\",\n \"The time-dependent changes in activation of PDGFR-α and downstream signaling pathways are shown for TPC-1 in (C).\",\n \"It is clear that the activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways is essentially simultaneous.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"8 are the Western blots for (A) TPC-1 and (B) 8305C cell lines examining activation of PDGFR as well as the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathways.\",\n \"For both cell lines PDGF-BB stimulation leads to strong up-regulation phospho-PDGFR-α/β, phospho-Akt, and phospho-ERK.\",\n \"The degree of up-regulation for the MAPIC/ERK pathway was higher in TPC-1 cells than in 8305C which exhibits a small increase in phospho-ERK (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"This is likely due to the fact that the MAPK/ERK pathway in 8305C is constitutively activated with its known BRAF mutation (Table 1).\",\n \"It may indicate that activation of PI3K/Akt by BRAF, if operative, does not alter the responsiveness of this pathway to PDGFR signaling.\",\n \"The addition of sunitinib, which we saw previously abated changes in invasive potential in TPC-1 and 8305C cell lines, completely blocks activation of PDGFR-α/β with corresponding significant decreased activity in both the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways (FIG.\",\n \"8).\",\n \"To confirm that activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways occurred on a similar timescale, we stimulated TPC-1 cells with PDGF-BB and followed expression of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK over time (FIG.\",\n \"8C).\",\n \"We demonstrate that PDGF-BB stimulation leads to virtually simultaneous increases in phospho-PDGFR-α/β, phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK within 5 minutes.\",\n \"Both pathways are maximally activated within 15 minutes and levels slowly return to baseline near 60 minutes.\",\n \"TABLE 1 Experimental papillary thyroid cancer cell lines Cell Lines Histology RET/PTC BRAF PAX8 TTF1 TPC-1 PTC + wt High Low BCPAP PTC − V600E High High KTC-1 PTC − wt High High 8305C PTC/ATC − V600E Low High We also examined if both the MAPK/EKR and PI3K/Akt pathways are important in mediating changes in invasion potential triggered by PDGFR activation.\",\n \"We used pharmacologic blockade of either the PI3K/Akt or MAPK/ERK pathways in TPC-I cells and assessed invasion potential as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.Disrupted invasive potential of TPC-1 cells with small molecule inhibition of (A) PI3K/Akt (Ly294002) or (B) MAPK/ERK (U0126) pathways with Western blots confirming decreased protein expression is shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.The invasive assay (C) confirms that blockade of either pathway is sufficient to abrogate increases in invasive potential mediated by PDGF-BB stimulation.\",\n \"Cell viability is not significantly altered by the small molecule inhibitors and does not confound our results (D).\",\n \"RFU=relative fluorescence units.\",\n \"Western blots of PI3K/Akt blockade (Ly294002) and MAPK/ERK blockade (U0126) in PDGF-BB stimulated TPC-1 cells are shown in FIG.\",\n \"9.It is clear that blockade of either pathway prevents PDGF-BB mediated increases in invasive potential of the TPC-1 cell line (FIG.\",\n \"9C).\",\n \"For both pathways, the blockade was nearly complete relative to controls and the viability of the cell lines was not significantly altered.\",\n \"Based on this data, and the Western blots outlined above (FIG.\",\n \"8), it appears that both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways play an important role in mediating the effects of PDGFR activation and increased invasive potential.\",\n \"Discussion As shown herein, PDGFR-α is strongly associated with lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Also, PDGFR-β does not appear to be linked to metastatic disease despite the fact it is clearly expressed in the majority of cancer specimens we surveyed.\",\n \"Neither the α- or β-subunits is expressed at significant levels in normal thyroid tissue.\",\n \"The association of PDGFR-α with a more aggressive, metastatic phenotype in PTC patient specimens was mirrored in studies of invasive potential in PTC experimental cell lines.\",\n \"We demonstrate that PDGFR-mediated changes in invasive potential are directly and strongly related to the presence of PDGFR-α in the different cell lines (FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"Cell lines with only PDGFR-β did not demonstrate increased invasive potential with PDGFR activation, nor did cell lines with both PDGFR-α and -β that had selective siRNA knockdown PDGFR-α (FIG.\",\n \"7).\",\n \"While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed the α-subunit is important in conveying increased invasive potential and the presence, or absence, of PDGFR-β does not appear modify invasive potential in response to PDGF-BB stimulation.\",\n \"The differential expression of PDGFR and its association with disease progression has important diagnostic considerations and implications for therapy in the choice and design of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat metastatic thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Treatment of metastatic PTC, that in many cases may be resistant to radioactive iodine, is problematic with significant morbidity incurred by patients through repeated surgical resections or high-dose radioactive iodine treatments.\",\n \"Although comprising a relatively small proportion of thyroid cancer patients, these individuals suffer disproportionately and radioactive iodine resistance in thyroid cancer has prompted trials using tyrosine kinase inhibitors to address these difficult cases as reviewed by Gild et al.39 The drugs used thus far include axitinib, motesanib, sorafenib, and sunitinib.\",\n \"The rationale for selecting these drugs in treating thyroid cancer has essentially been empirical, relying on observations in breast and colon cancer.40-42 Most of these drugs are multikinase inhibitors that target the different PDGFR and VEGFR to varying degrees and in some cases it is not clear which receptor subgroup is most effectively targeted.\",\n \"Objective responses to TKI therapy in thyroid cancer vary anywhere between zero and 55% but because of the small number of patients treated in these trials, the varying treatment regimes and different outcome measures, it is difficult to draw conclusions.39,40 Sorafenib and sunitinib appear to have favourable outcomes and acceptable side-effect profiles that permit ongoing use and further phase III trials.38,43.As shown herein, PDGFR-α/β signaling is mediated by both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways in PTC.\",\n \"The cell line experiments herein demonstrate that increased invasive potential mediated by PDGF signaling requires the activity of both pathways.\",\n \"The time course for activation of both pathways was very similar with PDGF-BB stimulation in TPC-1 cells and disruption of either pathway, using small molecule inhibitors, was sufficient to completely abrogate any change in invasive potential with PDGFR activation (FIG.\",\n \"9).\",\n \"We also show that sunitinib, through blockade of PDGFR signaling, can down-regulate signaling through both pathways effectively.\",\n \"In summary, PDGFR-α is associated with lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.\",\n \"The selective and strong expression of the a-subunit, but not PDGFR-β, in primary tumors with lymphatic metastases permits an immunohistochemical test to aid in identifying patients with occult metastases.\",\n \"PDGFR-α also appears to confer increased invasive potential in papillary thyroid cancer cell lines with PDGF-BB stimulation.\",\n \"Downstream signaling is mediated through both the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways and disruption of either pathway can mitigate the effects of PDGFR-activation on cell invasion potential.\",\n \"Example II Patients and Methods Patient Specimens Ethics approval was obtained through the University of Alberta Heath Research Ethics Board ID Pro00018758.Specimens prepared for primary cell culture or tissue banking were placed in culture media or OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature compound), respectively, within 10 minutes of devascularisation.\",\n \"For the tissue array with paraffin specimens, a total of 124 patients were selected with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 66 without and 58 with lymphatic metastases.\",\n \"In all cases patients had a total thyroidectomy with a level VI lymph node dissection such that histopathology could be used to document the true node negative cases.\",\n \"Two pathologists separately assessed the specimens to document primary tissue diagnosis as well as the presence of lymphatic metastases in nodes sectioned.\",\n \"Reagents and Antibodies The Mek inhibitor U0126 and PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 were from Cell Signaling (Danvers, USA) and used at 10 and 50 uM respectively.\",\n \"Sunitinib malate was purchased from TORCIS Bioscience (Ellisville, USA) and used at 0.25 umol/L.\",\n \"STAT3 inhibitor was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, (Santa Cruz, USA).\",\n \"Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) was purchased from Molecular Probes.\",\n \"The following antibodies were used for immunoblotting and for staining the paraffin tissue arrays: phospho-Erk1/2(Thr 202/Tyr204) (E10: #9106), Akt (#9272), phospho-Akt (Ser473) (587F11: #4051), PDGFR-α (D1E1E:#3174), phospho-PDGFR-α/β (Tyr849)/(Tyr857) (C43E9: #3170), were all from Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, USA).\",\n \"The PDGFR-β antibody and total Erk1 antibody (K-23: sc94) were from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, (Santa Cruz, USA).\",\n \"Cell Culture TPC-1 and BCPAP experimental cell lines were generously provided by Dr. S. Ezzat, University of Toronto, Canada.\",\n \"8305C was purchased from DSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany).\",\n \"RET/PTC (TPC-1) and BRAF (BCPAP, 8305C) mutation status and thyroid cell origin was confirmed using Pax-8 and TTF-1 staining.37 Primary cell culture and experimental cell lines were maintained in RPMI 1640 media supplemented with 10% FBS.\",\n \"Western Blot Analyses Cells were lysed in RIPA buffer [150 mM NaCl, 100 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 1% Triton X-100, 1% deoxycholic acid, 0.1% SDS, 5 mM EDTA, and 10 mM NaF] supplemented with 1 mM sodium vanadate, 2 mM leupeptin, 2 mM aprotinin, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 1 mM DTT, 2 mM pepstatin, and 1:100 protease inhibitor cocktail set III on ice.\",\n \"After centrifugation at 4° C. at 18,000 rpf for 15 min, the supernatant was harvested as the total cellular protein extracts, aliquoted and stored at −80° C. The protein concentration was determined using Bio-Rad protein assay reagent (Richmond, USA).\",\n \"Aliquots of protein extract samples were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane.\",\n \"Membranes were blocked with 5% nonfat milk in TBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 for 60 min, followed by incubation with primary antibodies 4° C. overnight.\",\n \"Protein bands were detected by incubation with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibodies (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill., USA) and visualized with SuperSignal West Pico chemiluminescence substrate (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, Ill., USA).\",\n \"Short Hairpin (shRNA) Stable Transductions To selectively and stably silence the expression of the PDGFR-alpha and-beta receptors in the TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C cell lines we used the HuSH-29 shRNA Vector system (HuSH-29 shRNA Retroviral Vector Systems; OriGene Technologies, Inc.).\",\n \"Briefly, to silence the expression of the PDGFR-alpha receptor PTC cells were transduced with the pRS shRNA retrovirus system (Pure+) followed by selection in puromycin (2.5 ug/mL).\",\n \"Resistant cells were assessed by western blot to select the sequences that produced the higest levels of protein expression knock-down.\",\n \"The sequences used for these studies were GATGCCTGGCTAAGAATCTCCTTGGAGCT for the TPC-1 cell line and AGTTCCACCTTCATCAAGAGAGAGGACGA for the 8305C cell line.\",\n \"To selectively knock down the PDGFR-beta receptor were transduced with the pGFP-BR-S shRNA retrovirus system (BSD+) followed by selection in blasticidin (500 ug/mL).\",\n \"Resistant cells were again assessed by western blot to select the sequences that produced the higest levels of protein expression knock-down.\",\n \"The sequences selected for these studies were TGCCTCCGACGAGATCTATGAGATCATGC for the TPC-1 cell line and ACCTTCTCCAGCGTGCTCACACTGACCAA for the BCPAP cell line.\",\n \"Transient transfections of TCP-1, 8305C cells (3×106 cells) were performed using the Electro square electroporator BTX ECM 800 (225V, 8.5 ms, 3 pulses).\",\n \"1 nmol/L of siRNA or scrambled control was used in 3 million of TPC-1 and 8305C cells.\",\n \"The efficiency of target gene inhibition was assessed after 48 hours transfection by using Western blotting.\",\n \"TPC-1, BCPAP and 8305C were transfected with either PDGFR-α siRNA or scramble siRNA, and starved overnight prior test.\",\n \"siRNA for PDGFR-α and scrambled siRNA were purchased from Siegen (Foster, Calif., USA).\",\n \"Transfected PTC cell lines were plated at a density of 10,000 or 20,000/ml and cultured for 5 days.\",\n \"Invasive cells passed through basement membrane layer and dissociated from the membrane using detachment buffer and quantified using CyQuant GR fluorescent dye.\",\n \"Wound Healing, Clonogenic and Transwell Invasion Assays Cytoselect™ 24-well cell invasion basement membrane assay kit (Cell Biolabs, San Diego, USA) was used to measure the invasive properties of the cells.\",\n \"Briefly, the stable TPC-1 cell lines were seeded at a density of 3×105 cells/well and cultured for 48 hours, as previously described37.Invasive cells passed through the basement membrane layer, dissociated using detachment buffer and then quantified by means of CyQuant GR fluorescent dye.\",\n \"Adherent colony formation assays were performed as described (REF#I).\",\n \"Fifty or 100 cells per well were plated in six-well plates, fed 5% FBS supplemented growth medium and allowed to form colonies for 20 days.\",\n \"Colonies were stained with 0.5% crystal violet solution in 25% methanol and counted.\",\n \"The methylcellulose was used assess anchorage-independent growth capabilities of the cell lines.\",\n \"For the wound healing assay, cells were plated in 6 well plates at 80-90% confluence.\",\n \"A wound was created by manually scratching the cell monolayer with a p1000 pipet tip.\",\n \"Cellular debris was washed with PBS and the cells were fed with complete growth medium or serum-free medium.\",\n \"Images and measurements were acquired at times 0, 20 and 44 hours after wound creation.\",\n \"Proliferation and Apoptosis Assays To document the effect of PDGFR silencing on proliferation, cultures were incubated in regular or serum-free-medium and enumerated daily for 5 days with an electronic cell counter (Coulter Model Zf).\",\n \"The MTS assay (Promega, Madison, USA) was also performed in 8-16 replicates after 48 and 72 hours of growth.\",\n \"Statistical Analysis Data were expressed as the mean±S.E.\",\n \"from a minimum of three independent experiments.\",\n \"Statistical analyses were performed with a completely random design one-way ANOVA.\",\n \"The correlations between protein expression and metastatic status were assessed using Fisher's exact test for tables and Spearman rank correlation for continuous variables.\",\n \"Statistical tests are two-tailed with a P value <0.05 considered to be statistically significant.\",\n \"The SAS computer program SAS (r) 9.2 (TS1M0) was used to perform the analysis.\",\n \"Results II The Experiments of FIG.\",\n \"10 depict selective knock down of the PDGFR-alpha and -beta subunits in the TPC-1 cell lines.\",\n \"In Panel (a) protein expression levels were assessed by immunoreactivity to the PDGFR-alpha or PDGFR-beta antibodies.\",\n \"In Panel (b) activity of signaling molecules in the STAT3, PI3K and MAPK pathways as well as expression of PDGF-BB was documented by immunoblotting with phosphospecific antibodies.\",\n \"PDGFR-alpha signaling is strongly linked to PI3IC/Akt pathway.\",\n \"In Panel (c) growth rate was assessed in serum free medium and cells enumerated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours.\",\n \"In Panel (d) protein expression of thyroid differentiation markers was assessed by immunoreactivity to the TTF-1 and Pax8 antibodies.\",\n \"It is noted that PDGFR-alpha expression is linked to dedifferentiated cells lacking expression of TTF-1 but when PDGFR-alpha is knocked-down expression of the differentiation marker is restored.\",\n \"In Panel (e) tumour suppressor protein Rb and cell cycle marker protein D1 were documented by immunoblotting.\",\n \"While total levels of Rb varied the relative phosphorylated Rb to total Rb ratio did not change significantly indicating that cell cycle was not altered by PDGFR-alpha or -beta expression.\",\n \"This was confirmed in panel (f) where cells were synchronized at the G1/S border by a double thymidine block then released and followed with propidium iodide staining at the indicated time points and flow cytometry analysis.\",\n \"There was no difference between the different cell lines expressing PDGFR-alpha or -beta in cell cycle analysis.\",\n \"Increased cell size and colony formation are indicative features of cancer cells taking on a migratory and more aggressive phenotype.\",\n \"The experiments of FIG.\",\n \"11 depict that expression of PDGFR-alpha and knockdown of the PDGFR-beta subunit increases colony formation and cell size.\",\n \"In Panel (a) TPC-1 colony formation assay demonstrates that PDGFR-alpha, when signaling without PDGFR-beta, induces more colonies to form.\",\n \"In Panel (b) TPC-1 cell size also increased when PDGFR-alpha is expressed in the absence of PDGFR-beta.\",\n \"In Panel (c) TPC-1-representative photographs of cells with the various knock-downs of PDGFR-alpha or -beta.\",\n \"In Panel (d) BCPAP—a decrease is evident in expression of TTF-1 differentiation marker with expression of PDGFR-alpha as assessed by immunoreactivity to the PDGFR-alpha, TTF-1, Pax8 and Akt antibodies.\",\n \"In Panel (e) as with TPC-1, the cell size increases with PDGFR-alpha expression in BCPAP cells.\",\n \"In Panel (f) BCPAP—representative photographs.\",\n \"Scale bar, 50 μm.\",\n \"The experiments of FIG.\",\n \"12 depict that cancer cell lines stably expressing shRNA show similar invasive potential as siRNA treatment, namely that PDGFR-alpha subunit alone drives invasive potential in TPC-1 cell lines.\",\n \"Invasive potential of cells where PDGFR-beta expression is knocked down, but not PDGFR-alpha is increased as shown using the basement membrane cell invasion assay kit.\",\n \"After 48 hours incubation, invasive cells were dissociated, lysed, and quantified by CyQuant GR Dye.\",\n \"The experiments of FIG.\",\n \"13 depict knock down of PDGFR-alpha or -beta subunit results in opposing effects in tumour formation on a mice xenograft model.\",\n \"Mice (4 or 5 animals per group as indicated) were inoculated with sh NT (Scrambled), sh PDGFR-alpha (alpha knock down) or sh PDGFR-beta (beta knock down) TPC-1-derived cell lines in Matrigel.\",\n \"The average tumour volume (top panel) and tumour weight (bottom panel) was much higher for mice given cell lines expressing only PDGFR-alpha and statistical significance between groups were calculated 20 days after inoculation.\",\n \"In the experiments of FIG.\",\n \"14, Panel (a) shows immunohistochemical pattern of PDGFR subunit expression in the mouse xenografts.\",\n \"The PDGFR-alpha only tumors are more invasive and demonstrate a more diffuse growth pattern than the more differentiated PDGFR-beta expressing tumors.\",\n \"Scale bar, 50 μm.\",\n \"In Panel (b) immunoblots show expression of thyroid markers in the mice xenograft implantations demonstrating that tumors in mice with PDGFR-alpha are dedifferentiated thus lacking TTF-1 expression.\",\n \"This correlates with the in vitro results.\",\n \"In the experiments of FIG.\",\n \"15, there is present the data from analysis of an SABiosciences PI3K/Akt mRNA array demonstrating that PDGFR-alpha mRNA levels in metastatic specimens from human patients are more than 5 times that in primary tumors.\",\n \"In these experiments RNA was isolated from either primary tumors (“1 tumor”) or metastatic tumors (“Mets”).\",\n \"The RNA was converted to cDNA, and analyzed using an SABiosciences PCR Array (PI3K-AKT Signaling PCR Array) which contains a preset mix of primers for genes in the signaling pathway (including PDGFα), together with the software to analyze the result.\",\n \"Discussion II From the foregoing experiments it is evident that expression of PDGFR alpha leads to two main changes in cell lines; the first is that the cells become more invasive as based on invasion assays and secondly, in multiple cell lines, PDGFR alpha leads to dedifferentiation, both of which are associated with more aggressive metastatic tumors.\",\n \"This was further demonstrated in the experiments in which tumors in mice from transplanted PDGFR alpha expressing thyroid cancer cells were larger by weight and volume than cell lines that only expressed PDGFR beta.\",\n \"The combination of PDGFR alpha and beta demonstrated an intermediate phenotype compared to the slow growing, less aggressive PDGFR beta only expressing cells and the most aggressive PDGFR alpha only cells.\",\n \"PDGFR subunits alpha and beta thus modulate the others activity in cells such that the cell phenotype can be determined depending on whether alpha, beta or both subunits is expressed.\",\n \"This is consistent with the clinical specimens described herein, where most of the thyroid cancers expressed PDGFR beta, regardless of their metastatic status, but only the more aggressive metastatic specimens expressed PDGFR alpha.\",\n \"Tumors that did not express PDGFR alpha did not typically demonstrate lymphatic metastases.\",\n \"It was also shown that in human specimens that PDGFR-alpha gene expression levels are more than five times higher in metastases than in primary tumours (P=0.013) (FIG.\",\n \"15).\",\n \"REFERENCES 1.Dean D S, Gharib H. Epidemiology of thyroid nodules.\",\n \"Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab.\",\n \"2008;22:901-11.2.Gharib H, Goellner J R. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid: an appraisal.\",\n \"Ann Intern Med.\",\n \"1993;118:282-9.3.Cooper D S, Doherty G M, Haugen B R, Kloos R T, Lee S L Lee S L, Mandel S J, Manaferri E L, McIver B, Pacini F, Schlumberger M, Sherman S I, Steward D L, Tuttle R M. Revised American Thyroid Association management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer.\",\n \"American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines Taskforce on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid.\",\n \"2009;19:1167-1214.4.Crowe A, Linder A, Hameed O, et al.\",\n \"The impact of implementation of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology on the quality of reporting, “risk” of malignancy, surgical rate, and rate of frozen sections requested for thyroid lesions.\",\n \"Cancer Cytopathol.\",\n \"2011 [epub ahead of print] 5.Yip L, Kebebew E, Milas M, Carty S E, Fahey T J 3rd, Parangi S, Zeiger M A, Nikiforov Y E. Summary statement: utility of molecular marker testing in thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Surgery.\",\n \"2010;148:1313-5.6.Udelsman R. Treatment of persistent or recurrent papillary carcinoma of the thyroid—the good, the bad, and the unknown.\",\n \"J Clin Endocrinol Metab.\",\n \"2010;95:2061-2063 7.Tee Y Y, Lowe A J, Brand C A, Judson R T. Fine-needle aspiration may miss a third of all malignancy in palpable thyroid nodules: a comprehensive literature review.\",\n \"Ann Surg.\",\n \"2007;246:714-20.8.Shaha A R, Shah J, Loree T R. Patterns of failure in differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid based on risk groups.\",\n \"Head Neck.\",\n \"1998;20:26-30.9.Machens A, Hinze R, Thomusch O, Dralle H. Pattern of nodal metastasis for primary and reoperative thyroid cancer, World J Surg.\",\n \"2002;26:22-28.10.Ito Y, Miyauchi A. Lateral lymph node dissection guided by preoperative and intraoperative findings in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"World J Surg.\",\n \"2008;32:729-39.11.Rotstein L. The role of lymphadenectomy in the management of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.\",\n \"J Surg Oncol.\",\n \"2009;99:186-188.12.Sywak M, Cornford L, Roach P, Stalberg P, Sidhu S, Delbridge L. Routine ipsilateral level VI lymphadenectomy reduces postoperative thyroglobulin levels in papillary thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Surgery.\",\n \"2006;140:1000-1005 13.Lundgren C I, Hall P, Dickman P W, Zedenius J. Clinically significant prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a population-based, nested case-control study.\",\n \"Cancer.\",\n \"2006;106:524-31.14.Shibru D, Chung K W, Kebebew E. Recent developments in the clinical application of thyroid cancer biomarkers.\",\n \"Curr Opin Oncol.\",\n \"2008;20:13-18.15.Taccaliti A, Boscaro M. Genetic mutations in thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"Minerva Endocrinol.\",\n \"2009;34:11-28.16.Marchetti I, Lessi F, Mazzanti C M, Bertacca G, Elisei R, Coscio G D, Pinchera A, Bevilacqua G. A morpho-molecular diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma: BRAF V600E detection as an important tool in preoperative evaluation of fine-needle aspirates.\",\n \"Thyroid.\",\n \"2009;19:837-842 17.Zatelli M C, Trasforini G, Leoni S, Frigato G, Buratto M, Tagliati F, Rossi R, Cavazzini L, Roti E, degli Uberti E C. BRAF V600E mutation analysis increases diagnostic accuracy for papillary thyroid carcinoma in fine-needle aspiration biopsies.\",\n \"Eur J Endocrinol.\",\n \"2009;161:467-473.18.DeLellis R A.\",\n \"Pathology and genetics of thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"J Surg Oncol.\",\n \"2006;94:662-669.19.Nikiforov Y E. Thyroid carcinoma: molecular pathways and therapeutic targets.\",\n \"Mod Pathol.\",\n \"2008;2I:537-43.20.Chiu C G, Strugnell S S, Griffith O L, Jones S J, Gown A M, Walker B, Nabi I R, Wiseman S M. Diagnostic utility of galectin-3 in thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Am J Pathol.\",\n \"2010;176:2067-2081.21.Griffith O L, Chiu C G, Gown A M Jones S J, Wiseman S M. Biomarker panel diagnosis of thyroid cancer: a critical review.\",\n \"Expert Rev Anticancer Ther.\",\n \"2008;8:1399-1413.22.Griffith O L, Melck A, Jones S J, Wiseman S M. Meta-analysis and meta-review of thyroid cancer gene expression profiling studies identifies important diagnostic biomarkers.\",\n \"J Clin Oncol.\",\n \"2006;124:5043-51.23.Shibru D, Hwang J, Khanafshar E, Duh Q Y, Clark O H, Kebebew E. Does the 3-gene diagnostic assay accurately distinguish benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms?\",\n \"Cancer.\",\n \"2008;113:930-5.24.Chiu C G, Strugnell S S, Griffith O L, Jones S J, Gown A M, Walker B, Nabi I R, Wiseman S M. Diagnostic utility of galectin-3 in thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Am J Pathol.\",\n \"2010;176:2067-81.25.Nikiforov Y E, Ohori N P, Hodak S P, Carty S E, Lebeau S O, Ferris R L, Yip L, Seethala R R, Tublin M E, Stang M T, Coyne C, Johnson J T, Stewart A F, Nikiforova M N. Impact of Mutational Testing on the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Analysis of 1056 FNA Samples.\",\n \"J Clin Endocrinol Metab.\",\n \"2011 [epub August 31].\",\n \"26.Lee S H, Lee J K, Jin S M Lee K C, Sohn J H, Chae S W, Kim D H. Expression of cell-cycle regulators (cyclin D1, cyclin E, p27kip 1, p57kip2) in papillary thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.\",\n \"2010;142:332-337.27.Liang H, Zhong Y, Luo Z, Huang Y, Lin H, Luo M, Zhan S, Xie K, Ma Y, Li Q Q.\",\n \"Assessment of biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma with distant metastasis.\",\n \"Int J Biol Markers.\",\n \"2010;25:38-45.28.Zhu X, Sun T, Lu H, Zhou X, Lu Y, Cai X, Zhu X.\",\n \"Diagnostic significance of CK19, RET, galectin-3 and HBME-1 expression for papillary thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"J Clin Pathol.\",\n \"2010;63:786-9.\",\n \"[Epub 2010 Jul.\",\n \"19].\",\n \"29.Gu L Q, Li F Y, Zhao L, Liu Y, Chu Q, Zang X X, Liu J M, Ning G, Zhao Y J.\",\n \"Association of XIAP and P2X7 receptor expression with lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"Endocrine.\",\n \"2010;38:276-82.30.Homsi J, Daud A I.\",\n \"Spectrum of activity and mechanism of action of VEGF/PDGF inhibitors.\",\n \"Cancer Control.\",\n \"2007;14:285-94.31.Provencio M, Garcia-Campelo R, Isla D, de Castro J. Clinical-molecular factors predicting response and survival for tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.\",\n \"Clin Transl Oncol.\",\n \"2009;11:428-436.32.Liu J, Liao S, Huang Y, Samuel R, Shi T, Naxerova K, Huang P, Kamoun W, Jain R K, Fukumura D, Xu L. PDGF-D improves drug delivery and efficacy via vascular normalization, but promotes lymphatic metastasis by activating CXCR4 in breast cancer.\",\n \"Clin Cancer Res.\",\n \"2011;17:3638-3648.33.Lei H, Velez G, Kazlauskas A. Pathological signaling via platelet-derived growth factor receptor {alpha} involves chronic activation of Akt and suppression of p53.Mol Cell Biol.\",\n \"2011;31:1788-1799.34.Cornelià H, Alsinet C, Villanueva A. Molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.\",\n \"Alcohol Clin Exp Res.\",\n \"2011;35:821-825.35.Yano Y, Uematsu N, Yashiro T. Gene expression profiling identifies platelet-derived growth factor as a diagnostic molecular marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"Clin Cancer Res 2004;10:2035-43.36.Bruland O, Fluge Ø, Akslen L A et al.\",\n \"Inverse correlation between PDGFC expression and lymphocyte infiltration in human papillary thyroid carcinomas.\",\n \"BMC Cancer 2009;9:425-432.37.Wang Y, Ji M, Wang W, Miao Z, Hou P, Chen X, Xu F, Zhu G, Sun X, Li Y, Condouris S, Liu D, Yan S, Pan J, Xing M. Association of the T1799A BRAF mutation with tumor extrathyroidal invasion, higher peripheral platelet counts, and over-expression of platelet-derived growth factor-B in papillary thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Endocr Relat Cancer.\",\n \"2008;15:183-90.38.Sherman S I.\",\n \"Targeted therapies for thyroid tumors.\",\n \"Mod Pathol.\",\n \"2011 April; 24 Suppl 2:S44-52.39.Gild M L, Bullock M, Robinson B G, Clifton-Bligh R. Multikinase inhibitors: a new option for the treatment of thyroid cancer.\",\n \"Nat Rev Endocrinol.\",\n \"[Epub 2011 Aug. 23].\",\n \"40.Romagnoli S, Moretti S, Voce P, Puxeddu E. Targeted molecular therapies in thyroid carcinoma.\",\n \"Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol.\",\n \"2009;53:1061-73.41.Gupta-Abramson V, Troxel A B, Nellore A et al.\",\n \"Phase II trial of sorafenib in advanced thyroid cancer.\",\n \"J Clin Oncol.\",\n \"2008;26:4714-9.42.Kloos R T, Ringel M D, Knopp M V et al.\",\n \"Phase II trial of sorafenib in metastatic thyroid cancer J Clin Oncol.\",\n \"2009;27:1675-1684.43.Can L L, Mankoff D A, Goulart B H, Eaton K D, Capell P T, Kell E M, Bauman J E, Martins R G. Phase II study of daily sunitinib in FDG-PET-positive, iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with functional imaging correlation.\",\n \"Clin Cancer Res.\",\n \"2010;16:5260-8.44.Brose M S, Nutting C M, Sherman S I, Shong Y K, Smit J W, Reike G, Chung J, Kalmus J, Kappeler C, Schlumberger M. Rationale and design of decision: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer.\",\n \"BMC Cancer.\",\n \"2011;11:349-356.45.Schweppe R, Klopper J, Korch C et al.\",\n \"Deoxyribonucleic Acid Profiling Analysis of 40 Human Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines Reveals Cross-Contamination Resulting in Cell Line Redundancy and Misidentification.\",\n \"J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:4331-4341.46.Wang P, Wu F, Zhang J, McMullen T, Young L C, Ingham R J, et al.\",\n \"Serine phosphorylation of NPM-ALK, which is dependent on the auto-activation of the kinase activation loop, contributes to its oncogenic potential.\",\n \"Carcinogenesis.\",\n \"2011;32:146-53.47.Tambouret R, Geisinger K R, Powers C N, Khurana K K, Silverman J F, Bardales R, Pitman M B.\",\n \"The clinical application and cost analysis of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of mass lesions in sarcoidosis.\",\n \"Chest.\",\n \"2000;117:1004-1011.48.Morgenthau A S, Iannuzzi M C. Recent advances in sarcoidosis.Chest.\",\n \"2011 January; 139(1):174-82.49.Russell M R, Liu Q, Lei H, Kazlauskas A, Fatatis A.\",\n \"The alpha-receptor for platelet-derived growth factor confers bone-metastatic potential to prostate cancer cells by ligand- and dimerization-independent mechanisms.\",\n \"Cancer Res.\",\n \"2010;70:4195-203.50.Eckert M A, Lwin T M, Chang A T, Kim J, Danis E, Ohno-Machado L, Yang J. Twist1-induced invadopodia formation promotes tumor metastasis.\",\n \"Cancer Cell.\",\n \"2011;19:372-86.All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this Specification are indicative of the level of skill those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains and are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.\",\n \"The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways.\",\n \"Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modification as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872434"}}},{"rowIdx":4494076,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["BIOPSY DEVICE WITH SAMPLE STORAGE","A biopsy device includes a cannula and an inner divider wall disposed in the cannula.","The inner divider wall defines a plurality of cannula fluid openings.","The outer wall of the cannula and the inner divider wall together define a cutter receiving lumen and a cannula vacuum lumen.","The cannula fluid openings provide fluid communication between the cutter receiving lumen and the cannula vacuum lumen.","A cutter is translatable with respect to the cannula for severing tissue drawn into the cannula.","The cutter is operable to cover and/or uncover the cannula fluid openings.","A proximal portion of the cutter is spaced away from the inner divider wall.","A distal portion of the cutter is configured to slide adjacent to the inner divider wall."],["1.-20.","(canceled) 21.A biopsy device comprising: (a) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture and sharp tissue piercing tip; (b) a cutter rotatable and translatable within a cutter lumen defined by the probe cannula relative to the side aperture to sever a tissue sample received through the side aperture; (c) a tube; (d) a tissue sample holder, wherein the tissue sample holder includes a tissue storage component defining a plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tissue storage component is configured to move relative to a proximal end of the tube to receive a tissue sample within each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tube is configured to communicate solid tissue samples from the cutter to the tissue sample holder; and (e) a vacuum source in communication with the cutter via the tissue sample holder.","22.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tissue storage component of the tissue sample holder is configured to repetitively index relative to the tube to collect one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter into a corresponding tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue storage component.","23.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein each tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue storage component extends though the tissue storage component in a parallel direction relative to the other tissue sample chambers.","24.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising an indexing assembly, wherein the indexing assembly is configured to move the tissue storage component relative to the tube after a tissue sample is received within an indexed tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers.","25.The biopsy device of claim 24, wherein the indexing assembly includes a cam member that is configured to engage a drive carriage, wherein the drive carriage is configured to index the tissue storage component in response to actuation of the cam member by a mechanical drive cable.","26.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tissue storage component includes a plastic material sufficiently clear to permit visual inspection of tissue samples received within each tissue sample chamber.","27.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tissue sample holder further includes a vacuum manifold adjacent to the tissue storage component, wherein the vacuum manifold is configured to direct tissue samples into a tissue sample chamber indexed with the vacuum manifold.","28.The biopsy device of claim 27, wherein the vacuum manifold includes a lateral vacuum tube, wherein the lateral vacuum tube is configured to supply vacuum to the cutter while bypassing the tissue storage component.","29.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tube includes a flexible material to permit movement of the probe cannula relative to the tissue sample holder.","30.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising a seal connecting the tube to the cutter such that the cutter is configured to rotate and translate relative to the tube.","31.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising a motor assembly operatively configured to translate the cutter to sever a tissue sample.","32.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising a seal, a motor, and an indexing assembly, wherein the seal connects the tube to the cutter such that the motor is configured to rotate and translate the cutter relative to the tube while the tube remains fluidly coupled to the cutter, wherein the indexing assembly is configured to move the tissue storage component relative to the tube after a tissue sample is received within an indexed tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tissue storage component includes a plastic material sufficiently clear to permit visual inspection of tissue samples received within each tissue sample chamber, wherein the tissue storage component of the tissue sample holder is configured to repetitively index relative to the tube to collect one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter into a corresponding tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue storage component.","33.A biopsy system comprising: (a) a biopsy device including: (i) a body, (ii) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture, and (iii) a cutter translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula; (b) a sample collection assembly including: (i) a tissue sample holder defining a plurality of tissue sample chambers, and (ii) a vacuum chamber adjacent to a tissue receiving end of the tissue sample holder, wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to aid movement of tissue samples into each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers defined by the tissue sample holder; (c) a tube extending from the vacuum chamber of the sample collection assembly to the biopsy device such that the tube is configured to communicate tissue samples from the biopsy device to the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly; and (d) a vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is coupled to the tissue sample collection assembly to draw severed tissue samples severed by the cutter through the tube and into each tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly.","34.The biopsy system of claim 33, wherein the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly is configured to be repeatedly indexed relative to the tube during a biopsy procedure to store a tissue sample within an indexed tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue sample holder.","35.The biopsy system of claim 33, wherein each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers extends in a direction parallel relative to the other tissue sample chambers.","36.The biopsy system of claim 33, wherein the tissue sample holder is removable from the other components of the tissue collection assembly at the conclusion of a biopsy procedure.","37.A biopsy system comprising: (a) a biopsy device including: (i) a body, (ii) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture, and (iii) a cutter translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula; (b) a sample collection assembly including: (i) a base, (ii) a tissue sample holder removably received by a portion of the base and defining a plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tissue sample holder is configured to repetitively index relative to the base to collect one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter into each tissue sample chamber, wherein the tissue sample holder includes plastic that is configured to permit visualization of tissue samples collected within each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers, and (iii) an indexing assembly, wherein the indexing assembly is configured to move the tissue sample holder relative to the base after a tissue sample is received within an indexed tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers; (c) a sample tube extending from the vacuum chamber of the sample collection assembly to the biopsy device such that the sample tube is configured to communicate tissue samples from the cutter of the biopsy device to the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly; (d) a seal positioned adjacent to the cutter, wherein the seal is configured to permit rotation of the cutter relative to the sample tube while maintaining fluid communication with the sample tube; (e) a vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is coupled to the tissue sample collection assembly to draw tissue samples severed by the cutter through the sample tube and into each tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly; and (f) a vacuum tube communicating between the vacuum source and the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly, wherein the vacuum tube is configured to supply vacuum to the sample tube to transport tissue samples through the sample tube to the tissue sample holder.","38.The biopsy system of claim 37, wherein the base includes a detent arm that defines a gap between the detent arm and a portion of the base, wherein the gap is configured to receive the tissue sample holder.","39.The biopsy system of claim 38, wherein the cutter and the sample tube each define an inner surface coated with a hydrolubricous material configured to aid in transport of tissue samples.","40.The biopsy system of claim 37, wherein the body of the biopsy device includes a first body and a second body, wherein the first body is configured to be reused one or more times after a biopsy procedure, while the second body is configured for use in only a single biopsy procedure.","41.The biopsy system of claim 37, wherein the tissue sample holder further includes a vacuum director defining a vacuum chamber adjacent to a tissue receiving end of the tissue sample holder, wherein the tissue sample holder is movable relative to the vacuum director to communicate one or more severed tissue samples into a tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers indexed with the vacuum director."],[" BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of tissue is an ongoing area of investigation.","Medical devices for obtaining tissue samples for subsequent sampling and/or testing are know in the art.","For instance, a biopsy instrument now marketed under the tradename MAMMOTOME is commercially available from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. for use in obtaining breast biopsy samples.","The following patent documents disclose various biopsy devices and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat.","No.","6,273,862 issued Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,231,522 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,228,055 issued May 8, 2001; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,120,462 issued Sep. 19, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,086,544 issued Jul.","11, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,077,230 issued Jun.","20, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,017,316 issued Jan. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,007,497 issued Dec. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,980,469 issued Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,964,716 issued Oct. 12, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,928,164 issued Jul.","27, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,775,333 issued Jul.","7, 1998; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,769,086 issued Jun.","23, 1998; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,649,547 issued Jul.","22, 1997; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,526,822 issued Jun.","18, 1996, and US Patent Application 2003/0199753 published Oct. 23, 2003 to Hibner et al.","Researchers in the medical device area continue to seek new and improved methods and devices for cutting, handling, and storing tissue samples."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which: FIG.","1 is a partial isometric and partial schematic view of a biopsy instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a handpiece for the collection of soft tissue; FIG.","2 is an isometric view of the probe assembly separated from the holster; FIG.","3 a is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG.","2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the proximal end position; FIG.","3 b is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG.","2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned between the proximal and distal end positions; FIG.","3 c is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG.","2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the distal end position; FIG.","4 is an exploded isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.","2 ; FIG.","5 a is a schematic diagram of the biopsy needle illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter is in a proximal end position at the initiation of a cutting cycle; FIG.","5 b is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.","5 a, illustrating the cutter and fluid forces as the cutter translates distally to sever a tissue sample; FIG.","5 c is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.","5 a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter has closed the aperture and severed the tissue sample; FIG.","5 d is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.","5 a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter as the cutter has reached the distal end position and a tissue sample is aspirated to the tissue storing assembly at the conclusion of a cutting cycle; FIG.","6 is an isometric view of the rotary drive shaft illustrating a drive coupling configuration; FIG.","7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the cutter and drive carriage in which the cutter is removable from the probe assembly; FIG.","8 is an isometric view similar to FIG.","7 , illustrating the cutter and rear tube disengaged from the carriage and rotary drive gear for removal from the probe assembly; FIG.","9 a is an isometric view of the distal end of the biopsy needle illustrating the needle lumen and divider in greater detail; FIG.","9 b is a top isometric view of the distal portion of the biopsy needle illustrating the side tissue receiving port in greater detail; FIG.","10 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the biopsy needle; FIG.","11 is an exploded isometric view of the biopsy needle shown in FIG.","10 ; FIG.","12 is a more detailed top isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.","11 ; FIG.","13 is a more detailed bottom isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.","11 ; FIG.","14 is an isometric view of a serial tissue stacking assembly; FIG.","15 a is an isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.","2 and the distal end of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","14 , showing connectors for attaching the serial tissue storing assembly to the probe assembly; FIG.","15 b is an isometric view similar to FIG.","15 a, illustrating the probe assembly attached to the serial tissue storing assembly; FIG.","16 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 16 - 16 of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","14 ; FIG.","17 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 17 - 17 of FIG.","16 , illustrating the vacuum communication holes of the serial tissue stacking tube in greater detail; FIG.","18 is an isometric view of the translating flexible rod; FIG.","19 is an isometric view showing the reciprocating member and lower connector in greater detail; FIG.","20 is an isometric view showing the probe connectors and distal end of the tissue sample storage tube in greater detail; FIG.","21 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism shown in FIG.","14 , with the outer sleeve of the mechanism in a closed position; FIG.","22 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism of FIG.","21 , showing the outer sleeve of the mechanism in an open position; FIG.","23 is an exploded isometric view of the mechanism of FIG.","21 ; FIG.","24 shows a flexible push rod in the form of a plunger for use in removing samples; FIG.","25 is an isometric view showing removal of samples; FIG.","26 a is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a separable tissue storage tube; FIG.","26 b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","26 a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.","26 c is an isometric view similar to FIG.","26 a, illustrating the tissue lumen removed from the vacuum lumen; FIG.","27 a is an isometric sectional view of an alternative embodiment for a separable tissue sample storage tube; FIG.","27 b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","27 a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.","28 is an isometric sectional view of a third embodiment for a separable tissue storage tube in which the tissue and vacuum lumens are separately extruded and attached together by a mechanical latch; FIG.","29 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","14 , in which the proximal end of the tissue lumen is attached to a tissue stop rather than the tissue retrieval mechanism; FIG.","30 is an exploded isometric view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.","29 ; FIG.","31 a is an isometric sectional view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.","29 showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally in an initial cutting cycle; FIG.","31 b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","31 a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the initial cutting cycle; FIG.","31 c is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","31 a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally during a second cutting cycle; FIG.","31 d is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","31 a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the second cutting cycle; FIG.","32 is an isometric view of a parallel tissue stacking assembly for the present invention; FIG.","33 is an exploded isometric view of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","32 ; FIG.","34 is a bottom isometric view of the tissue storage component shown in FIGS.","32 and 33 ; FIG.","35 is an isometric view of the distal end of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","32 , with the tissue storage component removed; FIG.","36 a is a more detailed isometric view of the cam member of FIG.","33 , showing the cam member in a retracted position at the beginning of a cutting cycle, with the position of a pair of bosses shown in phantom; FIG.","36 b is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.","36 a, showing the cam member in an advanced position during the cutting cycle, and a pair of bosses in phantom, with one of the bosses deflecting the camming surface; FIG.","36 c is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.","36 a, showing the cam member in a retracted position at the conclusion of a cutting cycle, with the position of a boss at the conclusion of the cutting cycle shown in phantom; FIG.","37 is an exploded isometric view of a cable driven drive assembly for the holster viewed in the proximal direction; FIG.","38 a is an isometric view of a probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.","38 b is an isometric view of a probe and probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.","39 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an ultrasound guided biopsy procedure; FIG.","40 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an MRI guided biopsy procedure; and FIG.","41 is an isometric view of an MRI localization depth gage for interfacing the probe assembly with an MRI unit.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings.","The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown."],["PRIORITY The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","12/778,159, which is a Divisional of, pending U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","10/953,395, “BIOPSY DEVICE WITH SAMPLE STORAGE”, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.","This application also cross references and incorporates by reference the following commonly assigned patent applications: U.S. application Ser.","No.","10/785,755 “Biopsy Device with Variable Speed Cutter Advance” filed Feb. 24, 2004 in the name of Thompson et al.","; U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","10/676,944 “Biopsy Instrument with Internal Specimen Collection Mechanism” filed Sep. 30, 2003 in the name of Hibner et al.","; and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","10/732,843 “Biopsy Device with Sample Tube” filed Dec. 10, 2003 in the name of Cicenas et al.","BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of tissue is an ongoing area of investigation.","Medical devices for obtaining tissue samples for subsequent sampling and/or testing are know in the art.","For instance, a biopsy instrument now marketed under the tradename MAMMOTOME is commercially available from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. for use in obtaining breast biopsy samples.","The following patent documents disclose various biopsy devices and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat.","No.","6,273,862 issued Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,231,522 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,228,055 issued May 8, 2001; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,120,462 issued Sep. 19, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,086,544 issued Jul.","11, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,077,230 issued Jun.","20, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,017,316 issued Jan. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat.","No.","6,007,497 issued Dec. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,980,469 issued Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,964,716 issued Oct. 12, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,928,164 issued Jul.","27, 1999; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,775,333 issued Jul.","7, 1998; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,769,086 issued Jun.","23, 1998; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,649,547 issued Jul.","22, 1997; U.S. Pat.","No.","5,526,822 issued Jun.","18, 1996, and US Patent Application 2003/0199753 published Oct. 23, 2003 to Hibner et al.","Researchers in the medical device area continue to seek new and improved methods and devices for cutting, handling, and storing tissue samples.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which: FIG.","1 is a partial isometric and partial schematic view of a biopsy instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a handpiece for the collection of soft tissue; FIG.","2 is an isometric view of the probe assembly separated from the holster; FIG.","3a is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG.","2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the proximal end position; FIG.","3b is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG.","2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned between the proximal and distal end positions; FIG.","3c is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG.","2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the distal end position; FIG.","4 is an exploded isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.","2; FIG.","5a is a schematic diagram of the biopsy needle illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter is in a proximal end position at the initiation of a cutting cycle; FIG.","5b is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.","5a, illustrating the cutter and fluid forces as the cutter translates distally to sever a tissue sample; FIG.","5c is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.","5a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter has closed the aperture and severed the tissue sample; FIG.","5d is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.","5a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter as the cutter has reached the distal end position and a tissue sample is aspirated to the tissue storing assembly at the conclusion of a cutting cycle; FIG.","6 is an isometric view of the rotary drive shaft illustrating a drive coupling configuration; FIG.","7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the cutter and drive carriage in which the cutter is removable from the probe assembly; FIG.","8 is an isometric view similar to FIG.","7, illustrating the cutter and rear tube disengaged from the carriage and rotary drive gear for removal from the probe assembly; FIG.","9a is an isometric view of the distal end of the biopsy needle illustrating the needle lumen and divider in greater detail; FIG.","9b is a top isometric view of the distal portion of the biopsy needle illustrating the side tissue receiving port in greater detail; FIG.","10 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the biopsy needle; FIG.","11 is an exploded isometric view of the biopsy needle shown in FIG.","10; FIG.","12 is a more detailed top isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.","11; FIG.","13 is a more detailed bottom isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.","11; FIG.","14 is an isometric view of a serial tissue stacking assembly; FIG.","15a is an isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.","2 and the distal end of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","14, showing connectors for attaching the serial tissue storing assembly to the probe assembly; FIG.","15b is an isometric view similar to FIG.","15a, illustrating the probe assembly attached to the serial tissue storing assembly; FIG.","16 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","14; FIG.","17 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.","16, illustrating the vacuum communication holes of the serial tissue stacking tube in greater detail; FIG.","18 is an isometric view of the translating flexible rod; FIG.","19 is an isometric view showing the reciprocating member and lower connector in greater detail; FIG.","20 is an isometric view showing the probe connectors and distal end of the tissue sample storage tube in greater detail; FIG.","21 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism shown in FIG.","14, with the outer sleeve of the mechanism in a closed position; FIG.","22 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism of FIG.","21, showing the outer sleeve of the mechanism in an open position; FIG.","23 is an exploded isometric view of the mechanism of FIG.","21; FIG.","24 shows a flexible push rod in the form of a plunger for use in removing samples; FIG.","25 is an isometric view showing removal of samples; FIG.","26a is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a separable tissue storage tube; FIG.","26b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","26a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.","26c is an isometric view similar to FIG.","26a, illustrating the tissue lumen removed from the vacuum lumen; FIG.","27a is an isometric sectional view of an alternative embodiment for a separable tissue sample storage tube; FIG.","27b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","27a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.","28 is an isometric sectional view of a third embodiment for a separable tissue storage tube in which the tissue and vacuum lumens are separately extruded and attached together by a mechanical latch; FIG.","29 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","14, in which the proximal end of the tissue lumen is attached to a tissue stop rather than the tissue retrieval mechanism; FIG.","30 is an exploded isometric view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.","29; FIG.","31a is an isometric sectional view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.","29 showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally in an initial cutting cycle; FIG.","31b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","31a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the initial cutting cycle; FIG.","31c is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","31a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally during a second cutting cycle; FIG.","31d is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.","31a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the second cutting cycle; FIG.","32 is an isometric view of a parallel tissue stacking assembly for the present invention; FIG.","33 is an exploded isometric view of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","32; FIG.","34 is a bottom isometric view of the tissue storage component shown in FIGS.","32 and 33; FIG.","35 is an isometric view of the distal end of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.","32, with the tissue storage component removed; FIG.","36a is a more detailed isometric view of the cam member of FIG.","33, showing the cam member in a retracted position at the beginning of a cutting cycle, with the position of a pair of bosses shown in phantom; FIG.","36b is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.","36a, showing the cam member in an advanced position during the cutting cycle, and a pair of bosses in phantom, with one of the bosses deflecting the camming surface; FIG.","36c is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.","36a, showing the cam member in a retracted position at the conclusion of a cutting cycle, with the position of a boss at the conclusion of the cutting cycle shown in phantom; FIG.","37 is an exploded isometric view of a cable driven drive assembly for the holster viewed in the proximal direction; FIG.","38a is an isometric view of a probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.","38b is an isometric view of a probe and probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.","39 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an ultrasound guided biopsy procedure; FIG.","40 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an MRI guided biopsy procedure; and FIG.","41 is an isometric view of an MRI localization depth gage for interfacing the probe assembly with an MRI unit.","The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings.","The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.","Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention.","As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention.","Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.","The present disclosure pertains to a biopsy device for obtaining a tissue sample from within a body.","The biopsy device can have a reduced cutting stroke length as compared to device such as commercially available Mammotome brand biopsy devices.","Reducing the cutting stroke length decreases the time to acquire each sample, and also the overall size of the biopsy device, thereby enhancing the versatility and ergonomics of the device.","The reduced stroke length of the cutter enables many of the same probe components to be used in all three primary imaging environments: mammography, ultrasound and MRI.","In addition, the present invention enables the sequential collection and storage of tissue samples.","Tissue samples may be removed from the biopsy device and examined in real-time, as well as sequentially stored for subsequent retrieval at the conclusion of the biopsy procedure.","Sequentially storing tissue samples eliminates the need to immediately remove each sample from the device following sampling, thereby further reducing the sample acquisition time.","FIG.","1 shows a core sampling biopsy instrument according to the present invention comprising a handpiece identified generally as numeral 30.Handpiece 30 can be held comfortably in a single hand, and can be manipulated with a single hand.","Handpiece 30 can include a probe assembly 32 and a detachably connected holster 34.Probe assembly 32 can be operatively connected to a vacuum source 36, such as by a first, lateral tube 40 and a second, axial tube 42.First and second tubes 40, 42 can be made from a flexible, transparent or translucent material, such as silicon tubing, PVC tubing or polyethylene tubing.","Using a transparent material enables visualization of the matter flowing through tubes 40, 42.First tube 40 can include a Y connector 44 for connecting to multiple fluid sources.","A first proximal end of Y connector 44 can extend to a first solenoid controlled rotary valve 48 in a control module 46, while the second proximal end of the Y connector can extend to a second solenoid controlled rotary valve 51 in control module 46.The first solenoid controlled rotary valve 48 in control module 46 can be operable to connect either the vacuum source 36 or the compressed air source 38 to lateral tube 40.It is understood within this specification that compressed air means air pressure at or above atmospheric pressure.","In one configuration, when valve 48 is activated, vacuum is supplied to tube 40 from vacuum source 36, and when valve 48 is not activated, pressurized air from compressed air source 38 is supplied through tube 40.The solenoid associated with valve 48 can be controlled by a microprocessor 49 in control module 46, as indicated by dashed line 47.Microprocessor 49 can be employed to adjust the position of valve 48 automatically based upon the position of a cutter movably supported within probe assembly 32.The second solenoid controlled rotary valve 51 in control module 46 can be employed to either connect a saline supply 50 (such as a saline supply bag, or alternatively, a pressurized reservoir of saline) to a tube 188 or to seal off the proximal end of tube 188.For instance, rotary valve 51 can be activated by microprocessor 49 to supply saline when a switch on handpiece 30 is actuated.","When rotary valve 51 is activated, first rotary valve 48 can be automatically deactivated (such as by microprocessor 49) to prevent the interaction of vacuum and saline within lateral tube 40.A stopcock 58 may be included in lateral vacuum tube 40 to allow for a syringe injection of saline directly into the tube 40, if desired.","For instance, a syringe injection can be employed to increase the saline pressure in the tube to dislodge any clogs that may occur, such as tissue clogging fluid passageways.","In one embodiment, axial vacuum tube 42 can be employed to communicate vacuum from source 36 to probe assembly 32 through a tissue storage assembly 52.Axial tube 42 can provide vacuum through the cutter within probe assembly 32 to assist in prolapsing tissue into a side tissue aperture prior to cutting.","After cutting occurs, the vacuum in axial line 42 can be employed to help draw a severed tissue sample from probe assembly 32 and into tissue storage assembly 52, as will be described in further detail below.","Holster 34 can include a control cord 54 for operationally connecting handpiece 30 to control module 46, and a flexible rotatable shaft 55 connecting the holster to a drive motor 45.A power source 56 can be employed to provide energy to control module 46 for powering holster 34 via control cord 54.Switches 60 are mounted on holster upper shell 62 to enable an operator to use handpiece 30 with a single hand.","One-handed operation allows the operator's other hand to be free, for example, to hold an ultrasonic imaging device.","Switches 60 can include a two-position rocker switch 64 for manually actuating the motion of the cutter (e.g.","forward movement of the rocker switch moves the cutter in the forward (distal) direction for tissue sampling and rearward movement of the rocker switch actuates the cutter in the reverse (proximal) direction).","Alternatively, the cutter could be automatically actuated by control module 46.An additional switch 66 can be provided on holster 34 for permitting the operator to activate saline flow on demand into lateral tube 40 (for instance, switch 66 can be configured to operate valve 51 for providing saline flow to tube 40 when switch 66 is depressed by the user).","FIG.","2 shows probe assembly 32 disconnected from holster 34.Probe assembly 32 includes an upper shell 70 and a lower shell 72, each of which may be injection molded from a rigid, biocompatible plastic, such as a polycarbonate.","Upon final assembly of probe assembly 32, upper and lower shells 70, 72 can be joined together along a joining edge 74 by any of a number of methods well-known for joining plastic parts, including, without limitation, ultrasonic welding, snap fasteners, interference fit, and adhesive joining FIGS.","3a, 3b, 3c, and 4 illustrate probe assembly 32 in greater detail.","FIG.","3a depicts the cutter assembly and carriage retracted proximally.","FIG.","3b depicts the cutter assembly and carriage partially advanced.","FIG.","3c depicts the cutter assembly and carriage advanced distally.","As shown in FIGS.","3a-c, the probe assembly can include a biopsy needle 80 located at a distal end of probe assembly 32 for insertion into a patient's skin to obtain a tissue sample.","Needle 80 comprises an elongated, metallic cannula 82, which can include an upper lumen, such as an upper cutter lumen 83 for receiving a cutter 100 (as shown in FIG.","5a), and a lower lumen, such as a lower lumen 84 for providing a fluid passageway.","Cutter 100 can be disposed within cannula 82, and can be coaxially disposed within lumen 83.Cannula 82 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including a circular or oval shaped cross-section.","Adjacent and proximal of the distal end of cannula 82 is a side (lateral) tissue receiving port 86 for receiving the tissue to be severed from the patient.","A sharpened tip of needle 80 can be formed by a separate endpiece 90 attached to the distal end of cannula 82.The sharpened tip of endpiece 90 can be used to pierce the patient's skin so that the side tissue receiving port can be positioned in the tissue mass to be sampled.","Endpiece 90 can have a two-sided, flat-shaped point as shown, or any number of other shapes suitable for penetrating the soft tissue of the patient.","The proximal end of needle 80 can be attached to a union sleeve 92 having a longitudinal bore 94 therethrough, and a transverse opening 96 into a widened center portion of the bore.","The distal end of lateral tube 40 can be inserted to fit tightly into transverse opening 96 of union sleeve 92.This attachment allows the communication of fluids (gas or liquid) between the lower lumen and the lateral tube 40.The cutter 100, which can be an elongated, tubular cutter, can be disposed at least partially within upper lumen 83, and can be supported for translation and rotation within lumen 83.Cutter 100 can be supported within needle lumen 84 so as to be translatable in both the distal and proximal directions.","Cutter 100 can have a sharpened distal end 106 for cutting tissue received in upper lumen 83 through side tissue receiving port 86.The cutter 100 may be formed of any suitable material, including without limitation a metal, a polymer, a ceramic, or a combination of materials.","Cutter 100 can be translated within lumen 83 by a suitable drive assembly such that distal end 106 travels from a position proximal of the side tissue port 86 (illustrated in FIG.","3a) to a position distal of side tissue port 86 (illustrated in FIG.","3c), in order to cut tissue received in lumen 83 through the side tissue port 86.In an alternative embodiment, an exterior cutter can be employed, with the exterior cutter sliding coaxially with an inner cannular needle, and the inner needle can include a side tissue receiving port.","Union sleeve 92 is supported between probe upper and lower shells 70, 72 to ensure proper alignment between cutter 100 and the union sleeve.","The cutter 100 can be a hollow tube, with a lumen 104 extending axially through the length of cutter 100.As shown in FIG.","4, the proximal end of cutter 100 can extend through an axial bore of a cutter gear 110.Cutter gear 110 may be metallic or polymeric, and includes a plurality of cutter gear teeth 112.Cutter gear 110 can be driven by a rotary drive shaft 114 having a plurality of drive gear teeth 116 designed to mesh with cutter gear teeth 112.Drive gear teeth 116 can extend along the length of drive shaft 114 so as to engage cutter gear teeth 112 as the cutter 100 translates from a proximal most position to a distal most position, as illustrated in FIGS.","5a-5c.","Drive gear teeth 116 can be in continual engagement with cutter gear teeth 112 to rotate cutter 100 whenever drive shaft 114 is rotatably driven.","Drive shaft 114 rotates cutter 100 as the cutter advances distally through tissue receiving port 86 for the cutting of tissue.","Drive shaft 114 may be injection molded from a rigid engineered plastic such as liquid crystal polymer material or, alternatively, could be manufactured from a metallic or nonmetallic material.","Drive shaft 114 includes a first axial end 120 extending distally from the shaft.","Axial end 120 is supported for rotation within probe lower shell 72, such as by a bearing surface feature 122 molded on the inside of the probe shell.","Similarly, a second axial end 124 extends proximally from rotary drive shaft 114 and is supported in a second bearing surface feature 126 which can also be molded on the inside of probe lower shell 72.An 0-ring and bushing (not shown) may be provided on each axial end 120, 124 to provide rotational support and audible noise dampening of the shaft 114 when rotary drive shaft 114 is mounted in probe shell 72.As shown in FIGS.","3a, 3b, 3c, and 4, a drive carriage 134 is provided in probe assembly 32 to hold cutter gear 110, and carry the cutter gear and attached cutter 100 during translation in both the distal and proximal directions.","Drive carriage 134 is preferably molded from a rigid polymer and has a cylindrically-shaped bore 136 extending axially therethrough.","A pair of J-shaped hook extensions 140 extend from one side of drive carriage 134.Hook extensions 140 rotatably support cutter 100 on either side of cutter gear 110 to provide proximal and distal translation of the cutter gear and cutter during proximal and distal translation of drive carriage 134.Hook extensions 140 align cutter 100 and cutter gear 110 in the proper orientation for cutter gear teeth 112 to mesh with drive gear teeth 116.Drive carriage 134 is supported on a translation shaft 142.Shaft 142 is supported generally parallel to cutter 100 and rotary drive shaft 114.Rotation of the translation shaft 142 provides translation of the carriage 134 (and so also cutter gear 110 and cutter 100) by employing a lead screw type drive.","Shaft 142 includes an external lead screw thread feature, such as lead screw thread 144, on its outer surface.","The screw thread 144 extends into a bore 136 in carriage 134.The screw thread 144 engages an internal helical threaded surface feature provided on the inner surface of bore 136.Accordingly, as shaft 142 is rotated, the carriage 134 translates along the threaded feature 144 of the shaft 142.The cutter gear 110 and the cutter 100 translate with the carriage 134.Reversing the direction of rotation of shaft 142 reverses the direction of translation of the carriage 134 and the cutter 100.Translation shaft 142 may be injection molded from a rigid engineered plastic such as liquid crystal polymer material or, alternatively, could be manufactured from a metallic or non-metallic material.","Translation shaft 142 with lead screw thread feature 144 can be molded, machined, or otherwise formed.","Likewise, carriage 134 can be molded or machined to include an internal helical thread in bore 136.Rotation of shaft 142 drives the carriage and cutter gear 110 and cutter 100 in the distal and proximal directions, depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 142, so that cutter 100 translates within probe assembly 32.Cutter gear 110 is rigidly attached to cutter 100 so that the cutter translates in the same direction and at the same speed as drive carriage 134.In one embodiment, at the distal and proximal ends of lead screw thread 144, the helical thread is cut short so that the effective pitch width of the thread is zero.","At these distal most and proximal most positions of thread 144, translation of drive carriage 134 is no longer positively driven by shaft 142 regardless of the continued rotation of shaft 142, as the carriage effectively runs off the thread 144.Biasing members, such as compression coil springs 150A and 150B (FIGS.","3a-c), are positioned on shaft 142 adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the screw thread 144.Springs 150A/B bias carriage 134 back into engagement with lead screw thread 144 when the carriage runs off the thread 144.While shaft 142 continues rotating in the same direction, the zero pitch width thread in combination with springs 150A/B cause carriage 134 and, therefore, cutter 100 to “freewheel” at the end of the shaft.","At the proximal end of the threaded portion of shaft 142, the carriage engages spring 150A.","At the distal end of the threaded portion of shaft 142, the carriage engages spring 150B.","When the carriage runs off the screw thread 144, the spring 150A or 150B engages the carriage 134 and biases the carriage 134 back into engagement with the screw thread 144 of shaft 142, at which point continued rotation of the shaft 142 again causes the carriage 134 to run off the screw thread 144.Accordingly, as long as rotation of shaft 142 is maintained in the same direction, the carriage 134 (and cutter 100) will continue to “freewheel”, with the distal end of the cutter 106 translating a short distance proximally and distally as the carriage is alternately biased onto the thread 144 by spring 150A or 150B and then run off the screw thread 144 by rotation of shaft 142.When the cutter is in the distal most position shown in FIG.","3c, with the distal end 106 of cutter positioned distal of side tissue port 86, spring 150B will engage carriage 134, and repeatedly urge carriage 134 back into engagement with screw thread 144 when carriage 134 runs off the screw thread 144.Accordingly, after the cutter 100 is advanced such that the distal end 106 of the cutter translates distally past the side tissue port 86 to cut tissue, to the position shown in FIG.","3c, continued rotation of the shaft 142 will result in the distal end 106 oscillating back and forth, translating a short distance proximally and distally, until the direction of rotation of shaft 142 is reversed (such as to retract the cutter 100 distally to the position shown in FIG.","3a.)","The slight movement of carriage 134 into engagement with the screw thread and out of engagement with the screw thread 144 against the biasing force of spring 150B, causes the distal end 106 of cutter 100 to repetitively reciprocate a short distance within cannula 82, which distance can be about equal to the pitch of threads 144, and which distance is shorter than the distance the cutter travels in crossing the side tissue port 86.This reciprocal movement of the cutter can provide alternate covering and uncovering of at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port, as described below.","The zero pitch width ends of lead screw thread 144 provide a defined stop for the axial translation of cutter 100, thereby eliminating the need to slow carriage 134 (i.e.","cutter 100) as it approaches the distal and proximal ends of the thread.","This defined stop reduces the required positioning accuracy for carriage 134 relative to shaft 142, resulting in reduced calibration time at the initialization of a procedure.","The freewheeling of carriage 134 at the distal and proximal most positions of translation shaft 142 eliminates the need to rotate the shaft a precise number of turns during a procedure.","Rather, translation shaft 142 only needs to translate at least a minimum number of turns to insure carriage 134 has translated the entire length of lead screw thread 144 and into the zero width thread.","Additionally, the freewheeling of carriage 134 eliminates the need to home the device, allowing probe assembly 32 to be inserted into the patient's tissue without first being attached to holster 34.After probe assembly 32 is inserted, holster 34 is attached and sampling can be commenced.","As shown in FIG.","4, a non-rotating rear tube 152 can be provided which tube 152 can extend proximally from the proximal end of cutter 100 just proximal of cutter gear 110.Rear tube 152 can be hollow and can have substantially the same inner diameter as cutter 100, and may be comprised of the same material as the cutter.","A seal 154 can be positioned between cutter 100 and rear tube 152 to enable the cutter to rotate relative to the tube while providing a pneumatic seal between the rear tube 152 and the cutter 100.A rear lumen 156 can extend through the length of tube 152 and can be aligned with lumen 104 in cutter 100.Rear lumen 156 transports excised tissue samples from lumen 104 through probe assembly 32 to the tissue storage assembly 52.Lumen 104 and rear lumen 156 are axially aligned to provide a continuous, generally straight line, unobstructed passageway between tissue receiving port 86 and tissue storage assembly 52 for the transport of tissue samples.","The inner surfaces of cutter 100 and tube 152 may be coated with a hydrolubricous material to aid in the proximal transport of the excised tissue samples.","A lateral extension 158 can be provided and can be supported by and extend distally from rear tube 152 for securing the tube to drive carriage 134.The extension 158 connects tube 152 to carriage 134 so that tube 152 translates with cutter 100, and maintains lumens 104, 156 in continuous fluid-tight communication throughout the cutting cycle.","FIGS.","5a-5d provide simplified schematic views of the movement of cutter 100 during a cutting cycle.","As shown in FIG.","5a, initially in the cutting cycle cutter 100 is located at a proximal most position with distal cutting end 106 disposed proximally of the proximal most edge of the side tissue port 86, and adjacent the proximal end of a lumen divider 170.As the cutting cycle begins, a lateral vacuum force (indicated by arrow 176) can be provided in lower lumen 84.Vacuum force 176 can be transmitted from vacuum source 36 through tube 40 to lower lumen 84 through a flow path provided by union sleeve 92.Microprocessor 49 can be employed to activate valve 48 to supply vacuum force 176 when switch 64 is actuated by the user to begin moving cutter 100 distally within needle 80.Lateral vacuum force 176 communicates with tissue receiving port 86 through fluid passageways 172 disposed under port 86, and through one or more fluid passageways 174 disposed distally of the port 86.In FIG.","5c, a fluid passageway 174A is illustrated disposed distally of port 86 and spaced approximately 180 degrees circumferentially from port 86.In FIG.","5d, a fluid passageway 174B is illustrated disposed distally of the port 86 in the distal endpiece 90 of the biopsy probe.","Both fluid passageways 174A and 174B can provide fluid communication between lower lumen 84 and upper lumen 83.Lateral vacuum force 176 can be employed in combination with an axial vacuum force 180 through cutter lumen 104 to draw a tissue sample 182 into tissue port 86.After tissue sample 182 is drawn into port 86, cutter 100 can be rotated and simultaneously translated distally to sever the tissue sample from the surrounding tissue.","While cutter 100 advances, vacuum forces 176, 180 can be maintained through lower lumen 84 and cutter lumen 104 to draw the tissue sample into the cutter lumen as the sample is severed.","As shown in FIG.","5b, as cutter 100 advances the cutter slides across fluid passageways 172, successively blocking the lateral vacuum through the holes.","When cutter 100 reaches the distal most position, as shown in FIG.","5c, fluid passageways 172 can be completely blocked by the cutter.","At this point in the cutting cycle, cutter rotation can be maintained, and the cutter can “freewheel” as described above, with the distal end 106 of the cutter 100 moving proximally and distally in an alternating, oscillating manner.","As cutter 100 freewheels, the cutter can oscillate distally and proximally a distance which can be about equal to the pitch of lead screw thread 144 at a frequency corresponding approximately to the rotation speed of translation shaft 142.One or more fluid passageways 174A can be positioned in lumen divider 170 such that as cutter 100 is freewheeling at its distal most position, the cutter alternately covers and uncovers (and so opens and closes) the passageways 174A.","With passageway 174A open, lower lumen 84 remains in fluid communication with cutter lumen 104 through divider 170 despite the blocking of passageways 172.The repetitive movement of cutter 100 over passageway 174A can assist in clearing any tissue that may be blocking or clogging passageway 174A, and to maintain fluid communication through passageway 174A.","Fluid Passageway 174B in distal endpiece 90 can be employed in place of or in combination with fluid passageway 174A.","Fluid passageway 174B can provide fluid communication between lower lumen 84 and upper lumen 83 when passageway 174 is covered by cutter 100.A predefined amount of time after the cutter 100 reaches its distal most position and begins to freewheel, the solenoid on rotary valve 48 can be deenergized or otherwise controlled by microprocessor 49 to replace lateral vacuum force 176 with forward pressurized air (either atmospheric or greater) as shown by the arrows in FIG.","5c.","The pressurized air is discharged through lateral tube 40 to lumen 84.With port holes 172 closed off by cutter 100, the pressurized air communicates with upper lumen 83 through fluid passageway 174A (and/or a 174B) to apply a force against the distal face of sample 182.The force acting on the distal face of sample 182 can act in combination with an axial vacuum force 180 provided through the lumen 104 of cutter 100.The push provided by the force acting on the distal face of the sample 182 in combination with the vacuum “pull” provided by the vacuum provided via the lumen 104 of cutter 100 can be employed to move the sample 182 into and through lumen 104 of cutter 100, as shown in FIG.","5d.","Alternatively, instead of employing pressurized air to provide a force on the distal face of sample 182, a pressurized liquid, such as saline, can be directed through lower lumen 84 and fluid passageways 174A and/or 174B to provide the force on the distal face of sample 182.The cutter 100 closes the side tissue port 86 from the flow of fluid (gas or liquid) so that tissue surrounding the outer cannula and side port 86 is not exposed to the fluid.","As the tissue sample 182 translates proximally through probe assembly 32 towards sample collection assembly 52, the cutter 100 can be maintained in a distal most position.","Alternatively, the cutter 100 can be retracted back through tissue port 86 towards its initial position in preparation for the next cutting cycle.","After cutter 100 is fully retracted, and the tissue sample is translated to tissue storage assembly 52, lateral vacuum force 176 is again provided via lumen 84 to draw the next tissue sample into port 86.During the translation of cutter 100, the cutter can operate in conjunction with divider 170 to separate lumen 83 from lumen 84.During the cutting cycle, cutter 100 translates from a point just proximal of side tissue receiving port 86 to a point just distal of the receiving port.","The severed tissue samples are directed through the length of the lumen 104 of cutter 100 and out of the proximal end of the cutter 100, rather than translating the cutter (with the samples carried in the distal end of the cutter) proximally through the needle 80 to eject the samples with a knock-out pin, as in some prior devices.","Accordingly, the cutting stroke length can be reduced to be just slightly longer than the length of the side tissue port 86.With the reduced stroke length, the distal end of the cutter 100 (as well as a length of the cutter 100) can remain within needle 80 throughout the cutting cycle, eliminating the need to accommodate the full length of the cutter within the probe housing and proximal of the needle 80.In addition, the reduced cutting stroke length reduces the required length of translation shaft 142, since the shaft need only translate the cutter a distance slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86.Reducing the translation shaft length, and eliminating the need to accommodate the cutter length within the probe housing, enables the length of handpiece 30 to be reduced.","The time to acquire each tissue sample is also reduced in the present invention, due to the shortened cutting stroke reducing the time required to advance and retract the cutter through needle 80.Since cutter 100 retracts only to a point just proximal of tissue receiving port 86, lumen divider 170 can be formed to extend to the proximal most point of the cutter, rather than through the entire length of the needle.","Reducing the length of divider 170 reduces the required materials and cost of manufacturing needle 80.As described above, fluid passageways 174A and/or 174B can also be used to apply saline to the distal face of a severed tissue sample, such as illustrated in FIGS.","5C-D.","The saline may be used to provide a push against the tissue sample and thereby aid in moving the tissue sample proximally within the cutter lumen 104.To provide a saline flush, tubing from saline supply bag 50 is routed through rotary valve 51 by control module 46 to Y connector 44 and through lateral tube 40 to lumen 84.In one embodiment, a button can be provided on handpiece 30, such that when the button is depressed while the cutter is freewheeling in its distal most position, the valve 51 is activated to connect the saline 50 to lateral tube 40.Prior to a sampling procedure, the saline system may be primed by activating the rotary valve 51 to allow the vacuum from vacuum source 36 to draw saline into tubing 188.Saline will then fill tubing 188 up to Y connector 44.When the operator then depresses the handpiece button during the procedure, the saline will flow from Y connector 44, through lateral tube 40, and into lumen 84 to be applied against tissue sample 182.When rotary valve 51 is deenergized, tubing 188 is sealed off so that the flow of saline to lumen 84 is stopped.","In an alternative embodiment, saline can be automatically provided to lumen 84 during every cutting cycle.","In this embodiment, a handpiece button is not required to operate the saline.","Rather, microprocessor 49 automatically activates rotary valve 51 a designated time after cutter 100 reaches the distal most position within needle 80 during the cutting cycle, and deactivates the valve when the cutter has retracted to a designated proximal position.","A position sensor can be incorporated with the holster 34 or control module 46 to activate rotary valve 51 based upon the axial position of the cutter in the cutting cycle.","Thus, the position of the cutter 100 will automatically activate and deactivate rotary valve 51, such as when the cutter advances and retracts during each cutting cycle.","As shown in FIG.","4, a drive slot 132 may be formed in proximal end 124 of shaft 114 for interfacing with a similar-shaped drive slot in a motor drive shaft, or other rotary drive input from holster 34.Alternatively, as shown in FIG.","6, a star-shaped interface 130 may be molded into second axial end 124 of drive shaft 114.Star interface 130 can be provided to mate with a similar-shaped male interface which could be provided on the rotary drive shaft of holster 34 to rotate drive shaft 114.Alternatively, the female star interface 130 may be molded into the drive shaft from holster 34 and a similar-shaped male interface formed in drive shaft 114.Use of star interface 130, or another similar type of interface that is molded into the rotary drive shaft, minimizes the axial length required for the drive coupling.","Reducing the drive coupling length reduces the overall length of probe 32.FIGS.","7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment for the invention, in which cutter 100 and rear tube 152 are releasable from probe assembly 32 such that the cutter 100 can be repeatedly removed and re-inserted into the probe assembly 32 without disassembling the probe assembly 32.Removal (either partial or complete removal) of the cutter 100 can be advantageous, such as where the cutter 100 is formed of metal and the imaging device employed with the probe 32 is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device.","In FIGS.","7 and 8, the proximal portion of rear tube 152 is not shown.","In the embodiment shown in FIGS.","7 and 8, cutter 100 and rear tube 152 can be joined at a seal 154 just proximal of cutter gear 110, such that the cutter is capable of rotating relative to the rear tube 152 (which can be supported to not rotate).","A cutter release lever 160 can be supported on and can protrude from rear tube 152.Release lever 160 as shown includes an end 162 extending distally towards carriage 134.A lateral slot 164 in end 162 is shaped and sized to engage a feature associated with carriage 134, such as a disk feature 166 which can be securely attached to a proximal hook extension 140 of carriage 134.While slot 164 engages disk 166, cutter 100 and rear tube 152 translate together with carriage 134.A spline features 168 located near the proximal end of cutter 100 can be employed to engage with a complimenting spline feature on the internal diameter of cutter gear 110 to insure the cutter 100 and cutter gear 110 rotate together.","To remove cutter 100 and tube 152 from probe assembly 32, such as for imaging prior to a cutting cycle, the proximal end of release lever 160 is squeezed in the direction of tube 152.The squeezing action unlatches slot 164 from disk 166, releasing cutter 100 and tube 152 from both the carriage 134 and the cutter gear 110.As shown in FIG.","8, after tube 152 and cutter 100 are released, the tube and cutter may be pulled proximally through the cutter gear bore and out the proximal end of probe assembly 32.To reinsert cutter 100 and tube 152, the tube and cutter are connected at seal 154, and the combination is inserted through the proximal end of probe assembly 32 so that the cutter again extends through the cutter gear bore and union sleeve bore 94 into cannula 82.Cutter 100 and tube 152 are pushed distally through probe assembly 32 until slot 164 of end 162 again latches onto disk 166.The cutter 100 may be repeatedly removed from and reinserted into the probe assembly 32 through an opening in the proximal end of the probe assembly 32.The tissue receiving port 86 can be positioned in tissue to be sampled, the cutter 100 can be removed from the probe assembly 32, the biopsy site can be imaged, such as by using MRI, the cutter can be inserted into the probe assembly 32, and the tissue received in the side tissue port 86 can be severed with the cutter 100.The step of removing the cutter from the probe assembly can be performed before or after the tissue port 86 is positioned within the tissue to be sampled.","Additionally, the cutter can be removed after a tissue sample is severed, either before or after the needle 80 is removed from tissue.","As shown in FIGS.","9a and 9b, a divider 170 may be inserted in the distal end of cannula 82 to separate the interior of needle 80 into upper and lower lumens 83/84.In the embodiment shown in FIGS.","9a and 9b, divider 170 extends axially through cannula 82 to a point just proximal of tissue receiving port 86.The proximal end of divider 170 can coincide with the proximal most position of cutter 100 so that the cutter and divider combine to separate the upper and lower lumens.","Alternatively, divider 170 could extend axially through the full length of needle 80.As shown in FIG.","9a, divider 170 can comprise a curved surface that conforms closely to the outer circumference of cutter 100 to enable the cutter to slide along the surface of the divider as the cutter translates within cannula 82.A plurality of fluid passageway holes 172 can be formed in divider 170 beneath tissue receiving port 86 (spaced approximately 180 degrees from the port 86).","Fluid passageways 172 can be sized to permit fluid communication between lumens 83 and 84 (and tissue receiving port 86), while preventing excised tissue portions from passing into the lumen.","Divider 170 can also include one or more fluid passageways 174 distal of the tissue receiving port 86 through which compressed gas (e.g.","air) or liquid (e.g.","saline) can be provided to the distal face of a tissue sample located within the cutter lumen 104 while the cutter 100 is in its distal most position closing off the tissue receiving port 86.With cutter 100 in the distal most position and closing off the tissue receiving port 86, tissue samples can be pushed through the cutter 100 without exposing tissue surrounding the cannula 82 to the fluid.","Divider 170 may be formed of the same material as cannula 82, and the longitudinal edge of the divider may be welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the inner diameter of the cannula.","FIGS.","10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment for a biopsy needle suitable for use with a probe assembly 32.The needle, designated by numeral 165, can be assembled from an aperture component, a tissue piercing component, and a tube component.","In this embodiment, tube component 168 comprises a cannula 171 having a lumen 173 extending there through, and a tissue receiving aperture 175 adjacent the distal end of the tube.","The aperture component 177 comprises an aperture 178 and fluid passageways 179.The tissue piercing component 90 can be insert molded into the aperture component or mechanically secured to it, such as with adhesive or other suitable bonding means.","As shown in greater detail in FIGS.","12 and 13, aperture component 177 can have a semi-tubular shape with an upper opening 178 of substantially the same length as tissue receiving aperture 175.Opening 178 aligns with tissue receiving aperture 175 when the two components 168, 177 are assembled together.","A plurality of fluid passageways 179 are formed in a lower surface 169 of aperture component 177 beneath opening 178.Lower surface 169 can provide a divider for providing a lower lumen when needle 165 is assembled.","One or more fluid passageways 181 can be provided distal of opening 178 so as to be distal of tissue receiving aperture 175 when the needle components are assembled together.","Passageways 179 and 181 provide flow communication for compressed fluid (e.g.","air and/or saline) from the lower lumen to the upper lumen when needle components 168, 177 are assembled together.","A pair of engagement bosses 183 can be provided and can extend from the proximal end of aperture component 177 for attaching the aperture component to tube component 168.To assemble needle 165, aperture component 177 is inserted through the distal end of cannula 171 until bosses 183 engage complimentary grooves or holes on the inner diameter of the tube component 168.The engagement between the bosses and grooves locks aperture component 177 within tube component 168.In addition, when needle 165 is assembled into probe assembly 32, the portion of the cutter 100 which extends distally beyond bosses 183 in tube component 168 can further prevent the aperture component 177 from disengaging form the tube component 168.A circumferential lip 185 can be provided on the aperture component 177.The lip 185 can provide a seating surface for the distal end of tube component 168 when the aperture component is assembled with the tube component.","Referring again to FIG.","5, once a tissue sample enters the lumen 104 of cutter 100, the axial vacuum force 180 can serve to pull the sample proximally through the cutter 100 to be directed from probe assembly 32 into tissue storage assembly 52.In a first embodiment, tissue storage assembly 52 comprises a serial tissue stacking assembly 190, such as is shown in FIG.","14.In serial tissue stacking assembly 190, multiple tissue samples are stacked one behind the next in an end to end configuration, such as in a flexible tube.","The samples may be removed individually from the tube and examined in real-time during the procedure or, alternatively, left in the tube until the end of the procedure and removed all at once.","The distal end of serial tissue assembly 190 can be detachably connected via dual connection mechanisms to probe assembly 32 (so that the serial tissue storage assembly 190 is releasable from the probe assembly), while the proximal end of the assembly 190 can be detachably connected via tube 42 to a vacuum source, such as vacuum source 36 shown in FIG.","1.In the embodiment shown in FIGS.","15a and 15b, an upper connector 192 at the distal end of serial tissue assembly 190 includes a pair of snap fasteners 194.Fasteners 194 engage a pair of fastener engaging features 196 that are disposed at the proximal end of the probe assembly, such as a pair of notches that can be formed in a portion of the proximal end of probe lower shell 72.When fasteners 194 are engaged with features 196, as shown in FIG.","15a, the upper portion of serial tissue assembly 190 is attached to the probe housing.","A second, lower connecter 198, also at the distal end of serial tissue assembly 190, can include a similar pair of snap fasteners 200.Lower snap fasteners 200 engage a mating pair of features 202 on the proximal end of the rear tube 152 that is shown extending from a proximal opening in probe assembly 32 in FIG.","15b.","The distal end of rear tube 152 can be joined to carriage 134 as shown in FIG.","8.When lower snap fasteners 200 engage notches 202, as shown in FIG.","15b, the lower portion of serial tissue assembly 190 moves distally and proximally with the translation of drive carriage 134.When both upper connector 192 and lower connector 198 are attached to probe assembly 32, the lower portion of serial tissue assembly 190 will translate relative to the fixed upper portion of the assembly during the cutting cycle.","To detach serial tissue assembly 190 from probe assembly 32, each of the pairs of snap fasteners 194, 200 are pushed inwardly at the distal ends to disengage the forward tips of the fasteners from the corresponding notches 196, 202.After the fasteners are disengaged, serial tissue assembly 190 may be separated from probe assembly 32.As shown in FIGS.14 and 16, serial tissue assembly 190 includes a sample storage tube 206 having dual lumens extending axially therethrough.","The dual lumens can be generally parallel.","Tube 206 may be comprised of polyvinyl chloride or another similar type of flexible, water insoluble material.","Using a clear material for storage tube 206, such as polyvinyl chloride, enables the stacked tissue samples to be visible from outside the tube.","Tube 206 can include a longitudinally extending center wall divider for separating the two lumens.","Tube 206 can comprise a first lumen, such as stacking lumen 210, for transferring and storing tissue samples 204 that have been aspirated to the assembly through cutter lumen 104.Tissue stacking lumen 210 can be detachably connected to the proximal end of rear tube 152 by lower connector 198.When fasteners 200 engage features 202, as described above, tissue stacking lumen 210 can be axially aligned with rear tube lumen 156 to provide a continuous, unobstructed passageway for the movement of tissue samples 204 from tissue receiving port 86 into the tissue lumen stacking lumen 210.As tissue samples 204 enter tissue stacking lumen 210, the samples stack serially one behind the next within the lumen, in end to end configuration, as shown in FIG.","16, so that the order of the samples (the order in which the samples are obtained from the biopsy site) is maintained while the samples are stored in tissue stacking lumen 210.A tissue stop can be located within the tissue retrieval mechanism 260 at the proximal end of tissue lumen 210 to prevent the first or earliest sample from translating completely through the tissue lumen and into vacuum system 36.The tube 206 can comprise a second lumen, tissue stacking vacuum lumen 214, for providing a flow communication path for vacuum through rear tube 152 and cutter 100 so that severed tissue samples 204 can be drawn through cutter 100 and rear tube 152 into tissue stacking lumen 210.The proximal end of tissue stacking vacuum lumen 214 can be detachably connected to vacuum source 36 through a lateral attachment port 216.As shown in greater detail in FIG.","17, a plurality of small holes 220 can be provided in the center wall divider of tube 206 between lumen 214 and lumen 210 to provide flow communication between the lumens.","Holes 220 enable vacuum from source 36 to be communicated from lumen 214 into lumen 210, to provide vacuum in lumen 104 of cutter 100.Holes 220 are preferably spaced along the longitudinal axis of tube 206 and separated by a distance in the range of 0.1 to 4 centimeters.","Holes 220 may be oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of tube 206.The angle in holes 220 can function as a mechanical diode, in that the edge of the holes 220 opening into lumen 210 can aid in preventing motion of tissue samples in a distal direction, while permitting tissue samples to move proximally in lumen 210 under vacuum force provided by vacuum source 36.A tissue sample will continue to slide proximally through the lumen 210 until the sample contacts either the tissue stop within the tissue retrieval mechanism 260 or a preceding tissue sample.","Vacuum holes 220 may be formed between lumens 210, 214 by boring into the upper surface of tube 206 with the sharpened tip of a drill or other appropriate instrument.","The tip of the drill bit or other boring instrument can be directed to pass through vacuum lumen 214 to penetrate the center wall of tube 206 that separates the two lumens.","As shown in FIG.","14, an outer sleeve 228 is securely attached to the surface of tube 206 following the formation of vacuum communication holes 220.Outer sleeve 228 may be attached to tube 206 by an adhesive or other appropriate type of attachment mechanism.","Outer sleeve 228 is attached to sample tube 206 over the openings used to form vacuum communication holes 220 to seal the openings, and prevent vacuum from passing out of vacuum lumen 214 through the openings.","The distal end of outer sleeve 228 can be formed to extend beyond the distal end of vacuum lumen 214 to connect with upper connector 192.Vacuum lumen 214 attaches to probe assembly 32 through the connection between outer sleeve 228 and upper connector 192.As tissue samples 204 are stored in lumen 210, the stack of samples 204 will grow in length distally in lumen 210.The samples 204 will tend to block or otherwise restrict flow communication through vacuum holes 220 as the stack of samples extends distally in lumen 210.In FIG.","16, a translating flexible rod 230 is shown disposed at least partially in lumen 214.Rod 230 can extend axially through lumen 214 to selectively cover or otherwise block at least some of the vacuum holes 220.Rod 230 can then be manipulated, such as by axial movement of rod 230, to selectively expose vacuum holes 220 in the vacuum lumen.","For instance, during each cutting cycle, rod 230 can be advanced distally within vacuum lumen 214 to expose or otherwise unblock/open additional vacuum holes 220 as additional samples are stored in lumen 210.The movement of rod 230 maintains a predetermined number of vacuum holes 220 open to provide flow communication between lumens 210 and 214 as additional tissue samples are added to the stack of tissue samples in lumen 210.This can aid in providing a consistent vacuum force in cutter lumen 104 throughout multiple cutting cycles.","Initially, flexible rod 230 can be inserted within lumen 214 such that rod 230 is axially offset within lumen 214 so as to cover or otherwise block most, but not all, of the holes 220.For instance, prior to storing any samples in lumen 214, rod 230 can be offset distally within vacuum lumen 214 a distance that is slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86.Offsetting rod 230 distally within lumen 210 ensures an initial set of holes 220 are exposed to communicate axial vacuum force 180 to tissue receiving port 86 when cutter 100 is in the fully proximal position prior to tissue sampling.","The axial vacuum force communicated through the exposed holes 220 aids in prolapsing tissue into receiving port 86 prior to cutting, as well as pulling the tissue sample proximally into tissue lumen 210 after cutting.","As a tissue sample is drawn into and stacked within tissue lumen 210, the tissue sample blocks the previously exposed vacuum holes 220, preventing vacuum from passing into the tissue lumen.","Rod 230 can be selectively moved a predetermined distance distally that is slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86 to expose additional vacuum holes 220 immediately distal of the most recently acquired tissue sample.","Rod 230 can be adapted to be automatically advanced distally by the translation of drive carriage 134 within probe assembly 32, as described further below.","The newly exposed vacuum holes 220 continue the communication of vacuum force 180 into tissue lumen 210 for the next cutting cycle.","Rod 230 can be formed of a fluoropolymer resin material such as Teflon® or other suitable flexible material having a low coefficient of friction.","Rod 230 can be sized and shaped to conform closely to the inner diameter of vacuum lumen 214.The close fit between rod 230 and vacuum lumen 214, as well as the low friction properties of the rod, enable the rod to translate easily within the vacuum lumen without any loss of vacuum force through the distal end of the lumen.","The distal end 231 of rod 230 extends outside of vacuum lumen 214 through an opening 234 in outer sleeve 228.As rod 230 is advanced distally, the rod moves further out of vacuum lumen 214 through opening 234.The flexibility of rod 230 allows the rod to flex out of opening 234 in outer sleeve 228 as the rod is continually advanced distally, enabling substantially the entire rod to be translated out of vacuum lumen 214 over the course of multiple cutting cycles.","As shown in greater detail in FIG.","18, rod 230 can include a plurality of side ratchet teeth 232 spaced longitudinally substantially along the length of the rod.","Teeth 232 provide a mechanism to grip and advance rod 230 through vacuum lumen 214.Rod 230 can also include a plurality of bottom ratchet teeth 238.Rod 230 can be advanced distally within vacuum lumen 214 by the interaction between teeth 232 and a pawl-type latching mechanism 240 on a reciprocating member 242, which is shown in greater detail in FIG.","19.Reciprocating member 242 can be supported on lower connector 198 and reciprocates as cutter 100 is advanced and retracted.","Reciprocating member 242 can have a bifurcated proximal end with proximally extending portions 243 separated by an axially extending slot 244.A ramped surface 246 can be formed between portions 243 at a distal end of slot 244.Ramped surface 246 can serve to deflect the distal end 231 of rod 230 through opening 234 and alongside the outer surface of tube 206 as the rod is ratcheted out of vacuum lumen 214.Unidirectional engagement pawls 250 can be formed to extend from the sides of portions 243 facing slot 244 to engage side ratchet teeth 232 on rod 230 as the rod extends through the groove.","The engagement between pawls 250 and ratchet teeth 232 advances rod 230 distally through vacuum lumen 214.The distal end of reciprocating member 242 can be fixed to lower connector 198 for translation along with the lower connector 198, carriage 134, and cutter 100 during each cutting cycle.","As drive carriage 134 advances distally at the beginning of a cutting cycle to move cutter 100 into receiving port 86, reciprocating member 242 also advances distally.","As reciprocating member 242 advances, pawls 250 in groove 244 engage side teeth 232 on rod 230 in lumen 214 to pull the rod distally with the reciprocating member.","As rod 230 moves distally within lumen 214, additional vacuum holes 220 are exposed.","As the direction of carriage 134 reverses, and cutter 100 retracts from receiving port 86, reciprocating member 242 moves in a proximal direction relative to the fixed vacuum lumen 214.As reciprocating member 242 retracts proximally, unidirectional bottom ratchet teeth 238 located on the bottom side of flexible rod 230 engage vacuum holes 220 within vacuum lumen 214 as shown in FIG.","17.The engagement between the ratchet teeth and holes 220 prevents rod 230 from moving proximally within vacuum lumen 214.As pawls 250 move proximally relative to rod 230, the pawls engage the next proximal set of ratchet teeth 232 on rod 230.This engagement with the next set of ratchet teeth 232 causes rod 230 to again advance distally when drive carriage 134 advances distally during the next cutting cycle to expose additional vacuum communication holes 220.In the event that the carriage and cutter assembly is advanced and retracted without the probe assembly 32 in tissue, resulting in the flexible rod 230 advanced too far distally relative to the tissue samples 204; the flexible rod 230 can be rotated a fraction of a turn about its longitudinal axis to disengage ratchet teeth 232 and 238 allowing the flexible rod 230 to be repositioned proximally within the vacuum lumen 214.In an alternative embodiment not shown, flexible rod 230 could be advanced distally within vacuum lumen 214 as drive carriage 134 is retracted proximally following the cutting of tissue.","In this embodiment, a reversing mechanism such as, for example, a cable extending 180° degrees around a pulley, could be utilized so that as the drive carriage retracts the cable pulls the flexible rod distally.","As shown in FIG.","19, lower connector 198 includes an axially-extending bore 252 for connecting the tissue lumen portion of sample tube 206 to rear tube 152.When serial tissue assembly 190 is connected to probe assembly 32 by lower connector 198, tissue lumen 210, bore 252, and rear tube lumen 156 are aligned generally coaxially to provide an unobstructed passageway for the aspiration of tissue samples from cutter 110 and rear tube 152 to lumen 210.FIG.","20 illustrates in greater detail connectors 192, 198 and lumens 210, 214.As shown in FIG.","20, vacuum lumen 214 can be attached to fixed upper connector 192 by outer sleeve 228.Vacuum lumen 214 thus remains fixed in position within serial tissue assembly 190 throughout the cutting cycle.","Tissue lumen 210 extends distally into bore 252 of lower connector 198.At least a distal portion of tissue lumen 210 will translate along with lower connector 198 and drive carriage 134 during each cutting cycle.","As drive carriage 134 and lower connector 198 translates proximally, a distal portion 211 of the sample tube including the distal portion of tissue lumen 210 flexes or otherwise deforms downward, enabling the distal end of the tissue lumen to translate along with lower connector 198 and reciprocating member 242, while vacuum lumen 214 remains fixed in position by outer sleeve 228.As shown in FIGS.","14 and 16 a tissue retrieval mechanism 260 may be located at the proximal end of serial tissue assembly 190 for removing samples from the assembly in real-time following each cutting cycle.","Tissue retrieval mechanism 260 can be is positioned in relation to sample tube 206 just distal of tissue stop 212 (FIG.","23).","As shown in greater detail in FIGS.","21, 22, and 23, tissue retrieval mechanism 260 includes a retractable outer sleeve 262.Outer sleeve 262 is pneumatically sealed by o-rings 263 to maintain vacuum within sample tube 206 during the cutting cycle.","To remove a tissue sample from tube 206 following a cutting cycle, outer sleeve 262 is manually rotated or translated out of position using pull-tab 270 to expose the tissue sample in tissue lumen 210.A tissue retrieval window 264 can be formed in tissue lumen 210 beneath outer sleeve 262 to provide access to the tissue sample in the lumen once the outer sleeve is retracted.","An air inlet 265 can be located distal of tissue retrieval window 264 to apply air pressure to the distal face of the tissue sample 204 in the window, to prevent distal movement of the sample when outer sleeve 262 is retracted due to a pressure imbalance on tissue sample 204.A lower cylinder 266 on retractable sleeve 262 can house a return spring 258 for biasing the sleeve into the closed, sealed position.","Each end of the spring 258 is secured to the retrieval mechanism 260 with pins 224.The proximal end of tissue retrieval assembly 260 can include a vacuum attachment 268 for providing vacuum to tissue lumen 210, such as from vacuum source 36.Vacuum attachment port 216 can also be provided to extend through retrieval mechanism 260 to provide vacuum to lumen 214, such as from vacuum source 36.At the end of a procedure, tissue retrieval assembly 260 may be disconnected from sample tube 206 so that tissue samples may be retrieved from the tube, as will be described in further detail below.","As an alternative or in combination with real-time sample retrieval through tissue retrieval assembly 260, tissue samples may be retrieved at the end of a procedure by disconnecting sample tube 206 from probe assembly 32 and removing tissue retrieval assembly 260 from the proximal end of tissue lumen 210.After sample tube 206 is disconnected, a sample releasing mechanism such as, for example, the flexible rod such as plunger-like component 278 shown in FIG.","24, may be inserted in one end of tissue lumen 210 and advanced there through to extract the samples from the opposite end of the lumen as shown in FIG.","25.Alternatively, the tissue sample tube may be formed such that vacuum lumen 214 is separable from tissue lumen 210 at the conclusion of the procedure to allow access to the tissue samples stacked within the tissue lumen.","FIGS.","26a-26c illustrate one embodiment for a separable sample storage tube in which a dual lumen tube 280 is extruded with weakened sides along the exterior of tissue lumen 210, as indicated by reference numeral 282, so that a portion of the lumen 210 is separable, such as by peeling, to expose tissue samples.","When opposite forces are applied to lumens 210, 214, the two lumens can be peeled apart at the weak points 282, with the upper portion of tissue lumen 210 separating with vacuum lumen 214 as shown in FIG.","26b.","The remaining, lower portion of tissue lumen 210 will form an open U-channel containing the stacked tissue samples (U-channel shown in FIG.","26c).","The samples may be removed from the opened tissue lumen 210 using a forceps or other instrument.","As an alternative to extruding the sample tube with weakened side points 282, tissue and vacuum lumens 210, 214 could be extruded separately and assembled together to form a dual lumen tube 284, an example of which is shown in FIG.","27a.","In this embodiment, vacuum lumen 214 is extruded to include the upper portion of tissue lumen 210 so that tissue lumen 210 forms an open U-channel.","The tissue and vacuum lumens 210, 214 are joined along the upper edges 286 of the U-channel by an adhesive or other type of fastening mechanism.","To access the tissue samples, opposite forces are applied to tube 284 to break the adhesive bond or other fastening means and peel vacuum lumen 214 away from tissue lumen 210, as shown in FIG.","27b.","The samples may then be removed from the open tissue lumen.","In yet another embodiment for a separable sample storage tube, shown in FIG.","28, a dual lumen tube 290 is formed by joining separately extruded vacuum and tissue lumens 210, 214.In this embodiment, vacuum lumen 214 is formed as a closed piece having at least one pair of laterally extending teeth 292.Tissue lumen 210 is formed as an open U-shaped channel having a corresponding number of pairs of laterally extending notches 294 along the inner surfaces of the channel.","Teeth 292 are shaped to engage notches 294 to form a mechanical latch 296 that locks vacuum lumen 214 and tissue lumen 210 together to form the sample tube.","Pulling vacuum lumen 214 in an opposite direction away from tissue lumen 210 will disengage teeth 292 from notches 294, thereby opening the top of the tissue lumen to remove tissue samples.","Mechanical latch 296 may be used in combination with an adhesive or other attachment mechanism to lock the vacuum and tissue lumens together.","FIGS.","29 and 30 illustrate an alternative embodiment for serial tissue stacking assembly 190 where sample storage tube 206 is replaced with a separable sample storage tube shown in FIGS.","26-28.In addition, the tissue retrieval mechanism 260 is replaced with a tissue lumen peel tab 272.A tissue stop feature is located in lumen peel tab 272 at the proximal end of tissue lumen 210.A tubing connector 274 connects the proximal end of vacuum lumen 214 to an axial vacuum line, such as a vacuum line 42 communicating with vacuum source 36.In this embodiment, tissue samples are stacked distally from the tissue stop.","The tissue samples 204 can be removed real time by peeling the tissue lumen from the vacuum lumen 214.Alternately, the tissue samples can be removed at the conclusion of the procedure.","FIGS.","31a-31d illustrate the advanced and retracted positions of lower connector 198, tissue lumen 210 and rod 230 for the initial two cutting cycles of a biopsy procedure.","As shown in FIG.","31a, when cutter 100 is advanced to a fully distal position, i.e.","completely through tissue receiving port 86, tissue lumen 210 is advanced fully distal as well, with the tissue lumen substantially parallel to outer sleeve 228.As cutter 100 retracts from tissue receiving port 86 following tissue cutting, tissue lumen 210 retracts with drive carriage 134 to a proximal position, as shown in FIG.","31b.","In this position, the a distal length tissue lumen 210 extends downward, such as by flexing, away from outer sleeve 228.Reciprocating member 242 also retracts and grips the next set of ratchet teeth 232 on rod 230.During the next cutting cycle, shown in FIG.","31c, cutter 100 is again fully advanced by drive carriage 134 and lower connector 198 again pulls tissue lumen 210 distally.","As lower connector 198 is pulled distally, engagement pawls 250 pull on ratchet teeth 232 of rod 230 to advance the rod through vacuum lumen 214 and out opening 234.At the conclusion of the second cutting cycle, tissue lumen 210 is again retracted proximally as shown in FIG.","31d.","FIG.","32 illustrates an alternative embodiment for tissue storage assembly 52, in which the storage assembly comprises a parallel tissue stacking assembly 300.In parallel tissue stacking assembly 300, tissue samples are stored one beside the next in a tissue storage component and removed at the end of the procedure.","As shown in FIGS.","32 and 33, parallel stacking assembly 300 comprises a tissue storage component 302 containing a series of side-by-side lumens 304.Each of the lumens 304 is slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86 for storing tissue samples aspirated from the receiving port.","Component 302 may be comprised of a clear plastic material to allow visual inspection of the tissues samples stored therein.","An integrated knock-out pin 306, (FIG.","34), can be provided at the proximal end of each tissue lumen 304 to prevent tissue samples from translating completely through the lumen and into vacuum system 36, while providing vacuum to be communicated to a lumen (e.g.","each knockout pin 306 can include a small central opening large enough to provide flow communication for providing vacuum to lumen 304, but small enough to not allow a tissue sample to pass out the distal end of lumen 304.)","Returning to FIGS.","32 and 33, a tissue tube 308 having a tissue lumen 310 therein, extends distal of component 302 to connect with tube 152 in probe 32.Tubes 152 and 308 can be aligned to provide a continuous, generally straight line passageway from lumen 104 of cutter 100 to a lumen 304 in component 302.An 0-ring seal 312, shown in FIG.","35, can be provided at the proximal end of tissue tube 308 to seal the passageway between tissue lumen 310 and the lumen 304 aligned with tube 308.Sample and tissue tubes 152, 308 may be detachably connected by any suitable type of fastening mechanism such as, for example, snap fasteners similar to those shown in FIGS.","15a and 15b.","A first vacuum port 314 can be located on the proximal side of component 302 to provide vacuum to tissue lumen 310 through the lumen 304 aligned with tube 308.A second lateral vacuum port 316 can be employed to provide vacuum to tissue lumen 310 at a position distal of component 302.Each of vacuum ports 314, 316 can be attached to vacuum source 36 through an axial vacuum line 42 to provide vacuum for drawing tissue proximally in lumen 104 of cutter 100.Lateral vacuum port 316 can be attached to a vacuum chamber 320 that surrounds tissue tube 308.Tissue tube 308 can include a plurality of spaced holes within vacuum chamber 320 for communicating vacuum between the chamber and tube lumen 310.Lateral vacuum port 316 and chamber 320 provide additional vacuum for aiding in the proximal movement of a tissue sample (such as in the case where a tissue sample fragments into multiple pieces during sampling).","After a tissue sample is stored in a lumen 304, component 302 can be indexed laterally to axially align the next adjacent lumen with tissue lumen 310.As shown in FIG.","33, a cam member 322 is provided for indexing component 302.Cam member 322 is located in a housing 324 that extends beneath component 302.Cam member 322 is operatively connected to drive carriage 134 in probe assembly 32 to translate distally and proximally with the drive carriage during each cutting cycle.","Cam member 322 is attached to drive carriage 134 by a mechanical cable 326 that extends distally through an end cap 330.Cable 326 is attached to drive carriage 134 and pulls cam member 322 distally as the drive carriage 134 moves distally.","As cam member 322 moves, a camming surface 332 on the cam member interacts with bosses 334 (shown in FIG.","34) on the under surface of component 302 to index component 302.Camming surface 332 can comprise an angled, flexible strip of material that is deflected by bosses 334.As shown in FIG.","36a, camming surface 332 is in a non-deflected position between two bosses, identified by phantom bosses 336, 338, when cam member 322 is in a proximal-most position prior to a cutting cycle.","As cam member 322 advances distally at the beginning of a cutting cycle, camming surface 332 is deflected out of position by the contact between boss 336 and a first side of the camming surface.","As cam member 322 continues to advance distally, boss 336 deflects camming surface 332 to a point at which the boss passes through an opening created between the cam surface and a stop block 340, as shown in FIG.","36b.","After boss 336 passes through the opening created by the deflecting camming surface, the camming surface springs back into a non-deflected position in contact with stop block 340.When drive carriage 134 begins to retract following the cutting of tissue, a return spring 224 within the distal end of housing 324 pushes cam member 322 proximally within the housing.","As cam member 322 retracts proximally, the opposite side of camming surface 332 contacts boss 336.As cam member 322 continues to retract, the angle in camming surface 332 causes boss 336 to be pushed laterally, as shown in FIG.","36c.","As boss 336 is pushed laterally, component 302 is indexed laterally relative to tissue tube 308, thereby positioning the next adjacent lumen 304 to receive the next tissue sample through tube 308.As shown in FIGS.","32 and 33, component 302 is positioned between cam member housing 324 and a detent arm 342.Detent arm 342 extends distally across the upper surface of component 302.As component 302 is indexed laterally by the interaction of camming surface 332 and boss 336, detent arm 342 engages one of a series of indexing detents 344.Indexing detents 344 lock the next active lumen 304 into alignment with lumen 310 following each indexing action.","The plurality of bosses 334 and indexing detents 344 enable component 302 to be repetitively indexed to store a plurality of tissue samples during a biopsy procedure.","At the conclusion of a biopsy procedure, component 302 may be removed from between housing 324 and detent arm 342, and the tissue samples removed from the individual tissue lumens 304.The top surface of component 302 can include a cover or other removable portion to allow each sample to be easily removed from the lumens 304.FIG.","37 is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary drive assembly 350 for holster 34.In the assembly shown in FIG.","37, the translation and rotation drive trains (for providing rotation and translation of cutter 100) are driven by a single rotatable cable 55 (also shown in FIG.","1) that extends between holster 34 and a remotely located motor, such as a motor in control module 46.A single drive cable is capable of rotating both drive trains due to the reduced cutter stroke of the present invention.","The reduced cutter stroke enables the size of handpiece 30, as well as the load on the drive motor, to be reduced relative to previous biopsy devices.","Powering handpiece 30 through a single rotatable cable enables the handpiece to be utilized in MRI guided procedures since ferromagnetic motor components are separated from the handpiece.","The handpiece can also be used in mammography and ultrasound guided procedures.","Accordingly, a common probe assembly and handpiece can be utilized for multiple imaging environments.","For an MRI guided procedure, the length of the rotatable cable may be increased to accommodate use near or within an MRI bore.","In the embodiment shown in FIG.","37, rotatable cable 55 attaches to a drive cable input coupling 352 for providing rotational drive to holster 34.A drive shaft 354 from input coupling 352 extends to a proximal housing 356.Within proximal housing 356, an input gear 360 is mounted on input drive shaft 354 between spacer 362 and bearing 389 so as to engage corresponding gears on a translation drive shaft 364 and a rotation drive shaft 366.The interaction of the input gear 360 with translation shaft gear 370 and rotation shaft gear 372 transmits the rotational drive to translation and rotation drive shafts 364, 366.Translation and rotation drive shafts 364, 366 extend from proximal housing 356 through a pair of bores in a center housing 374.Translation and rotation gears 370, 372 are spaced between the proximal and center housings by bearings 376.Distal of center housing 374, holster 34 includes a rotary encoder 380 for providing a feedback signal to control module 46 regarding rotation of the drive shafts.","Encoder 380 may be mounted on either the translation or the rotation drive shafts.","Holster 34 also includes an optional planetary gearbox 382 on translation drive shaft 364.Gearbox 382 provides a gear reduction between the translation and rotation drive trains to produce differing speeds for the translation of drive carriage 134 and the rotation of cutter 104.Distal of gearbox 382 and encoder 380, drive assembly 350 includes a housing 384.Housing 384 includes connections for coupling the translation drive train with translation drive input shaft 386, and the rotational drive train with rotary drive input shaft 388.Each of the drive input shafts 386, 388 has a distal end shaped to operatively engage slots on corresponding drive shafts in probe assembly 32.In particular, translation drive input shaft 386 is shaped to engage slot 128 of translation shaft 142 (shown in FIG.","4), and rotary drive input shaft 388 is shaped to engage slot 132 of rotary drive shaft 114.As mentioned above with respect to FIG.","6, the drive input shafts may have molded interfaces, rather than the mating slots and tips shown in FIGS.","4 and 37, to reduce the coupling length between the shafts.","Translation and rotary drive shafts 386, 388 extend distally from housing 384 for engagement with drive and translation shafts 114, 142 when probe assembly 32 and holster 34 are connected.","The embodiment shown in FIG.","37 comprises a single drive cable input for operatively driving the translation and rotation shafts.","In an alternative embodiment, a single motor mounted in the holster 34 can replace rotatable cable 55.The single motor drives both the translation and rotation shafts through a suitable gearing assembly.","The motor may be mounted above or proximal to the drive assembly.","Another embodiment replaces the single motor with two motors.","One motor would drive the translation drive input shaft and the other would drive the rotary drive input shaft.","In the embodiments described, the cutting stroke length for the cutter 100 is reduced to slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86.This stroke reduction is possible in part because tissue samples are aspirated through the cutter lumen, rather than being pulled proximally through the needle by a retracting cutter.","Reducing the cutting stroke length has a number of benefits.","One of the benefits of a reduced cutting stroke length is that the overall size and weight of the probe assembly may be reduced, thereby enabling the biopsy device to be used in imaging environments where size has traditionally been a limitation.","In particular, the reduced size of the probe assembly enables an essentially common probe assembly to be used in both open and closed bore Mill guided procedures, as well as in mammography and ultrasound procedures, with minor adjustments.","A common cable driven holster may also be used in each of the imaging modalities, with the alternative, single or double motor embodiments useable in both the mammography and ultrasound guided procedures.","In addition, a common control module can be used to control the handpiece in any of the three imaging environments.","The probe assembly may be adapted for use in an Mill guided procedure by utilizing a needle and cutter subassembly that is comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material, such as a plastic or ceramic, in order to reduce image artifacts.","In addition, the cutter assembly may be removed from the probe, as described above with respect to FIGS.","7 and 8, for Mill imaging prior to initiation of a cutting cycle.","Alternately, the distal end of the cutter may be simply retracted proximally from the tissue receiving port area during imaging.","To accommodate each of the different imaging modalities, reusable handpiece base units specific to each of the imaging environments may be utilized.","Each of the handpiece base units may be used for firing and/or rotating the needle aperture, depending upon the operator's needs and the constrictions of the particular imaging environment.","Each of the base units is designed to accommodate the probe assembly to enable the same probe to be used across imaging modalities.","FIG.","38a illustrates a base 420 for use with probe assembly 32 in a mammography guided procedure.","Base 420 may be attached to the stereotactic arm of a mammography machine by a mounting feature 422.A recessed nest area 424 is provided in base 420 for accommodating the probe lower shell.","Probe assembly 32 may be lodged in nest 424 prior to the initiation of a procedure.","A firing button 426 is included in base 420 for firing the needle of the probe assembly into the tissue mass of interest.","A knob 430 on the side of base unit 420 compresses a firing spring within the unit.","When button 426 is compressed, the spring pushes against probe assembly 32 to forcibly drive the entire probe assembly and nest 424 forward relative to the mounting feature 422.An aperture rotation gear 432 is also provided in the recessed area of base 420 for rotating the tissue receiving port of the probe assembly after the needle is positioned within the tissue mass.","Aperture rotation gear 432 includes a plurality of gear teeth 434.Gear teeth 434 project partially above the recessed surface area to engage similar shaped teeth on a second gear integral to the needle support component within probe assembly 32.Teeth on the second, needle gear are recessed within the probe shell, but accessible by aperture rotation gear 432 when the probe is lodged in nest 424.A knob 436 is provided on the proximal end of base 420 for manually rotating gear 432.When gear 432 rotates, the engagement between the gears causes the needle to rotate, thereby repositioning the tissue receiving port within the tissue mass.","Probe assembly 32 can include flexible engagement fingers that lock the needle gear and prevent the gear from rotating outside of nest 424.When probe assembly 32 is inserted into nest 424, the flexible fingers are deflected so as to disengage from the needle gear, and allow the gear to rotate in response to the rotation of base gear 432.FIG.","38b illustrates the probe assembly 32 lodged in nest 424.FIG.","39 illustrates a similar type of probe base unit for use in an ultrasound imaging environment.","As shown in FIG.","39, the base unit 440 includes a nest 442 for accommodating the lower shell of probe assembly 32.A knob 444 is provided for compressing a firing spring within base 440, as well as a button 446 for releasing the spring to “fire” the probe assembly and nest 424 into a tissue mass.","In the ultrasound environment, base 440 may be hand-held and manipulated as required by the operator.","Accordingly, a needle rotation mechanism is not necessary for base 440, since the operator may rotate the needle by manually rotating the base and/or probe assembly.","As shown in FIG.","40, a third type of probe base 450 is provided for use in MRI guided procedures.","Base 450 may be mounted to a localization unit within the MRI unit.","The reduced size of the probe assembly in the present invention reduces the structural requirements for the localization unit due to the reduced cantilever loading generated by the probe.","MRI base 450 includes a recessed nest 452 for accommodating the lower probe shell.","In addition, the base includes an aperture rotation gear 454 having a plurality of gear teeth that engage similar shaped teeth that extend from the probe lower shell.","The gear in the lower probe shell is attached to the needle to rotate the needle whenever gear 454 is rotated, in a manner similar to the mammography nest embodiment shown in FIG.","38.An aperture rotation knob 456 is located on the proximal end of base 450 to manually rotate gear 454 and, correspondingly, the tissue receiving aperture in the needle.","Base 450 does not require a firing mechanism for positioning the needle within the tissue.","However, multiple needle lengths may be used with the probe assembly to enable the probe assembly to more easily fit within the MRI unit.","The particular needle length selected will depend upon the depth of the tissue mass of interest within the patient's body.","As an alternative to the use of MRI base 450, an MRI localization depth gage 460, such as shown in FIG.","41, may be used for positioning the probe assembly.","In this embodiment, a depth stop 462 is attached to the probe assembly and/or the needle 80.The depth stop includes an adjustment knob 464 for adjusting the desired depth of the probe needle.","After the needle is properly positioned, the probe is inserted into the patient's tissue until the stop is reached.","The patient may then be placed in the MRI device and imaged without additional support for the probe assembly.","After the needle position within the tissue is confirmed, the holster is attached to the probe assembly to begin tissue sampling.","While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.","Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.","Additionally, each element described in relation to the invention can be alternatively described as a means for performing that element's function.","It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.","described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.","that are described herein.","The following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.","should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.","Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.","Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.","Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.","Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art.","For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required.","Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"BIOPSY DEVICE WITH SAMPLE STORAGE\",\n \"A biopsy device includes a cannula and an inner divider wall disposed in the cannula.\",\n \"The inner divider wall defines a plurality of cannula fluid openings.\",\n \"The outer wall of the cannula and the inner divider wall together define a cutter receiving lumen and a cannula vacuum lumen.\",\n \"The cannula fluid openings provide fluid communication between the cutter receiving lumen and the cannula vacuum lumen.\",\n \"A cutter is translatable with respect to the cannula for severing tissue drawn into the cannula.\",\n \"The cutter is operable to cover and/or uncover the cannula fluid openings.\",\n \"A proximal portion of the cutter is spaced away from the inner divider wall.\",\n \"A distal portion of the cutter is configured to slide adjacent to the inner divider wall.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.-20.\",\n \"(canceled) 21.A biopsy device comprising: (a) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture and sharp tissue piercing tip; (b) a cutter rotatable and translatable within a cutter lumen defined by the probe cannula relative to the side aperture to sever a tissue sample received through the side aperture; (c) a tube; (d) a tissue sample holder, wherein the tissue sample holder includes a tissue storage component defining a plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tissue storage component is configured to move relative to a proximal end of the tube to receive a tissue sample within each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tube is configured to communicate solid tissue samples from the cutter to the tissue sample holder; and (e) a vacuum source in communication with the cutter via the tissue sample holder.\",\n \"22.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tissue storage component of the tissue sample holder is configured to repetitively index relative to the tube to collect one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter into a corresponding tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue storage component.\",\n \"23.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein each tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue storage component extends though the tissue storage component in a parallel direction relative to the other tissue sample chambers.\",\n \"24.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising an indexing assembly, wherein the indexing assembly is configured to move the tissue storage component relative to the tube after a tissue sample is received within an indexed tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers.\",\n \"25.The biopsy device of claim 24, wherein the indexing assembly includes a cam member that is configured to engage a drive carriage, wherein the drive carriage is configured to index the tissue storage component in response to actuation of the cam member by a mechanical drive cable.\",\n \"26.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tissue storage component includes a plastic material sufficiently clear to permit visual inspection of tissue samples received within each tissue sample chamber.\",\n \"27.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tissue sample holder further includes a vacuum manifold adjacent to the tissue storage component, wherein the vacuum manifold is configured to direct tissue samples into a tissue sample chamber indexed with the vacuum manifold.\",\n \"28.The biopsy device of claim 27, wherein the vacuum manifold includes a lateral vacuum tube, wherein the lateral vacuum tube is configured to supply vacuum to the cutter while bypassing the tissue storage component.\",\n \"29.The biopsy device of claim 21, wherein the tube includes a flexible material to permit movement of the probe cannula relative to the tissue sample holder.\",\n \"30.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising a seal connecting the tube to the cutter such that the cutter is configured to rotate and translate relative to the tube.\",\n \"31.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising a motor assembly operatively configured to translate the cutter to sever a tissue sample.\",\n \"32.The biopsy device of claim 21, further comprising a seal, a motor, and an indexing assembly, wherein the seal connects the tube to the cutter such that the motor is configured to rotate and translate the cutter relative to the tube while the tube remains fluidly coupled to the cutter, wherein the indexing assembly is configured to move the tissue storage component relative to the tube after a tissue sample is received within an indexed tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tissue storage component includes a plastic material sufficiently clear to permit visual inspection of tissue samples received within each tissue sample chamber, wherein the tissue storage component of the tissue sample holder is configured to repetitively index relative to the tube to collect one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter into a corresponding tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue storage component.\",\n \"33.A biopsy system comprising: (a) a biopsy device including: (i) a body, (ii) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture, and (iii) a cutter translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula; (b) a sample collection assembly including: (i) a tissue sample holder defining a plurality of tissue sample chambers, and (ii) a vacuum chamber adjacent to a tissue receiving end of the tissue sample holder, wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to aid movement of tissue samples into each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers defined by the tissue sample holder; (c) a tube extending from the vacuum chamber of the sample collection assembly to the biopsy device such that the tube is configured to communicate tissue samples from the biopsy device to the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly; and (d) a vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is coupled to the tissue sample collection assembly to draw severed tissue samples severed by the cutter through the tube and into each tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly.\",\n \"34.The biopsy system of claim 33, wherein the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly is configured to be repeatedly indexed relative to the tube during a biopsy procedure to store a tissue sample within an indexed tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue sample holder.\",\n \"35.The biopsy system of claim 33, wherein each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers extends in a direction parallel relative to the other tissue sample chambers.\",\n \"36.The biopsy system of claim 33, wherein the tissue sample holder is removable from the other components of the tissue collection assembly at the conclusion of a biopsy procedure.\",\n \"37.A biopsy system comprising: (a) a biopsy device including: (i) a body, (ii) a probe cannula defining an internal passage and having a side aperture, and (iii) a cutter translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula; (b) a sample collection assembly including: (i) a base, (ii) a tissue sample holder removably received by a portion of the base and defining a plurality of tissue sample chambers, wherein the tissue sample holder is configured to repetitively index relative to the base to collect one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter into each tissue sample chamber, wherein the tissue sample holder includes plastic that is configured to permit visualization of tissue samples collected within each tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers, and (iii) an indexing assembly, wherein the indexing assembly is configured to move the tissue sample holder relative to the base after a tissue sample is received within an indexed tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers; (c) a sample tube extending from the vacuum chamber of the sample collection assembly to the biopsy device such that the sample tube is configured to communicate tissue samples from the cutter of the biopsy device to the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly; (d) a seal positioned adjacent to the cutter, wherein the seal is configured to permit rotation of the cutter relative to the sample tube while maintaining fluid communication with the sample tube; (e) a vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is coupled to the tissue sample collection assembly to draw tissue samples severed by the cutter through the sample tube and into each tissue sample chamber defined by the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly; and (f) a vacuum tube communicating between the vacuum source and the tissue sample holder of the sample collection assembly, wherein the vacuum tube is configured to supply vacuum to the sample tube to transport tissue samples through the sample tube to the tissue sample holder.\",\n \"38.The biopsy system of claim 37, wherein the base includes a detent arm that defines a gap between the detent arm and a portion of the base, wherein the gap is configured to receive the tissue sample holder.\",\n \"39.The biopsy system of claim 38, wherein the cutter and the sample tube each define an inner surface coated with a hydrolubricous material configured to aid in transport of tissue samples.\",\n \"40.The biopsy system of claim 37, wherein the body of the biopsy device includes a first body and a second body, wherein the first body is configured to be reused one or more times after a biopsy procedure, while the second body is configured for use in only a single biopsy procedure.\",\n \"41.The biopsy system of claim 37, wherein the tissue sample holder further includes a vacuum director defining a vacuum chamber adjacent to a tissue receiving end of the tissue sample holder, wherein the tissue sample holder is movable relative to the vacuum director to communicate one or more severed tissue samples into a tissue sample chamber of the plurality of tissue sample chambers indexed with the vacuum director.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of tissue is an ongoing area of investigation.\",\n \"Medical devices for obtaining tissue samples for subsequent sampling and/or testing are know in the art.\",\n \"For instance, a biopsy instrument now marketed under the tradename MAMMOTOME is commercially available from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. for use in obtaining breast biopsy samples.\",\n \"The following patent documents disclose various biopsy devices and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,273,862 issued Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,231,522 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,228,055 issued May 8, 2001; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,120,462 issued Sep. 19, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,086,544 issued Jul.\",\n \"11, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,077,230 issued Jun.\",\n \"20, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,017,316 issued Jan. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,007,497 issued Dec. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,980,469 issued Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,964,716 issued Oct. 12, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,928,164 issued Jul.\",\n \"27, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,775,333 issued Jul.\",\n \"7, 1998; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,769,086 issued Jun.\",\n \"23, 1998; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,649,547 issued Jul.\",\n \"22, 1997; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,526,822 issued Jun.\",\n \"18, 1996, and US Patent Application 2003/0199753 published Oct. 23, 2003 to Hibner et al.\",\n \"Researchers in the medical device area continue to seek new and improved methods and devices for cutting, handling, and storing tissue samples.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a partial isometric and partial schematic view of a biopsy instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a handpiece for the collection of soft tissue; FIG.\",\n \"2 is an isometric view of the probe assembly separated from the holster; FIG.\",\n \"3 a is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG.\",\n \"2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the proximal end position; FIG.\",\n \"3 b is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG.\",\n \"2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned between the proximal and distal end positions; FIG.\",\n \"3 c is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG.\",\n \"2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the distal end position; FIG.\",\n \"4 is an exploded isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.\",\n \"2 ; FIG.\",\n \"5 a is a schematic diagram of the biopsy needle illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter is in a proximal end position at the initiation of a cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"5 b is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.\",\n \"5 a, illustrating the cutter and fluid forces as the cutter translates distally to sever a tissue sample; FIG.\",\n \"5 c is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.\",\n \"5 a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter has closed the aperture and severed the tissue sample; FIG.\",\n \"5 d is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.\",\n \"5 a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter as the cutter has reached the distal end position and a tissue sample is aspirated to the tissue storing assembly at the conclusion of a cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"6 is an isometric view of the rotary drive shaft illustrating a drive coupling configuration; FIG.\",\n \"7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the cutter and drive carriage in which the cutter is removable from the probe assembly; FIG.\",\n \"8 is an isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"7 , illustrating the cutter and rear tube disengaged from the carriage and rotary drive gear for removal from the probe assembly; FIG.\",\n \"9 a is an isometric view of the distal end of the biopsy needle illustrating the needle lumen and divider in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"9 b is a top isometric view of the distal portion of the biopsy needle illustrating the side tissue receiving port in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"10 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the biopsy needle; FIG.\",\n \"11 is an exploded isometric view of the biopsy needle shown in FIG.\",\n \"10 ; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a more detailed top isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.\",\n \"11 ; FIG.\",\n \"13 is a more detailed bottom isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.\",\n \"11 ; FIG.\",\n \"14 is an isometric view of a serial tissue stacking assembly; FIG.\",\n \"15 a is an isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.\",\n \"2 and the distal end of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"14 , showing connectors for attaching the serial tissue storing assembly to the probe assembly; FIG.\",\n \"15 b is an isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"15 a, illustrating the probe assembly attached to the serial tissue storing assembly; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 16 - 16 of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"14 ; FIG.\",\n \"17 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 17 - 17 of FIG.\",\n \"16 , illustrating the vacuum communication holes of the serial tissue stacking tube in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"18 is an isometric view of the translating flexible rod; FIG.\",\n \"19 is an isometric view showing the reciprocating member and lower connector in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"20 is an isometric view showing the probe connectors and distal end of the tissue sample storage tube in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"21 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism shown in FIG.\",\n \"14 , with the outer sleeve of the mechanism in a closed position; FIG.\",\n \"22 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism of FIG.\",\n \"21 , showing the outer sleeve of the mechanism in an open position; FIG.\",\n \"23 is an exploded isometric view of the mechanism of FIG.\",\n \"21 ; FIG.\",\n \"24 shows a flexible push rod in the form of a plunger for use in removing samples; FIG.\",\n \"25 is an isometric view showing removal of samples; FIG.\",\n \"26 a is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a separable tissue storage tube; FIG.\",\n \"26 b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"26 a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.\",\n \"26 c is an isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"26 a, illustrating the tissue lumen removed from the vacuum lumen; FIG.\",\n \"27 a is an isometric sectional view of an alternative embodiment for a separable tissue sample storage tube; FIG.\",\n \"27 b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"27 a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.\",\n \"28 is an isometric sectional view of a third embodiment for a separable tissue storage tube in which the tissue and vacuum lumens are separately extruded and attached together by a mechanical latch; FIG.\",\n \"29 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"14 , in which the proximal end of the tissue lumen is attached to a tissue stop rather than the tissue retrieval mechanism; FIG.\",\n \"30 is an exploded isometric view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"29 ; FIG.\",\n \"31 a is an isometric sectional view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"29 showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally in an initial cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"31 b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"31 a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the initial cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"31 c is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"31 a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally during a second cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"31 d is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"31 a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the second cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"32 is an isometric view of a parallel tissue stacking assembly for the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"33 is an exploded isometric view of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"32 ; FIG.\",\n \"34 is a bottom isometric view of the tissue storage component shown in FIGS.\",\n \"32 and 33 ; FIG.\",\n \"35 is an isometric view of the distal end of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"32 , with the tissue storage component removed; FIG.\",\n \"36 a is a more detailed isometric view of the cam member of FIG.\",\n \"33 , showing the cam member in a retracted position at the beginning of a cutting cycle, with the position of a pair of bosses shown in phantom; FIG.\",\n \"36 b is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"36 a, showing the cam member in an advanced position during the cutting cycle, and a pair of bosses in phantom, with one of the bosses deflecting the camming surface; FIG.\",\n \"36 c is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"36 a, showing the cam member in a retracted position at the conclusion of a cutting cycle, with the position of a boss at the conclusion of the cutting cycle shown in phantom; FIG.\",\n \"37 is an exploded isometric view of a cable driven drive assembly for the holster viewed in the proximal direction; FIG.\",\n \"38 a is an isometric view of a probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.\",\n \"38 b is an isometric view of a probe and probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.\",\n \"39 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an ultrasound guided biopsy procedure; FIG.\",\n \"40 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an MRI guided biopsy procedure; and FIG.\",\n \"41 is an isometric view of an MRI localization depth gage for interfacing the probe assembly with an MRI unit.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings.\",\n \"The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.\"\n ],\n [\n \"PRIORITY The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/778,159, which is a Divisional of, pending U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"10/953,395, “BIOPSY DEVICE WITH SAMPLE STORAGE”, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.\",\n \"This application also cross references and incorporates by reference the following commonly assigned patent applications: U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"10/785,755 “Biopsy Device with Variable Speed Cutter Advance” filed Feb. 24, 2004 in the name of Thompson et al.\",\n \"; U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"10/676,944 “Biopsy Instrument with Internal Specimen Collection Mechanism” filed Sep. 30, 2003 in the name of Hibner et al.\",\n \"; and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"10/732,843 “Biopsy Device with Sample Tube” filed Dec. 10, 2003 in the name of Cicenas et al.\",\n \"BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of tissue is an ongoing area of investigation.\",\n \"Medical devices for obtaining tissue samples for subsequent sampling and/or testing are know in the art.\",\n \"For instance, a biopsy instrument now marketed under the tradename MAMMOTOME is commercially available from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. for use in obtaining breast biopsy samples.\",\n \"The following patent documents disclose various biopsy devices and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,273,862 issued Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,231,522 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,228,055 issued May 8, 2001; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,120,462 issued Sep. 19, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,086,544 issued Jul.\",\n \"11, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,077,230 issued Jun.\",\n \"20, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,017,316 issued Jan. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,007,497 issued Dec. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,980,469 issued Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,964,716 issued Oct. 12, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,928,164 issued Jul.\",\n \"27, 1999; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,775,333 issued Jul.\",\n \"7, 1998; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,769,086 issued Jun.\",\n \"23, 1998; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,649,547 issued Jul.\",\n \"22, 1997; U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"5,526,822 issued Jun.\",\n \"18, 1996, and US Patent Application 2003/0199753 published Oct. 23, 2003 to Hibner et al.\",\n \"Researchers in the medical device area continue to seek new and improved methods and devices for cutting, handling, and storing tissue samples.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a partial isometric and partial schematic view of a biopsy instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a handpiece for the collection of soft tissue; FIG.\",\n \"2 is an isometric view of the probe assembly separated from the holster; FIG.\",\n \"3a is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG.\",\n \"2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the proximal end position; FIG.\",\n \"3b is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG.\",\n \"2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned between the proximal and distal end positions; FIG.\",\n \"3c is cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG.\",\n \"2 with the cutter & carriage assembly positioned at the distal end position; FIG.\",\n \"4 is an exploded isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.\",\n \"2; FIG.\",\n \"5a is a schematic diagram of the biopsy needle illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter is in a proximal end position at the initiation of a cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"5b is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.\",\n \"5a, illustrating the cutter and fluid forces as the cutter translates distally to sever a tissue sample; FIG.\",\n \"5c is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.\",\n \"5a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter when the cutter has closed the aperture and severed the tissue sample; FIG.\",\n \"5d is a schematic diagram similar to FIG.\",\n \"5a, illustrating the fluid forces and cutter as the cutter has reached the distal end position and a tissue sample is aspirated to the tissue storing assembly at the conclusion of a cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"6 is an isometric view of the rotary drive shaft illustrating a drive coupling configuration; FIG.\",\n \"7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the cutter and drive carriage in which the cutter is removable from the probe assembly; FIG.\",\n \"8 is an isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"7, illustrating the cutter and rear tube disengaged from the carriage and rotary drive gear for removal from the probe assembly; FIG.\",\n \"9a is an isometric view of the distal end of the biopsy needle illustrating the needle lumen and divider in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"9b is a top isometric view of the distal portion of the biopsy needle illustrating the side tissue receiving port in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"10 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the biopsy needle; FIG.\",\n \"11 is an exploded isometric view of the biopsy needle shown in FIG.\",\n \"10; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a more detailed top isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.\",\n \"11; FIG.\",\n \"13 is a more detailed bottom isometric view of the aperture component shown in FIG.\",\n \"11; FIG.\",\n \"14 is an isometric view of a serial tissue stacking assembly; FIG.\",\n \"15a is an isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG.\",\n \"2 and the distal end of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"14, showing connectors for attaching the serial tissue storing assembly to the probe assembly; FIG.\",\n \"15b is an isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"15a, illustrating the probe assembly attached to the serial tissue storing assembly; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"14; FIG.\",\n \"17 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.\",\n \"16, illustrating the vacuum communication holes of the serial tissue stacking tube in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"18 is an isometric view of the translating flexible rod; FIG.\",\n \"19 is an isometric view showing the reciprocating member and lower connector in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"20 is an isometric view showing the probe connectors and distal end of the tissue sample storage tube in greater detail; FIG.\",\n \"21 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism shown in FIG.\",\n \"14, with the outer sleeve of the mechanism in a closed position; FIG.\",\n \"22 is a detailed isometric view of the tissue retrieval mechanism of FIG.\",\n \"21, showing the outer sleeve of the mechanism in an open position; FIG.\",\n \"23 is an exploded isometric view of the mechanism of FIG.\",\n \"21; FIG.\",\n \"24 shows a flexible push rod in the form of a plunger for use in removing samples; FIG.\",\n \"25 is an isometric view showing removal of samples; FIG.\",\n \"26a is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a separable tissue storage tube; FIG.\",\n \"26b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"26a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.\",\n \"26c is an isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"26a, illustrating the tissue lumen removed from the vacuum lumen; FIG.\",\n \"27a is an isometric sectional view of an alternative embodiment for a separable tissue sample storage tube; FIG.\",\n \"27b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"27a, illustrating the vacuum lumen being peeled away from the tissue lumen; FIG.\",\n \"28 is an isometric sectional view of a third embodiment for a separable tissue storage tube in which the tissue and vacuum lumens are separately extruded and attached together by a mechanical latch; FIG.\",\n \"29 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the serial tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"14, in which the proximal end of the tissue lumen is attached to a tissue stop rather than the tissue retrieval mechanism; FIG.\",\n \"30 is an exploded isometric view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"29; FIG.\",\n \"31a is an isometric sectional view of the alternative serial tissue stacking assembly embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"29 showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally in an initial cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"31b is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"31a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the initial cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"31c is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"31a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are advanced distally during a second cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"31d is an isometric sectional view similar to FIG.\",\n \"31a, showing the positions of the connectors, sample tube and translating rod of the serial tissue storing assembly when the cutter and drive carriage are retracted following the second cutting cycle; FIG.\",\n \"32 is an isometric view of a parallel tissue stacking assembly for the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"33 is an exploded isometric view of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"32; FIG.\",\n \"34 is a bottom isometric view of the tissue storage component shown in FIGS.\",\n \"32 and 33; FIG.\",\n \"35 is an isometric view of the distal end of the parallel tissue stacking assembly of FIG.\",\n \"32, with the tissue storage component removed; FIG.\",\n \"36a is a more detailed isometric view of the cam member of FIG.\",\n \"33, showing the cam member in a retracted position at the beginning of a cutting cycle, with the position of a pair of bosses shown in phantom; FIG.\",\n \"36b is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"36a, showing the cam member in an advanced position during the cutting cycle, and a pair of bosses in phantom, with one of the bosses deflecting the camming surface; FIG.\",\n \"36c is a more detailed isometric view similar to FIG.\",\n \"36a, showing the cam member in a retracted position at the conclusion of a cutting cycle, with the position of a boss at the conclusion of the cutting cycle shown in phantom; FIG.\",\n \"37 is an exploded isometric view of a cable driven drive assembly for the holster viewed in the proximal direction; FIG.\",\n \"38a is an isometric view of a probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.\",\n \"38b is an isometric view of a probe and probe assembly base unit for use in a mammography guided biopsy procedure; FIG.\",\n \"39 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an ultrasound guided biopsy procedure; FIG.\",\n \"40 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a probe assembly base unit for use in an MRI guided biopsy procedure; and FIG.\",\n \"41 is an isometric view of an MRI localization depth gage for interfacing the probe assembly with an MRI unit.\",\n \"The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings.\",\n \"The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.\",\n \"Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention.\",\n \"As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention.\",\n \"Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.\",\n \"The present disclosure pertains to a biopsy device for obtaining a tissue sample from within a body.\",\n \"The biopsy device can have a reduced cutting stroke length as compared to device such as commercially available Mammotome brand biopsy devices.\",\n \"Reducing the cutting stroke length decreases the time to acquire each sample, and also the overall size of the biopsy device, thereby enhancing the versatility and ergonomics of the device.\",\n \"The reduced stroke length of the cutter enables many of the same probe components to be used in all three primary imaging environments: mammography, ultrasound and MRI.\",\n \"In addition, the present invention enables the sequential collection and storage of tissue samples.\",\n \"Tissue samples may be removed from the biopsy device and examined in real-time, as well as sequentially stored for subsequent retrieval at the conclusion of the biopsy procedure.\",\n \"Sequentially storing tissue samples eliminates the need to immediately remove each sample from the device following sampling, thereby further reducing the sample acquisition time.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a core sampling biopsy instrument according to the present invention comprising a handpiece identified generally as numeral 30.Handpiece 30 can be held comfortably in a single hand, and can be manipulated with a single hand.\",\n \"Handpiece 30 can include a probe assembly 32 and a detachably connected holster 34.Probe assembly 32 can be operatively connected to a vacuum source 36, such as by a first, lateral tube 40 and a second, axial tube 42.First and second tubes 40, 42 can be made from a flexible, transparent or translucent material, such as silicon tubing, PVC tubing or polyethylene tubing.\",\n \"Using a transparent material enables visualization of the matter flowing through tubes 40, 42.First tube 40 can include a Y connector 44 for connecting to multiple fluid sources.\",\n \"A first proximal end of Y connector 44 can extend to a first solenoid controlled rotary valve 48 in a control module 46, while the second proximal end of the Y connector can extend to a second solenoid controlled rotary valve 51 in control module 46.The first solenoid controlled rotary valve 48 in control module 46 can be operable to connect either the vacuum source 36 or the compressed air source 38 to lateral tube 40.It is understood within this specification that compressed air means air pressure at or above atmospheric pressure.\",\n \"In one configuration, when valve 48 is activated, vacuum is supplied to tube 40 from vacuum source 36, and when valve 48 is not activated, pressurized air from compressed air source 38 is supplied through tube 40.The solenoid associated with valve 48 can be controlled by a microprocessor 49 in control module 46, as indicated by dashed line 47.Microprocessor 49 can be employed to adjust the position of valve 48 automatically based upon the position of a cutter movably supported within probe assembly 32.The second solenoid controlled rotary valve 51 in control module 46 can be employed to either connect a saline supply 50 (such as a saline supply bag, or alternatively, a pressurized reservoir of saline) to a tube 188 or to seal off the proximal end of tube 188.For instance, rotary valve 51 can be activated by microprocessor 49 to supply saline when a switch on handpiece 30 is actuated.\",\n \"When rotary valve 51 is activated, first rotary valve 48 can be automatically deactivated (such as by microprocessor 49) to prevent the interaction of vacuum and saline within lateral tube 40.A stopcock 58 may be included in lateral vacuum tube 40 to allow for a syringe injection of saline directly into the tube 40, if desired.\",\n \"For instance, a syringe injection can be employed to increase the saline pressure in the tube to dislodge any clogs that may occur, such as tissue clogging fluid passageways.\",\n \"In one embodiment, axial vacuum tube 42 can be employed to communicate vacuum from source 36 to probe assembly 32 through a tissue storage assembly 52.Axial tube 42 can provide vacuum through the cutter within probe assembly 32 to assist in prolapsing tissue into a side tissue aperture prior to cutting.\",\n \"After cutting occurs, the vacuum in axial line 42 can be employed to help draw a severed tissue sample from probe assembly 32 and into tissue storage assembly 52, as will be described in further detail below.\",\n \"Holster 34 can include a control cord 54 for operationally connecting handpiece 30 to control module 46, and a flexible rotatable shaft 55 connecting the holster to a drive motor 45.A power source 56 can be employed to provide energy to control module 46 for powering holster 34 via control cord 54.Switches 60 are mounted on holster upper shell 62 to enable an operator to use handpiece 30 with a single hand.\",\n \"One-handed operation allows the operator's other hand to be free, for example, to hold an ultrasonic imaging device.\",\n \"Switches 60 can include a two-position rocker switch 64 for manually actuating the motion of the cutter (e.g.\",\n \"forward movement of the rocker switch moves the cutter in the forward (distal) direction for tissue sampling and rearward movement of the rocker switch actuates the cutter in the reverse (proximal) direction).\",\n \"Alternatively, the cutter could be automatically actuated by control module 46.An additional switch 66 can be provided on holster 34 for permitting the operator to activate saline flow on demand into lateral tube 40 (for instance, switch 66 can be configured to operate valve 51 for providing saline flow to tube 40 when switch 66 is depressed by the user).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows probe assembly 32 disconnected from holster 34.Probe assembly 32 includes an upper shell 70 and a lower shell 72, each of which may be injection molded from a rigid, biocompatible plastic, such as a polycarbonate.\",\n \"Upon final assembly of probe assembly 32, upper and lower shells 70, 72 can be joined together along a joining edge 74 by any of a number of methods well-known for joining plastic parts, including, without limitation, ultrasonic welding, snap fasteners, interference fit, and adhesive joining FIGS.\",\n \"3a, 3b, 3c, and 4 illustrate probe assembly 32 in greater detail.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3a depicts the cutter assembly and carriage retracted proximally.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3b depicts the cutter assembly and carriage partially advanced.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3c depicts the cutter assembly and carriage advanced distally.\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"3a-c, the probe assembly can include a biopsy needle 80 located at a distal end of probe assembly 32 for insertion into a patient's skin to obtain a tissue sample.\",\n \"Needle 80 comprises an elongated, metallic cannula 82, which can include an upper lumen, such as an upper cutter lumen 83 for receiving a cutter 100 (as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5a), and a lower lumen, such as a lower lumen 84 for providing a fluid passageway.\",\n \"Cutter 100 can be disposed within cannula 82, and can be coaxially disposed within lumen 83.Cannula 82 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including a circular or oval shaped cross-section.\",\n \"Adjacent and proximal of the distal end of cannula 82 is a side (lateral) tissue receiving port 86 for receiving the tissue to be severed from the patient.\",\n \"A sharpened tip of needle 80 can be formed by a separate endpiece 90 attached to the distal end of cannula 82.The sharpened tip of endpiece 90 can be used to pierce the patient's skin so that the side tissue receiving port can be positioned in the tissue mass to be sampled.\",\n \"Endpiece 90 can have a two-sided, flat-shaped point as shown, or any number of other shapes suitable for penetrating the soft tissue of the patient.\",\n \"The proximal end of needle 80 can be attached to a union sleeve 92 having a longitudinal bore 94 therethrough, and a transverse opening 96 into a widened center portion of the bore.\",\n \"The distal end of lateral tube 40 can be inserted to fit tightly into transverse opening 96 of union sleeve 92.This attachment allows the communication of fluids (gas or liquid) between the lower lumen and the lateral tube 40.The cutter 100, which can be an elongated, tubular cutter, can be disposed at least partially within upper lumen 83, and can be supported for translation and rotation within lumen 83.Cutter 100 can be supported within needle lumen 84 so as to be translatable in both the distal and proximal directions.\",\n \"Cutter 100 can have a sharpened distal end 106 for cutting tissue received in upper lumen 83 through side tissue receiving port 86.The cutter 100 may be formed of any suitable material, including without limitation a metal, a polymer, a ceramic, or a combination of materials.\",\n \"Cutter 100 can be translated within lumen 83 by a suitable drive assembly such that distal end 106 travels from a position proximal of the side tissue port 86 (illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3a) to a position distal of side tissue port 86 (illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3c), in order to cut tissue received in lumen 83 through the side tissue port 86.In an alternative embodiment, an exterior cutter can be employed, with the exterior cutter sliding coaxially with an inner cannular needle, and the inner needle can include a side tissue receiving port.\",\n \"Union sleeve 92 is supported between probe upper and lower shells 70, 72 to ensure proper alignment between cutter 100 and the union sleeve.\",\n \"The cutter 100 can be a hollow tube, with a lumen 104 extending axially through the length of cutter 100.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, the proximal end of cutter 100 can extend through an axial bore of a cutter gear 110.Cutter gear 110 may be metallic or polymeric, and includes a plurality of cutter gear teeth 112.Cutter gear 110 can be driven by a rotary drive shaft 114 having a plurality of drive gear teeth 116 designed to mesh with cutter gear teeth 112.Drive gear teeth 116 can extend along the length of drive shaft 114 so as to engage cutter gear teeth 112 as the cutter 100 translates from a proximal most position to a distal most position, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"5a-5c.\",\n \"Drive gear teeth 116 can be in continual engagement with cutter gear teeth 112 to rotate cutter 100 whenever drive shaft 114 is rotatably driven.\",\n \"Drive shaft 114 rotates cutter 100 as the cutter advances distally through tissue receiving port 86 for the cutting of tissue.\",\n \"Drive shaft 114 may be injection molded from a rigid engineered plastic such as liquid crystal polymer material or, alternatively, could be manufactured from a metallic or nonmetallic material.\",\n \"Drive shaft 114 includes a first axial end 120 extending distally from the shaft.\",\n \"Axial end 120 is supported for rotation within probe lower shell 72, such as by a bearing surface feature 122 molded on the inside of the probe shell.\",\n \"Similarly, a second axial end 124 extends proximally from rotary drive shaft 114 and is supported in a second bearing surface feature 126 which can also be molded on the inside of probe lower shell 72.An 0-ring and bushing (not shown) may be provided on each axial end 120, 124 to provide rotational support and audible noise dampening of the shaft 114 when rotary drive shaft 114 is mounted in probe shell 72.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"3a, 3b, 3c, and 4, a drive carriage 134 is provided in probe assembly 32 to hold cutter gear 110, and carry the cutter gear and attached cutter 100 during translation in both the distal and proximal directions.\",\n \"Drive carriage 134 is preferably molded from a rigid polymer and has a cylindrically-shaped bore 136 extending axially therethrough.\",\n \"A pair of J-shaped hook extensions 140 extend from one side of drive carriage 134.Hook extensions 140 rotatably support cutter 100 on either side of cutter gear 110 to provide proximal and distal translation of the cutter gear and cutter during proximal and distal translation of drive carriage 134.Hook extensions 140 align cutter 100 and cutter gear 110 in the proper orientation for cutter gear teeth 112 to mesh with drive gear teeth 116.Drive carriage 134 is supported on a translation shaft 142.Shaft 142 is supported generally parallel to cutter 100 and rotary drive shaft 114.Rotation of the translation shaft 142 provides translation of the carriage 134 (and so also cutter gear 110 and cutter 100) by employing a lead screw type drive.\",\n \"Shaft 142 includes an external lead screw thread feature, such as lead screw thread 144, on its outer surface.\",\n \"The screw thread 144 extends into a bore 136 in carriage 134.The screw thread 144 engages an internal helical threaded surface feature provided on the inner surface of bore 136.Accordingly, as shaft 142 is rotated, the carriage 134 translates along the threaded feature 144 of the shaft 142.The cutter gear 110 and the cutter 100 translate with the carriage 134.Reversing the direction of rotation of shaft 142 reverses the direction of translation of the carriage 134 and the cutter 100.Translation shaft 142 may be injection molded from a rigid engineered plastic such as liquid crystal polymer material or, alternatively, could be manufactured from a metallic or non-metallic material.\",\n \"Translation shaft 142 with lead screw thread feature 144 can be molded, machined, or otherwise formed.\",\n \"Likewise, carriage 134 can be molded or machined to include an internal helical thread in bore 136.Rotation of shaft 142 drives the carriage and cutter gear 110 and cutter 100 in the distal and proximal directions, depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 142, so that cutter 100 translates within probe assembly 32.Cutter gear 110 is rigidly attached to cutter 100 so that the cutter translates in the same direction and at the same speed as drive carriage 134.In one embodiment, at the distal and proximal ends of lead screw thread 144, the helical thread is cut short so that the effective pitch width of the thread is zero.\",\n \"At these distal most and proximal most positions of thread 144, translation of drive carriage 134 is no longer positively driven by shaft 142 regardless of the continued rotation of shaft 142, as the carriage effectively runs off the thread 144.Biasing members, such as compression coil springs 150A and 150B (FIGS.\",\n \"3a-c), are positioned on shaft 142 adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the screw thread 144.Springs 150A/B bias carriage 134 back into engagement with lead screw thread 144 when the carriage runs off the thread 144.While shaft 142 continues rotating in the same direction, the zero pitch width thread in combination with springs 150A/B cause carriage 134 and, therefore, cutter 100 to “freewheel” at the end of the shaft.\",\n \"At the proximal end of the threaded portion of shaft 142, the carriage engages spring 150A.\",\n \"At the distal end of the threaded portion of shaft 142, the carriage engages spring 150B.\",\n \"When the carriage runs off the screw thread 144, the spring 150A or 150B engages the carriage 134 and biases the carriage 134 back into engagement with the screw thread 144 of shaft 142, at which point continued rotation of the shaft 142 again causes the carriage 134 to run off the screw thread 144.Accordingly, as long as rotation of shaft 142 is maintained in the same direction, the carriage 134 (and cutter 100) will continue to “freewheel”, with the distal end of the cutter 106 translating a short distance proximally and distally as the carriage is alternately biased onto the thread 144 by spring 150A or 150B and then run off the screw thread 144 by rotation of shaft 142.When the cutter is in the distal most position shown in FIG.\",\n \"3c, with the distal end 106 of cutter positioned distal of side tissue port 86, spring 150B will engage carriage 134, and repeatedly urge carriage 134 back into engagement with screw thread 144 when carriage 134 runs off the screw thread 144.Accordingly, after the cutter 100 is advanced such that the distal end 106 of the cutter translates distally past the side tissue port 86 to cut tissue, to the position shown in FIG.\",\n \"3c, continued rotation of the shaft 142 will result in the distal end 106 oscillating back and forth, translating a short distance proximally and distally, until the direction of rotation of shaft 142 is reversed (such as to retract the cutter 100 distally to the position shown in FIG.\",\n \"3a.)\",\n \"The slight movement of carriage 134 into engagement with the screw thread and out of engagement with the screw thread 144 against the biasing force of spring 150B, causes the distal end 106 of cutter 100 to repetitively reciprocate a short distance within cannula 82, which distance can be about equal to the pitch of threads 144, and which distance is shorter than the distance the cutter travels in crossing the side tissue port 86.This reciprocal movement of the cutter can provide alternate covering and uncovering of at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port, as described below.\",\n \"The zero pitch width ends of lead screw thread 144 provide a defined stop for the axial translation of cutter 100, thereby eliminating the need to slow carriage 134 (i.e.\",\n \"cutter 100) as it approaches the distal and proximal ends of the thread.\",\n \"This defined stop reduces the required positioning accuracy for carriage 134 relative to shaft 142, resulting in reduced calibration time at the initialization of a procedure.\",\n \"The freewheeling of carriage 134 at the distal and proximal most positions of translation shaft 142 eliminates the need to rotate the shaft a precise number of turns during a procedure.\",\n \"Rather, translation shaft 142 only needs to translate at least a minimum number of turns to insure carriage 134 has translated the entire length of lead screw thread 144 and into the zero width thread.\",\n \"Additionally, the freewheeling of carriage 134 eliminates the need to home the device, allowing probe assembly 32 to be inserted into the patient's tissue without first being attached to holster 34.After probe assembly 32 is inserted, holster 34 is attached and sampling can be commenced.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, a non-rotating rear tube 152 can be provided which tube 152 can extend proximally from the proximal end of cutter 100 just proximal of cutter gear 110.Rear tube 152 can be hollow and can have substantially the same inner diameter as cutter 100, and may be comprised of the same material as the cutter.\",\n \"A seal 154 can be positioned between cutter 100 and rear tube 152 to enable the cutter to rotate relative to the tube while providing a pneumatic seal between the rear tube 152 and the cutter 100.A rear lumen 156 can extend through the length of tube 152 and can be aligned with lumen 104 in cutter 100.Rear lumen 156 transports excised tissue samples from lumen 104 through probe assembly 32 to the tissue storage assembly 52.Lumen 104 and rear lumen 156 are axially aligned to provide a continuous, generally straight line, unobstructed passageway between tissue receiving port 86 and tissue storage assembly 52 for the transport of tissue samples.\",\n \"The inner surfaces of cutter 100 and tube 152 may be coated with a hydrolubricous material to aid in the proximal transport of the excised tissue samples.\",\n \"A lateral extension 158 can be provided and can be supported by and extend distally from rear tube 152 for securing the tube to drive carriage 134.The extension 158 connects tube 152 to carriage 134 so that tube 152 translates with cutter 100, and maintains lumens 104, 156 in continuous fluid-tight communication throughout the cutting cycle.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"5a-5d provide simplified schematic views of the movement of cutter 100 during a cutting cycle.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"5a, initially in the cutting cycle cutter 100 is located at a proximal most position with distal cutting end 106 disposed proximally of the proximal most edge of the side tissue port 86, and adjacent the proximal end of a lumen divider 170.As the cutting cycle begins, a lateral vacuum force (indicated by arrow 176) can be provided in lower lumen 84.Vacuum force 176 can be transmitted from vacuum source 36 through tube 40 to lower lumen 84 through a flow path provided by union sleeve 92.Microprocessor 49 can be employed to activate valve 48 to supply vacuum force 176 when switch 64 is actuated by the user to begin moving cutter 100 distally within needle 80.Lateral vacuum force 176 communicates with tissue receiving port 86 through fluid passageways 172 disposed under port 86, and through one or more fluid passageways 174 disposed distally of the port 86.In FIG.\",\n \"5c, a fluid passageway 174A is illustrated disposed distally of port 86 and spaced approximately 180 degrees circumferentially from port 86.In FIG.\",\n \"5d, a fluid passageway 174B is illustrated disposed distally of the port 86 in the distal endpiece 90 of the biopsy probe.\",\n \"Both fluid passageways 174A and 174B can provide fluid communication between lower lumen 84 and upper lumen 83.Lateral vacuum force 176 can be employed in combination with an axial vacuum force 180 through cutter lumen 104 to draw a tissue sample 182 into tissue port 86.After tissue sample 182 is drawn into port 86, cutter 100 can be rotated and simultaneously translated distally to sever the tissue sample from the surrounding tissue.\",\n \"While cutter 100 advances, vacuum forces 176, 180 can be maintained through lower lumen 84 and cutter lumen 104 to draw the tissue sample into the cutter lumen as the sample is severed.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"5b, as cutter 100 advances the cutter slides across fluid passageways 172, successively blocking the lateral vacuum through the holes.\",\n \"When cutter 100 reaches the distal most position, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5c, fluid passageways 172 can be completely blocked by the cutter.\",\n \"At this point in the cutting cycle, cutter rotation can be maintained, and the cutter can “freewheel” as described above, with the distal end 106 of the cutter 100 moving proximally and distally in an alternating, oscillating manner.\",\n \"As cutter 100 freewheels, the cutter can oscillate distally and proximally a distance which can be about equal to the pitch of lead screw thread 144 at a frequency corresponding approximately to the rotation speed of translation shaft 142.One or more fluid passageways 174A can be positioned in lumen divider 170 such that as cutter 100 is freewheeling at its distal most position, the cutter alternately covers and uncovers (and so opens and closes) the passageways 174A.\",\n \"With passageway 174A open, lower lumen 84 remains in fluid communication with cutter lumen 104 through divider 170 despite the blocking of passageways 172.The repetitive movement of cutter 100 over passageway 174A can assist in clearing any tissue that may be blocking or clogging passageway 174A, and to maintain fluid communication through passageway 174A.\",\n \"Fluid Passageway 174B in distal endpiece 90 can be employed in place of or in combination with fluid passageway 174A.\",\n \"Fluid passageway 174B can provide fluid communication between lower lumen 84 and upper lumen 83 when passageway 174 is covered by cutter 100.A predefined amount of time after the cutter 100 reaches its distal most position and begins to freewheel, the solenoid on rotary valve 48 can be deenergized or otherwise controlled by microprocessor 49 to replace lateral vacuum force 176 with forward pressurized air (either atmospheric or greater) as shown by the arrows in FIG.\",\n \"5c.\",\n \"The pressurized air is discharged through lateral tube 40 to lumen 84.With port holes 172 closed off by cutter 100, the pressurized air communicates with upper lumen 83 through fluid passageway 174A (and/or a 174B) to apply a force against the distal face of sample 182.The force acting on the distal face of sample 182 can act in combination with an axial vacuum force 180 provided through the lumen 104 of cutter 100.The push provided by the force acting on the distal face of the sample 182 in combination with the vacuum “pull” provided by the vacuum provided via the lumen 104 of cutter 100 can be employed to move the sample 182 into and through lumen 104 of cutter 100, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5d.\",\n \"Alternatively, instead of employing pressurized air to provide a force on the distal face of sample 182, a pressurized liquid, such as saline, can be directed through lower lumen 84 and fluid passageways 174A and/or 174B to provide the force on the distal face of sample 182.The cutter 100 closes the side tissue port 86 from the flow of fluid (gas or liquid) so that tissue surrounding the outer cannula and side port 86 is not exposed to the fluid.\",\n \"As the tissue sample 182 translates proximally through probe assembly 32 towards sample collection assembly 52, the cutter 100 can be maintained in a distal most position.\",\n \"Alternatively, the cutter 100 can be retracted back through tissue port 86 towards its initial position in preparation for the next cutting cycle.\",\n \"After cutter 100 is fully retracted, and the tissue sample is translated to tissue storage assembly 52, lateral vacuum force 176 is again provided via lumen 84 to draw the next tissue sample into port 86.During the translation of cutter 100, the cutter can operate in conjunction with divider 170 to separate lumen 83 from lumen 84.During the cutting cycle, cutter 100 translates from a point just proximal of side tissue receiving port 86 to a point just distal of the receiving port.\",\n \"The severed tissue samples are directed through the length of the lumen 104 of cutter 100 and out of the proximal end of the cutter 100, rather than translating the cutter (with the samples carried in the distal end of the cutter) proximally through the needle 80 to eject the samples with a knock-out pin, as in some prior devices.\",\n \"Accordingly, the cutting stroke length can be reduced to be just slightly longer than the length of the side tissue port 86.With the reduced stroke length, the distal end of the cutter 100 (as well as a length of the cutter 100) can remain within needle 80 throughout the cutting cycle, eliminating the need to accommodate the full length of the cutter within the probe housing and proximal of the needle 80.In addition, the reduced cutting stroke length reduces the required length of translation shaft 142, since the shaft need only translate the cutter a distance slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86.Reducing the translation shaft length, and eliminating the need to accommodate the cutter length within the probe housing, enables the length of handpiece 30 to be reduced.\",\n \"The time to acquire each tissue sample is also reduced in the present invention, due to the shortened cutting stroke reducing the time required to advance and retract the cutter through needle 80.Since cutter 100 retracts only to a point just proximal of tissue receiving port 86, lumen divider 170 can be formed to extend to the proximal most point of the cutter, rather than through the entire length of the needle.\",\n \"Reducing the length of divider 170 reduces the required materials and cost of manufacturing needle 80.As described above, fluid passageways 174A and/or 174B can also be used to apply saline to the distal face of a severed tissue sample, such as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"5C-D.\",\n \"The saline may be used to provide a push against the tissue sample and thereby aid in moving the tissue sample proximally within the cutter lumen 104.To provide a saline flush, tubing from saline supply bag 50 is routed through rotary valve 51 by control module 46 to Y connector 44 and through lateral tube 40 to lumen 84.In one embodiment, a button can be provided on handpiece 30, such that when the button is depressed while the cutter is freewheeling in its distal most position, the valve 51 is activated to connect the saline 50 to lateral tube 40.Prior to a sampling procedure, the saline system may be primed by activating the rotary valve 51 to allow the vacuum from vacuum source 36 to draw saline into tubing 188.Saline will then fill tubing 188 up to Y connector 44.When the operator then depresses the handpiece button during the procedure, the saline will flow from Y connector 44, through lateral tube 40, and into lumen 84 to be applied against tissue sample 182.When rotary valve 51 is deenergized, tubing 188 is sealed off so that the flow of saline to lumen 84 is stopped.\",\n \"In an alternative embodiment, saline can be automatically provided to lumen 84 during every cutting cycle.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a handpiece button is not required to operate the saline.\",\n \"Rather, microprocessor 49 automatically activates rotary valve 51 a designated time after cutter 100 reaches the distal most position within needle 80 during the cutting cycle, and deactivates the valve when the cutter has retracted to a designated proximal position.\",\n \"A position sensor can be incorporated with the holster 34 or control module 46 to activate rotary valve 51 based upon the axial position of the cutter in the cutting cycle.\",\n \"Thus, the position of the cutter 100 will automatically activate and deactivate rotary valve 51, such as when the cutter advances and retracts during each cutting cycle.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, a drive slot 132 may be formed in proximal end 124 of shaft 114 for interfacing with a similar-shaped drive slot in a motor drive shaft, or other rotary drive input from holster 34.Alternatively, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"6, a star-shaped interface 130 may be molded into second axial end 124 of drive shaft 114.Star interface 130 can be provided to mate with a similar-shaped male interface which could be provided on the rotary drive shaft of holster 34 to rotate drive shaft 114.Alternatively, the female star interface 130 may be molded into the drive shaft from holster 34 and a similar-shaped male interface formed in drive shaft 114.Use of star interface 130, or another similar type of interface that is molded into the rotary drive shaft, minimizes the axial length required for the drive coupling.\",\n \"Reducing the drive coupling length reduces the overall length of probe 32.FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment for the invention, in which cutter 100 and rear tube 152 are releasable from probe assembly 32 such that the cutter 100 can be repeatedly removed and re-inserted into the probe assembly 32 without disassembling the probe assembly 32.Removal (either partial or complete removal) of the cutter 100 can be advantageous, such as where the cutter 100 is formed of metal and the imaging device employed with the probe 32 is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device.\",\n \"In FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8, the proximal portion of rear tube 152 is not shown.\",\n \"In the embodiment shown in FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8, cutter 100 and rear tube 152 can be joined at a seal 154 just proximal of cutter gear 110, such that the cutter is capable of rotating relative to the rear tube 152 (which can be supported to not rotate).\",\n \"A cutter release lever 160 can be supported on and can protrude from rear tube 152.Release lever 160 as shown includes an end 162 extending distally towards carriage 134.A lateral slot 164 in end 162 is shaped and sized to engage a feature associated with carriage 134, such as a disk feature 166 which can be securely attached to a proximal hook extension 140 of carriage 134.While slot 164 engages disk 166, cutter 100 and rear tube 152 translate together with carriage 134.A spline features 168 located near the proximal end of cutter 100 can be employed to engage with a complimenting spline feature on the internal diameter of cutter gear 110 to insure the cutter 100 and cutter gear 110 rotate together.\",\n \"To remove cutter 100 and tube 152 from probe assembly 32, such as for imaging prior to a cutting cycle, the proximal end of release lever 160 is squeezed in the direction of tube 152.The squeezing action unlatches slot 164 from disk 166, releasing cutter 100 and tube 152 from both the carriage 134 and the cutter gear 110.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"8, after tube 152 and cutter 100 are released, the tube and cutter may be pulled proximally through the cutter gear bore and out the proximal end of probe assembly 32.To reinsert cutter 100 and tube 152, the tube and cutter are connected at seal 154, and the combination is inserted through the proximal end of probe assembly 32 so that the cutter again extends through the cutter gear bore and union sleeve bore 94 into cannula 82.Cutter 100 and tube 152 are pushed distally through probe assembly 32 until slot 164 of end 162 again latches onto disk 166.The cutter 100 may be repeatedly removed from and reinserted into the probe assembly 32 through an opening in the proximal end of the probe assembly 32.The tissue receiving port 86 can be positioned in tissue to be sampled, the cutter 100 can be removed from the probe assembly 32, the biopsy site can be imaged, such as by using MRI, the cutter can be inserted into the probe assembly 32, and the tissue received in the side tissue port 86 can be severed with the cutter 100.The step of removing the cutter from the probe assembly can be performed before or after the tissue port 86 is positioned within the tissue to be sampled.\",\n \"Additionally, the cutter can be removed after a tissue sample is severed, either before or after the needle 80 is removed from tissue.\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"9a and 9b, a divider 170 may be inserted in the distal end of cannula 82 to separate the interior of needle 80 into upper and lower lumens 83/84.In the embodiment shown in FIGS.\",\n \"9a and 9b, divider 170 extends axially through cannula 82 to a point just proximal of tissue receiving port 86.The proximal end of divider 170 can coincide with the proximal most position of cutter 100 so that the cutter and divider combine to separate the upper and lower lumens.\",\n \"Alternatively, divider 170 could extend axially through the full length of needle 80.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9a, divider 170 can comprise a curved surface that conforms closely to the outer circumference of cutter 100 to enable the cutter to slide along the surface of the divider as the cutter translates within cannula 82.A plurality of fluid passageway holes 172 can be formed in divider 170 beneath tissue receiving port 86 (spaced approximately 180 degrees from the port 86).\",\n \"Fluid passageways 172 can be sized to permit fluid communication between lumens 83 and 84 (and tissue receiving port 86), while preventing excised tissue portions from passing into the lumen.\",\n \"Divider 170 can also include one or more fluid passageways 174 distal of the tissue receiving port 86 through which compressed gas (e.g.\",\n \"air) or liquid (e.g.\",\n \"saline) can be provided to the distal face of a tissue sample located within the cutter lumen 104 while the cutter 100 is in its distal most position closing off the tissue receiving port 86.With cutter 100 in the distal most position and closing off the tissue receiving port 86, tissue samples can be pushed through the cutter 100 without exposing tissue surrounding the cannula 82 to the fluid.\",\n \"Divider 170 may be formed of the same material as cannula 82, and the longitudinal edge of the divider may be welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the inner diameter of the cannula.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment for a biopsy needle suitable for use with a probe assembly 32.The needle, designated by numeral 165, can be assembled from an aperture component, a tissue piercing component, and a tube component.\",\n \"In this embodiment, tube component 168 comprises a cannula 171 having a lumen 173 extending there through, and a tissue receiving aperture 175 adjacent the distal end of the tube.\",\n \"The aperture component 177 comprises an aperture 178 and fluid passageways 179.The tissue piercing component 90 can be insert molded into the aperture component or mechanically secured to it, such as with adhesive or other suitable bonding means.\",\n \"As shown in greater detail in FIGS.\",\n \"12 and 13, aperture component 177 can have a semi-tubular shape with an upper opening 178 of substantially the same length as tissue receiving aperture 175.Opening 178 aligns with tissue receiving aperture 175 when the two components 168, 177 are assembled together.\",\n \"A plurality of fluid passageways 179 are formed in a lower surface 169 of aperture component 177 beneath opening 178.Lower surface 169 can provide a divider for providing a lower lumen when needle 165 is assembled.\",\n \"One or more fluid passageways 181 can be provided distal of opening 178 so as to be distal of tissue receiving aperture 175 when the needle components are assembled together.\",\n \"Passageways 179 and 181 provide flow communication for compressed fluid (e.g.\",\n \"air and/or saline) from the lower lumen to the upper lumen when needle components 168, 177 are assembled together.\",\n \"A pair of engagement bosses 183 can be provided and can extend from the proximal end of aperture component 177 for attaching the aperture component to tube component 168.To assemble needle 165, aperture component 177 is inserted through the distal end of cannula 171 until bosses 183 engage complimentary grooves or holes on the inner diameter of the tube component 168.The engagement between the bosses and grooves locks aperture component 177 within tube component 168.In addition, when needle 165 is assembled into probe assembly 32, the portion of the cutter 100 which extends distally beyond bosses 183 in tube component 168 can further prevent the aperture component 177 from disengaging form the tube component 168.A circumferential lip 185 can be provided on the aperture component 177.The lip 185 can provide a seating surface for the distal end of tube component 168 when the aperture component is assembled with the tube component.\",\n \"Referring again to FIG.\",\n \"5, once a tissue sample enters the lumen 104 of cutter 100, the axial vacuum force 180 can serve to pull the sample proximally through the cutter 100 to be directed from probe assembly 32 into tissue storage assembly 52.In a first embodiment, tissue storage assembly 52 comprises a serial tissue stacking assembly 190, such as is shown in FIG.\",\n \"14.In serial tissue stacking assembly 190, multiple tissue samples are stacked one behind the next in an end to end configuration, such as in a flexible tube.\",\n \"The samples may be removed individually from the tube and examined in real-time during the procedure or, alternatively, left in the tube until the end of the procedure and removed all at once.\",\n \"The distal end of serial tissue assembly 190 can be detachably connected via dual connection mechanisms to probe assembly 32 (so that the serial tissue storage assembly 190 is releasable from the probe assembly), while the proximal end of the assembly 190 can be detachably connected via tube 42 to a vacuum source, such as vacuum source 36 shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.In the embodiment shown in FIGS.\",\n \"15a and 15b, an upper connector 192 at the distal end of serial tissue assembly 190 includes a pair of snap fasteners 194.Fasteners 194 engage a pair of fastener engaging features 196 that are disposed at the proximal end of the probe assembly, such as a pair of notches that can be formed in a portion of the proximal end of probe lower shell 72.When fasteners 194 are engaged with features 196, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"15a, the upper portion of serial tissue assembly 190 is attached to the probe housing.\",\n \"A second, lower connecter 198, also at the distal end of serial tissue assembly 190, can include a similar pair of snap fasteners 200.Lower snap fasteners 200 engage a mating pair of features 202 on the proximal end of the rear tube 152 that is shown extending from a proximal opening in probe assembly 32 in FIG.\",\n \"15b.\",\n \"The distal end of rear tube 152 can be joined to carriage 134 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8.When lower snap fasteners 200 engage notches 202, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"15b, the lower portion of serial tissue assembly 190 moves distally and proximally with the translation of drive carriage 134.When both upper connector 192 and lower connector 198 are attached to probe assembly 32, the lower portion of serial tissue assembly 190 will translate relative to the fixed upper portion of the assembly during the cutting cycle.\",\n \"To detach serial tissue assembly 190 from probe assembly 32, each of the pairs of snap fasteners 194, 200 are pushed inwardly at the distal ends to disengage the forward tips of the fasteners from the corresponding notches 196, 202.After the fasteners are disengaged, serial tissue assembly 190 may be separated from probe assembly 32.As shown in FIGS.14 and 16, serial tissue assembly 190 includes a sample storage tube 206 having dual lumens extending axially therethrough.\",\n \"The dual lumens can be generally parallel.\",\n \"Tube 206 may be comprised of polyvinyl chloride or another similar type of flexible, water insoluble material.\",\n \"Using a clear material for storage tube 206, such as polyvinyl chloride, enables the stacked tissue samples to be visible from outside the tube.\",\n \"Tube 206 can include a longitudinally extending center wall divider for separating the two lumens.\",\n \"Tube 206 can comprise a first lumen, such as stacking lumen 210, for transferring and storing tissue samples 204 that have been aspirated to the assembly through cutter lumen 104.Tissue stacking lumen 210 can be detachably connected to the proximal end of rear tube 152 by lower connector 198.When fasteners 200 engage features 202, as described above, tissue stacking lumen 210 can be axially aligned with rear tube lumen 156 to provide a continuous, unobstructed passageway for the movement of tissue samples 204 from tissue receiving port 86 into the tissue lumen stacking lumen 210.As tissue samples 204 enter tissue stacking lumen 210, the samples stack serially one behind the next within the lumen, in end to end configuration, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"16, so that the order of the samples (the order in which the samples are obtained from the biopsy site) is maintained while the samples are stored in tissue stacking lumen 210.A tissue stop can be located within the tissue retrieval mechanism 260 at the proximal end of tissue lumen 210 to prevent the first or earliest sample from translating completely through the tissue lumen and into vacuum system 36.The tube 206 can comprise a second lumen, tissue stacking vacuum lumen 214, for providing a flow communication path for vacuum through rear tube 152 and cutter 100 so that severed tissue samples 204 can be drawn through cutter 100 and rear tube 152 into tissue stacking lumen 210.The proximal end of tissue stacking vacuum lumen 214 can be detachably connected to vacuum source 36 through a lateral attachment port 216.As shown in greater detail in FIG.\",\n \"17, a plurality of small holes 220 can be provided in the center wall divider of tube 206 between lumen 214 and lumen 210 to provide flow communication between the lumens.\",\n \"Holes 220 enable vacuum from source 36 to be communicated from lumen 214 into lumen 210, to provide vacuum in lumen 104 of cutter 100.Holes 220 are preferably spaced along the longitudinal axis of tube 206 and separated by a distance in the range of 0.1 to 4 centimeters.\",\n \"Holes 220 may be oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of tube 206.The angle in holes 220 can function as a mechanical diode, in that the edge of the holes 220 opening into lumen 210 can aid in preventing motion of tissue samples in a distal direction, while permitting tissue samples to move proximally in lumen 210 under vacuum force provided by vacuum source 36.A tissue sample will continue to slide proximally through the lumen 210 until the sample contacts either the tissue stop within the tissue retrieval mechanism 260 or a preceding tissue sample.\",\n \"Vacuum holes 220 may be formed between lumens 210, 214 by boring into the upper surface of tube 206 with the sharpened tip of a drill or other appropriate instrument.\",\n \"The tip of the drill bit or other boring instrument can be directed to pass through vacuum lumen 214 to penetrate the center wall of tube 206 that separates the two lumens.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"14, an outer sleeve 228 is securely attached to the surface of tube 206 following the formation of vacuum communication holes 220.Outer sleeve 228 may be attached to tube 206 by an adhesive or other appropriate type of attachment mechanism.\",\n \"Outer sleeve 228 is attached to sample tube 206 over the openings used to form vacuum communication holes 220 to seal the openings, and prevent vacuum from passing out of vacuum lumen 214 through the openings.\",\n \"The distal end of outer sleeve 228 can be formed to extend beyond the distal end of vacuum lumen 214 to connect with upper connector 192.Vacuum lumen 214 attaches to probe assembly 32 through the connection between outer sleeve 228 and upper connector 192.As tissue samples 204 are stored in lumen 210, the stack of samples 204 will grow in length distally in lumen 210.The samples 204 will tend to block or otherwise restrict flow communication through vacuum holes 220 as the stack of samples extends distally in lumen 210.In FIG.\",\n \"16, a translating flexible rod 230 is shown disposed at least partially in lumen 214.Rod 230 can extend axially through lumen 214 to selectively cover or otherwise block at least some of the vacuum holes 220.Rod 230 can then be manipulated, such as by axial movement of rod 230, to selectively expose vacuum holes 220 in the vacuum lumen.\",\n \"For instance, during each cutting cycle, rod 230 can be advanced distally within vacuum lumen 214 to expose or otherwise unblock/open additional vacuum holes 220 as additional samples are stored in lumen 210.The movement of rod 230 maintains a predetermined number of vacuum holes 220 open to provide flow communication between lumens 210 and 214 as additional tissue samples are added to the stack of tissue samples in lumen 210.This can aid in providing a consistent vacuum force in cutter lumen 104 throughout multiple cutting cycles.\",\n \"Initially, flexible rod 230 can be inserted within lumen 214 such that rod 230 is axially offset within lumen 214 so as to cover or otherwise block most, but not all, of the holes 220.For instance, prior to storing any samples in lumen 214, rod 230 can be offset distally within vacuum lumen 214 a distance that is slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86.Offsetting rod 230 distally within lumen 210 ensures an initial set of holes 220 are exposed to communicate axial vacuum force 180 to tissue receiving port 86 when cutter 100 is in the fully proximal position prior to tissue sampling.\",\n \"The axial vacuum force communicated through the exposed holes 220 aids in prolapsing tissue into receiving port 86 prior to cutting, as well as pulling the tissue sample proximally into tissue lumen 210 after cutting.\",\n \"As a tissue sample is drawn into and stacked within tissue lumen 210, the tissue sample blocks the previously exposed vacuum holes 220, preventing vacuum from passing into the tissue lumen.\",\n \"Rod 230 can be selectively moved a predetermined distance distally that is slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86 to expose additional vacuum holes 220 immediately distal of the most recently acquired tissue sample.\",\n \"Rod 230 can be adapted to be automatically advanced distally by the translation of drive carriage 134 within probe assembly 32, as described further below.\",\n \"The newly exposed vacuum holes 220 continue the communication of vacuum force 180 into tissue lumen 210 for the next cutting cycle.\",\n \"Rod 230 can be formed of a fluoropolymer resin material such as Teflon® or other suitable flexible material having a low coefficient of friction.\",\n \"Rod 230 can be sized and shaped to conform closely to the inner diameter of vacuum lumen 214.The close fit between rod 230 and vacuum lumen 214, as well as the low friction properties of the rod, enable the rod to translate easily within the vacuum lumen without any loss of vacuum force through the distal end of the lumen.\",\n \"The distal end 231 of rod 230 extends outside of vacuum lumen 214 through an opening 234 in outer sleeve 228.As rod 230 is advanced distally, the rod moves further out of vacuum lumen 214 through opening 234.The flexibility of rod 230 allows the rod to flex out of opening 234 in outer sleeve 228 as the rod is continually advanced distally, enabling substantially the entire rod to be translated out of vacuum lumen 214 over the course of multiple cutting cycles.\",\n \"As shown in greater detail in FIG.\",\n \"18, rod 230 can include a plurality of side ratchet teeth 232 spaced longitudinally substantially along the length of the rod.\",\n \"Teeth 232 provide a mechanism to grip and advance rod 230 through vacuum lumen 214.Rod 230 can also include a plurality of bottom ratchet teeth 238.Rod 230 can be advanced distally within vacuum lumen 214 by the interaction between teeth 232 and a pawl-type latching mechanism 240 on a reciprocating member 242, which is shown in greater detail in FIG.\",\n \"19.Reciprocating member 242 can be supported on lower connector 198 and reciprocates as cutter 100 is advanced and retracted.\",\n \"Reciprocating member 242 can have a bifurcated proximal end with proximally extending portions 243 separated by an axially extending slot 244.A ramped surface 246 can be formed between portions 243 at a distal end of slot 244.Ramped surface 246 can serve to deflect the distal end 231 of rod 230 through opening 234 and alongside the outer surface of tube 206 as the rod is ratcheted out of vacuum lumen 214.Unidirectional engagement pawls 250 can be formed to extend from the sides of portions 243 facing slot 244 to engage side ratchet teeth 232 on rod 230 as the rod extends through the groove.\",\n \"The engagement between pawls 250 and ratchet teeth 232 advances rod 230 distally through vacuum lumen 214.The distal end of reciprocating member 242 can be fixed to lower connector 198 for translation along with the lower connector 198, carriage 134, and cutter 100 during each cutting cycle.\",\n \"As drive carriage 134 advances distally at the beginning of a cutting cycle to move cutter 100 into receiving port 86, reciprocating member 242 also advances distally.\",\n \"As reciprocating member 242 advances, pawls 250 in groove 244 engage side teeth 232 on rod 230 in lumen 214 to pull the rod distally with the reciprocating member.\",\n \"As rod 230 moves distally within lumen 214, additional vacuum holes 220 are exposed.\",\n \"As the direction of carriage 134 reverses, and cutter 100 retracts from receiving port 86, reciprocating member 242 moves in a proximal direction relative to the fixed vacuum lumen 214.As reciprocating member 242 retracts proximally, unidirectional bottom ratchet teeth 238 located on the bottom side of flexible rod 230 engage vacuum holes 220 within vacuum lumen 214 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"17.The engagement between the ratchet teeth and holes 220 prevents rod 230 from moving proximally within vacuum lumen 214.As pawls 250 move proximally relative to rod 230, the pawls engage the next proximal set of ratchet teeth 232 on rod 230.This engagement with the next set of ratchet teeth 232 causes rod 230 to again advance distally when drive carriage 134 advances distally during the next cutting cycle to expose additional vacuum communication holes 220.In the event that the carriage and cutter assembly is advanced and retracted without the probe assembly 32 in tissue, resulting in the flexible rod 230 advanced too far distally relative to the tissue samples 204; the flexible rod 230 can be rotated a fraction of a turn about its longitudinal axis to disengage ratchet teeth 232 and 238 allowing the flexible rod 230 to be repositioned proximally within the vacuum lumen 214.In an alternative embodiment not shown, flexible rod 230 could be advanced distally within vacuum lumen 214 as drive carriage 134 is retracted proximally following the cutting of tissue.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a reversing mechanism such as, for example, a cable extending 180° degrees around a pulley, could be utilized so that as the drive carriage retracts the cable pulls the flexible rod distally.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"19, lower connector 198 includes an axially-extending bore 252 for connecting the tissue lumen portion of sample tube 206 to rear tube 152.When serial tissue assembly 190 is connected to probe assembly 32 by lower connector 198, tissue lumen 210, bore 252, and rear tube lumen 156 are aligned generally coaxially to provide an unobstructed passageway for the aspiration of tissue samples from cutter 110 and rear tube 152 to lumen 210.FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates in greater detail connectors 192, 198 and lumens 210, 214.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"20, vacuum lumen 214 can be attached to fixed upper connector 192 by outer sleeve 228.Vacuum lumen 214 thus remains fixed in position within serial tissue assembly 190 throughout the cutting cycle.\",\n \"Tissue lumen 210 extends distally into bore 252 of lower connector 198.At least a distal portion of tissue lumen 210 will translate along with lower connector 198 and drive carriage 134 during each cutting cycle.\",\n \"As drive carriage 134 and lower connector 198 translates proximally, a distal portion 211 of the sample tube including the distal portion of tissue lumen 210 flexes or otherwise deforms downward, enabling the distal end of the tissue lumen to translate along with lower connector 198 and reciprocating member 242, while vacuum lumen 214 remains fixed in position by outer sleeve 228.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"14 and 16 a tissue retrieval mechanism 260 may be located at the proximal end of serial tissue assembly 190 for removing samples from the assembly in real-time following each cutting cycle.\",\n \"Tissue retrieval mechanism 260 can be is positioned in relation to sample tube 206 just distal of tissue stop 212 (FIG.\",\n \"23).\",\n \"As shown in greater detail in FIGS.\",\n \"21, 22, and 23, tissue retrieval mechanism 260 includes a retractable outer sleeve 262.Outer sleeve 262 is pneumatically sealed by o-rings 263 to maintain vacuum within sample tube 206 during the cutting cycle.\",\n \"To remove a tissue sample from tube 206 following a cutting cycle, outer sleeve 262 is manually rotated or translated out of position using pull-tab 270 to expose the tissue sample in tissue lumen 210.A tissue retrieval window 264 can be formed in tissue lumen 210 beneath outer sleeve 262 to provide access to the tissue sample in the lumen once the outer sleeve is retracted.\",\n \"An air inlet 265 can be located distal of tissue retrieval window 264 to apply air pressure to the distal face of the tissue sample 204 in the window, to prevent distal movement of the sample when outer sleeve 262 is retracted due to a pressure imbalance on tissue sample 204.A lower cylinder 266 on retractable sleeve 262 can house a return spring 258 for biasing the sleeve into the closed, sealed position.\",\n \"Each end of the spring 258 is secured to the retrieval mechanism 260 with pins 224.The proximal end of tissue retrieval assembly 260 can include a vacuum attachment 268 for providing vacuum to tissue lumen 210, such as from vacuum source 36.Vacuum attachment port 216 can also be provided to extend through retrieval mechanism 260 to provide vacuum to lumen 214, such as from vacuum source 36.At the end of a procedure, tissue retrieval assembly 260 may be disconnected from sample tube 206 so that tissue samples may be retrieved from the tube, as will be described in further detail below.\",\n \"As an alternative or in combination with real-time sample retrieval through tissue retrieval assembly 260, tissue samples may be retrieved at the end of a procedure by disconnecting sample tube 206 from probe assembly 32 and removing tissue retrieval assembly 260 from the proximal end of tissue lumen 210.After sample tube 206 is disconnected, a sample releasing mechanism such as, for example, the flexible rod such as plunger-like component 278 shown in FIG.\",\n \"24, may be inserted in one end of tissue lumen 210 and advanced there through to extract the samples from the opposite end of the lumen as shown in FIG.\",\n \"25.Alternatively, the tissue sample tube may be formed such that vacuum lumen 214 is separable from tissue lumen 210 at the conclusion of the procedure to allow access to the tissue samples stacked within the tissue lumen.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"26a-26c illustrate one embodiment for a separable sample storage tube in which a dual lumen tube 280 is extruded with weakened sides along the exterior of tissue lumen 210, as indicated by reference numeral 282, so that a portion of the lumen 210 is separable, such as by peeling, to expose tissue samples.\",\n \"When opposite forces are applied to lumens 210, 214, the two lumens can be peeled apart at the weak points 282, with the upper portion of tissue lumen 210 separating with vacuum lumen 214 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"26b.\",\n \"The remaining, lower portion of tissue lumen 210 will form an open U-channel containing the stacked tissue samples (U-channel shown in FIG.\",\n \"26c).\",\n \"The samples may be removed from the opened tissue lumen 210 using a forceps or other instrument.\",\n \"As an alternative to extruding the sample tube with weakened side points 282, tissue and vacuum lumens 210, 214 could be extruded separately and assembled together to form a dual lumen tube 284, an example of which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"27a.\",\n \"In this embodiment, vacuum lumen 214 is extruded to include the upper portion of tissue lumen 210 so that tissue lumen 210 forms an open U-channel.\",\n \"The tissue and vacuum lumens 210, 214 are joined along the upper edges 286 of the U-channel by an adhesive or other type of fastening mechanism.\",\n \"To access the tissue samples, opposite forces are applied to tube 284 to break the adhesive bond or other fastening means and peel vacuum lumen 214 away from tissue lumen 210, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"27b.\",\n \"The samples may then be removed from the open tissue lumen.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment for a separable sample storage tube, shown in FIG.\",\n \"28, a dual lumen tube 290 is formed by joining separately extruded vacuum and tissue lumens 210, 214.In this embodiment, vacuum lumen 214 is formed as a closed piece having at least one pair of laterally extending teeth 292.Tissue lumen 210 is formed as an open U-shaped channel having a corresponding number of pairs of laterally extending notches 294 along the inner surfaces of the channel.\",\n \"Teeth 292 are shaped to engage notches 294 to form a mechanical latch 296 that locks vacuum lumen 214 and tissue lumen 210 together to form the sample tube.\",\n \"Pulling vacuum lumen 214 in an opposite direction away from tissue lumen 210 will disengage teeth 292 from notches 294, thereby opening the top of the tissue lumen to remove tissue samples.\",\n \"Mechanical latch 296 may be used in combination with an adhesive or other attachment mechanism to lock the vacuum and tissue lumens together.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"29 and 30 illustrate an alternative embodiment for serial tissue stacking assembly 190 where sample storage tube 206 is replaced with a separable sample storage tube shown in FIGS.\",\n \"26-28.In addition, the tissue retrieval mechanism 260 is replaced with a tissue lumen peel tab 272.A tissue stop feature is located in lumen peel tab 272 at the proximal end of tissue lumen 210.A tubing connector 274 connects the proximal end of vacuum lumen 214 to an axial vacuum line, such as a vacuum line 42 communicating with vacuum source 36.In this embodiment, tissue samples are stacked distally from the tissue stop.\",\n \"The tissue samples 204 can be removed real time by peeling the tissue lumen from the vacuum lumen 214.Alternately, the tissue samples can be removed at the conclusion of the procedure.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"31a-31d illustrate the advanced and retracted positions of lower connector 198, tissue lumen 210 and rod 230 for the initial two cutting cycles of a biopsy procedure.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"31a, when cutter 100 is advanced to a fully distal position, i.e.\",\n \"completely through tissue receiving port 86, tissue lumen 210 is advanced fully distal as well, with the tissue lumen substantially parallel to outer sleeve 228.As cutter 100 retracts from tissue receiving port 86 following tissue cutting, tissue lumen 210 retracts with drive carriage 134 to a proximal position, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"31b.\",\n \"In this position, the a distal length tissue lumen 210 extends downward, such as by flexing, away from outer sleeve 228.Reciprocating member 242 also retracts and grips the next set of ratchet teeth 232 on rod 230.During the next cutting cycle, shown in FIG.\",\n \"31c, cutter 100 is again fully advanced by drive carriage 134 and lower connector 198 again pulls tissue lumen 210 distally.\",\n \"As lower connector 198 is pulled distally, engagement pawls 250 pull on ratchet teeth 232 of rod 230 to advance the rod through vacuum lumen 214 and out opening 234.At the conclusion of the second cutting cycle, tissue lumen 210 is again retracted proximally as shown in FIG.\",\n \"31d.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"32 illustrates an alternative embodiment for tissue storage assembly 52, in which the storage assembly comprises a parallel tissue stacking assembly 300.In parallel tissue stacking assembly 300, tissue samples are stored one beside the next in a tissue storage component and removed at the end of the procedure.\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"32 and 33, parallel stacking assembly 300 comprises a tissue storage component 302 containing a series of side-by-side lumens 304.Each of the lumens 304 is slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86 for storing tissue samples aspirated from the receiving port.\",\n \"Component 302 may be comprised of a clear plastic material to allow visual inspection of the tissues samples stored therein.\",\n \"An integrated knock-out pin 306, (FIG.\",\n \"34), can be provided at the proximal end of each tissue lumen 304 to prevent tissue samples from translating completely through the lumen and into vacuum system 36, while providing vacuum to be communicated to a lumen (e.g.\",\n \"each knockout pin 306 can include a small central opening large enough to provide flow communication for providing vacuum to lumen 304, but small enough to not allow a tissue sample to pass out the distal end of lumen 304.)\",\n \"Returning to FIGS.\",\n \"32 and 33, a tissue tube 308 having a tissue lumen 310 therein, extends distal of component 302 to connect with tube 152 in probe 32.Tubes 152 and 308 can be aligned to provide a continuous, generally straight line passageway from lumen 104 of cutter 100 to a lumen 304 in component 302.An 0-ring seal 312, shown in FIG.\",\n \"35, can be provided at the proximal end of tissue tube 308 to seal the passageway between tissue lumen 310 and the lumen 304 aligned with tube 308.Sample and tissue tubes 152, 308 may be detachably connected by any suitable type of fastening mechanism such as, for example, snap fasteners similar to those shown in FIGS.\",\n \"15a and 15b.\",\n \"A first vacuum port 314 can be located on the proximal side of component 302 to provide vacuum to tissue lumen 310 through the lumen 304 aligned with tube 308.A second lateral vacuum port 316 can be employed to provide vacuum to tissue lumen 310 at a position distal of component 302.Each of vacuum ports 314, 316 can be attached to vacuum source 36 through an axial vacuum line 42 to provide vacuum for drawing tissue proximally in lumen 104 of cutter 100.Lateral vacuum port 316 can be attached to a vacuum chamber 320 that surrounds tissue tube 308.Tissue tube 308 can include a plurality of spaced holes within vacuum chamber 320 for communicating vacuum between the chamber and tube lumen 310.Lateral vacuum port 316 and chamber 320 provide additional vacuum for aiding in the proximal movement of a tissue sample (such as in the case where a tissue sample fragments into multiple pieces during sampling).\",\n \"After a tissue sample is stored in a lumen 304, component 302 can be indexed laterally to axially align the next adjacent lumen with tissue lumen 310.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"33, a cam member 322 is provided for indexing component 302.Cam member 322 is located in a housing 324 that extends beneath component 302.Cam member 322 is operatively connected to drive carriage 134 in probe assembly 32 to translate distally and proximally with the drive carriage during each cutting cycle.\",\n \"Cam member 322 is attached to drive carriage 134 by a mechanical cable 326 that extends distally through an end cap 330.Cable 326 is attached to drive carriage 134 and pulls cam member 322 distally as the drive carriage 134 moves distally.\",\n \"As cam member 322 moves, a camming surface 332 on the cam member interacts with bosses 334 (shown in FIG.\",\n \"34) on the under surface of component 302 to index component 302.Camming surface 332 can comprise an angled, flexible strip of material that is deflected by bosses 334.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"36a, camming surface 332 is in a non-deflected position between two bosses, identified by phantom bosses 336, 338, when cam member 322 is in a proximal-most position prior to a cutting cycle.\",\n \"As cam member 322 advances distally at the beginning of a cutting cycle, camming surface 332 is deflected out of position by the contact between boss 336 and a first side of the camming surface.\",\n \"As cam member 322 continues to advance distally, boss 336 deflects camming surface 332 to a point at which the boss passes through an opening created between the cam surface and a stop block 340, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"36b.\",\n \"After boss 336 passes through the opening created by the deflecting camming surface, the camming surface springs back into a non-deflected position in contact with stop block 340.When drive carriage 134 begins to retract following the cutting of tissue, a return spring 224 within the distal end of housing 324 pushes cam member 322 proximally within the housing.\",\n \"As cam member 322 retracts proximally, the opposite side of camming surface 332 contacts boss 336.As cam member 322 continues to retract, the angle in camming surface 332 causes boss 336 to be pushed laterally, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"36c.\",\n \"As boss 336 is pushed laterally, component 302 is indexed laterally relative to tissue tube 308, thereby positioning the next adjacent lumen 304 to receive the next tissue sample through tube 308.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"32 and 33, component 302 is positioned between cam member housing 324 and a detent arm 342.Detent arm 342 extends distally across the upper surface of component 302.As component 302 is indexed laterally by the interaction of camming surface 332 and boss 336, detent arm 342 engages one of a series of indexing detents 344.Indexing detents 344 lock the next active lumen 304 into alignment with lumen 310 following each indexing action.\",\n \"The plurality of bosses 334 and indexing detents 344 enable component 302 to be repetitively indexed to store a plurality of tissue samples during a biopsy procedure.\",\n \"At the conclusion of a biopsy procedure, component 302 may be removed from between housing 324 and detent arm 342, and the tissue samples removed from the individual tissue lumens 304.The top surface of component 302 can include a cover or other removable portion to allow each sample to be easily removed from the lumens 304.FIG.\",\n \"37 is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary drive assembly 350 for holster 34.In the assembly shown in FIG.\",\n \"37, the translation and rotation drive trains (for providing rotation and translation of cutter 100) are driven by a single rotatable cable 55 (also shown in FIG.\",\n \"1) that extends between holster 34 and a remotely located motor, such as a motor in control module 46.A single drive cable is capable of rotating both drive trains due to the reduced cutter stroke of the present invention.\",\n \"The reduced cutter stroke enables the size of handpiece 30, as well as the load on the drive motor, to be reduced relative to previous biopsy devices.\",\n \"Powering handpiece 30 through a single rotatable cable enables the handpiece to be utilized in MRI guided procedures since ferromagnetic motor components are separated from the handpiece.\",\n \"The handpiece can also be used in mammography and ultrasound guided procedures.\",\n \"Accordingly, a common probe assembly and handpiece can be utilized for multiple imaging environments.\",\n \"For an MRI guided procedure, the length of the rotatable cable may be increased to accommodate use near or within an MRI bore.\",\n \"In the embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"37, rotatable cable 55 attaches to a drive cable input coupling 352 for providing rotational drive to holster 34.A drive shaft 354 from input coupling 352 extends to a proximal housing 356.Within proximal housing 356, an input gear 360 is mounted on input drive shaft 354 between spacer 362 and bearing 389 so as to engage corresponding gears on a translation drive shaft 364 and a rotation drive shaft 366.The interaction of the input gear 360 with translation shaft gear 370 and rotation shaft gear 372 transmits the rotational drive to translation and rotation drive shafts 364, 366.Translation and rotation drive shafts 364, 366 extend from proximal housing 356 through a pair of bores in a center housing 374.Translation and rotation gears 370, 372 are spaced between the proximal and center housings by bearings 376.Distal of center housing 374, holster 34 includes a rotary encoder 380 for providing a feedback signal to control module 46 regarding rotation of the drive shafts.\",\n \"Encoder 380 may be mounted on either the translation or the rotation drive shafts.\",\n \"Holster 34 also includes an optional planetary gearbox 382 on translation drive shaft 364.Gearbox 382 provides a gear reduction between the translation and rotation drive trains to produce differing speeds for the translation of drive carriage 134 and the rotation of cutter 104.Distal of gearbox 382 and encoder 380, drive assembly 350 includes a housing 384.Housing 384 includes connections for coupling the translation drive train with translation drive input shaft 386, and the rotational drive train with rotary drive input shaft 388.Each of the drive input shafts 386, 388 has a distal end shaped to operatively engage slots on corresponding drive shafts in probe assembly 32.In particular, translation drive input shaft 386 is shaped to engage slot 128 of translation shaft 142 (shown in FIG.\",\n \"4), and rotary drive input shaft 388 is shaped to engage slot 132 of rotary drive shaft 114.As mentioned above with respect to FIG.\",\n \"6, the drive input shafts may have molded interfaces, rather than the mating slots and tips shown in FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 37, to reduce the coupling length between the shafts.\",\n \"Translation and rotary drive shafts 386, 388 extend distally from housing 384 for engagement with drive and translation shafts 114, 142 when probe assembly 32 and holster 34 are connected.\",\n \"The embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"37 comprises a single drive cable input for operatively driving the translation and rotation shafts.\",\n \"In an alternative embodiment, a single motor mounted in the holster 34 can replace rotatable cable 55.The single motor drives both the translation and rotation shafts through a suitable gearing assembly.\",\n \"The motor may be mounted above or proximal to the drive assembly.\",\n \"Another embodiment replaces the single motor with two motors.\",\n \"One motor would drive the translation drive input shaft and the other would drive the rotary drive input shaft.\",\n \"In the embodiments described, the cutting stroke length for the cutter 100 is reduced to slightly longer than the length of tissue receiving port 86.This stroke reduction is possible in part because tissue samples are aspirated through the cutter lumen, rather than being pulled proximally through the needle by a retracting cutter.\",\n \"Reducing the cutting stroke length has a number of benefits.\",\n \"One of the benefits of a reduced cutting stroke length is that the overall size and weight of the probe assembly may be reduced, thereby enabling the biopsy device to be used in imaging environments where size has traditionally been a limitation.\",\n \"In particular, the reduced size of the probe assembly enables an essentially common probe assembly to be used in both open and closed bore Mill guided procedures, as well as in mammography and ultrasound procedures, with minor adjustments.\",\n \"A common cable driven holster may also be used in each of the imaging modalities, with the alternative, single or double motor embodiments useable in both the mammography and ultrasound guided procedures.\",\n \"In addition, a common control module can be used to control the handpiece in any of the three imaging environments.\",\n \"The probe assembly may be adapted for use in an Mill guided procedure by utilizing a needle and cutter subassembly that is comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material, such as a plastic or ceramic, in order to reduce image artifacts.\",\n \"In addition, the cutter assembly may be removed from the probe, as described above with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8, for Mill imaging prior to initiation of a cutting cycle.\",\n \"Alternately, the distal end of the cutter may be simply retracted proximally from the tissue receiving port area during imaging.\",\n \"To accommodate each of the different imaging modalities, reusable handpiece base units specific to each of the imaging environments may be utilized.\",\n \"Each of the handpiece base units may be used for firing and/or rotating the needle aperture, depending upon the operator's needs and the constrictions of the particular imaging environment.\",\n \"Each of the base units is designed to accommodate the probe assembly to enable the same probe to be used across imaging modalities.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"38a illustrates a base 420 for use with probe assembly 32 in a mammography guided procedure.\",\n \"Base 420 may be attached to the stereotactic arm of a mammography machine by a mounting feature 422.A recessed nest area 424 is provided in base 420 for accommodating the probe lower shell.\",\n \"Probe assembly 32 may be lodged in nest 424 prior to the initiation of a procedure.\",\n \"A firing button 426 is included in base 420 for firing the needle of the probe assembly into the tissue mass of interest.\",\n \"A knob 430 on the side of base unit 420 compresses a firing spring within the unit.\",\n \"When button 426 is compressed, the spring pushes against probe assembly 32 to forcibly drive the entire probe assembly and nest 424 forward relative to the mounting feature 422.An aperture rotation gear 432 is also provided in the recessed area of base 420 for rotating the tissue receiving port of the probe assembly after the needle is positioned within the tissue mass.\",\n \"Aperture rotation gear 432 includes a plurality of gear teeth 434.Gear teeth 434 project partially above the recessed surface area to engage similar shaped teeth on a second gear integral to the needle support component within probe assembly 32.Teeth on the second, needle gear are recessed within the probe shell, but accessible by aperture rotation gear 432 when the probe is lodged in nest 424.A knob 436 is provided on the proximal end of base 420 for manually rotating gear 432.When gear 432 rotates, the engagement between the gears causes the needle to rotate, thereby repositioning the tissue receiving port within the tissue mass.\",\n \"Probe assembly 32 can include flexible engagement fingers that lock the needle gear and prevent the gear from rotating outside of nest 424.When probe assembly 32 is inserted into nest 424, the flexible fingers are deflected so as to disengage from the needle gear, and allow the gear to rotate in response to the rotation of base gear 432.FIG.\",\n \"38b illustrates the probe assembly 32 lodged in nest 424.FIG.\",\n \"39 illustrates a similar type of probe base unit for use in an ultrasound imaging environment.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"39, the base unit 440 includes a nest 442 for accommodating the lower shell of probe assembly 32.A knob 444 is provided for compressing a firing spring within base 440, as well as a button 446 for releasing the spring to “fire” the probe assembly and nest 424 into a tissue mass.\",\n \"In the ultrasound environment, base 440 may be hand-held and manipulated as required by the operator.\",\n \"Accordingly, a needle rotation mechanism is not necessary for base 440, since the operator may rotate the needle by manually rotating the base and/or probe assembly.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"40, a third type of probe base 450 is provided for use in MRI guided procedures.\",\n \"Base 450 may be mounted to a localization unit within the MRI unit.\",\n \"The reduced size of the probe assembly in the present invention reduces the structural requirements for the localization unit due to the reduced cantilever loading generated by the probe.\",\n \"MRI base 450 includes a recessed nest 452 for accommodating the lower probe shell.\",\n \"In addition, the base includes an aperture rotation gear 454 having a plurality of gear teeth that engage similar shaped teeth that extend from the probe lower shell.\",\n \"The gear in the lower probe shell is attached to the needle to rotate the needle whenever gear 454 is rotated, in a manner similar to the mammography nest embodiment shown in FIG.\",\n \"38.An aperture rotation knob 456 is located on the proximal end of base 450 to manually rotate gear 454 and, correspondingly, the tissue receiving aperture in the needle.\",\n \"Base 450 does not require a firing mechanism for positioning the needle within the tissue.\",\n \"However, multiple needle lengths may be used with the probe assembly to enable the probe assembly to more easily fit within the MRI unit.\",\n \"The particular needle length selected will depend upon the depth of the tissue mass of interest within the patient's body.\",\n \"As an alternative to the use of MRI base 450, an MRI localization depth gage 460, such as shown in FIG.\",\n \"41, may be used for positioning the probe assembly.\",\n \"In this embodiment, a depth stop 462 is attached to the probe assembly and/or the needle 80.The depth stop includes an adjustment knob 464 for adjusting the desired depth of the probe needle.\",\n \"After the needle is properly positioned, the probe is inserted into the patient's tissue until the stop is reached.\",\n \"The patient may then be placed in the MRI device and imaged without additional support for the probe assembly.\",\n \"After the needle position within the tissue is confirmed, the holster is attached to the probe assembly to begin tissue sampling.\",\n \"While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.\",\n \"Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.\",\n \"Additionally, each element described in relation to the invention can be alternatively described as a means for performing that element's function.\",\n \"It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.\",\n \"described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.\",\n \"that are described herein.\",\n \"The following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.\",\n \"should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.\",\n \"Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.\",\n \"Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.\",\n \"Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.\",\n \"Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art.\",\n \"For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required.\",\n \"Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872440"}}},{"rowIdx":4494077,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["FLEXIBLE DATA RECORDS FOR AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE","A set of dynamically-modifiable objects are maintained by a network system for a listing on an online marketplace.","Each of the dynamically-modifiable objects includes a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, each being associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace.","While the listing is active on the online marketplace, the network system can detect a change in status for a first data record that is referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object.","In response, the network system can identify a second data record not referenced by any pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically update the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record."],["1.A computer-implemented method for managing an online marketplace, the method being implemented by a network system and comprising: maintaining, by the network system for a listing on the online marketplace, a set of dynamically-modifiable objects, each including a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, wherein each data record of the set of data records is associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace, and wherein the set of data records is identified by the network system from a collection of data records stored in a database accessible to the network system based on one or more parameters; while the listing is active on the online marketplace, detecting a change in status for a first data record of the set of data records, the first data record being referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects; and in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record, identifying, by the network system based on the one or more parameters, a second data record not referenced by pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically updating the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.","2.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising generating a set of asset document pointers associated with the set of data records, each of the set of asset document pointers referencing one or more documents stored in the database.","3.The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising updating the set of asset document pointers in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record.","4.The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising enabling a bidder to access to the one or more documents stored in the database.","5.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction to update the one or more parameters.","6.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the change in status for the first data record comprises receiving an instruction to remove the first data record from the set of data records.","7.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the change in status for the first data record comprises monitoring an availability of the first data record.","8.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the change in status for first data record includes detecting that an asset corresponding to the first data record is no longer for sale.","9.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a seller to specify the one or more parameters.","10.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising recalculating at least one of the one or more parameters.","11.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of data records comprises a set of non-performing loans.","12.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters specify one or more of (i) a number of assets associated with the set of data records; (ii) one or more types of assets; (iii) a total value of the assets associated with the set of data records; (iv) a per-item value; or (v) a geographic location of assets associated with the set of data records.","13.A network system comprising: one or more processors; one or more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the network system to: maintain, for a listing on an online marketplace, a set of dynamically-modifiable objects, each including a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, wherein each data record of the set of data records is associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace, and wherein the set of data records is identified by the network system from a collection of data records stored in a database accessible to the network system based on one or more parameters; while the listing is active on the online marketplace, detect a change in status for a first data record of the set of data records, the first data record being referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects; and in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record, identify, by the network system based on the one or more parameters, a second data record not referenced by pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically update the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.","14.The network system of claim 13, wherein the one or more parameters specify one or more of (i) a number of assets associated with the set of data records; (ii) one or more types of assets; (iii) a total value of the assets associated with the set of data records; (iv) a per-item value; or (v) a geographic location of assets associated with the set of data records.","15.The network system of claim 13, wherein the executed instructions further cause the network system to generate a set of asset document pointers associated with the set of data records, each of the set of asset document pointers referencing one or more documents stored in the database.","16.The network system of claim 13, wherein detecting the change in status for first data record includes detecting that an asset corresponding to the first data record is no longer for sale.","17.A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a network system, cause the network system to: maintain, for a listing on an online marketplace, a set of dynamically-modifiable objects, each including a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, wherein each data record of the set of data records is associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace, and wherein the set of data records is identified by the network system from a collection of data records stored in a database accessible to the network system based on one or more parameters; while the listing is active on the online marketplace, detect a change in status for a first data record of the set of data records, the first data record being referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects; in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record, identify, by the network system based on the one or more parameters, a second data record not referenced by pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically update the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.","18.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more parameters specify one or more of (i) a number of assets associated with the set of data records; (ii) one or more types of assets; (iii) a total value of the assets associated with the set of data records; (iv) a per-item value; or (v) a geographic location of assets associated with the set of data records.","19.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the executed instructions further cause the network system to generate a set of asset document pointers associated with the set of data records, each of the set of asset document pointers referencing one or more documents stored in the database.","20.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein detecting the change in status for first data record includes detecting that an asset corresponding to the first data record is no longer for sale."],[" BACKGROUND Numerous online auction forums exist that enable consumers and sellers to transact for various kinds of items, such as collectibles, electronics and other goods or services."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing flexible asset pools in an online auction.","FIGS.","2A-2B illustrate an exemplary flexible asset pool.","FIG.","3 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing a flexible asset pool.","FIG.","4 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing an online auction using a flexible asset pool.","FIG.","5 illustrates an example bidder interface in which a flexible asset pool record is displayed.","FIG.","6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments described herein may be implemented.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/214,458, filed Mar.","14, 2014, titled “FLEXIBLE COMMERCIAL LOAN POOL” which claims benefit of priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.","61/802,319, filed Mar.","15, 2013, also titled “FLEXIBLE COMMERCIAL LOAN POOL”; the aforementioned priority applications being hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.","TECHNICAL FIELD Examples described herein relate to online auctions, and more specifically, to a flexible asset pool for online auctions.","BACKGROUND Numerous online auction forums exist that enable consumers and sellers to transact for various kinds of items, such as collectibles, electronics and other goods or services.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing flexible asset pools in an online auction.","FIGS.","2A-2B illustrate an exemplary flexible asset pool.","FIG.","3 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing a flexible asset pool.","FIG.","4 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing an online auction using a flexible asset pool.","FIG.","5 illustrates an example bidder interface in which a flexible asset pool record is displayed.","FIG.","6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments described herein may be implemented.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Examples described herein provide for online auction forums that utilize flexible asset pools for purposes of dynamically adding and/or removing assets associated with an asset pool.","By defining an asset pool as a “flexible” (e.g., dynamically-modifiable) object, asset pools can be updated and/or modified in real-time.","Furthermore, bidders may be able to view documents that are associated with new assets as soon as they are added to the asset pool.","The use of flexible asset pools can enable asset pool auctions to be carried through to completion even if one or more assets in an asset pool becomes unavailable before the auction is completed.","According to some embodiments, a system and method is provided for generating flexible asset pools in an online auction environment.","In some examples, an asset pool is generated based on a set of instructions from the seller.","The asset pool is associated with a set of items to be sold in the auction.","In examples described herein, the auction system may detect a change in status for the set of items associated with the asset pool (e.g., items being added to and/or removed from the item set).","In response thereto, the auction system may dynamically update the asset pool (e.g., to reflect the changes to the set of items) based, at least in part, on the detected changes.","Among other benefits, examples described herein recognize that the status of items associated with an asset pool are susceptible to change.","For example, a particular item may become unavailable (e.g., lost, stolen, or destroyed), or the seller may change its mind about selling the item, before the auction period expires.","Under conventional implementations, the current asset pool is removed from the auction, and a new one may be created (e.g., manually by the seller) to take its place.","Creating a new asset pool typically entails creating a new auction altogether.","Accordingly, a clock or timer (e.g., for a “due diligence period”) associated with the auction is often reset when the new asset pool is created (e.g., to provide bidders with adequate time to review any documentation associated with the items in the new asset pool).","In contrast, examples described herein recognize that, when a new asset pool is created, typically only a small number of items are new (i.e., the majority of items in the new asset pool are carried over from the old asset pool).","It may thus be undesirable to restart the due diligence period, since only a limited number of new documents are likely to be associated with the new items.","Therefore, examples described herein provide a mechanism for dynamically updating an asset pool without restarting the due diligence period for the auction.","By way of example, a loan is termed “non-performing” if the borrower fails to perform the terms of the loan agreement (e.g., the owner of real estate is unable to pay the mortgage).","Such a loan is called a non-performing loan (NPL).","NPLs are typically pooled together and auctioned off as a group to offset the risks associated with individual loans in the loan pool.","However, if a homeowner suddenly pays off his or her mortgage, that homeowner's loan may fall out of the loan pool (thus becoming unavailable).","Examples described herein enable a seller of the loan pool to dynamically add a new NPL to the pool to replace the loan that fell through.","For some embodiments, one or more asset pool parameters may be updated after modifying (e.g., adding to or removing from) the set of items associated with a particular asset pool.","For example, the asset pool parameters may indicate the number of items in the pool, the type(s) of items in the pool, the total value of the asset pool, the value of individual items in the pool, and/or the (geographical) locations of items in the asset pool.","In other embodiments, one or more items may be programmatically added to an asset pool (e.g., to replace items that fell out of the pool) in accordance with a set of predefined asset pool parameters.","For example, the seller may configure the asset pool to have one or more “fixed” parameters.","Thereafter, if an item associated with an asset pool becomes unavailable, the auction system may add one or more new items (e.g., from a database of items) to the asset pool without the need for seller input.","One or more embodiments described herein provide that methods, techniques and actions performed by a computing device are performed programmatically, or as a computer-implemented method.","Programmatically means through the use of code, or computer-executable instructions.","A programmatically performed step may or may not be automatic.","One or more embodiments described herein may be implemented using programmatic modules or components.","A programmatic module or component may include a program, a subroutine, a portion of a program, or a software component or a hardware component capable of performing one or more stated tasks or functions.","As used herein, a module or component can exist on a hardware component independently of other modules or components.","Alternatively, a module or component can be a shared element or process of other modules, programs or machines.","Furthermore, one or more embodiments described herein may be implemented through the use of instructions that are executable by one or more processors.","These instructions may be carried on a computer-readable medium.","Machines shown or described with figures below provide examples of processing resources and computer-readable mediums on which instructions for implementing embodiments of the invention can be carried and/or executed.","In particular, the numerous machines shown with embodiments of the invention include processor(s) and various forms of memory for holding data and instructions.","Examples of computer-readable mediums include permanent memory storage devices, such as hard drives on personal computers or servers.","Other examples of computer storage mediums include portable storage units, such as CD or DVD units, flash or solid state memory (such as carried on many cell phones and consumer electronic devices) and magnetic memory.","Computers, terminals, network enabled devices (e.g., mobile devices such as cell phones) are all examples of machines and devices that utilize processors, memory, and instructions stored on computer-readable mediums.","Additionally, embodiments may be implemented in the form of computer-programs, or a computer usable carrier medium capable of carrying such a program.","Auction Architecture FIG.","1 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing flexible asset pools in an online auction.","A system 100 such as shown by an example of FIG.","1 can be implemented in connection with an online auction service for any type of commercial item, such as, for example, real property items (e.g., homes, real-estate notes, commercial property), motor vehicles (e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, boats), consumer electronics, collectibles, clothing, and/or non-performing loans (NPLs).","In an example of FIG.","1, system 100 includes functionality that can be implemented by processes, logical components and/or modules.","In one implementation, the system 100 includes a bidder interface 110, a transaction component 120, an auction database 130, pool configuration logic 140, and a seller interface 150.When an online auction is initiated, persons (e.g., bidders) can interact with the bidder interface 110 to determine whether to place a bid, and to submit the bid for the item being auctioned.","The transaction component 120 can implement a set of auction rules and logic for receiving bids and advancing the auction to completion.","The auction database 130 retains records that identify asset pools that are to be auctioned, and/or asset pools which are undergoing or have completed an auction.","Furthermore, the auction database 130 can retain records of auctions in various states, including pre-auction, in-auction (auction initiated) and post-auction (auction completed).","In some examples, the auction database 130 includes an asset pool database 134 and an asset database 132.The asset pool database 134 stores asset pool records (AP records) 121 that are used to identify the asset pools to be auctioned.","The asset database 132 stores asset records 131 which identify the individual assets belonging to a particular asset pool.","In addition, the asset database 132 can also store asset documents 133 that are associated with the asset records 131.Asset documents 133 may include, for example, certificates of authenticity, financial records, contractual agreements, and/or other documents which may be of interest to a potential buyer of the corresponding asset (or asset pool).","For some embodiments, each AP record 121 is associated with (e.g., points to) one or more asset records 131 stored in the asset database 132, including any corresponding asset documents 133.The bidder interface 110 includes functionality for enabling bidders to view and participate in an in-progress auction.","The bidder interface 110 can be provided as, for example, a webpage that includes functional elements for enabling the users to provide input (e.g., bids 111) and to view real-time updates for the auction while it is in progress.","In variations, the bidder interface 110 can be provided as application content, such as through a display or panel of a network-enabled application.","The bidder interface 110 can include functionality for enabling a bidder to specify a bid 111, and to monitor real-time information about the auction.","For example, the bidder interface 110 can display information about the asset pool being auctioned (e.g., description, images, etc.","), information about individual assets contained in the asset pool, information about the seller, and/or a full or partial bid history (e.g., the bidder or bidder identity and a corresponding bid amount, the number of bids received in a given duration etc.).","In addition, the bidder interface 110 can display timing information associated with a particular auction.","Timing information may include, for example, the time remaining for a due diligence period associated with the auction and/or the time remaining before the auction is closed.","For some embodiments, the bidder interface 110 may also display asset documents 131 associated with the asset pool being auctioned, and updates the asset documents 131 that can be displayed (e.g., in real-time) as individual assets are dynamically added to and/or removed from an asset pool.","The transaction component 120 can implement operations for progressing the auction towards completion.","The transaction component 120 may retrieve AP records 121, and associated asset documents 131, from the auction database 130.Furthermore, the transaction component 120 may include functionality to (i) initiate an auction, (ii) advance the auction towards completion, and/or (iii) end or complete the auction when certain conditions are satisfied (e.g., after completion of time and/or satisfaction of completion rules).","In addition to receiving and processing bids 111, the transaction component 120 provides auction updates 113 to the bidders that are viewing or participating in a particular auction.","The auction update 113 can include information such as, a current price for the asset pool being auctioned, an amount of time remaining in the auction or due diligence period, and/or updates to an asset pool being auctioned (e.g., addition/removal of assets included in the asset pool, updated asset pool parameters, and/or new documents that are associated with the asset pool).","Other information that can be updated by the transaction logic 120 and published through the bidder interface 110 include identifiers for active bidders, recent bid amounts, current bid increment, comments from other users, and information from other auctions that may be in various states (e.g., pre-auction versus in-progress).","The auction update 113 can be published through the bidder interface 110 to the population of users.","The seller interface 150 enables individual sellers to create records that identify an asset pool for auction.","For example, the seller interface 150 can enable sellers to specify information (e.g., one or more asset pool parameters) that identifies the asset pool being auctioned, the terms of sale, and other parameters such as a reserve price (which can be hidden from prospective bidders).","The seller interface 150 may also enable the sellers to create and/or modify asset pools.","For example, the seller interface 150 may enable sellers to input, select, or otherwise indicate (e.g., via AP instructions 141) one or more assets records 131 to be included with an AP record 121.Additionally, the seller interface 150 may enable the seller to specify one or more asset pool parameters (e.g., which may identify a number, type, value, and/or location of the individual assets associated with an asset pool) that can be used by the pool configuration logic 140 to programmatically add and/or remove individual assets from a particular asset pool.","As described by various examples, the pool configuration logic 140 can dynamically modify AP records 121 stored in the auction database 130.For example, as shown with respect to FIGS.","2A-2B, the pool configuration logic 140 may associate (e.g., reference) and/or disassociate (e.g., de-reference) one or more asset records 133 (e.g., stored in the asset database 132) with an asset pool 121 (e.g., stored in the asset pool database 134).","For some embodiments, the associations between AP records 121 and asset records 131 (and asset documents 133) may be implemented using pointers.","Accordingly, the pool configuration logic 140 can “create” an association by referencing a pointer, stored with an AP record 121, to point to the memory location (e.g., in asset database 132) where a corresponding asset record 131 is stored.","Similarly, the pool control logic 140 can “delete” an association by de-referencing the pointer.","With reference to FIG.","2A, the pool configuration logic 140 may associate asset records 131(A) and 131(B), and accompanying asset documents 133(A) and 133(B), with AP record 121(1), for example, by storing a set of pointers (e.g., pointer_A and pointer_B) with the AP record 121(1) which points to memory locations in the asset database 132 that store the corresponding asset records 131(A) and 131(B) and asset documents 133(A) and 133(B).","The pool configuration logic 140 can further modify the AP record 121(1) by referencing and/or dereferencing pointer_A and pointer_B.","With reference to FIG.","2B, the pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically modify the asset pool associated with AP record 121(1) by “moving” pointer_B from the memory location(s), in asset database 132, that stores asset record 131(B) and asset documents 133(B) to the memory location(s) that stores asset record 131(C) and asset documents 133(C).","This effectively removes an old asset (e.g., asset record 131(B)) from the asset pool and adds a new asset (e.g., asset record 131(C)) to take the place of the old asset.","The pool configuration logic 140 may include an asset pool parameter (AP parameter) modifier 142 and an asset pool update (AP update) manager 144.The AP update manager 144 may detect changes to one or more assets included with an asset pool being auctioned.","The AP parameter modifier 142 may update or modify one or more AP parameters associated with an asset pool being auctioned.","In some examples, the AP update manager 144 may detect changes in the form of asset pool instructions (AP instructions) 141 received from a seller via the seller interface 150.The AP instructions 141 may include instructions to add and/or remove one or more assets in an asset pool.","Furthermore, the AP instructions 141 may include instructions to move one or more assets between asset pools (i.e., from one asset pool to another).","In other examples, the AP update manager 144 may detect changes to one or more assets included with an asset pool based on the availability of such assets.","For example, as described above, the availability of certain assets up for auction may be subject to change contrary to the seller's intention (and in some instances, without the seller's knowledge).","Thus, for some embodiments, the AP update manager 144 may “monitor” (e.g., periodically check) the asset database 132 for changes to the asset records 131 stored therein.","In some examples, the AP parameter modifier 142 may update one or more AP parameters to reflect the changes to one or more assets included with an asset pool being auctioned.","The AP parameters may be presented to a bidder via the bidder interface 110 to provide the bidder with information regarding the asset pool being auctioned.","Examples of AP parameters may include (i) the number of assets in the asset pool, (ii) the types of assets in the asset pool, (iii) the total value of the asset pool, (iv) the value of individual assets in the asset pool, and/or (v) the geographical locations of assets in the asset pool.","One or more of these parameters are likely to change whenever new assets are added to and/or removed from an asset pool.","Accordingly, the AP parameter modifier 142 may update these AP parameters to keep the bidder apprised of any changes to a particular asset pool.","The AP parameters may be included as part of (e.g., stored with) a corresponding AP record 121.In other examples, the AP parameter modifier 142 may receive a set of AP parameter configuration instructions (e.g., in the form of AP instructions 141) from the seller via the seller interface 150.For example, the configuration instructions may define a set of fixed AP parameters which the AP parameter modifier 142 may use to programmatically modify asset pools.","For example, by preconfiguring an asset pool to have a total value (e.g., of at least $1M), the AP parameter modifier 142 may programmatically generate the asset pool by including individual assets that total in value to at least $1M.","If an asset (e.g., valued at $100 k) becomes unavailable before completion of the auction, the AP parameter modifier 142 may add one or more new assets (e.g., totaling in value to $100 k) to the asset pool.","Defining a set of fixed AP parameters for an asset pool may provide bidders and/or sellers with peace of mind.","For example, bidders can bid with confidence knowing that, should any of the assets included with an asset pool become unavailable before an auction is completed, a new asset which satisfies the predefined AP parameters may be added in its place.","Moreover, having “flexible” AP records 121 allows auctions to be completed on schedule, while also allowing the asset pools in a particular auction to be dynamically modified.","More specifically, dynamically adding asset documents 133 for new assets that are added to an asset pool negates the need to restart a clock or timer for a due diligence period associated with the auction.","It is to be noted that the due diligence period may occur before, and/or concurrently with, the overall auction period.","Methodology FIG.","3 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing a flexible asset pool.","FIG.","4 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing an online auction using a flexible asset pool.","Methods such as described by examples of FIG.","3 and FIG.","4 can be implemented using, for example, a system such as described with respect to FIG.","1.Accordingly, reference may be made to elements of FIG.","1 for purposes of illustrating suitable components for performing a step or sub-step being described.","In FIG.","3, a status change is detected for an asset pool (310).","In some embodiments, the change in status may be detected based on instructions from a seller of the asset pool (312).","For example, the AP update manager 144 may receive AP instructions 141 from the seller via the seller interface 150.In some examples, the AP instructions 141 may include instructions to add, remove, and/or swap one or more assets in an asset pool.","The AP instructions 141 may also include instructions to create an asset pool.","In some examples, the AP instructions 141 may specify a set of asset records 131 to be included with an AP record 121.In other examples, the AP instructions 141 may define a set of fixed AP parameters which may be used by the AP parameter modifier 142 to programmatically create and/or modify an asset pool.","In some embodiments, the change in status may be detected based on a change in availability of a particular asset in the asset pool (314).","For example, the AP update manager 144 may monitor the asset database 132 for changes to the asset records 131 stored therein.","Once a change in status has been detected for a particular asset pool, a corresponding AP record may be created and/or modified for that asset pool (320).","In some examples, the AP record may be created and/or modified by associating asset records with the AP record (322) or disassociating asset records with the AP record (324).","The pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically create an association between an AP record 121 and one or more asset records 131, for example, by referencing a pointer, stored with the AP record 121, to point to one or more memory locations (e.g., in asset database 132) where the corresponding asset record(s) 131 are stored.","The pool configuration logic 140 may subsequently delete the association by dereferencing the pointer.","In the examples described with respect to FIGS.","2A and 2B, asset documents 133 may be stored in the same, or consecutive, memory locations as their corresponding asset records 131.In such implementations, only one pointer is needed to associate the AP record 121 with both the asset record 131 and the corresponding asset documents 133.However, in some implementations, the asset documents 133 may be stored separately (e.g., in a separate asset record database).","Thus, in some examples, one or more asset documents 133 may be associated with the AP record 121, apart from the asset records 131.The pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically create and/or delete an association between an AP record 121 and one or more asset documents 133, for example, by referencing and/or dereferencing a pointer, stored with the AP record 121, which points to one or more memory locations where the corresponding asset documents 133 are stored.","After an asset pool is created and/or modified, one or more AP parameters associated with the asset pool may be determined (330).","Examples of AP parameters may include the number of assets in the asset pool (332), the types of assets in the asset pool (332), the value of assets in the asset pool (336), and/or the geographical locations of assets in the asset pool (338).","In some examples, the AP parameter modifier 142 may update one or more AP parameters to reflect one or more corresponding changes to an AP record 121.The AP parameters may be presented to a bidder via the bidder interface 110, to provide the bidder with information regarding the asset pool being auctioned.","FIG.","4 shows an exemplary auction process, which is herein described with reference to the system 100 of FIG.","1.The pool configuration logic 140 initially receives a list of assets to be included with an asset pool (410).","For example, the pool configuration logic 140 may receive AP instructions 141 from the seller, via the seller interface 150, which may include instructions to create an asset pool.","In some examples, the AP instructions 141 may specify a set of asset records 131 to be included with an AP record 121.In other examples, the AP instructions 141 may define a set of fixed AP parameters which may be used by the AP parameter modifier 142 to programmatically create and/or modify an asset pool.","The pool configuration logic 140 then creates a flexible AP record 121 based on the AP instructions 141 (420).","For example, as described above, the pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically create an association between the AP record 121 and one or more asset records 131 (e.g., using pointers which can be referenced and/or dereferenced).","In some examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may associate the AP record 121 with a number of seller-specified asset records 131 provided with the AP instructions 141.The pool configuration logic 140 may then determine a set of AP parameters for the asset pool, based on the assets associated with the asset pool, to be included with the AP record 121.In other examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may programmatically select one or more asset records 131 to be associated with the AP record 121, according to a set of predefined AP parameters specified in the AP instructions 141.Once the AP record 121 has been created, the transaction component 120 may start a timer on an auction and/or due diligence period (430).","For some examples, the transaction component 120 may provide the time remaining for the auction and/or due diligence period to the bidder interface 110 through a series of auction updates 113.As long as the timer has not expired (440), the pool configuration logic 140 may continuously (or periodically) check the status of the assets in the asset pool (450).","In some examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may check the status of the assets by listening for AP instructions 141 from a seller (452).","In other examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may check the status of the assets by monitoring the availability of asset records 131 in the asset database 132 (454).","If no status change is detected (460), and the timer has not expired (440), the pool configuration logic 140 continues to check the status of the assets in the asset pool (450).","If a status change is detected (460), the pool configuration logic 140 updates the asset pool based on the detected changes (470).","Specifically, the AP update manager 144 may add or remove one or more assets in the asset pool (472).","For example, the AP update manager 144 may add or remove the assets by associating (e.g., referencing) or disassociating (e.g., dereferencing) asset records 131 with a corresponding AP record 121.The AP parameter modifier 142 may then update the set of AP parameters associated with the AP record 121 (474).","Examples of AP parameters may include: (i) the number of assets in the asset pool, (ii) the types of assets in the asset pool, (iii) the value of assets in the asset pool, and/or (iv) the geographical locations of assets in the asset pool.","Once the timer expires (440), the transaction is completed (480).","In some examples, the transaction may correspond with a due diligence period wherein potential buyers/bidders are able to review asset documents 133 associated with an asset pool prior to the auction.","In other examples, the transaction may correspond to the actual auction itself.","It should be noted that, once the timer is started on the auction and/or due diligence period (430), the timer may continue to run, uninterrupted, until the transaction is complete (480).","During this period, however, assets may be dynamically added to and/or removed from the asset pool (450-470).","Examples FIG.","5 illustrates an example bidder interface in which a flexible asset pool record 510 is displayed.","In the example provided, the bidder interface may correspond to a web page, or set of web pages, where items can be auctioned.","In the example provided, the items correspond to asset pools.","Descriptive information may accompany the AP record 510 for the asset pool being auctioned.","For example, descriptive information may include a set of AP parameters 512-518 that describe the pool of assets, as a whole.","The displayed AP parameters include the type of assets in the asset pool 512 (e.g., “Non-Performing Loans”), the total number of assets in the asset pool 514 (e.g., “5”), the total value of the asset pool 516 (e.g., “$10,000,000”), and the location of the assets in the asset pool 518 (e.g., “San Jose, Calif.”).","The bidder interface also displays links to asset documents 520 associated with each of the assets listed in the AP record 510.For some examples, when an asset is added to or removed from the asset pool, the AP parameters 512-518 may be updated to reflect the change.","In other examples, the AP parameters 512-518 may correspond to seller-defined fixed parameters for the asset pool.","The links to asset documents 520 may similarly be updated to reflect such changes to the asset pool.","For example, if NPL #1 is removed from the asset pool, the link to the associated asset documents for NPL #1 may be deleted accordingly.","If NPL #1 is replaced by a new NPL #6, the link to the associated asset documents for NPL #1 may be modified to link to the asset documents for NPL #6.Computer System FIG.","6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments described herein may be implemented.","For example, in the context of FIG.","1, system 100 may be implemented using one or more servers such as described by FIG.","6.In an embodiment, computer system 600 includes processor 604, memory 606 (including non-transitory memory), storage device 610, and communication interface 618.Computer system 600 includes at least one processor 604 for processing information.","Computer system 600 also includes the main memory 606, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 604.Main memory 606 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 604.Computer system 600 may also include a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device for storing static information and instructions for processor 604.The storage device 610, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided for storing information and instructions.","The communication interface 618 may enable the computer system 600 to communicate with one or more networks through use of the network link 620 (wireless or wireline).","The communication interface 618 may communicate with bidders and auction participants using, for example, the Internet.","Embodiments described herein are related to the use of computer system 600 for implementing the techniques described herein.","According to one embodiment, those techniques are performed by computer system 600 in response to processor 604 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 606.Such instructions may be read into main memory 606 from another machine-readable medium, such as storage device 610.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 606 causes processor 604 to perform the process steps described herein.","In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement embodiments described herein.","Thus, embodiments described are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.","Although illustrative embodiments have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, variations to specific embodiments and details are encompassed by this disclosure.","It is intended that the scope of embodiments described herein be defined by claims and their equivalents.","Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described, either individually or as part of an embodiment, can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments.","Thus, absence of describing combinations should not preclude the inventor(s) from claiming rights to such combinations."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"FLEXIBLE DATA RECORDS FOR AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE\",\n \"A set of dynamically-modifiable objects are maintained by a network system for a listing on an online marketplace.\",\n \"Each of the dynamically-modifiable objects includes a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, each being associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace.\",\n \"While the listing is active on the online marketplace, the network system can detect a change in status for a first data record that is referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object.\",\n \"In response, the network system can identify a second data record not referenced by any pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically update the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A computer-implemented method for managing an online marketplace, the method being implemented by a network system and comprising: maintaining, by the network system for a listing on the online marketplace, a set of dynamically-modifiable objects, each including a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, wherein each data record of the set of data records is associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace, and wherein the set of data records is identified by the network system from a collection of data records stored in a database accessible to the network system based on one or more parameters; while the listing is active on the online marketplace, detecting a change in status for a first data record of the set of data records, the first data record being referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects; and in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record, identifying, by the network system based on the one or more parameters, a second data record not referenced by pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically updating the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.\",\n \"2.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising generating a set of asset document pointers associated with the set of data records, each of the set of asset document pointers referencing one or more documents stored in the database.\",\n \"3.The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising updating the set of asset document pointers in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record.\",\n \"4.The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising enabling a bidder to access to the one or more documents stored in the database.\",\n \"5.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction to update the one or more parameters.\",\n \"6.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the change in status for the first data record comprises receiving an instruction to remove the first data record from the set of data records.\",\n \"7.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the change in status for the first data record comprises monitoring an availability of the first data record.\",\n \"8.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the change in status for first data record includes detecting that an asset corresponding to the first data record is no longer for sale.\",\n \"9.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a seller to specify the one or more parameters.\",\n \"10.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising recalculating at least one of the one or more parameters.\",\n \"11.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of data records comprises a set of non-performing loans.\",\n \"12.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters specify one or more of (i) a number of assets associated with the set of data records; (ii) one or more types of assets; (iii) a total value of the assets associated with the set of data records; (iv) a per-item value; or (v) a geographic location of assets associated with the set of data records.\",\n \"13.A network system comprising: one or more processors; one or more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the network system to: maintain, for a listing on an online marketplace, a set of dynamically-modifiable objects, each including a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, wherein each data record of the set of data records is associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace, and wherein the set of data records is identified by the network system from a collection of data records stored in a database accessible to the network system based on one or more parameters; while the listing is active on the online marketplace, detect a change in status for a first data record of the set of data records, the first data record being referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects; and in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record, identify, by the network system based on the one or more parameters, a second data record not referenced by pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically update the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.\",\n \"14.The network system of claim 13, wherein the one or more parameters specify one or more of (i) a number of assets associated with the set of data records; (ii) one or more types of assets; (iii) a total value of the assets associated with the set of data records; (iv) a per-item value; or (v) a geographic location of assets associated with the set of data records.\",\n \"15.The network system of claim 13, wherein the executed instructions further cause the network system to generate a set of asset document pointers associated with the set of data records, each of the set of asset document pointers referencing one or more documents stored in the database.\",\n \"16.The network system of claim 13, wherein detecting the change in status for first data record includes detecting that an asset corresponding to the first data record is no longer for sale.\",\n \"17.A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a network system, cause the network system to: maintain, for a listing on an online marketplace, a set of dynamically-modifiable objects, each including a pointer referencing a corresponding one of a set of data records, wherein each data record of the set of data records is associated with a respective asset for sale via the listing on the online marketplace, and wherein the set of data records is identified by the network system from a collection of data records stored in a database accessible to the network system based on one or more parameters; while the listing is active on the online marketplace, detect a change in status for a first data record of the set of data records, the first data record being referenced by a first pointer of a first dynamically-modifiable object of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects; in response to detecting in the change in status for the first data record, identify, by the network system based on the one or more parameters, a second data record not referenced by pointers of the set of dynamically-modifiable objects and automatically update the first dynamically-modifiable object by de-referencing the first pointer from the first data record and referencing the first pointer to the second data record.\",\n \"18.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more parameters specify one or more of (i) a number of assets associated with the set of data records; (ii) one or more types of assets; (iii) a total value of the assets associated with the set of data records; (iv) a per-item value; or (v) a geographic location of assets associated with the set of data records.\",\n \"19.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the executed instructions further cause the network system to generate a set of asset document pointers associated with the set of data records, each of the set of asset document pointers referencing one or more documents stored in the database.\",\n \"20.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein detecting the change in status for first data record includes detecting that an asset corresponding to the first data record is no longer for sale.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Numerous online auction forums exist that enable consumers and sellers to transact for various kinds of items, such as collectibles, electronics and other goods or services.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing flexible asset pools in an online auction.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"2A-2B illustrate an exemplary flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing a flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing an online auction using a flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates an example bidder interface in which a flexible asset pool record is displayed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments described herein may be implemented.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/214,458, filed Mar.\",\n \"14, 2014, titled “FLEXIBLE COMMERCIAL LOAN POOL” which claims benefit of priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/802,319, filed Mar.\",\n \"15, 2013, also titled “FLEXIBLE COMMERCIAL LOAN POOL”; the aforementioned priority applications being hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD Examples described herein relate to online auctions, and more specifically, to a flexible asset pool for online auctions.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Numerous online auction forums exist that enable consumers and sellers to transact for various kinds of items, such as collectibles, electronics and other goods or services.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing flexible asset pools in an online auction.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"2A-2B illustrate an exemplary flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing a flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing an online auction using a flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates an example bidder interface in which a flexible asset pool record is displayed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments described herein may be implemented.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Examples described herein provide for online auction forums that utilize flexible asset pools for purposes of dynamically adding and/or removing assets associated with an asset pool.\",\n \"By defining an asset pool as a “flexible” (e.g., dynamically-modifiable) object, asset pools can be updated and/or modified in real-time.\",\n \"Furthermore, bidders may be able to view documents that are associated with new assets as soon as they are added to the asset pool.\",\n \"The use of flexible asset pools can enable asset pool auctions to be carried through to completion even if one or more assets in an asset pool becomes unavailable before the auction is completed.\",\n \"According to some embodiments, a system and method is provided for generating flexible asset pools in an online auction environment.\",\n \"In some examples, an asset pool is generated based on a set of instructions from the seller.\",\n \"The asset pool is associated with a set of items to be sold in the auction.\",\n \"In examples described herein, the auction system may detect a change in status for the set of items associated with the asset pool (e.g., items being added to and/or removed from the item set).\",\n \"In response thereto, the auction system may dynamically update the asset pool (e.g., to reflect the changes to the set of items) based, at least in part, on the detected changes.\",\n \"Among other benefits, examples described herein recognize that the status of items associated with an asset pool are susceptible to change.\",\n \"For example, a particular item may become unavailable (e.g., lost, stolen, or destroyed), or the seller may change its mind about selling the item, before the auction period expires.\",\n \"Under conventional implementations, the current asset pool is removed from the auction, and a new one may be created (e.g., manually by the seller) to take its place.\",\n \"Creating a new asset pool typically entails creating a new auction altogether.\",\n \"Accordingly, a clock or timer (e.g., for a “due diligence period”) associated with the auction is often reset when the new asset pool is created (e.g., to provide bidders with adequate time to review any documentation associated with the items in the new asset pool).\",\n \"In contrast, examples described herein recognize that, when a new asset pool is created, typically only a small number of items are new (i.e., the majority of items in the new asset pool are carried over from the old asset pool).\",\n \"It may thus be undesirable to restart the due diligence period, since only a limited number of new documents are likely to be associated with the new items.\",\n \"Therefore, examples described herein provide a mechanism for dynamically updating an asset pool without restarting the due diligence period for the auction.\",\n \"By way of example, a loan is termed “non-performing” if the borrower fails to perform the terms of the loan agreement (e.g., the owner of real estate is unable to pay the mortgage).\",\n \"Such a loan is called a non-performing loan (NPL).\",\n \"NPLs are typically pooled together and auctioned off as a group to offset the risks associated with individual loans in the loan pool.\",\n \"However, if a homeowner suddenly pays off his or her mortgage, that homeowner's loan may fall out of the loan pool (thus becoming unavailable).\",\n \"Examples described herein enable a seller of the loan pool to dynamically add a new NPL to the pool to replace the loan that fell through.\",\n \"For some embodiments, one or more asset pool parameters may be updated after modifying (e.g., adding to or removing from) the set of items associated with a particular asset pool.\",\n \"For example, the asset pool parameters may indicate the number of items in the pool, the type(s) of items in the pool, the total value of the asset pool, the value of individual items in the pool, and/or the (geographical) locations of items in the asset pool.\",\n \"In other embodiments, one or more items may be programmatically added to an asset pool (e.g., to replace items that fell out of the pool) in accordance with a set of predefined asset pool parameters.\",\n \"For example, the seller may configure the asset pool to have one or more “fixed” parameters.\",\n \"Thereafter, if an item associated with an asset pool becomes unavailable, the auction system may add one or more new items (e.g., from a database of items) to the asset pool without the need for seller input.\",\n \"One or more embodiments described herein provide that methods, techniques and actions performed by a computing device are performed programmatically, or as a computer-implemented method.\",\n \"Programmatically means through the use of code, or computer-executable instructions.\",\n \"A programmatically performed step may or may not be automatic.\",\n \"One or more embodiments described herein may be implemented using programmatic modules or components.\",\n \"A programmatic module or component may include a program, a subroutine, a portion of a program, or a software component or a hardware component capable of performing one or more stated tasks or functions.\",\n \"As used herein, a module or component can exist on a hardware component independently of other modules or components.\",\n \"Alternatively, a module or component can be a shared element or process of other modules, programs or machines.\",\n \"Furthermore, one or more embodiments described herein may be implemented through the use of instructions that are executable by one or more processors.\",\n \"These instructions may be carried on a computer-readable medium.\",\n \"Machines shown or described with figures below provide examples of processing resources and computer-readable mediums on which instructions for implementing embodiments of the invention can be carried and/or executed.\",\n \"In particular, the numerous machines shown with embodiments of the invention include processor(s) and various forms of memory for holding data and instructions.\",\n \"Examples of computer-readable mediums include permanent memory storage devices, such as hard drives on personal computers or servers.\",\n \"Other examples of computer storage mediums include portable storage units, such as CD or DVD units, flash or solid state memory (such as carried on many cell phones and consumer electronic devices) and magnetic memory.\",\n \"Computers, terminals, network enabled devices (e.g., mobile devices such as cell phones) are all examples of machines and devices that utilize processors, memory, and instructions stored on computer-readable mediums.\",\n \"Additionally, embodiments may be implemented in the form of computer-programs, or a computer usable carrier medium capable of carrying such a program.\",\n \"Auction Architecture FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing flexible asset pools in an online auction.\",\n \"A system 100 such as shown by an example of FIG.\",\n \"1 can be implemented in connection with an online auction service for any type of commercial item, such as, for example, real property items (e.g., homes, real-estate notes, commercial property), motor vehicles (e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, boats), consumer electronics, collectibles, clothing, and/or non-performing loans (NPLs).\",\n \"In an example of FIG.\",\n \"1, system 100 includes functionality that can be implemented by processes, logical components and/or modules.\",\n \"In one implementation, the system 100 includes a bidder interface 110, a transaction component 120, an auction database 130, pool configuration logic 140, and a seller interface 150.When an online auction is initiated, persons (e.g., bidders) can interact with the bidder interface 110 to determine whether to place a bid, and to submit the bid for the item being auctioned.\",\n \"The transaction component 120 can implement a set of auction rules and logic for receiving bids and advancing the auction to completion.\",\n \"The auction database 130 retains records that identify asset pools that are to be auctioned, and/or asset pools which are undergoing or have completed an auction.\",\n \"Furthermore, the auction database 130 can retain records of auctions in various states, including pre-auction, in-auction (auction initiated) and post-auction (auction completed).\",\n \"In some examples, the auction database 130 includes an asset pool database 134 and an asset database 132.The asset pool database 134 stores asset pool records (AP records) 121 that are used to identify the asset pools to be auctioned.\",\n \"The asset database 132 stores asset records 131 which identify the individual assets belonging to a particular asset pool.\",\n \"In addition, the asset database 132 can also store asset documents 133 that are associated with the asset records 131.Asset documents 133 may include, for example, certificates of authenticity, financial records, contractual agreements, and/or other documents which may be of interest to a potential buyer of the corresponding asset (or asset pool).\",\n \"For some embodiments, each AP record 121 is associated with (e.g., points to) one or more asset records 131 stored in the asset database 132, including any corresponding asset documents 133.The bidder interface 110 includes functionality for enabling bidders to view and participate in an in-progress auction.\",\n \"The bidder interface 110 can be provided as, for example, a webpage that includes functional elements for enabling the users to provide input (e.g., bids 111) and to view real-time updates for the auction while it is in progress.\",\n \"In variations, the bidder interface 110 can be provided as application content, such as through a display or panel of a network-enabled application.\",\n \"The bidder interface 110 can include functionality for enabling a bidder to specify a bid 111, and to monitor real-time information about the auction.\",\n \"For example, the bidder interface 110 can display information about the asset pool being auctioned (e.g., description, images, etc.\",\n \"), information about individual assets contained in the asset pool, information about the seller, and/or a full or partial bid history (e.g., the bidder or bidder identity and a corresponding bid amount, the number of bids received in a given duration etc.).\",\n \"In addition, the bidder interface 110 can display timing information associated with a particular auction.\",\n \"Timing information may include, for example, the time remaining for a due diligence period associated with the auction and/or the time remaining before the auction is closed.\",\n \"For some embodiments, the bidder interface 110 may also display asset documents 131 associated with the asset pool being auctioned, and updates the asset documents 131 that can be displayed (e.g., in real-time) as individual assets are dynamically added to and/or removed from an asset pool.\",\n \"The transaction component 120 can implement operations for progressing the auction towards completion.\",\n \"The transaction component 120 may retrieve AP records 121, and associated asset documents 131, from the auction database 130.Furthermore, the transaction component 120 may include functionality to (i) initiate an auction, (ii) advance the auction towards completion, and/or (iii) end or complete the auction when certain conditions are satisfied (e.g., after completion of time and/or satisfaction of completion rules).\",\n \"In addition to receiving and processing bids 111, the transaction component 120 provides auction updates 113 to the bidders that are viewing or participating in a particular auction.\",\n \"The auction update 113 can include information such as, a current price for the asset pool being auctioned, an amount of time remaining in the auction or due diligence period, and/or updates to an asset pool being auctioned (e.g., addition/removal of assets included in the asset pool, updated asset pool parameters, and/or new documents that are associated with the asset pool).\",\n \"Other information that can be updated by the transaction logic 120 and published through the bidder interface 110 include identifiers for active bidders, recent bid amounts, current bid increment, comments from other users, and information from other auctions that may be in various states (e.g., pre-auction versus in-progress).\",\n \"The auction update 113 can be published through the bidder interface 110 to the population of users.\",\n \"The seller interface 150 enables individual sellers to create records that identify an asset pool for auction.\",\n \"For example, the seller interface 150 can enable sellers to specify information (e.g., one or more asset pool parameters) that identifies the asset pool being auctioned, the terms of sale, and other parameters such as a reserve price (which can be hidden from prospective bidders).\",\n \"The seller interface 150 may also enable the sellers to create and/or modify asset pools.\",\n \"For example, the seller interface 150 may enable sellers to input, select, or otherwise indicate (e.g., via AP instructions 141) one or more assets records 131 to be included with an AP record 121.Additionally, the seller interface 150 may enable the seller to specify one or more asset pool parameters (e.g., which may identify a number, type, value, and/or location of the individual assets associated with an asset pool) that can be used by the pool configuration logic 140 to programmatically add and/or remove individual assets from a particular asset pool.\",\n \"As described by various examples, the pool configuration logic 140 can dynamically modify AP records 121 stored in the auction database 130.For example, as shown with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"2A-2B, the pool configuration logic 140 may associate (e.g., reference) and/or disassociate (e.g., de-reference) one or more asset records 133 (e.g., stored in the asset database 132) with an asset pool 121 (e.g., stored in the asset pool database 134).\",\n \"For some embodiments, the associations between AP records 121 and asset records 131 (and asset documents 133) may be implemented using pointers.\",\n \"Accordingly, the pool configuration logic 140 can “create” an association by referencing a pointer, stored with an AP record 121, to point to the memory location (e.g., in asset database 132) where a corresponding asset record 131 is stored.\",\n \"Similarly, the pool control logic 140 can “delete” an association by de-referencing the pointer.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"2A, the pool configuration logic 140 may associate asset records 131(A) and 131(B), and accompanying asset documents 133(A) and 133(B), with AP record 121(1), for example, by storing a set of pointers (e.g., pointer_A and pointer_B) with the AP record 121(1) which points to memory locations in the asset database 132 that store the corresponding asset records 131(A) and 131(B) and asset documents 133(A) and 133(B).\",\n \"The pool configuration logic 140 can further modify the AP record 121(1) by referencing and/or dereferencing pointer_A and pointer_B.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"2B, the pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically modify the asset pool associated with AP record 121(1) by “moving” pointer_B from the memory location(s), in asset database 132, that stores asset record 131(B) and asset documents 133(B) to the memory location(s) that stores asset record 131(C) and asset documents 133(C).\",\n \"This effectively removes an old asset (e.g., asset record 131(B)) from the asset pool and adds a new asset (e.g., asset record 131(C)) to take the place of the old asset.\",\n \"The pool configuration logic 140 may include an asset pool parameter (AP parameter) modifier 142 and an asset pool update (AP update) manager 144.The AP update manager 144 may detect changes to one or more assets included with an asset pool being auctioned.\",\n \"The AP parameter modifier 142 may update or modify one or more AP parameters associated with an asset pool being auctioned.\",\n \"In some examples, the AP update manager 144 may detect changes in the form of asset pool instructions (AP instructions) 141 received from a seller via the seller interface 150.The AP instructions 141 may include instructions to add and/or remove one or more assets in an asset pool.\",\n \"Furthermore, the AP instructions 141 may include instructions to move one or more assets between asset pools (i.e., from one asset pool to another).\",\n \"In other examples, the AP update manager 144 may detect changes to one or more assets included with an asset pool based on the availability of such assets.\",\n \"For example, as described above, the availability of certain assets up for auction may be subject to change contrary to the seller's intention (and in some instances, without the seller's knowledge).\",\n \"Thus, for some embodiments, the AP update manager 144 may “monitor” (e.g., periodically check) the asset database 132 for changes to the asset records 131 stored therein.\",\n \"In some examples, the AP parameter modifier 142 may update one or more AP parameters to reflect the changes to one or more assets included with an asset pool being auctioned.\",\n \"The AP parameters may be presented to a bidder via the bidder interface 110 to provide the bidder with information regarding the asset pool being auctioned.\",\n \"Examples of AP parameters may include (i) the number of assets in the asset pool, (ii) the types of assets in the asset pool, (iii) the total value of the asset pool, (iv) the value of individual assets in the asset pool, and/or (v) the geographical locations of assets in the asset pool.\",\n \"One or more of these parameters are likely to change whenever new assets are added to and/or removed from an asset pool.\",\n \"Accordingly, the AP parameter modifier 142 may update these AP parameters to keep the bidder apprised of any changes to a particular asset pool.\",\n \"The AP parameters may be included as part of (e.g., stored with) a corresponding AP record 121.In other examples, the AP parameter modifier 142 may receive a set of AP parameter configuration instructions (e.g., in the form of AP instructions 141) from the seller via the seller interface 150.For example, the configuration instructions may define a set of fixed AP parameters which the AP parameter modifier 142 may use to programmatically modify asset pools.\",\n \"For example, by preconfiguring an asset pool to have a total value (e.g., of at least $1M), the AP parameter modifier 142 may programmatically generate the asset pool by including individual assets that total in value to at least $1M.\",\n \"If an asset (e.g., valued at $100 k) becomes unavailable before completion of the auction, the AP parameter modifier 142 may add one or more new assets (e.g., totaling in value to $100 k) to the asset pool.\",\n \"Defining a set of fixed AP parameters for an asset pool may provide bidders and/or sellers with peace of mind.\",\n \"For example, bidders can bid with confidence knowing that, should any of the assets included with an asset pool become unavailable before an auction is completed, a new asset which satisfies the predefined AP parameters may be added in its place.\",\n \"Moreover, having “flexible” AP records 121 allows auctions to be completed on schedule, while also allowing the asset pools in a particular auction to be dynamically modified.\",\n \"More specifically, dynamically adding asset documents 133 for new assets that are added to an asset pool negates the need to restart a clock or timer for a due diligence period associated with the auction.\",\n \"It is to be noted that the due diligence period may occur before, and/or concurrently with, the overall auction period.\",\n \"Methodology FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing a flexible asset pool.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates an exemplary method of implementing an online auction using a flexible asset pool.\",\n \"Methods such as described by examples of FIG.\",\n \"3 and FIG.\",\n \"4 can be implemented using, for example, a system such as described with respect to FIG.\",\n \"1.Accordingly, reference may be made to elements of FIG.\",\n \"1 for purposes of illustrating suitable components for performing a step or sub-step being described.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"3, a status change is detected for an asset pool (310).\",\n \"In some embodiments, the change in status may be detected based on instructions from a seller of the asset pool (312).\",\n \"For example, the AP update manager 144 may receive AP instructions 141 from the seller via the seller interface 150.In some examples, the AP instructions 141 may include instructions to add, remove, and/or swap one or more assets in an asset pool.\",\n \"The AP instructions 141 may also include instructions to create an asset pool.\",\n \"In some examples, the AP instructions 141 may specify a set of asset records 131 to be included with an AP record 121.In other examples, the AP instructions 141 may define a set of fixed AP parameters which may be used by the AP parameter modifier 142 to programmatically create and/or modify an asset pool.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the change in status may be detected based on a change in availability of a particular asset in the asset pool (314).\",\n \"For example, the AP update manager 144 may monitor the asset database 132 for changes to the asset records 131 stored therein.\",\n \"Once a change in status has been detected for a particular asset pool, a corresponding AP record may be created and/or modified for that asset pool (320).\",\n \"In some examples, the AP record may be created and/or modified by associating asset records with the AP record (322) or disassociating asset records with the AP record (324).\",\n \"The pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically create an association between an AP record 121 and one or more asset records 131, for example, by referencing a pointer, stored with the AP record 121, to point to one or more memory locations (e.g., in asset database 132) where the corresponding asset record(s) 131 are stored.\",\n \"The pool configuration logic 140 may subsequently delete the association by dereferencing the pointer.\",\n \"In the examples described with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"2A and 2B, asset documents 133 may be stored in the same, or consecutive, memory locations as their corresponding asset records 131.In such implementations, only one pointer is needed to associate the AP record 121 with both the asset record 131 and the corresponding asset documents 133.However, in some implementations, the asset documents 133 may be stored separately (e.g., in a separate asset record database).\",\n \"Thus, in some examples, one or more asset documents 133 may be associated with the AP record 121, apart from the asset records 131.The pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically create and/or delete an association between an AP record 121 and one or more asset documents 133, for example, by referencing and/or dereferencing a pointer, stored with the AP record 121, which points to one or more memory locations where the corresponding asset documents 133 are stored.\",\n \"After an asset pool is created and/or modified, one or more AP parameters associated with the asset pool may be determined (330).\",\n \"Examples of AP parameters may include the number of assets in the asset pool (332), the types of assets in the asset pool (332), the value of assets in the asset pool (336), and/or the geographical locations of assets in the asset pool (338).\",\n \"In some examples, the AP parameter modifier 142 may update one or more AP parameters to reflect one or more corresponding changes to an AP record 121.The AP parameters may be presented to a bidder via the bidder interface 110, to provide the bidder with information regarding the asset pool being auctioned.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 shows an exemplary auction process, which is herein described with reference to the system 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1.The pool configuration logic 140 initially receives a list of assets to be included with an asset pool (410).\",\n \"For example, the pool configuration logic 140 may receive AP instructions 141 from the seller, via the seller interface 150, which may include instructions to create an asset pool.\",\n \"In some examples, the AP instructions 141 may specify a set of asset records 131 to be included with an AP record 121.In other examples, the AP instructions 141 may define a set of fixed AP parameters which may be used by the AP parameter modifier 142 to programmatically create and/or modify an asset pool.\",\n \"The pool configuration logic 140 then creates a flexible AP record 121 based on the AP instructions 141 (420).\",\n \"For example, as described above, the pool configuration logic 140 may dynamically create an association between the AP record 121 and one or more asset records 131 (e.g., using pointers which can be referenced and/or dereferenced).\",\n \"In some examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may associate the AP record 121 with a number of seller-specified asset records 131 provided with the AP instructions 141.The pool configuration logic 140 may then determine a set of AP parameters for the asset pool, based on the assets associated with the asset pool, to be included with the AP record 121.In other examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may programmatically select one or more asset records 131 to be associated with the AP record 121, according to a set of predefined AP parameters specified in the AP instructions 141.Once the AP record 121 has been created, the transaction component 120 may start a timer on an auction and/or due diligence period (430).\",\n \"For some examples, the transaction component 120 may provide the time remaining for the auction and/or due diligence period to the bidder interface 110 through a series of auction updates 113.As long as the timer has not expired (440), the pool configuration logic 140 may continuously (or periodically) check the status of the assets in the asset pool (450).\",\n \"In some examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may check the status of the assets by listening for AP instructions 141 from a seller (452).\",\n \"In other examples, the pool configuration logic 140 may check the status of the assets by monitoring the availability of asset records 131 in the asset database 132 (454).\",\n \"If no status change is detected (460), and the timer has not expired (440), the pool configuration logic 140 continues to check the status of the assets in the asset pool (450).\",\n \"If a status change is detected (460), the pool configuration logic 140 updates the asset pool based on the detected changes (470).\",\n \"Specifically, the AP update manager 144 may add or remove one or more assets in the asset pool (472).\",\n \"For example, the AP update manager 144 may add or remove the assets by associating (e.g., referencing) or disassociating (e.g., dereferencing) asset records 131 with a corresponding AP record 121.The AP parameter modifier 142 may then update the set of AP parameters associated with the AP record 121 (474).\",\n \"Examples of AP parameters may include: (i) the number of assets in the asset pool, (ii) the types of assets in the asset pool, (iii) the value of assets in the asset pool, and/or (iv) the geographical locations of assets in the asset pool.\",\n \"Once the timer expires (440), the transaction is completed (480).\",\n \"In some examples, the transaction may correspond with a due diligence period wherein potential buyers/bidders are able to review asset documents 133 associated with an asset pool prior to the auction.\",\n \"In other examples, the transaction may correspond to the actual auction itself.\",\n \"It should be noted that, once the timer is started on the auction and/or due diligence period (430), the timer may continue to run, uninterrupted, until the transaction is complete (480).\",\n \"During this period, however, assets may be dynamically added to and/or removed from the asset pool (450-470).\",\n \"Examples FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates an example bidder interface in which a flexible asset pool record 510 is displayed.\",\n \"In the example provided, the bidder interface may correspond to a web page, or set of web pages, where items can be auctioned.\",\n \"In the example provided, the items correspond to asset pools.\",\n \"Descriptive information may accompany the AP record 510 for the asset pool being auctioned.\",\n \"For example, descriptive information may include a set of AP parameters 512-518 that describe the pool of assets, as a whole.\",\n \"The displayed AP parameters include the type of assets in the asset pool 512 (e.g., “Non-Performing Loans”), the total number of assets in the asset pool 514 (e.g., “5”), the total value of the asset pool 516 (e.g., “$10,000,000”), and the location of the assets in the asset pool 518 (e.g., “San Jose, Calif.”).\",\n \"The bidder interface also displays links to asset documents 520 associated with each of the assets listed in the AP record 510.For some examples, when an asset is added to or removed from the asset pool, the AP parameters 512-518 may be updated to reflect the change.\",\n \"In other examples, the AP parameters 512-518 may correspond to seller-defined fixed parameters for the asset pool.\",\n \"The links to asset documents 520 may similarly be updated to reflect such changes to the asset pool.\",\n \"For example, if NPL #1 is removed from the asset pool, the link to the associated asset documents for NPL #1 may be deleted accordingly.\",\n \"If NPL #1 is replaced by a new NPL #6, the link to the associated asset documents for NPL #1 may be modified to link to the asset documents for NPL #6.Computer System FIG.\",\n \"6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments described herein may be implemented.\",\n \"For example, in the context of FIG.\",\n \"1, system 100 may be implemented using one or more servers such as described by FIG.\",\n \"6.In an embodiment, computer system 600 includes processor 604, memory 606 (including non-transitory memory), storage device 610, and communication interface 618.Computer system 600 includes at least one processor 604 for processing information.\",\n \"Computer system 600 also includes the main memory 606, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 604.Main memory 606 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 604.Computer system 600 may also include a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device for storing static information and instructions for processor 604.The storage device 610, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided for storing information and instructions.\",\n \"The communication interface 618 may enable the computer system 600 to communicate with one or more networks through use of the network link 620 (wireless or wireline).\",\n \"The communication interface 618 may communicate with bidders and auction participants using, for example, the Internet.\",\n \"Embodiments described herein are related to the use of computer system 600 for implementing the techniques described herein.\",\n \"According to one embodiment, those techniques are performed by computer system 600 in response to processor 604 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 606.Such instructions may be read into main memory 606 from another machine-readable medium, such as storage device 610.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 606 causes processor 604 to perform the process steps described herein.\",\n \"In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement embodiments described herein.\",\n \"Thus, embodiments described are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.\",\n \"Although illustrative embodiments have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, variations to specific embodiments and details are encompassed by this disclosure.\",\n \"It is intended that the scope of embodiments described herein be defined by claims and their equivalents.\",\n \"Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described, either individually or as part of an embodiment, can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments.\",\n \"Thus, absence of describing combinations should not preclude the inventor(s) from claiming rights to such combinations.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872444"}}},{"rowIdx":4494078,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["VALVE SWITCHING CONTROLS FOR ADJUSTABLE DAMPER","A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module.","The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves.","The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves.","The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting.","The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states.","The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state."],["1.A method for damping motion of a body of a vehicle during travel of the vehicle, wherein at least one shock absorber is coupled between a sprung portion and an unsprung portion of the vehicle, and wherein the shock absorber has a plurality of independently controllable digital valves, each said digital valve being movable between a first position providing a first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, and a second position providing a second flow area different than the first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, the method comprising: generating a target damping state for the shock absorber; transmitting the target damping state to a damper module associated with the shock absorber; and using the damper module to compare the target damping state to a present damping state of the shock absorber, and to generate a control operation that selectively controls one or more selected valves of the plurality of digital valves to achieve the target damping state.","2.The method of claim 1, wherein the damper module actuates selected ones of the plurality of digital valves in a predetermined order to achieve the target damping state.","3.The method of claim 1, wherein the damper module selects one of a predetermined plurality of available damping states, and controls switching of the plurality of digital valves in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of available damping states, to achieve the target damping state.","4.The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of digital valves is predesignated as a primary valve and at least one of the plurality of digital valves is predesignated as a secondary valve, and wherein the primary valve includes a greater flow area than the secondary valve.","5.The method of claim 1, further comprising using the damper module to implement a time delay after switching a first one of the plurality of digital valves before initiating switching of a second one of the plurality of digital valves.","6.The method of claim 1, further comprising using signals from at least one of: an angular rate sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a temperature sensor, a height sensor, a pressure sensor, and an accelerometer, to form the target damping signal.","7.The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the damper module to implement a valve staggering control scheme by which a transient state of each one of the plurality of digital valves is controlled by incorporating time delays between actuation operations for certain ones of the plurality of digital valves.","8.The method of claim 7, wherein the valve staggering control scheme includes a flow-area staggering scheme, in which a size of a flow area of each one of the plurality of digital valves is considered and used by the damper module in determining a specific sequence for actuating specific ones of the plurality of digital valves to achieve the target damping state.","9.The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the damper module to implement a state transition control scheme for controlling actuation of the plurality of digital valves, the state transition control scheme including at least one of: a fixed-step control in which damping state transitions from the present damping state to the target damping state are implemented in a fixed number of steps; or a fixed transition time control in which needed damping state transitions implemented by the damper module switching of the plurality of digital valves, to change from the present damping state to the target damping state, are implemented by the damper module in a preset amount of time.","10.A method for damping motion of a body of a vehicle during travel of the vehicle, wherein at least one shock absorber is coupled between a sprung portion and an unsprung portion of the vehicle, and wherein the shock absorber has a plurality of independently controllable digital valves, each said digital valve being movable between a first position providing a first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, and a second position providing a second flow area different than the first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, the method comprising: receiving signals from at least one sensor associated with the vehicle; using the signals to generate a target damping state for the shock absorber; transmitting the target damping state to a damper module associated with the shock absorber; using the damper module to compare the target damping state to a present damping state of the shock absorber; using the damper module to determine a control operation for controlling at least one of the plurality of digital valves to implement the target damping state; and using the damper module to control the at least one of the plurality of digital valves in accordance with the control operation, to thus cause a select one of a plurality of available damping states to be implemented using the plurality of digital valves, and wherein the select one of the available damping states at least substantially matches the target damping state.","11.The method of claim 10, further comprising: predefining each one of the plurality of digital valves as either a primary valve or as a secondary valve; using the damper module to select a specific one of the secondary valves; using the damper module to select a specific one of the primary valves; and switching the secondary valve from the first position to the second position after the primary valve is switched from the first position to the second position and after a preset time period has lapsed after said primary valve has been switched.","12.The method of claim 10, further comprising: using the damper module to determine whether at least one of the plurality of digital valves is to be switched from the first position to the second position based on the present damping state and the target damping state; when one select digital valve from among the plurality of digital valves is to be switched, using the damper module to switch the one select digital valve from the first position to the second position, and when more than one digital valve from among the plurality of digital valves is to be switched, using the damper module to switch a primary valve from among the more than one digital valves from the first position to the second position, and switching a non-primary valve from the more than one digital valves from the first position to the second position after the primary valve, and after a preset time period has lapsed; and configuring the primary valve with a flow area larger than the non-primary valve.","13.The method of claim 10, further comprising defining each one of the plurality of digital valves as a primary valve or a secondary valve, and further such that at least one of the plurality of digital valves is a primary valve and at least one of the plurality of digital valves is a secondary valve; and providing the at least one of the plurality of digital valves that forms a primary valve with a larger flow area than a flow area of the at least one of the plurality of digital valves that forms a secondary valve.","14.The method of claim 13, wherein the control operation comprises using the damper module to determine which one or more of the plurality of digital valves are to be switched from the first position to the second position based on the present damping state and the target damping state; and when more than one digital valve of the plurality of digital valves is to be switched from the first position to the second position, using the damper module to perform a plurality of switching actions to switch selected ones of the plurality of digital valves, one at a time, with a preset time period disposed between each said switching action; and when the selected ones of the plurality of digital valves being switched include the primary valve, causing the damper module to switch the primary valve before the secondary valve.","15.The method of claim 10, wherein the control operation includes implementing at least one of: a staggering control for generating a time delay between a primary valve and a secondary valve of the plurality of digital valves, such that the primary valve is switched from the first position to the second position before the secondary valve; a state transition control to switch one or more of the plurality of digital valves such that the shock absorber operates at a transient damping state prior to operating at the target damping state, the transient damping state being one of the plurality of available damping states different from the target damping state and the present damping state, and wherein the primary valve and the secondary valve are among the plurality of digital valves; or a state transition control for switching one or more of the plurality of digital valves, which is based on proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms which determine a number of transient states to use between the present damping state and the target damping state.","16.The method of claim 10, wherein the target damping state is generated using a master module disposed in the vehicle remotely from the damper module, and wherein the master module receives and uses the signals from the sensor.","17.The method of claim 10, wherein the control operation comprises using a quadratic control scheme to control switching of selected ones of the plurality of digital valves when the present damping state is different from the target damping state.","18.The method of claim 10, further comprising at least one of: using the damper module to periodically apply an actuation current pulse to a select one of the plurality of digital valves that is already in the second position; or using the damper module to apply an actuation current pulse to a specific one of the digital valves which is in the second position when a sensed temperature of the shock absorber is below a preset threshold.","19.The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of available damping states is determined by a number “N” of the plurality of digital valves, and wherein N is an integer, and wherein the shock absorber has 2N number of damping states comprising the available damping states.","20.The method of claim 10, further comprising using the damper module to: apply a hold current pulse to maintain a specific one of the plurality of digital valves in the second position; and to deactivate the hold current pulse to switch the specific one of the plurality of digital valves from the second position to the first position.","21.The method of claim 10, wherein the control operation includes at least one of: applying a reverse current pulse to switch a selected one of the plurality of digital valves from the second position to the first position; or applying an actuation current pulse to a selected one of the plurality of digital valves that is in the second position when an acceleration of the shock absorber is greater than or equal to a preset threshold."],[" BACKGROUND This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.","Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations which occur during driving.","To absorb the unwanted vibrations, shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung portion (body) and the unsprung portion (suspension) of the automobile.","In recent years, vehicles may be equipped with an electrically adjustable damping system that includes an adjustable shock absorber having a digital valve.","More particularly, the adjustable shock absorber may include an electromechanical coil or solenoid disposed therein.","A master module which may be located on the vehicle body can be used to control a damping state of each of the adjustable shock absorber.","For example, the master module may receive data from various sensors disposed along the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle.","Based on the data received, the master module determines the damping state of the adjustable shock absorber and actuates the electromechanical coil/solenoid disposed within the shock absorber."],[" SUMMARY This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.","The present disclosure provided for a damper system for a vehicle.","The damper system includes a shock absorber and a damper module.","The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves, where each digital valve has a valve state.","The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on the valve state of the plurality of digital valves; The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting received from a master module.","The damper module determines a target damping state of the shock absorber based on the damper setting.","The target damping state is one of the multiple damping states.","The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.","Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.","The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/947,222, filed on Nov. 20, 2015, which application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/191,885 filed on Feb. 27, 2014; which claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/770,426, filed on Feb. 28, 2013.The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.","FIELD The present disclosure relates to an electrically adjustable damper having one or more digital valves, and more particularly to a valve switching control system and method for adjusting a damping state of the electrically adjustable damper.","BACKGROUND This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.","Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations which occur during driving.","To absorb the unwanted vibrations, shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung portion (body) and the unsprung portion (suspension) of the automobile.","In recent years, vehicles may be equipped with an electrically adjustable damping system that includes an adjustable shock absorber having a digital valve.","More particularly, the adjustable shock absorber may include an electromechanical coil or solenoid disposed therein.","A master module which may be located on the vehicle body can be used to control a damping state of each of the adjustable shock absorber.","For example, the master module may receive data from various sensors disposed along the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle.","Based on the data received, the master module determines the damping state of the adjustable shock absorber and actuates the electromechanical coil/solenoid disposed within the shock absorber.","SUMMARY This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.","The present disclosure provided for a damper system for a vehicle.","The damper system includes a shock absorber and a damper module.","The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves, where each digital valve has a valve state.","The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on the valve state of the plurality of digital valves; The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting received from a master module.","The damper module determines a target damping state of the shock absorber based on the damper setting.","The target damping state is one of the multiple damping states.","The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.","Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.","The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.","DRAWINGS The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.","FIG.","1 is an illustration of a vehicle having an adjustable shock absorber; FIG.","2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shock absorber; FIG.","3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a digital valve assembly disposed in the shock absorber; FIG.","4 is a an example functional block diagram of a vehicle damper system; FIG.","5 is an example functional block diagram of a damper module; FIG.","6 illustrates a correlation between a damping state and a valve state for each digital valve assembly of a shock absorber having four digital valve assemblies; FIG.","7 illustrates an actuation pulse, a hold current, and an off-current; FIG.","8 illustrates a staggering control of three actuation pulses; FIG.","9 is a graph of an example operation of a basic delay staggering for a valve staggering control; FIG.","10 is a graph of an example operation of a smart delay staggering for the valve staggering control; FIG.","11 is a graph of an example operation of a flow-area staggering for the valve staggering control; FIG.","12 is a graph of an example operation of a fixed-step control for a state transition control; FIG.","13 is a graph of an example operation of a fixed-time control for the state transition control; FIG.","14 is a graph of an example operation of an overdrive control, a PID control, and quadratic control for the state transition control; FIG.","15 is a graph of an example operation of an asymmetrical control for the state transition control; FIG.","16 is a graph of pulse mode operation control for the state transition control; and FIG.","17 is a flow chart of an example method for performing a valve switching operation.","Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.","The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.","With reference to FIG.","1, an example of a vehicle 10 incorporating a suspension system having shock absorbers, each of which incorporate a digital valve is now presented.","The vehicle 10 includes a rear suspension 12, a front suspension 14 and a body 16.The rear suspension 12 has a transversely extending rear axle assembly (not shown) adapted to operatively support a pair of rear wheels 18.The rear axle is attached to the body 16 by means of a pair of shock absorbers 20 and by a pair of springs 22.Similarly, the front suspension 14 includes a transversely extending front axle assembly (not shown) to operatively support a pair of front wheels 24.The front axle assembly is attached to the body 16 by means of a pair of shock absorbers 20 and a pair of springs 26.The shock absorbers 20 serve to dampen the relative motion of the unsprung portion (i.e., front and rear suspensions 12, 14) with respect to the sprung portion (i.e., body 16) of vehicle 10.While the vehicle 10 has been depicted as a passenger car having front and rear axle assemblies, the shock absorbers 20 may be used with other types of vehicles or in other types of applications including, but not limited to, vehicles incorporating non-independent front and/or non-independent rear suspensions, vehicles incorporating independent front and/or independent rear suspensions, or other suspension systems known in the art.","Further, the term “shock absorber” as used herein is meant to refer to dampers in general and thus will include McPherson struts and other damper designs known in the art.","Referring now to FIG.","2, an example of the shock absorber 20 is shown in greater detail.","The shock absorber 20 comprises a pressure tube 30, a piston assembly 32, a piston rod 34, a reserve tube 36, and a base valve assembly 38.The pressure tube 30 defines a working chamber 42.The piston assembly 32 is slidably disposed within the pressure tube 30 and divides the working chamber 42 into an upper working chamber 44 and a lower working chamber 46.The piston rod 34 is attached to the piston assembly 32 and extends through the upper working chamber 44 and through a rod guide assembly 50 which closes the upper end of the pressure tube 30.The end of the piston rod 34 opposite to the piston assembly 32 is adapted to be secured to the sprung mass of the vehicle 10 in the non-inverted configuration.","Valving within the piston assembly 32 controls the movement of fluid between the upper working chamber 44 and the lower working chamber 46 during movement of the piston assembly 32 within the pressure tube 30.Since the piston rod 34 extends only through the upper working chamber 44 and not the lower working chamber 46, movement of the piston assembly 32 with respect to the pressure tube 30 causes a difference in the amount of fluid displaced in the upper working chamber 44 and the amount of fluid displaced in the lower working chamber 46.The difference in the amount of fluid displaced is known as the “rod volume” and it flows through the base valve assembly 38.The reserve tube 36 surrounds the pressure tube 30 to define a fluid reservoir chamber 52 located between tubes 30 and 36.The bottom end of the reserve tube 36 is closed by a base cup 54 which is adapted to be connected to the unsprung mass of vehicle 10 in the non-inverted configuration.","The upper end of reserve tube 36 is attached to rod guide assembly 50.The base valve assembly 38 is disposed between the lower working chamber 46 and the reservoir chamber 52 to control the flow of fluid between chambers 46 and 52.When the shock absorber 20 extends in length, an additional volume of fluid is needed in the lower working chamber 46 due to the “rod volume” concept.","Thus, fluid will flow from the reservoir chamber 52 to the lower working chamber 46 through the base valve assembly 38.When shock absorber 20 compresses in length, an excess of fluid must be removed from the lower working chamber 46 due to the “rod volume” concept, and therefore, fluid will flow from the lower working chamber 46 to the reservoir chamber 52 through the base valve assembly 38.Alternatively, the shock absorber may be configured as an inverted shock absorber.","As the inverted shock absorber, the end of the piston rod 34 opposite to the piston assembly 32 is adapted to be secured to the unsprung mass of the vehicle 10 and the base cup 54 is adapted to be connected to the sprung mass of vehicle 10.With reference to FIG.","3, the shock absorber 20 includes a digital valve assembly 60.For brevity, the digital valve assembly 60 may be referred to as the digital valve 60.The digital valve 60 is a two position valve assembly which has a different flow area in each of the two positions.","The digital valve 60 may include a valve housing 62, a sleeve 64, a spool 68, and a coil assembly 70.The valve housing 62 defines a valve inlet 72 which is in communication with the upper working chamber 44 through a fluid passage (not shown) and a valve outlet 74 which is in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber 52.The sleeve 64 is disposed within the valve housing 62.The sleeve 64 defines an annular inlet chamber 76 which is in communication with the valve inlet 72 and a pair of annular outlet chambers 78 and 80 which are in communication with valve outlet 74.The spool 68 is slidingly received within the sleeve 64 and axially travels within the sleeve 64 between the coil assembly 70 and a stop puck 82 disposed within the sleeve 64.A spring may be used to bias the spool 68 away from the coil assembly 70 and towards the stop puck 82.A shim 84 is disposed between the coil assembly 70 and the sleeve 64 to control the amount of axial motion for the spool 68.The spool 68 defines a first flange 86 which controls fluid flow between the annular inlet chamber 76 and the annular outlet chamber 78 and a second flange 88 that controls fluid flow between the annular inlet chamber 76 and the annular outlet chamber 80.The flanges 86 and 88 thus control fluid flow from the upper working chamber 44 to the reservoir chamber 52.The coil assembly 70 is disposed within the sleeve 64 to control the axial movement of the spool 68.The wiring connections for the coil assembly 70 can extend through a rod guide housing (not shown), through the sleeve 64, through valve housing 62 and/or through the reserve tube 36.When there is no power provided to the coil assembly 70, the damping characteristics will be defined by the flow area of the digital valve 60 in its first position, the piston assembly 32 and the base valve assembly 38.The movement of spool 68 is controlled by supplying power to coil assembly 70 to move the digital valve 60 to its second position.","The digital valve 60 can be kept in its second position by continuing to supply power to the coil assembly 70 or by providing means for retaining digital valve 60 in its second position and discontinuing the supply of power to the coil assembly 70.The means for retaining the digital valve 60 in its second position can include mechanical means, magnetic means or other means known in the art.","Once in its second position, movement to the first position can be accomplished by terminating power to the coil assembly 70 or by reversing the electrical current or reversing the polarity of the power supplied to the coil assembly 70 to overcome the retaining means.","The shock absorber 20 may include one or more digital valves 60.When multiple digital valves 60 are used, the total flow area through the plurality of digital valves 60 can be set at a specific number of total flow areas depending on the position of each individual digital valve 60.The specific number of total flow areas can be defined as being 2n flow areas where n is the number of digital valves 60.For example, in the following description the shock absorber 20 is described as having four digital valves 60.The number of total flow areas available would be 24 or sixteen flow areas, where each flow area influences the damping level of the shock absorbers 20.Accordingly, with four digital valves 60, the shock absorber 20 may be controlled to sixteen discrete and distinct level of damping, as described in further below.","Furthermore, when multiple digital valves 60 are used, the flow area of the digital valves may be varied.","For example, if two digital valves 60 are used, one digital valve may have a larger flow area than the other digital valve.","Accordingly, the flow area provided by the digital valve 60 may be customized by adjusting the orifice size of the digital valve 60.Fluid flow through the digital valve 60 will occur both during a rebound or extension stroke and during a compression stroke.","During a rebound or extension stroke, fluid in the upper working chamber 44 is pressurized, which then forces fluid flow through the digital valve 60 when it is opened.","During a compression stroke, fluid flows from the lower working chamber 46 to the upper working chamber 44 through the piston assembly 32 due to the “rod volume” concept.","When the digital valve 60 is opened, an open flow path between the upper working chamber 44 and the reservoir chamber 52 is created.","Additional fluid flow will flow through the piston assembly 32 and through the digital valve 60 because this open flow path creates the path of least resistance to the reservoir chamber 52 in comparison to flow through the base valve assembly 38.While in the example embodiment the digital valve assembly 60 is positioned at or near the rod guide assembly 50 of the shock absorber 20, the digital valve 60, may be positioned at other locations within the shock absorber 20.In particular, further details regarding the shock absorber 20 and the digital valve 60, is further described in Applicant's commonly owned U.S. Pat.","No.","8,616,351 for “Damper With Digital Valve” which issued Dec. 31, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.","The shock absorber 20 further includes a damper module 100.The damper module 100 may be disposed with the shock absorber 20 in a separate housing (not shown).","The damper module 100 controls the positions of the digital valves 60 disposed within the shock absorbers 20 to adjust the dampening characteristics of the shock absorber 20.The shock absorber 20 and the damper module 100 may be referred to together as a damping system.","The damper module 100 may receive a damper setting from a master module 102.The master module 102 is disposed in the vehicle 10 (FIG.","1).","The master module 102 is communicably coupled to the damper module 100 of each of the shock absorbers 20 disposed in the vehicle 10.With reference to FIG.","4, an example of a vehicle damper system 103 is shown.","The master module 102 receives data from various sensors 104 disposed at or near the shock absorbers 20 and/or disposed at other positions of the vehicle 10.The sensors 104 may include but are not limited to an angular rate sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a temperature sensor, a height sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and other suitable sensors that provide data used for controlling the dampening characteristics of the shock absorber 20.The master module 102 may also receive information from other modules disposed in the vehicle 10 via a vehicle network 106.The vehicle network 106 may be a controller area network (CAN), a local interconnect network (LIN), or other suitable networks.","The master module 102 may receive for example, information regarding the rotation of the steering wheel from a steering wheel position sensor via the vehicle network 106.Based on the inputs received, the master module 102 determines a damper setting for each of the shock absorbers 20.Specifically, the master module 102 may include a series of algorithms in the form of computer executable programs that determine the damper setting based on the inputs received.","The damper setting is provided to the damper module 100 of each of the shock absorbers 20.In addition, the master module 102 may provide the information received from the sensors 104 and/or the vehicle network 106 to the damper module.","For example, the damper module 100 may receive data related to the temperature of the shock absorber or an acceleration of the vehicle.","In the example embodiment the master module 102 is disposed separately from the damper module 100.Alternatively, the master module 102 may be disposed with the damper module 100, such that each damper module 100 includes a master module.","With reference to FIG.","5, an example of the damper module 100 is presented.","The damper module 100 may include a valve switching module 108 and a coil activation module 110.Based on the damper setting, the valve switching module 108 determines a damping state of the shock absorber 20.For example, with four digital valves 60, the shock absorber 20 may have sixteen discrete and distinct levels of damping which range from soft to firm.","The valve switching module 108 may include a table that correlates the damping state with a position or valve state of each of the digital valves 60 provided in the shock absorber 20.For example, with reference to FIG.","6, the four digital valves 60 may be identified in the table as #1, #2, #3, and #4.For each of the damping states, the valve state of the digital valve 60 may be defined as “OFF” or “ON”.","In an OFF-state the coil assembly 70 of the digital valve 60 does not receive power and is in the first position.","Conversely, in an ON-state, the coil assembly 70 receives power such that the digital valve 60 is in the second position.","As illustrated in FIG.","6, for a damping state, all of the digital valves 60 are in the OFF-state.","Alternatively, to achieve a seventh damping state, the #1-digital valve 60 (#1) and the #4-digital valve 60 (#4) are in the OFF-state and the #2-digital valve 60 (#2) and #3-digital valve 60 (#3) are in the ON-state.","The damper setting received by the damper module 100 is a target state of the shock absorber 20.The valve switching module 108 compares the target state with a present state of the shock absorber 20 which is the present damping state of the shock absorber 20.If the target state is different from the present state, the valve switching module 108 may refer to the target state as a desired state.","Based on the target state and the present state, the valve switching module 108 determines a control operation of the digital valve 60.Specifically, the valve switching module 108 determines whether control operation of the digital valve 60 is in an actuation operation, a hold operation, or an off operation.","With reference to FIG.","7, in the actuation operation of the digital valve 60, an electrical current pulse (i.e., actuation pulse) is applied to move the digital valve 60 from the first position to the second position via the coil assembly 70 (i.e., ON-state).","Accordingly, the actuated position of the digital valve 60 can correspond to either the hydraulically opened or closed condition depending on the mechanical configuration of the digital valve 60.During the hold operation, an electrical current pulse having a lower steady state level than the actuation pulse can be applied to keep the digital valve 60 in the ON-state.","Specifically, after the digital valve 60 is actuated, the hold operation can be performed to maintain the digital valve 60 in the ON-state.","Alternatively, if the digital valve 60 includes a means for retaining the digital valve 60 in its second position, as described above, no electrical current pulse is applied to the coil assembly 70 during the hold operation.","The off-operation deactivates the digital valve 60.For example, current may no longer be provided to the digital valve 60.Accordingly, the digital valve 60 moves from the second position to the first position, and the digital valve 60 is in the OFF-state.","Alternatively, if the digital valve 60 includes a means for retaining the digital valve 60 in its second position, as described above, during the off-operation a reverse current or reverse polarity of power may be supplied to the coil assembly 70 to overcome the retaining means.","The digital valve 60 of the shock absorber 20 is electrically coupled to the coil activation module 110 via the coil assembly 70 (represented by dotted line in FIG.","5).","The valve switching module 108 provides the control operation to the coil activation module 110 which then operates the coil assembly 70 accordingly.","For example, if the digital valve 60 is to be actuated, the coil activation module 110 provides the activation current pulse to the coil assembly 70 of the digital valve 60.To provide a fast, smooth, and power efficient switching of the damper state from the present state to the desired state, the valve switching module 108 may control a switch time and/or transition period during which the digital valve 60 shifts from the present state to the desired state.","Specifically, valve switching can be used to create a faster hydraulic response.","The valve switching module 108 includes various types of switching methods to help alleviate delays inherent with fluid dynamics.","The switching methods may also minimize hydraulic pressure transients associated with changing the firmness setting during dynamic operation of the damper system.","The switching methods are intended to provide smooth transitions during hydraulic changes in the damper system.","Accordingly, vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) can be optimized by utilizing the switching methods described here.","Furthermore, the peak current required for actuating the digital valves 60 can be reduced by utilizing the switching methods that minimize the number of digital valves 60 switched or by creating time offsets between actuation pulses.","The switching methods provided by the valve switching module 108 may be separated into two categories: valve staggering control and state transition control.","The valve staggering control refers to a method in which a transient state may be used between the present state and the desired state.","The transient state, which may also be referred to as transient intermediate state, is one or more damping states different from the present state and the desired state that are achieved prior to the desired state (i.e., the target state).","One goal of the transient state is to reduce the peak current requirement.","Specifically, short time delays (e.g., 1-2 milliseconds) may be added between the actuation operations of the digital valves 60.For example, as shown in FIG.","8, actuation pulses 120, 122, 124 are staggered.","Time delays prior to switching the digital valves 60 to the OFF-state are not necessary.","One type of valve staggering control is a basic delay staggering.","During the basic delay staggering a short delay is provided prior to the actuation of certain digital valves 60.The valve switching module 108 identifies which of the digital valves 60 to immediately actuate and which to delay.","For example, when the shock absorber includes four digital vales, the valve switching module 108 may immediately actuate two of the digital valves 60, followed by the other two after a short delay.","Accordingly, the valve switching module 108 may predefine the digital valves 60 that are to be delayed.","With reference to FIG.","9, an example of the basic delay staggering is presented.","The graph illustrates switching from damping state 1 to states 2-16.The right side of the graph illustrates the valve position for the digital valves 60 defined in FIG.","6.For example, in FIG.","6, the ON-state is represented by “1” and the OFF-state is represented by “0”.","Accordingly, for state 1, the valve state is “0000”.","Similarly, for state 4, the valve state is “0011”.","In the four digit binary valve, values from left to right represent the valve state of #1-digital valve 60, #2-digital valve, #3-digital valve, and #4-digital valve.","Thus, for state 4, #1-digital valve 60 and the #2-digital valve 60 are in the OFF-state (i.e., “00”) and the #3-digital valve 60 and the #4-digital valve 60 are in the ON-state (i.e., “11”).","As shown in FIG.","9, if the present state is state 1 (0000) and the target state is state 7 (0110), #2-digital valve 60 is actuated first, then after a small delay, #3-digital valve 60 is actuated.","Based on the basic delay staggering, one transient state is provided between the present and target state.","Meaning, from the present state (0000) to the target state (0110), the damping state changes from 0000 (present state) to 0100 (transient state) to 0110 (target state).","Per FIG.","9, a transient state is used in about 80% of the possible transition scenarios.","Another type of valve staggering control is a smart delay staggering.","Similar to the basic delay staggering, the smart delay staggering provides a short delay prior to actuation of certain valves.","However, in the smart delay staggering identification of which digital valves 60 to immediately actuate is determined based on which of the digital valves 60 need to be switched to achieve the target state.","In other words, unlike the basic delay staggering, the valve switching module 108 does not predefine the digital valves to delay.","The valve switching module 108 determines which valves are to be actuated based on the present state and the target state, and actuates one or more digital valves first, followed by other digital valves after the short delay if needed.","With reference to FIG.","10, an example of the smart delay staggering is presented.","In particular, FIG.","10 illustrates switching from state 1 to states 2-16.In the example, the first and the second digital valves 60 that need to be switched are actuated immediately, followed by the third and fourth valves after the short delay.","For example, if the present state is state 1 (0000) and the target state is state 12 (1011), the valve switching module 108 determines that #1, #3, and #4 digital valves 60 are to be actuated to reach state 12 (1011).","Using the smart delay staggering, #1 and #3 digital valves 60 are actuated first, and after a short delay, the #4 digital valve is turned on.","The smart delay staggering may create one transient state in between the present and the target state if needed.","Meaning, from the present state (0000) to the target state, such as state 12, the damping state changes from 0000 (present state) to 1010 (transient state) to 1011 (target state).","As shown in FIG.","10, an intermediate state is used in about one third of the possible transition scenarios.","The flow area of the digital valves 60 may be used to define which digital valve 60 is to be delayed (the basic delay staggering) and/or which digital valve 60 is to be actuated based on the target state (smart delay staggering).","Accordingly, for the basic staggering, the digital valves 60 that that have the smaller flow area may be identified by the valve switching module 108 as the digital valves 60 to delay.","Similarly, when the smart delay staggering determines the digital valves 60 that are to be actuated to reach the target state, the digital valves 60 that have the larger flow area are actuated first followed by the digital valves 60 with the smaller area.","As another variation, the valve staggering control may include a flow-area staggering.","Flow-area staggering is similar to the smart delay staggering in that it determines which digital valves 60 are to be actuated based on the target state.","Flow-area staggering also progresses the actuation of the digital valves 60 to be actuated from the digital valve 60 with the largest flow area to the digital valve 60 with the smallest flow area and providing short delays in between actuation of each digital valve 60.Flow-area staggering provides for the lowest peak current requirement because only one valve is switched at a time.","With reference to FIG.","11, an example operation of the flow-area staggering method is presented.","The example of FIG.","11 illustrates switching from state 1 to states 2-16.Based on the flow-area staggering method, the digital valve 60 with the largest flow area that needs to be switched is actuated immediately, followed sequentially by the other digital valves 60 after short delays.","For example, if the present state is state 1 (0000) and the target state is state 8 (0111), the valves switching module 108 determines that #2, #3, and #4 digital valves 60 are to be actuated to reach the target state.","Under the flow-area staggering method, the #2-digital valve 60 is actuated first.","After a small delay, #3-digital valve 60 is actuated followed by, after a small delay, #4-digital valve 60.Accordingly, between the present state and the target state, the damping state enters two transient states.","Meaning, the damping state changes from 0000 (present state) to 0100 (transient state) to 0110 (transient state) to 0111 (target state).","Based on FIG.","11, up to three transient states can be created between the present state and the target state.","A digital valve that is actuated first may be referenced as a primary valve and a digital valve that is actuated after the primary valve may be referenced to as a non-primary valve or secondary valve.","It is readily understood that the digital valves may be switched or actuated in one or more groups with a delay disposed between each group.","In addition to valve staggering control, the switching methods provided by the valve switching module 108 may also include state transition control.","State transition control may be used in parallel with valve staggering control.","Multiple state transition controls described herein may also be used together.","One of the goals of the state transition control is to optimize response time and NVH.","State transition control, like valve staggering control, also uses additional states and delays; however the delays can be substantially longer.","For instance, delays may be between 5-100 milliseconds for state transition control.","Without the state transition control, the damping state is switched immediately to the target state.","In other words, there is no transition control in this mode.","One type of state transition control is the fixed-step control in which the damping state transitions from the present state to the target state in a fixed number of steps defined by “m” where m is an integer.","Accordingly, to transition from the present state to the target state, the transient state is every mth state.","With reference to FIG.","12, an example operation of the fixed-step control is illustrated.","In FIG.","12, the present state is provided as state 3, and the target state is state 13.If there is no fixed state size (i.e., immediate switch), the damping state is switched immediately from state 3 to state 13.If the m=4, the damping state changes to every fourth state.","Thus, from state 3 the damping state changes to state 7, then to state 11 before reaching the target state of state 13.Under the fixed-step control, a determination may be made to ensure that the target state is not passed.","For example, the fixed-step control may determine if the number of damping states between a present damping state and the target damping state is less than the fixed number of steps (m).","If it is, the fixed-step control adjusts the damping state to the target state.","Accordingly, when m=4, the damping state was switched from state 11 to the target state of state 13.In addition, as the fixed number of steps decreases, the time in which it takes to reach the target state from the present state increases.","Thus, the delay between the present state and the target state varies in the fixed-step control.","Another type of state transition control is a fixed transition time.","In the fixed transition time, switch from the present state to the target state is performed in a preset amount of time.","In other words, the time taken to reach a target state from a present state is the same regardless of the target state.","For example, FIG.","13 illustrates the fixed transition time for different target states.","In the example shown, the present state is state 3, and different lines shows the transition to a different target state, such as states 5, 8, 13, and 16.Based on the graph, the time taken to reach state 5 from state 3 is approximately the same as from state 3 to state 16.Various switching methods, as descried herein, can be used with the fixed transition time to determine which transient states are used to reach the target state within the fixed transition time.","For example, the valve staggering controls, as described above, may be used to switch from the present state to the target state within the fixed transition time.","The state transition control also includes an overdrive control.","Under the overdrive control, a damping state that is beyond the target state is provided as the transient state, and following a delay, the damping state is switched to the target state.","One of the goals of the overdrive control is to achieve a faster hydraulic response.","For example, FIG.","14 illustrates two overdrive controls.","If the present state is state 3 and the target state is state 13, the fast overdrive control switches from state 3 (present state) to 16 (transient state) to 13 (target state).","For the slow overdrive control, the damping state switches from 3 (present state) to 16 (transient state) to 15 (transient state) to 14 (transient state) to 13 (target state).","Accordingly, the overdrive control switches the damping state to a state beyond the target state before switching to the target state.","In addition, the time in which the overdrive control performs the switch may be preset to allow for the fast or slow control.","The state transition control further includes a PID control.","The PID control is based on known proportional-integral-derivative algorithms that calculate an error value as the difference between the target state and the present state.","Also known as classical PID control, the number of transient states is based on the sum of calculations of the proportional, integral, and derivative values of the error.","Individual multipliers (“gains”) for proportional, integral, and derivative terms are used as the PID control.","FIG.","14 illustrates a PID control for switching from state 3 (present state) to state 13 (target state).","Similar to classical PID, the state transition control also includes a quadratic control.","The quadratic control uses a quadratic multiplier term consisting of the square of the error between the target state and the present state.","The quadratic multiplier term replaces the derivative term.","Quadratic control may be referred to as PIQ control.","Quadratic transition control is meant to be a performance improvement to linear proportional control by using larger state changes with larger errors and smaller state changes with smaller error values.","FIG.","14 illustrates the quadratic control for switching from state 3 (present state) to state 13 (target state).","The state transition control also includes an asymmetric control in which switching delays are set separately for the increasing and decreasing directions of damping state transitions.","For example, FIG.","15 provides four examples in which the asymmetric control is used to transition between state 3 and state 13.In examples 1 and 3, the time taken to transition from state 13 to state 3 is less than the time taken to transition from state 3 to state 13.Whereas in examples 2 and 4, the time taken to transition from state 13 to state 3 is more than the time taken from state 3 to state 13.For performing the asymmetrical control, the valve switching module 108 may include a predefined logic table that defines the switching delays for the increasing and decreasing directions of damping state transitions.","In the examples provide thus far of the state transition controls, the transition between the present state to the target state includes switching to a discrete damping state.","As part of the state transition controls, a fractional stepping control (i.e., pulse mode operation) creates a virtual position between the discrete damping states.","The pulse mode operation creates the virtual positions by pulse modulation or fast switching between two positions.","One way to implement the pulse mode operation is by repeating the actuation pulse without the corresponding hold current applied.","Specifically, the virtual position between two discrete damping states (i.e., two adjacent damping states) can be created by operating one or more valves in between the “OFF” and “ON” valve states.","This can be achieved with pulse mode operation by oscillating between the “OFF” and “ON” valve states.","The new states may be referred to as fractional states.","Another method involves pulse width modulation (PWM) control which is similar to micro-stepping in a stepper motor.","Half stepping or micro-stepping with finer resolution is possible.","PWM control is used as a transient method to improve NVH.","Continuous pulse mode operation may generate excessive heat and power consumption.","Pulse mode operation may be used in parallel with other state transition controls such as fixed step, PID, or quadratic control, as illustrated in FIG.","16.In addition to valve staggering control and state transition, the valve switching module 108 may include other switching methods for improving the performance of the shock absorber 20.For example, in a synchronization control, a delay may be provided before turning off a hold current or before the actuation current pulse.","Accordingly, the timing of hydraulic pressure discontinuities created by actuation of other digital valves or turning off other digital valves is matched or synchronized.","In a repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse is applied to a coil associated with a digital valve 60 that is already intended to be in the ON-state.","Repeat actuation control ensures that the target damper state is set.","Specifically, there is a possibility that the digital valve 60 may not engage or stay in the ON-state due to, for example, excessive electromagnetic interference, contamination, high viscosity oil associated with low temperatures, low viscosity oil associated with high temperatures, and/or very high acceleration impact from an external source such as driving through a pothole.","Accordingly, the repeat actuation control performs as a mitigating action for preventing a fault.","As a form of repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse may be periodically applied to the digital valve 60 that is to be in the ON-state.","For example, the valve switching module 108 may have the coil activation module periodically apply the actuation current based on a preset timer.","The periodic application of the actuation current should be done sparingly to avoid generation of extra heat.","For example, the preset timer may be set in the range of every 1-100 seconds.","As a form of repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse can be applied when the measured temperature is above or below preset values.","Such a control ensures that the shock absorber is performing at the intended damping state during extreme high or low temperature operation.","For example, the temperature may be the temperature of the shock absorber, the fluid within the shock absorber a temperature of the housing in which the damper module 100 is disposed, or a combination of temperatures that indicate the temperature at which the shock absorber is performing.","Temperature based repeat actuation might be in the range of every 1-100 seconds.","As a form of repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse can be applied when the measured or calculated acceleration exceeds a preset value.","Such a control ensures that the shock absorber 20 is set at the intended damping state following an impact load.","For example, the acceleration may be provided by an accelerometer disposed at or near the shock absorber 20 and/or may be a combination of accelerations.","One or more actuation pulses may be applied to each coil following a high acceleration.","The valve switching module 108 may also include warm-up controls to electrically heat the coils, valves, and oil at low temperatures.","For example, an actuation current pulse may be applied when the measured temperature is below a preset value.","The purpose is to generate additional heat to warm the digital valve 60 and the fluid within the shock absorber 20.The actuation current pulse may be applied in the range of every 5-500 milliseconds.","As another form of the warm-up control, a continuous maximum (un-modulated) current may be applied when the measured temperature is below the preset value.","Alternatively, the hold current (or another modulated current level) without the actuation pulse may be applied when the measured temperature is below the preset value.","A vehicle-level staggering delay may be used to reduce the peak current requirement.","In other words, the shock absorbers 20 disposed at the corners of the vehicle can be controlled, such that the shock absorbers 20 do not switch at the same time to their respective damping states.","One method of performing such control is by adding a short time delay between the commands sent by the master module 102 to each of the shock absorbers 20.Staggering delays might typically be 1-2 milliseconds.","Commands may be delayed to individual corner shock absorbers of the vehicle or commands may be sent in sets of two.","For example, sets of two may consist of the two front suspension 14 shock absorbers 20 and the rear suspension 12 shock absorbers 20.The damper module 100, which includes the valve switching module 108 and the coil activation module 110, may use one or more of the switching methods described herein for actuating the digital valves 60.For example, the damper module 100 may include a set of algorithms and/or predefined tables that define the switching method to be used for actuating the digital valves.","While the switching methods were described with regard to a shock absorber having four digital valves 60, it is within the scope of this disclosure to apply the switching methods to shock absorbers having two or more digital valves 60.With reference to FIG.","17, a flowchart of an example method 200 for performing a valve switching operation is presented.","The damper module 100, at 202 determines whether the damper setting has been received.","For example, the damper module 100 may receive the damper setting from the master module 102.If the damper setting has not been received, the damper module returns to 202.If the damper setting has been received, the damper module 100 determines the target state (target damping state) of the shock absorber 20 based on the damper setting at 204.At 206, the damper module 100 determines whether the present state is equal to the target state.","If the present state is equal to the target state, the damper module 100 continues to 208.If the present state is not equal to the target state, the damper module 100 performs a predefined switching method to change the present state to the target state at 210.The switching method can be any one or more of the switching methods described above.","For example, the switching method may be a combination of the smart delay staggering and the asymmetric control.","After the switching method, the damper module 100 returns to 202.At 208 the damper module 100 may maintain the power supply to the digital valves 60.For example, if digital valve 60 is in the second position a hold current may be applied to maintain the digital valve 60 in the second position.","Although not shown, when maintaining the digital valves 60 at the present damping state, the damper module 100 may periodically actuate the digital valves that are in the second position.","For example, the damper module 100 may perform a warm-up control to increase the temperature of the damper system, as described herein.","The damper module 100 may also perform the repeat actuation control to ensure the digital valves 60, which are supposed to be in the second position, are in the ON-state.","From 208, the damper module 100 returns to 202.The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description.","It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure.","Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.","The same may also be varied in many ways.","Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.","In this application, including the definitions below, the term module may be replaced with the term circuit.","The term module may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by a processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip.","Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art.","Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.","It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.","In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.","The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.","As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.","The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore 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.","The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance.","It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.","When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.","In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present.","Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).","As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.","Although the terms first, second, third, etc.","may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.","These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section.","Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.","Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.","Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.","Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.","For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.","Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.","The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"VALVE SWITCHING CONTROLS FOR ADJUSTABLE DAMPER\",\n \"A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module.\",\n \"The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves.\",\n \"The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves.\",\n \"The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting.\",\n \"The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states.\",\n \"The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method for damping motion of a body of a vehicle during travel of the vehicle, wherein at least one shock absorber is coupled between a sprung portion and an unsprung portion of the vehicle, and wherein the shock absorber has a plurality of independently controllable digital valves, each said digital valve being movable between a first position providing a first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, and a second position providing a second flow area different than the first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, the method comprising: generating a target damping state for the shock absorber; transmitting the target damping state to a damper module associated with the shock absorber; and using the damper module to compare the target damping state to a present damping state of the shock absorber, and to generate a control operation that selectively controls one or more selected valves of the plurality of digital valves to achieve the target damping state.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, wherein the damper module actuates selected ones of the plurality of digital valves in a predetermined order to achieve the target damping state.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 1, wherein the damper module selects one of a predetermined plurality of available damping states, and controls switching of the plurality of digital valves in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of available damping states, to achieve the target damping state.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of digital valves is predesignated as a primary valve and at least one of the plurality of digital valves is predesignated as a secondary valve, and wherein the primary valve includes a greater flow area than the secondary valve.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 1, further comprising using the damper module to implement a time delay after switching a first one of the plurality of digital valves before initiating switching of a second one of the plurality of digital valves.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 1, further comprising using signals from at least one of: an angular rate sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a temperature sensor, a height sensor, a pressure sensor, and an accelerometer, to form the target damping signal.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the damper module to implement a valve staggering control scheme by which a transient state of each one of the plurality of digital valves is controlled by incorporating time delays between actuation operations for certain ones of the plurality of digital valves.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 7, wherein the valve staggering control scheme includes a flow-area staggering scheme, in which a size of a flow area of each one of the plurality of digital valves is considered and used by the damper module in determining a specific sequence for actuating specific ones of the plurality of digital valves to achieve the target damping state.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the damper module to implement a state transition control scheme for controlling actuation of the plurality of digital valves, the state transition control scheme including at least one of: a fixed-step control in which damping state transitions from the present damping state to the target damping state are implemented in a fixed number of steps; or a fixed transition time control in which needed damping state transitions implemented by the damper module switching of the plurality of digital valves, to change from the present damping state to the target damping state, are implemented by the damper module in a preset amount of time.\",\n \"10.A method for damping motion of a body of a vehicle during travel of the vehicle, wherein at least one shock absorber is coupled between a sprung portion and an unsprung portion of the vehicle, and wherein the shock absorber has a plurality of independently controllable digital valves, each said digital valve being movable between a first position providing a first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, and a second position providing a second flow area different than the first flow area for a flow of fluid therethrough, the method comprising: receiving signals from at least one sensor associated with the vehicle; using the signals to generate a target damping state for the shock absorber; transmitting the target damping state to a damper module associated with the shock absorber; using the damper module to compare the target damping state to a present damping state of the shock absorber; using the damper module to determine a control operation for controlling at least one of the plurality of digital valves to implement the target damping state; and using the damper module to control the at least one of the plurality of digital valves in accordance with the control operation, to thus cause a select one of a plurality of available damping states to be implemented using the plurality of digital valves, and wherein the select one of the available damping states at least substantially matches the target damping state.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 10, further comprising: predefining each one of the plurality of digital valves as either a primary valve or as a secondary valve; using the damper module to select a specific one of the secondary valves; using the damper module to select a specific one of the primary valves; and switching the secondary valve from the first position to the second position after the primary valve is switched from the first position to the second position and after a preset time period has lapsed after said primary valve has been switched.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 10, further comprising: using the damper module to determine whether at least one of the plurality of digital valves is to be switched from the first position to the second position based on the present damping state and the target damping state; when one select digital valve from among the plurality of digital valves is to be switched, using the damper module to switch the one select digital valve from the first position to the second position, and when more than one digital valve from among the plurality of digital valves is to be switched, using the damper module to switch a primary valve from among the more than one digital valves from the first position to the second position, and switching a non-primary valve from the more than one digital valves from the first position to the second position after the primary valve, and after a preset time period has lapsed; and configuring the primary valve with a flow area larger than the non-primary valve.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 10, further comprising defining each one of the plurality of digital valves as a primary valve or a secondary valve, and further such that at least one of the plurality of digital valves is a primary valve and at least one of the plurality of digital valves is a secondary valve; and providing the at least one of the plurality of digital valves that forms a primary valve with a larger flow area than a flow area of the at least one of the plurality of digital valves that forms a secondary valve.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 13, wherein the control operation comprises using the damper module to determine which one or more of the plurality of digital valves are to be switched from the first position to the second position based on the present damping state and the target damping state; and when more than one digital valve of the plurality of digital valves is to be switched from the first position to the second position, using the damper module to perform a plurality of switching actions to switch selected ones of the plurality of digital valves, one at a time, with a preset time period disposed between each said switching action; and when the selected ones of the plurality of digital valves being switched include the primary valve, causing the damper module to switch the primary valve before the secondary valve.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 10, wherein the control operation includes implementing at least one of: a staggering control for generating a time delay between a primary valve and a secondary valve of the plurality of digital valves, such that the primary valve is switched from the first position to the second position before the secondary valve; a state transition control to switch one or more of the plurality of digital valves such that the shock absorber operates at a transient damping state prior to operating at the target damping state, the transient damping state being one of the plurality of available damping states different from the target damping state and the present damping state, and wherein the primary valve and the secondary valve are among the plurality of digital valves; or a state transition control for switching one or more of the plurality of digital valves, which is based on proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms which determine a number of transient states to use between the present damping state and the target damping state.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 10, wherein the target damping state is generated using a master module disposed in the vehicle remotely from the damper module, and wherein the master module receives and uses the signals from the sensor.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 10, wherein the control operation comprises using a quadratic control scheme to control switching of selected ones of the plurality of digital valves when the present damping state is different from the target damping state.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 10, further comprising at least one of: using the damper module to periodically apply an actuation current pulse to a select one of the plurality of digital valves that is already in the second position; or using the damper module to apply an actuation current pulse to a specific one of the digital valves which is in the second position when a sensed temperature of the shock absorber is below a preset threshold.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of available damping states is determined by a number “N” of the plurality of digital valves, and wherein N is an integer, and wherein the shock absorber has 2N number of damping states comprising the available damping states.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 10, further comprising using the damper module to: apply a hold current pulse to maintain a specific one of the plurality of digital valves in the second position; and to deactivate the hold current pulse to switch the specific one of the plurality of digital valves from the second position to the first position.\",\n \"21.The method of claim 10, wherein the control operation includes at least one of: applying a reverse current pulse to switch a selected one of the plurality of digital valves from the second position to the first position; or applying an actuation current pulse to a selected one of the plurality of digital valves that is in the second position when an acceleration of the shock absorber is greater than or equal to a preset threshold.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.\",\n \"Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations which occur during driving.\",\n \"To absorb the unwanted vibrations, shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung portion (body) and the unsprung portion (suspension) of the automobile.\",\n \"In recent years, vehicles may be equipped with an electrically adjustable damping system that includes an adjustable shock absorber having a digital valve.\",\n \"More particularly, the adjustable shock absorber may include an electromechanical coil or solenoid disposed therein.\",\n \"A master module which may be located on the vehicle body can be used to control a damping state of each of the adjustable shock absorber.\",\n \"For example, the master module may receive data from various sensors disposed along the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle.\",\n \"Based on the data received, the master module determines the damping state of the adjustable shock absorber and actuates the electromechanical coil/solenoid disposed within the shock absorber.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.\",\n \"The present disclosure provided for a damper system for a vehicle.\",\n \"The damper system includes a shock absorber and a damper module.\",\n \"The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves, where each digital valve has a valve state.\",\n \"The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on the valve state of the plurality of digital valves; The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting received from a master module.\",\n \"The damper module determines a target damping state of the shock absorber based on the damper setting.\",\n \"The target damping state is one of the multiple damping states.\",\n \"The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.\",\n \"Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.\",\n \"The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/947,222, filed on Nov. 20, 2015, which application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/191,885 filed on Feb. 27, 2014; which claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/770,426, filed on Feb. 28, 2013.The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"FIELD The present disclosure relates to an electrically adjustable damper having one or more digital valves, and more particularly to a valve switching control system and method for adjusting a damping state of the electrically adjustable damper.\",\n \"BACKGROUND This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.\",\n \"Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations which occur during driving.\",\n \"To absorb the unwanted vibrations, shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung portion (body) and the unsprung portion (suspension) of the automobile.\",\n \"In recent years, vehicles may be equipped with an electrically adjustable damping system that includes an adjustable shock absorber having a digital valve.\",\n \"More particularly, the adjustable shock absorber may include an electromechanical coil or solenoid disposed therein.\",\n \"A master module which may be located on the vehicle body can be used to control a damping state of each of the adjustable shock absorber.\",\n \"For example, the master module may receive data from various sensors disposed along the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle.\",\n \"Based on the data received, the master module determines the damping state of the adjustable shock absorber and actuates the electromechanical coil/solenoid disposed within the shock absorber.\",\n \"SUMMARY This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.\",\n \"The present disclosure provided for a damper system for a vehicle.\",\n \"The damper system includes a shock absorber and a damper module.\",\n \"The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves, where each digital valve has a valve state.\",\n \"The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on the valve state of the plurality of digital valves; The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting received from a master module.\",\n \"The damper module determines a target damping state of the shock absorber based on the damper setting.\",\n \"The target damping state is one of the multiple damping states.\",\n \"The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.\",\n \"Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.\",\n \"The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.\",\n \"DRAWINGS The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is an illustration of a vehicle having an adjustable shock absorber; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shock absorber; FIG.\",\n \"3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a digital valve assembly disposed in the shock absorber; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a an example functional block diagram of a vehicle damper system; FIG.\",\n \"5 is an example functional block diagram of a damper module; FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates a correlation between a damping state and a valve state for each digital valve assembly of a shock absorber having four digital valve assemblies; FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates an actuation pulse, a hold current, and an off-current; FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates a staggering control of three actuation pulses; FIG.\",\n \"9 is a graph of an example operation of a basic delay staggering for a valve staggering control; FIG.\",\n \"10 is a graph of an example operation of a smart delay staggering for the valve staggering control; FIG.\",\n \"11 is a graph of an example operation of a flow-area staggering for the valve staggering control; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a graph of an example operation of a fixed-step control for a state transition control; FIG.\",\n \"13 is a graph of an example operation of a fixed-time control for the state transition control; FIG.\",\n \"14 is a graph of an example operation of an overdrive control, a PID control, and quadratic control for the state transition control; FIG.\",\n \"15 is a graph of an example operation of an asymmetrical control for the state transition control; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a graph of pulse mode operation control for the state transition control; and FIG.\",\n \"17 is a flow chart of an example method for performing a valve switching operation.\",\n \"Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"1, an example of a vehicle 10 incorporating a suspension system having shock absorbers, each of which incorporate a digital valve is now presented.\",\n \"The vehicle 10 includes a rear suspension 12, a front suspension 14 and a body 16.The rear suspension 12 has a transversely extending rear axle assembly (not shown) adapted to operatively support a pair of rear wheels 18.The rear axle is attached to the body 16 by means of a pair of shock absorbers 20 and by a pair of springs 22.Similarly, the front suspension 14 includes a transversely extending front axle assembly (not shown) to operatively support a pair of front wheels 24.The front axle assembly is attached to the body 16 by means of a pair of shock absorbers 20 and a pair of springs 26.The shock absorbers 20 serve to dampen the relative motion of the unsprung portion (i.e., front and rear suspensions 12, 14) with respect to the sprung portion (i.e., body 16) of vehicle 10.While the vehicle 10 has been depicted as a passenger car having front and rear axle assemblies, the shock absorbers 20 may be used with other types of vehicles or in other types of applications including, but not limited to, vehicles incorporating non-independent front and/or non-independent rear suspensions, vehicles incorporating independent front and/or independent rear suspensions, or other suspension systems known in the art.\",\n \"Further, the term “shock absorber” as used herein is meant to refer to dampers in general and thus will include McPherson struts and other damper designs known in the art.\",\n \"Referring now to FIG.\",\n \"2, an example of the shock absorber 20 is shown in greater detail.\",\n \"The shock absorber 20 comprises a pressure tube 30, a piston assembly 32, a piston rod 34, a reserve tube 36, and a base valve assembly 38.The pressure tube 30 defines a working chamber 42.The piston assembly 32 is slidably disposed within the pressure tube 30 and divides the working chamber 42 into an upper working chamber 44 and a lower working chamber 46.The piston rod 34 is attached to the piston assembly 32 and extends through the upper working chamber 44 and through a rod guide assembly 50 which closes the upper end of the pressure tube 30.The end of the piston rod 34 opposite to the piston assembly 32 is adapted to be secured to the sprung mass of the vehicle 10 in the non-inverted configuration.\",\n \"Valving within the piston assembly 32 controls the movement of fluid between the upper working chamber 44 and the lower working chamber 46 during movement of the piston assembly 32 within the pressure tube 30.Since the piston rod 34 extends only through the upper working chamber 44 and not the lower working chamber 46, movement of the piston assembly 32 with respect to the pressure tube 30 causes a difference in the amount of fluid displaced in the upper working chamber 44 and the amount of fluid displaced in the lower working chamber 46.The difference in the amount of fluid displaced is known as the “rod volume” and it flows through the base valve assembly 38.The reserve tube 36 surrounds the pressure tube 30 to define a fluid reservoir chamber 52 located between tubes 30 and 36.The bottom end of the reserve tube 36 is closed by a base cup 54 which is adapted to be connected to the unsprung mass of vehicle 10 in the non-inverted configuration.\",\n \"The upper end of reserve tube 36 is attached to rod guide assembly 50.The base valve assembly 38 is disposed between the lower working chamber 46 and the reservoir chamber 52 to control the flow of fluid between chambers 46 and 52.When the shock absorber 20 extends in length, an additional volume of fluid is needed in the lower working chamber 46 due to the “rod volume” concept.\",\n \"Thus, fluid will flow from the reservoir chamber 52 to the lower working chamber 46 through the base valve assembly 38.When shock absorber 20 compresses in length, an excess of fluid must be removed from the lower working chamber 46 due to the “rod volume” concept, and therefore, fluid will flow from the lower working chamber 46 to the reservoir chamber 52 through the base valve assembly 38.Alternatively, the shock absorber may be configured as an inverted shock absorber.\",\n \"As the inverted shock absorber, the end of the piston rod 34 opposite to the piston assembly 32 is adapted to be secured to the unsprung mass of the vehicle 10 and the base cup 54 is adapted to be connected to the sprung mass of vehicle 10.With reference to FIG.\",\n \"3, the shock absorber 20 includes a digital valve assembly 60.For brevity, the digital valve assembly 60 may be referred to as the digital valve 60.The digital valve 60 is a two position valve assembly which has a different flow area in each of the two positions.\",\n \"The digital valve 60 may include a valve housing 62, a sleeve 64, a spool 68, and a coil assembly 70.The valve housing 62 defines a valve inlet 72 which is in communication with the upper working chamber 44 through a fluid passage (not shown) and a valve outlet 74 which is in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber 52.The sleeve 64 is disposed within the valve housing 62.The sleeve 64 defines an annular inlet chamber 76 which is in communication with the valve inlet 72 and a pair of annular outlet chambers 78 and 80 which are in communication with valve outlet 74.The spool 68 is slidingly received within the sleeve 64 and axially travels within the sleeve 64 between the coil assembly 70 and a stop puck 82 disposed within the sleeve 64.A spring may be used to bias the spool 68 away from the coil assembly 70 and towards the stop puck 82.A shim 84 is disposed between the coil assembly 70 and the sleeve 64 to control the amount of axial motion for the spool 68.The spool 68 defines a first flange 86 which controls fluid flow between the annular inlet chamber 76 and the annular outlet chamber 78 and a second flange 88 that controls fluid flow between the annular inlet chamber 76 and the annular outlet chamber 80.The flanges 86 and 88 thus control fluid flow from the upper working chamber 44 to the reservoir chamber 52.The coil assembly 70 is disposed within the sleeve 64 to control the axial movement of the spool 68.The wiring connections for the coil assembly 70 can extend through a rod guide housing (not shown), through the sleeve 64, through valve housing 62 and/or through the reserve tube 36.When there is no power provided to the coil assembly 70, the damping characteristics will be defined by the flow area of the digital valve 60 in its first position, the piston assembly 32 and the base valve assembly 38.The movement of spool 68 is controlled by supplying power to coil assembly 70 to move the digital valve 60 to its second position.\",\n \"The digital valve 60 can be kept in its second position by continuing to supply power to the coil assembly 70 or by providing means for retaining digital valve 60 in its second position and discontinuing the supply of power to the coil assembly 70.The means for retaining the digital valve 60 in its second position can include mechanical means, magnetic means or other means known in the art.\",\n \"Once in its second position, movement to the first position can be accomplished by terminating power to the coil assembly 70 or by reversing the electrical current or reversing the polarity of the power supplied to the coil assembly 70 to overcome the retaining means.\",\n \"The shock absorber 20 may include one or more digital valves 60.When multiple digital valves 60 are used, the total flow area through the plurality of digital valves 60 can be set at a specific number of total flow areas depending on the position of each individual digital valve 60.The specific number of total flow areas can be defined as being 2n flow areas where n is the number of digital valves 60.For example, in the following description the shock absorber 20 is described as having four digital valves 60.The number of total flow areas available would be 24 or sixteen flow areas, where each flow area influences the damping level of the shock absorbers 20.Accordingly, with four digital valves 60, the shock absorber 20 may be controlled to sixteen discrete and distinct level of damping, as described in further below.\",\n \"Furthermore, when multiple digital valves 60 are used, the flow area of the digital valves may be varied.\",\n \"For example, if two digital valves 60 are used, one digital valve may have a larger flow area than the other digital valve.\",\n \"Accordingly, the flow area provided by the digital valve 60 may be customized by adjusting the orifice size of the digital valve 60.Fluid flow through the digital valve 60 will occur both during a rebound or extension stroke and during a compression stroke.\",\n \"During a rebound or extension stroke, fluid in the upper working chamber 44 is pressurized, which then forces fluid flow through the digital valve 60 when it is opened.\",\n \"During a compression stroke, fluid flows from the lower working chamber 46 to the upper working chamber 44 through the piston assembly 32 due to the “rod volume” concept.\",\n \"When the digital valve 60 is opened, an open flow path between the upper working chamber 44 and the reservoir chamber 52 is created.\",\n \"Additional fluid flow will flow through the piston assembly 32 and through the digital valve 60 because this open flow path creates the path of least resistance to the reservoir chamber 52 in comparison to flow through the base valve assembly 38.While in the example embodiment the digital valve assembly 60 is positioned at or near the rod guide assembly 50 of the shock absorber 20, the digital valve 60, may be positioned at other locations within the shock absorber 20.In particular, further details regarding the shock absorber 20 and the digital valve 60, is further described in Applicant's commonly owned U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,616,351 for “Damper With Digital Valve” which issued Dec. 31, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.\",\n \"The shock absorber 20 further includes a damper module 100.The damper module 100 may be disposed with the shock absorber 20 in a separate housing (not shown).\",\n \"The damper module 100 controls the positions of the digital valves 60 disposed within the shock absorbers 20 to adjust the dampening characteristics of the shock absorber 20.The shock absorber 20 and the damper module 100 may be referred to together as a damping system.\",\n \"The damper module 100 may receive a damper setting from a master module 102.The master module 102 is disposed in the vehicle 10 (FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"The master module 102 is communicably coupled to the damper module 100 of each of the shock absorbers 20 disposed in the vehicle 10.With reference to FIG.\",\n \"4, an example of a vehicle damper system 103 is shown.\",\n \"The master module 102 receives data from various sensors 104 disposed at or near the shock absorbers 20 and/or disposed at other positions of the vehicle 10.The sensors 104 may include but are not limited to an angular rate sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a temperature sensor, a height sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and other suitable sensors that provide data used for controlling the dampening characteristics of the shock absorber 20.The master module 102 may also receive information from other modules disposed in the vehicle 10 via a vehicle network 106.The vehicle network 106 may be a controller area network (CAN), a local interconnect network (LIN), or other suitable networks.\",\n \"The master module 102 may receive for example, information regarding the rotation of the steering wheel from a steering wheel position sensor via the vehicle network 106.Based on the inputs received, the master module 102 determines a damper setting for each of the shock absorbers 20.Specifically, the master module 102 may include a series of algorithms in the form of computer executable programs that determine the damper setting based on the inputs received.\",\n \"The damper setting is provided to the damper module 100 of each of the shock absorbers 20.In addition, the master module 102 may provide the information received from the sensors 104 and/or the vehicle network 106 to the damper module.\",\n \"For example, the damper module 100 may receive data related to the temperature of the shock absorber or an acceleration of the vehicle.\",\n \"In the example embodiment the master module 102 is disposed separately from the damper module 100.Alternatively, the master module 102 may be disposed with the damper module 100, such that each damper module 100 includes a master module.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"5, an example of the damper module 100 is presented.\",\n \"The damper module 100 may include a valve switching module 108 and a coil activation module 110.Based on the damper setting, the valve switching module 108 determines a damping state of the shock absorber 20.For example, with four digital valves 60, the shock absorber 20 may have sixteen discrete and distinct levels of damping which range from soft to firm.\",\n \"The valve switching module 108 may include a table that correlates the damping state with a position or valve state of each of the digital valves 60 provided in the shock absorber 20.For example, with reference to FIG.\",\n \"6, the four digital valves 60 may be identified in the table as #1, #2, #3, and #4.For each of the damping states, the valve state of the digital valve 60 may be defined as “OFF” or “ON”.\",\n \"In an OFF-state the coil assembly 70 of the digital valve 60 does not receive power and is in the first position.\",\n \"Conversely, in an ON-state, the coil assembly 70 receives power such that the digital valve 60 is in the second position.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6, for a damping state, all of the digital valves 60 are in the OFF-state.\",\n \"Alternatively, to achieve a seventh damping state, the #1-digital valve 60 (#1) and the #4-digital valve 60 (#4) are in the OFF-state and the #2-digital valve 60 (#2) and #3-digital valve 60 (#3) are in the ON-state.\",\n \"The damper setting received by the damper module 100 is a target state of the shock absorber 20.The valve switching module 108 compares the target state with a present state of the shock absorber 20 which is the present damping state of the shock absorber 20.If the target state is different from the present state, the valve switching module 108 may refer to the target state as a desired state.\",\n \"Based on the target state and the present state, the valve switching module 108 determines a control operation of the digital valve 60.Specifically, the valve switching module 108 determines whether control operation of the digital valve 60 is in an actuation operation, a hold operation, or an off operation.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"7, in the actuation operation of the digital valve 60, an electrical current pulse (i.e., actuation pulse) is applied to move the digital valve 60 from the first position to the second position via the coil assembly 70 (i.e., ON-state).\",\n \"Accordingly, the actuated position of the digital valve 60 can correspond to either the hydraulically opened or closed condition depending on the mechanical configuration of the digital valve 60.During the hold operation, an electrical current pulse having a lower steady state level than the actuation pulse can be applied to keep the digital valve 60 in the ON-state.\",\n \"Specifically, after the digital valve 60 is actuated, the hold operation can be performed to maintain the digital valve 60 in the ON-state.\",\n \"Alternatively, if the digital valve 60 includes a means for retaining the digital valve 60 in its second position, as described above, no electrical current pulse is applied to the coil assembly 70 during the hold operation.\",\n \"The off-operation deactivates the digital valve 60.For example, current may no longer be provided to the digital valve 60.Accordingly, the digital valve 60 moves from the second position to the first position, and the digital valve 60 is in the OFF-state.\",\n \"Alternatively, if the digital valve 60 includes a means for retaining the digital valve 60 in its second position, as described above, during the off-operation a reverse current or reverse polarity of power may be supplied to the coil assembly 70 to overcome the retaining means.\",\n \"The digital valve 60 of the shock absorber 20 is electrically coupled to the coil activation module 110 via the coil assembly 70 (represented by dotted line in FIG.\",\n \"5).\",\n \"The valve switching module 108 provides the control operation to the coil activation module 110 which then operates the coil assembly 70 accordingly.\",\n \"For example, if the digital valve 60 is to be actuated, the coil activation module 110 provides the activation current pulse to the coil assembly 70 of the digital valve 60.To provide a fast, smooth, and power efficient switching of the damper state from the present state to the desired state, the valve switching module 108 may control a switch time and/or transition period during which the digital valve 60 shifts from the present state to the desired state.\",\n \"Specifically, valve switching can be used to create a faster hydraulic response.\",\n \"The valve switching module 108 includes various types of switching methods to help alleviate delays inherent with fluid dynamics.\",\n \"The switching methods may also minimize hydraulic pressure transients associated with changing the firmness setting during dynamic operation of the damper system.\",\n \"The switching methods are intended to provide smooth transitions during hydraulic changes in the damper system.\",\n \"Accordingly, vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) can be optimized by utilizing the switching methods described here.\",\n \"Furthermore, the peak current required for actuating the digital valves 60 can be reduced by utilizing the switching methods that minimize the number of digital valves 60 switched or by creating time offsets between actuation pulses.\",\n \"The switching methods provided by the valve switching module 108 may be separated into two categories: valve staggering control and state transition control.\",\n \"The valve staggering control refers to a method in which a transient state may be used between the present state and the desired state.\",\n \"The transient state, which may also be referred to as transient intermediate state, is one or more damping states different from the present state and the desired state that are achieved prior to the desired state (i.e., the target state).\",\n \"One goal of the transient state is to reduce the peak current requirement.\",\n \"Specifically, short time delays (e.g., 1-2 milliseconds) may be added between the actuation operations of the digital valves 60.For example, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8, actuation pulses 120, 122, 124 are staggered.\",\n \"Time delays prior to switching the digital valves 60 to the OFF-state are not necessary.\",\n \"One type of valve staggering control is a basic delay staggering.\",\n \"During the basic delay staggering a short delay is provided prior to the actuation of certain digital valves 60.The valve switching module 108 identifies which of the digital valves 60 to immediately actuate and which to delay.\",\n \"For example, when the shock absorber includes four digital vales, the valve switching module 108 may immediately actuate two of the digital valves 60, followed by the other two after a short delay.\",\n \"Accordingly, the valve switching module 108 may predefine the digital valves 60 that are to be delayed.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"9, an example of the basic delay staggering is presented.\",\n \"The graph illustrates switching from damping state 1 to states 2-16.The right side of the graph illustrates the valve position for the digital valves 60 defined in FIG.\",\n \"6.For example, in FIG.\",\n \"6, the ON-state is represented by “1” and the OFF-state is represented by “0”.\",\n \"Accordingly, for state 1, the valve state is “0000”.\",\n \"Similarly, for state 4, the valve state is “0011”.\",\n \"In the four digit binary valve, values from left to right represent the valve state of #1-digital valve 60, #2-digital valve, #3-digital valve, and #4-digital valve.\",\n \"Thus, for state 4, #1-digital valve 60 and the #2-digital valve 60 are in the OFF-state (i.e., “00”) and the #3-digital valve 60 and the #4-digital valve 60 are in the ON-state (i.e., “11”).\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9, if the present state is state 1 (0000) and the target state is state 7 (0110), #2-digital valve 60 is actuated first, then after a small delay, #3-digital valve 60 is actuated.\",\n \"Based on the basic delay staggering, one transient state is provided between the present and target state.\",\n \"Meaning, from the present state (0000) to the target state (0110), the damping state changes from 0000 (present state) to 0100 (transient state) to 0110 (target state).\",\n \"Per FIG.\",\n \"9, a transient state is used in about 80% of the possible transition scenarios.\",\n \"Another type of valve staggering control is a smart delay staggering.\",\n \"Similar to the basic delay staggering, the smart delay staggering provides a short delay prior to actuation of certain valves.\",\n \"However, in the smart delay staggering identification of which digital valves 60 to immediately actuate is determined based on which of the digital valves 60 need to be switched to achieve the target state.\",\n \"In other words, unlike the basic delay staggering, the valve switching module 108 does not predefine the digital valves to delay.\",\n \"The valve switching module 108 determines which valves are to be actuated based on the present state and the target state, and actuates one or more digital valves first, followed by other digital valves after the short delay if needed.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"10, an example of the smart delay staggering is presented.\",\n \"In particular, FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates switching from state 1 to states 2-16.In the example, the first and the second digital valves 60 that need to be switched are actuated immediately, followed by the third and fourth valves after the short delay.\",\n \"For example, if the present state is state 1 (0000) and the target state is state 12 (1011), the valve switching module 108 determines that #1, #3, and #4 digital valves 60 are to be actuated to reach state 12 (1011).\",\n \"Using the smart delay staggering, #1 and #3 digital valves 60 are actuated first, and after a short delay, the #4 digital valve is turned on.\",\n \"The smart delay staggering may create one transient state in between the present and the target state if needed.\",\n \"Meaning, from the present state (0000) to the target state, such as state 12, the damping state changes from 0000 (present state) to 1010 (transient state) to 1011 (target state).\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"10, an intermediate state is used in about one third of the possible transition scenarios.\",\n \"The flow area of the digital valves 60 may be used to define which digital valve 60 is to be delayed (the basic delay staggering) and/or which digital valve 60 is to be actuated based on the target state (smart delay staggering).\",\n \"Accordingly, for the basic staggering, the digital valves 60 that that have the smaller flow area may be identified by the valve switching module 108 as the digital valves 60 to delay.\",\n \"Similarly, when the smart delay staggering determines the digital valves 60 that are to be actuated to reach the target state, the digital valves 60 that have the larger flow area are actuated first followed by the digital valves 60 with the smaller area.\",\n \"As another variation, the valve staggering control may include a flow-area staggering.\",\n \"Flow-area staggering is similar to the smart delay staggering in that it determines which digital valves 60 are to be actuated based on the target state.\",\n \"Flow-area staggering also progresses the actuation of the digital valves 60 to be actuated from the digital valve 60 with the largest flow area to the digital valve 60 with the smallest flow area and providing short delays in between actuation of each digital valve 60.Flow-area staggering provides for the lowest peak current requirement because only one valve is switched at a time.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"11, an example operation of the flow-area staggering method is presented.\",\n \"The example of FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates switching from state 1 to states 2-16.Based on the flow-area staggering method, the digital valve 60 with the largest flow area that needs to be switched is actuated immediately, followed sequentially by the other digital valves 60 after short delays.\",\n \"For example, if the present state is state 1 (0000) and the target state is state 8 (0111), the valves switching module 108 determines that #2, #3, and #4 digital valves 60 are to be actuated to reach the target state.\",\n \"Under the flow-area staggering method, the #2-digital valve 60 is actuated first.\",\n \"After a small delay, #3-digital valve 60 is actuated followed by, after a small delay, #4-digital valve 60.Accordingly, between the present state and the target state, the damping state enters two transient states.\",\n \"Meaning, the damping state changes from 0000 (present state) to 0100 (transient state) to 0110 (transient state) to 0111 (target state).\",\n \"Based on FIG.\",\n \"11, up to three transient states can be created between the present state and the target state.\",\n \"A digital valve that is actuated first may be referenced as a primary valve and a digital valve that is actuated after the primary valve may be referenced to as a non-primary valve or secondary valve.\",\n \"It is readily understood that the digital valves may be switched or actuated in one or more groups with a delay disposed between each group.\",\n \"In addition to valve staggering control, the switching methods provided by the valve switching module 108 may also include state transition control.\",\n \"State transition control may be used in parallel with valve staggering control.\",\n \"Multiple state transition controls described herein may also be used together.\",\n \"One of the goals of the state transition control is to optimize response time and NVH.\",\n \"State transition control, like valve staggering control, also uses additional states and delays; however the delays can be substantially longer.\",\n \"For instance, delays may be between 5-100 milliseconds for state transition control.\",\n \"Without the state transition control, the damping state is switched immediately to the target state.\",\n \"In other words, there is no transition control in this mode.\",\n \"One type of state transition control is the fixed-step control in which the damping state transitions from the present state to the target state in a fixed number of steps defined by “m” where m is an integer.\",\n \"Accordingly, to transition from the present state to the target state, the transient state is every mth state.\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"12, an example operation of the fixed-step control is illustrated.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"12, the present state is provided as state 3, and the target state is state 13.If there is no fixed state size (i.e., immediate switch), the damping state is switched immediately from state 3 to state 13.If the m=4, the damping state changes to every fourth state.\",\n \"Thus, from state 3 the damping state changes to state 7, then to state 11 before reaching the target state of state 13.Under the fixed-step control, a determination may be made to ensure that the target state is not passed.\",\n \"For example, the fixed-step control may determine if the number of damping states between a present damping state and the target damping state is less than the fixed number of steps (m).\",\n \"If it is, the fixed-step control adjusts the damping state to the target state.\",\n \"Accordingly, when m=4, the damping state was switched from state 11 to the target state of state 13.In addition, as the fixed number of steps decreases, the time in which it takes to reach the target state from the present state increases.\",\n \"Thus, the delay between the present state and the target state varies in the fixed-step control.\",\n \"Another type of state transition control is a fixed transition time.\",\n \"In the fixed transition time, switch from the present state to the target state is performed in a preset amount of time.\",\n \"In other words, the time taken to reach a target state from a present state is the same regardless of the target state.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates the fixed transition time for different target states.\",\n \"In the example shown, the present state is state 3, and different lines shows the transition to a different target state, such as states 5, 8, 13, and 16.Based on the graph, the time taken to reach state 5 from state 3 is approximately the same as from state 3 to state 16.Various switching methods, as descried herein, can be used with the fixed transition time to determine which transient states are used to reach the target state within the fixed transition time.\",\n \"For example, the valve staggering controls, as described above, may be used to switch from the present state to the target state within the fixed transition time.\",\n \"The state transition control also includes an overdrive control.\",\n \"Under the overdrive control, a damping state that is beyond the target state is provided as the transient state, and following a delay, the damping state is switched to the target state.\",\n \"One of the goals of the overdrive control is to achieve a faster hydraulic response.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates two overdrive controls.\",\n \"If the present state is state 3 and the target state is state 13, the fast overdrive control switches from state 3 (present state) to 16 (transient state) to 13 (target state).\",\n \"For the slow overdrive control, the damping state switches from 3 (present state) to 16 (transient state) to 15 (transient state) to 14 (transient state) to 13 (target state).\",\n \"Accordingly, the overdrive control switches the damping state to a state beyond the target state before switching to the target state.\",\n \"In addition, the time in which the overdrive control performs the switch may be preset to allow for the fast or slow control.\",\n \"The state transition control further includes a PID control.\",\n \"The PID control is based on known proportional-integral-derivative algorithms that calculate an error value as the difference between the target state and the present state.\",\n \"Also known as classical PID control, the number of transient states is based on the sum of calculations of the proportional, integral, and derivative values of the error.\",\n \"Individual multipliers (“gains”) for proportional, integral, and derivative terms are used as the PID control.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates a PID control for switching from state 3 (present state) to state 13 (target state).\",\n \"Similar to classical PID, the state transition control also includes a quadratic control.\",\n \"The quadratic control uses a quadratic multiplier term consisting of the square of the error between the target state and the present state.\",\n \"The quadratic multiplier term replaces the derivative term.\",\n \"Quadratic control may be referred to as PIQ control.\",\n \"Quadratic transition control is meant to be a performance improvement to linear proportional control by using larger state changes with larger errors and smaller state changes with smaller error values.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 illustrates the quadratic control for switching from state 3 (present state) to state 13 (target state).\",\n \"The state transition control also includes an asymmetric control in which switching delays are set separately for the increasing and decreasing directions of damping state transitions.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"15 provides four examples in which the asymmetric control is used to transition between state 3 and state 13.In examples 1 and 3, the time taken to transition from state 13 to state 3 is less than the time taken to transition from state 3 to state 13.Whereas in examples 2 and 4, the time taken to transition from state 13 to state 3 is more than the time taken from state 3 to state 13.For performing the asymmetrical control, the valve switching module 108 may include a predefined logic table that defines the switching delays for the increasing and decreasing directions of damping state transitions.\",\n \"In the examples provide thus far of the state transition controls, the transition between the present state to the target state includes switching to a discrete damping state.\",\n \"As part of the state transition controls, a fractional stepping control (i.e., pulse mode operation) creates a virtual position between the discrete damping states.\",\n \"The pulse mode operation creates the virtual positions by pulse modulation or fast switching between two positions.\",\n \"One way to implement the pulse mode operation is by repeating the actuation pulse without the corresponding hold current applied.\",\n \"Specifically, the virtual position between two discrete damping states (i.e., two adjacent damping states) can be created by operating one or more valves in between the “OFF” and “ON” valve states.\",\n \"This can be achieved with pulse mode operation by oscillating between the “OFF” and “ON” valve states.\",\n \"The new states may be referred to as fractional states.\",\n \"Another method involves pulse width modulation (PWM) control which is similar to micro-stepping in a stepper motor.\",\n \"Half stepping or micro-stepping with finer resolution is possible.\",\n \"PWM control is used as a transient method to improve NVH.\",\n \"Continuous pulse mode operation may generate excessive heat and power consumption.\",\n \"Pulse mode operation may be used in parallel with other state transition controls such as fixed step, PID, or quadratic control, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16.In addition to valve staggering control and state transition, the valve switching module 108 may include other switching methods for improving the performance of the shock absorber 20.For example, in a synchronization control, a delay may be provided before turning off a hold current or before the actuation current pulse.\",\n \"Accordingly, the timing of hydraulic pressure discontinuities created by actuation of other digital valves or turning off other digital valves is matched or synchronized.\",\n \"In a repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse is applied to a coil associated with a digital valve 60 that is already intended to be in the ON-state.\",\n \"Repeat actuation control ensures that the target damper state is set.\",\n \"Specifically, there is a possibility that the digital valve 60 may not engage or stay in the ON-state due to, for example, excessive electromagnetic interference, contamination, high viscosity oil associated with low temperatures, low viscosity oil associated with high temperatures, and/or very high acceleration impact from an external source such as driving through a pothole.\",\n \"Accordingly, the repeat actuation control performs as a mitigating action for preventing a fault.\",\n \"As a form of repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse may be periodically applied to the digital valve 60 that is to be in the ON-state.\",\n \"For example, the valve switching module 108 may have the coil activation module periodically apply the actuation current based on a preset timer.\",\n \"The periodic application of the actuation current should be done sparingly to avoid generation of extra heat.\",\n \"For example, the preset timer may be set in the range of every 1-100 seconds.\",\n \"As a form of repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse can be applied when the measured temperature is above or below preset values.\",\n \"Such a control ensures that the shock absorber is performing at the intended damping state during extreme high or low temperature operation.\",\n \"For example, the temperature may be the temperature of the shock absorber, the fluid within the shock absorber a temperature of the housing in which the damper module 100 is disposed, or a combination of temperatures that indicate the temperature at which the shock absorber is performing.\",\n \"Temperature based repeat actuation might be in the range of every 1-100 seconds.\",\n \"As a form of repeat actuation control, an actuation current pulse can be applied when the measured or calculated acceleration exceeds a preset value.\",\n \"Such a control ensures that the shock absorber 20 is set at the intended damping state following an impact load.\",\n \"For example, the acceleration may be provided by an accelerometer disposed at or near the shock absorber 20 and/or may be a combination of accelerations.\",\n \"One or more actuation pulses may be applied to each coil following a high acceleration.\",\n \"The valve switching module 108 may also include warm-up controls to electrically heat the coils, valves, and oil at low temperatures.\",\n \"For example, an actuation current pulse may be applied when the measured temperature is below a preset value.\",\n \"The purpose is to generate additional heat to warm the digital valve 60 and the fluid within the shock absorber 20.The actuation current pulse may be applied in the range of every 5-500 milliseconds.\",\n \"As another form of the warm-up control, a continuous maximum (un-modulated) current may be applied when the measured temperature is below the preset value.\",\n \"Alternatively, the hold current (or another modulated current level) without the actuation pulse may be applied when the measured temperature is below the preset value.\",\n \"A vehicle-level staggering delay may be used to reduce the peak current requirement.\",\n \"In other words, the shock absorbers 20 disposed at the corners of the vehicle can be controlled, such that the shock absorbers 20 do not switch at the same time to their respective damping states.\",\n \"One method of performing such control is by adding a short time delay between the commands sent by the master module 102 to each of the shock absorbers 20.Staggering delays might typically be 1-2 milliseconds.\",\n \"Commands may be delayed to individual corner shock absorbers of the vehicle or commands may be sent in sets of two.\",\n \"For example, sets of two may consist of the two front suspension 14 shock absorbers 20 and the rear suspension 12 shock absorbers 20.The damper module 100, which includes the valve switching module 108 and the coil activation module 110, may use one or more of the switching methods described herein for actuating the digital valves 60.For example, the damper module 100 may include a set of algorithms and/or predefined tables that define the switching method to be used for actuating the digital valves.\",\n \"While the switching methods were described with regard to a shock absorber having four digital valves 60, it is within the scope of this disclosure to apply the switching methods to shock absorbers having two or more digital valves 60.With reference to FIG.\",\n \"17, a flowchart of an example method 200 for performing a valve switching operation is presented.\",\n \"The damper module 100, at 202 determines whether the damper setting has been received.\",\n \"For example, the damper module 100 may receive the damper setting from the master module 102.If the damper setting has not been received, the damper module returns to 202.If the damper setting has been received, the damper module 100 determines the target state (target damping state) of the shock absorber 20 based on the damper setting at 204.At 206, the damper module 100 determines whether the present state is equal to the target state.\",\n \"If the present state is equal to the target state, the damper module 100 continues to 208.If the present state is not equal to the target state, the damper module 100 performs a predefined switching method to change the present state to the target state at 210.The switching method can be any one or more of the switching methods described above.\",\n \"For example, the switching method may be a combination of the smart delay staggering and the asymmetric control.\",\n \"After the switching method, the damper module 100 returns to 202.At 208 the damper module 100 may maintain the power supply to the digital valves 60.For example, if digital valve 60 is in the second position a hold current may be applied to maintain the digital valve 60 in the second position.\",\n \"Although not shown, when maintaining the digital valves 60 at the present damping state, the damper module 100 may periodically actuate the digital valves that are in the second position.\",\n \"For example, the damper module 100 may perform a warm-up control to increase the temperature of the damper system, as described herein.\",\n \"The damper module 100 may also perform the repeat actuation control to ensure the digital valves 60, which are supposed to be in the second position, are in the ON-state.\",\n \"From 208, the damper module 100 returns to 202.The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description.\",\n \"It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure.\",\n \"Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.\",\n \"The same may also be varied in many ways.\",\n \"Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"In this application, including the definitions below, the term module may be replaced with the term circuit.\",\n \"The term module may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by a processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip.\",\n \"Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art.\",\n \"Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.\",\n \"In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.\",\n \"The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.\",\n \"The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore 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.\",\n \"The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance.\",\n \"It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.\",\n \"When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.\",\n \"In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present.\",\n \"Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).\",\n \"As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.\",\n \"Although the terms first, second, third, etc.\",\n \"may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.\",\n \"These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section.\",\n \"Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.\",\n \"Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.\",\n \"Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.\",\n \"Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.\",\n \"For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.\",\n \"Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.\",\n \"The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872451"}}},{"rowIdx":4494079,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Propagating Computable Dependencies within Synchronized Content Items Between First and Third-Party Applications","A content management system synchronizes content items across client computing systems connected by a network.","The content management system provides a first party web application to the user.","The first party application receives input from the user to create a dependency on another piece of information on a content item in the content management system.","The input from the user contains a formula defining the relations between the information source and the created dependency.","The value of the dependency is then dependent on the information in the referenced content item and changes based on updates to that content item.","The user may also create dependencies with synchronized third party content items."],["1.A method comprising: providing, by a content management system, a first party web application to a user; receiving a first input from the user, the first input associated with a source document to be modified, identifying a reference document different than the source document, and including a dependency primitive associated with the source document and the reference document; in response to receiving the first input, accessing a dependency formula associated with the dependency primitive via the first party web application; determining, based on a set of syntax rules, that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency in response to the dependency primitive including a mathematical operation; and responsive to determining that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency: creating in a dependency graph a dependency object associated with the source document and the reference document, the dependency object having an object ID, an object name and a formula for the dependency object; recursively calculating a resultant value of the dependency object using the formula for the dependency object, the resultant value stored by the content management system; and displaying by the first party web application the source document and the resultant value of the dependency object within the source document.","2.The method of claim 1 wherein creating a dependency object further comprises: displaying a UI to the user for selecting a file path of a third party content item including reference data in a namespace associated with the user; receiving input from a user indicating the file path of the third party content item; displaying a preview of the third party content item to the user for selecting a location within the preview corresponding to a location in the third party content item of the reference data; receiving input from a user indicating the location in the third party content item for the reference data; and creating an entry in a third party graph, wherein the entry comprises the file path to a third party content item synchronized with the content management system, the location in the third party content item of the reference data, and the object ID of the dependency object.","3.The method of claim 2 further comprising updating the formula of the dependency object based on the reference data in the third party content item.","4.The method of claim 3 further comprising: detecting a modification to the third party content item; synchronizing the third party content item with the content management system; updating the dependency object based on the modification to the third party content item; and updating the displayed resultant value of the dependency object based on the modification to the dependency object.","5.The method of claim 3 wherein the third party content item comprises a spreadsheet document.","6.The method of claim 1 wherein the first party web application is a word processing application.","7.The method of claim 1 wherein the formula of the dependency object comprises text data.","8.The method of claim 1 wherein the dependency object is created in response to receiving an input from the user to paste data from a third party application to the first party web application.","9.A system comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: provide a first party web application to a user; receive a first input from the user, the first input associated with a source document to be modified, identifying a reference document different than the source document, and including a dependency primitive associated with the source document and the reference document; in response to receiving the first input, access a dependency formula associated with the dependency primitive via the first party web application; determine, based on a set of syntax rules, that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency in response to the dependency primitive including a mathematical operation; and responsive to determining that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency and the dependency formula is syntactically valid: create in a dependency graph a dependency object associated with the source document and the reference document, the dependency object having an object ID, an object name, a formula for the dependency object, dependencies of the object, and dependents of the object; recursively calculate a resultant value of the dependency object using the formula for the dependency object and the value of all dependencies of the dependency object, the resultant value stored by the content management system; and display by the first party web application the source document and the resultant value of the dependency object within the source document; 10.The system of claim 9, the instructions further causing the processor to: display a UI to the user for selecting a file path of a third party content item including reference data in a namespace associated with the user; receive input from a user indicating the file path of the third party content item; display a preview of the third party content item to the user for selecting a location within the preview corresponding to a location in the third party content item of the reference data; receive input from a user indicating the location in the third party content item for the reference data; and create an entry in a third party graph, wherein the entry comprises the file path to a third party content item synchronized with the content management system, the location in the third party content item of the reference data, and the object ID of the dependency object.","11.The system of claim 10, the instructions further causing the processor to update the formula of the dependency object based on the reference data in the third party content item.","12.The system of claim 11, the instructions further causing the processor to: detect a modification to the third party content item; synchronize the third party content item with the content management system; update the dependency object based on the modification to the third party content item; and update the displayed resultant value of the dependency object based on the modification to the dependency object.","13.The system of claim 11 wherein the third party content item comprises a spreadsheet document.","14.The system of claim 9 wherein the first party web application is a word processing application.","15.The system of claim 9 wherein the formula of the dependency object comprises text data.","16.The method of claim 9 wherein the dependency object is created in response to receiving an input from the user to paste data from the third party application to the first party web application.","17.A method comprising: providing, by a content management system, a first party web application to a user; receiving a first input from the user, the first input associated with a source document to be modified, identifying a reference document different than the source document, and including a dependency primitive associated with the source document and the reference document; in response to receiving the first input, accessing a dependency formula associated with the dependency primitive via the first party web application; determining, based on a set of syntax rules, whether the dependency primitive is an alias dependency in response to the dependency primitive not including a mathematical operation; and responsive to determining that the dependency primitive is an alias dependency and the dependency formula includes an existing dependency object name: recursively calculating a resultant value of an existing dependency object corresponding to the existing dependency object name using the formula for the existing dependency object and the value of all dependencies of the existing dependency object, the resultant value stored by the content management system; displaying by the first party web application the source document and the resultant value of the existing dependency object within the source document; and synchronizing the displayed resultant value with the existing dependency object.","18.The method of claim 17 wherein the first party web application is a word processing application.","19.The method of claim 17 wherein the existing dependency object is created in response to receiving an input from the user to paste data from a third party application to the first party web application."],[" BACKGROUND The described embodiments relate generally to improving workflow dynamics by providing synchronized and updated information across content items and applications.","Content management systems enable users to share content items from one client to another client.","The clients are computing devices that provide content items to a content management system for storage and synchronization with other clients.","Content management systems typically store content items for a variety of computer applications including, for example, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, and presentation applications.","Oftentimes a user of a content management system wishes to update a number of documents in the content management system with a new or updated piece of information.","For example, if a user who works at a company intends to give a monthly presentation to the board of the company, the user may wish to update the presentation each month with the latest sales numbers from the last month.","However, the process of updating documents is usually tedious, involving many application accesses and copy and paste actions by a user.","In the above example, even though both documents might be synchronized on a content management system, the user would typically have to copy and paste the latest numbers from a spreadsheet, or other such document, to the presentation before showing it to the board.","In another example, a user might want to use a default paragraph across a variety of promotional materials and so would have to copy and paste the paragraph to each document.","As illustrated by the above examples, propagating information across documents of different applications and in different locations can be a time consuming process for users."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 illustrates a system environment for a content management system that synchronizes content items between client devices and the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","2 illustrates a system architecture for a client application installed on a client device in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","3A illustrates a system architecture for a first party application provided by the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","3B illustrates a system architecture for a third party bridge provided by the client application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","4 illustrates a data structure for a dependency graph and a third party graph in accordance with one embodiment FIG.","5 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency on a third party content item using a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","7 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of updating a dependency based on changes to a third party content item in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","8 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a third party application in accordance with one embodiment.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?","The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustration only.","One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/986,060, filed Dec. 31, 2015, now U.S. Pat.","No.","______, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.","BACKGROUND The described embodiments relate generally to improving workflow dynamics by providing synchronized and updated information across content items and applications.","Content management systems enable users to share content items from one client to another client.","The clients are computing devices that provide content items to a content management system for storage and synchronization with other clients.","Content management systems typically store content items for a variety of computer applications including, for example, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, and presentation applications.","Oftentimes a user of a content management system wishes to update a number of documents in the content management system with a new or updated piece of information.","For example, if a user who works at a company intends to give a monthly presentation to the board of the company, the user may wish to update the presentation each month with the latest sales numbers from the last month.","However, the process of updating documents is usually tedious, involving many application accesses and copy and paste actions by a user.","In the above example, even though both documents might be synchronized on a content management system, the user would typically have to copy and paste the latest numbers from a spreadsheet, or other such document, to the presentation before showing it to the board.","In another example, a user might want to use a default paragraph across a variety of promotional materials and so would have to copy and paste the paragraph to each document.","As illustrated by the above examples, propagating information across documents of different applications and in different locations can be a time consuming process for users.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 illustrates a system environment for a content management system that synchronizes content items between client devices and the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","2 illustrates a system architecture for a client application installed on a client device in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","3A illustrates a system architecture for a first party application provided by the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","3B illustrates a system architecture for a third party bridge provided by the client application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","4 illustrates a data structure for a dependency graph and a third party graph in accordance with one embodiment FIG.","5 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency on a third party content item using a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","7 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of updating a dependency based on changes to a third party content item in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","8 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a third party application in accordance with one embodiment.","The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustration only.","One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Functional Overview of a Dependency System for a Content Management System A general functional overview of a content item synchronization system and process is now described.","As a preliminary condition, users store content items on client devices, and the content items are synchronized with instances of the content items on other clients and with a host system, typically a content management system.","A client device stores the content items in a local content directory.","Content items stored in the local content directory are synchronized with a content management system, which maintains copies of the content items and synchronizes the content items with other client devices.","Each client device executes a client application, which enables the user to access the content management system.","The content items in the content management system may be any type of content items that would be stored on a computer including text files, audio files, image and video files, presentation files, spreadsheet files etc.","A user of the content management can create dependencies between documents using first party and/or third party applications while editing content items synchronized on the content management system.","A dependency may simply be a link propagating information saved on one content item to a specific location in another content item.","Alternatively, a dependency may apply a calculation or other function or transformation on the linked information.","In some cases, these calculations may involve a plurality of linked values originally located in a plurality of different content items.","Additionally, other static values may be added to the dependency calculation at the user's discretion.","These types of dependencies are referred to as ‘reference dependencies” herein.","A dependency may also be a mutual dependency between two or more synchronized content items.","In this case, a change to dependent content in one content item will be reflected in another content item or vice versa.","These dependencies are referred to as “alias dependencies” herein.","Dependencies may be created by the user in a variety of ways.","In some embodiments, a dependency may be created by typing an instance of a specific symbol, for example an “=” followed by text defining the dependency.","Additionally, a user might name a dependency by typing text followed immediately by the symbol followed by the definition of the dependency.","Various other syntax structures may differentiate reference dependencies from alias dependencies.","Dependencies may also be created by the user via a prompt by a first party application or an add-on to a third party application associated with the content management system.","The user interface prompt may appear upon receiving an input from the user to paste information from another content item synchronized with the content management system.","The prompt may offer a number of options to the user including options to create a reference dependency, create an alias dependency, or to paste without a dependency.","Depending on the option selected by the user, the appropriate dependency will be created.","A user may create a dependency with information from content items of a third party application using specific syntax in a first party application or while using an add-on in a third party application.","A first party application or an add-on to a third party application may also provide a user interface for creating dependencies with other documents.","Once a user has created a dependency, the dependency is maintained in a dependency graph for access by client applications of the content management system and first party applications of the content management system.","The content management system supplements the dependency graph using a third party dependency graph for each supported third party application.","A corresponding live fill module gathers necessary data from synchronized content items on the content management system and updates the dependency graph accordingly.","Any first party or supported third party applications may then access the dependency graph to determine the value of each dependency in the currently open content item.","Overview of System Architecture FIG.","1 illustrates the system architecture of a content management system.","Details about each component will be further described in a later section, however some elements are introduced here to provide context for the explanation of dependency propagation in a synchronized content management system.","Further, as is apparent to those of skill in the art, the operations and methods used for dependency propagation in a synchronized content management system necessarily require a computer, and are not performed in any embodiment by mental steps by a human operator.","Further, while the operations may make use of the facilitates of a computer to store and retrieve information, transmit and send information, or process information, those of skill in the art appreciate that such operations are not simply generic computer operations since they are herein performed in specific manners on specifically defined data using the algorithms described herein, and thus require configuration of a computer in a manner different from how such computers are provisioned natively by their operating system and standard applications alone.","Additionally, the configuration disclosed provides enhanced data linking capabilities for applications opening content items on a content management system.","Client devices 100 communicate with content management system 110 through a network 106 which can be any suitable communication means providing internetworking between client devices 100 located remotely from content management system 110.In general, client device 100A with a client application 102A installed provides content items to content management system 110.The client application 102A contains the programs and protocols necessary for client device 100A to perform the functions associated with dependency propagation.","Therefore, client device 100A often performs actions requested by the client application 102A.","However because client device 100A and client application 102A act together, for ease of description some of these actions are referred to using “client device 100A” as the operative element.","The user of client device 100A has designated certain of the content items to be shared with client device 100B, which for example, can be another computer managed by the same user, or a computer operated by a different user.","Content management system 110 notifies client device 100B and synchronizes the designated content items received from client device 100A with local content stored at client device 100B.","The content management system is typically responsible for notifying client devices that they require synchronization.","Content management system 110 associates each content item with a namespace corresponding to a set of content items.","A namespace designates a directory (or “folder”) in a directory structure into which the given content items are stored.","The association of content items with particular namespaces is stored in a namespace table 122.Content management system 110 associates each client with the namespaces (and content items therein) to which it has access, along with an identification of the specific rights to access, modify, and delete the content items in each namespace.","When clients 100 are synchronized to a namespace, the clients store a local copy of content items associated with the namespace and organize the content items according to content location, if available.","A user may be associated with an individual client device 100 or with multiple clients 100; for example, a user may have a home computer, a work computer, a portable computer, a smartphone, and tablet computer all synchronized together.","To share content items, a user designates a namespace to be shared with other users and/or clients.","Content management system 110 then synchronizes the content items in the shared namespace(s) across the clients 100 associated with the shared namespace.","The content items stored at content management system 110 can include any type of content item, including documents, data, movies, applications, code, images, music, and so forth.","The content item may also be a folder or other mechanism of grouping content items together, such as a collection, playlist, album, file archive, and so forth.","Each user is associated with an account on content management system 110 that includes information specifying an amount of storage to be used for storing content items on content management system 110.Overview of Content Management System The method of synchronization using content management system 110 between client devices 100A and 100B can be explained with reference to the architecture illustrated by FIG.","1.The following describes one of a number of possible methods of synchronization that may be used with dependency propagation in the content management system 110.Content management system 110 stores content items in data store 118.Content items are stored in fixed size portions termed a block.","The size of a block varies according to the implementation, and in one embodiment, the blocks are 4 megabytes in size.","Thus, a small content item is stored as a single block, while a large content item may be split up into dozens, hundreds, or more blocks for storage at content management system 110.The metadata includes a blocklist that defines the blocks in the content item and an ordering of the blocks in the content item.","Pending block table 120 maintains a list of pending blocks expected to be received at content management system 110.Pending block table 120 stores an association between blocks (identified by block identifiers) and the namespaces to which the blocks belong that clients 100 indicate will be transmitted.","Namespace table 122 stores data associating individual content items with namespaces and maintains data associating each namespace with clients.","Metadata server 112 is responsible for managing a request from the client to add (“commit”) a new content item to content management system 110.Metadata server 112 also receives requests to synchronize content items from client device 100.Metadata server 112 maintains a record of the last time that client device 100 synchronized with content management system 110.When a request is received from client device 100 to synchronize, metadata server 112 determines any content items that have been committed to namespaces synchronized to that client device 100 since the last synchronization time stamp.","In addition, metadata server 112 determines any pending blocks that have been received since the last synchronization time stamp.","Notification server 116 is responsible for communicating with clients 100, and particularly with notifying clients that new data is available.","The notification server 116 maintains a list of clients 110 associated with each namespace at namespace table 122.When the notification server 116 receives an alert from block server 114 or metadata server 112 that a new block is available for a given namespace, notification server 116 identifies clients associated with the namespace from namespace table 112.Notification server 116 notifies client(s) 100 associated with the namespace to wake client(s) 100 and indicates that new blocks are available for the identified namespace.","Synchronization between two clients 100, client device 100A and client device 100B occurs as follows.","First, client device 100A adds an additional content item to the shared data.","The additional content item is then transmitted to content management system 110.Content management system 110 notifies client device 100B that the additional content item is in the shared data, and client device 100B retrieves the additional content item from content management system 110 as client device 100B.","Content management system 110 maintains a list of content items and pending blocks that are expected to be received at content management system 110 using a pending block table 120, and notifies client device 100B to download blocks corresponding to a content item as blocks are received by content management system 110.Pending blocks are those blocks that correspond to a content item that content management system 110 expects to receive and are used to identify blocks that may be provided to receiving client device 100B prior to a content item being committed to content management system 110.To manage in-transit content items, content management system 110 retains a list of pending blocks along with the namespace associated with the pending blocks.","When a pending block is received, clients associated with the namespace are notified and can initiate a transfer for the received block.","Thus, uploading clients (providing a new content item) and downloading clients (receiving the new content item) may asynchronously transfer blocks to content management system 110.In addition to the servers and databases responsible for synchronization the client device also includes a dependency server 124, a dependency graph 126, a first party application server 128, third party live fill modules 130, and third party graphs 132.The first party application server 128 provides web applications to users of the content management system 110.These web applications may include word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, presentation applications, or any other type of application.","In some embodiments, the first party application provides a hybrid application that can be used for word processing and may contain previews of content items on the content management system 110.The first party application server 128 provides a web application interface to the user through the user's web browser.","Using the provided web application, the user may create a first party content item, which is stored in the data store 118.However, unlike the synchronization process described for third party content items that may also be stored on a user's client device 100, the content management system 110 only requires one version of the first party content item stored in the data store 118.The first party application server 128 may then access the updated copy in the data store 118 whenever the user requests it through the web application interface.","In some embodiments, the content management system 110 may include additional client applications (separate or included in client application 102) that may have the ability to open first party content items outside of a web browser or while the client device 100 does not have access to network 106.In this case, the content management system 110 may synchronize the first party content items with the client device 100.In addition to providing a web application interface and facilitating the creation of first party content items in the data store 118, the first party application server 128 may provide user interfaces for creating dependencies between first party content items and/or between a first party content item and a third party content item synchronized with the content management system 110.These user interfaces (UI) may be provided to a user of the first party web application by receiving input from the user to select a particular UI element indicating the creation of a dependency.","Example implementations of a UI for creating dependencies are discussed in further detail with reference to FIG.","3.The first party application server 128 may also monitor user text input to the provided web application in real time.","When the provided web application receives input from a user corresponding to a key symbol the first party application server 128 may display UI elements to the user indicating that a dependency will be created based on further user input.","The first party application server 128 then creates a dependency on the content management system 110 based on received further user input.","This process is discussed in more detail in reference to FIG.","3.The dependency server 124 communicates with the client application 102 installed on client device 100 regarding dependencies created or updated by the user while using a supported third party application.","The dependency server 124 coordinates requests from the supported third party application via the client application 102.Once requests to access or modify either the dependency graph 126 and/or a third party graph 132 are received by the dependency server 124, the dependency server 124 edits or retrieves data from the dependency graph 126 and the third party graph of the third party application 132 and transmits the retrieved data back to the requesting client device 100.The processes facilitated by the dependency server 124 are further described with reference to FIG.","8.Overview of the Dependency Graph The dependency graph 126 is a database recording each dependency created in the content management system 110.The dependency graph 126 may be constructed using any type of database software.","Various modules or servers of the content management system 110 may access the dependency graph and to retrieve and evaluate the formula of each object and thus determine an updated value to display in a first or third party application.","Dependency objects are further addressed with reference to FIG.","4.FIG.","4 illustrates a data structure for a dependency graph and a third party graph in accordance with one embodiment.","The dependency graph 126 is comprised of a plurality of database entries, each entry referred to herein as a “dependency object,” or where convenient “object.” Each dependency object is comprised of an object ID, an object name, a formula, dependencies, and dependents, examples of which are shown in FIG.","4.Each dependency object created in the content management system 110 is given an independent object ID.","The object ID may be generated by the dependency server 124 or the first party application server 128 using any suitable hashing algorithm.","For ease of illustration, the object IDs shown in FIG.","4 are single digit numbers, however in practice the object ID may have any number of digits as long as the ID numbers can uniquely represent each dependency object in the dependency graph 126.The object name of a dependency object is a string that is a user facing reference to the dependency object.","If a user intends to insert a dependency into a content item, the user may select a particular dependency object by typing the object name of the dependency object preceded by proper syntax.","Alternatively, a user may create a dependency without specifying a name.","When this occurs, the first party application server 128 or the dependency server may create an anonymized name for the dependency object.","The anonymized name is not shown to the user but kept for usage by the content management system 110.The formula for the dependency object defines the dependency of the value of the dependency object (which may be calculated at runtime of an application, and thus not stored in the dependency graph 126) in terms of mathematical operation on references to other dependency objects.","Formulas as represented in FIG.","4 may also simply be the value assigned to the dependency as is the case in rows 410, 420, 430, and 440.In the case of 440, the formula is simply a string of characters that the user has created as a dependency object.","If a reference dependency is created with object 5 the full text in the formula column will be displayed in the application.","In row 400, the formula is a mathematical operation involving the formulas of 3 other objects.","The final result of the formula that is displayed in the application is referred to herein as a “resultant value” for a particular dependency object.","Dependencies for a dependency object are a list of object IDs that correspond to objects referenced in the formula.","By appending the dependencies as a list without the operations in the formula, programs utilizing the dependency graph 126 can more easily recursively access objects in the dependency graph.","For example, if a function were to solve for the value of object 1 it could immediately be called on the dependencies of object 1.If any of the dependencies had dependencies of their own then the program could again be called on those dependencies.","When an object had no dependencies the function would return the value in the formula.","Once this process was complete, a mathematical expression or other relationship between referenced objects could be calculated.","For example, in FIG.","4 this process could be completed by calling the recursive function on object 1.Because object 1 has three dependencies the function would be called on each of objects 2, 3, and 4.Because objects 2, 3, and 4 have no dependencies the function would return their formulas.","The function would then yield the formula 10000−(2500+5500).","Dependents are a list of object IDs that depend upon the value of a dependency object.","Appending the dependents of a for a dependency object also allows for recursive traversal of the dependency graph 126 but in the opposite direction.","This allows an application that is displaying multiple dependency objects to respond to changes in dependency objects appropriately.","If a user makes an edit to a dependency object, the application will recursively reevaluate all dependents of the edited object.","For example, if an application is displaying both object 2 and object 1 and a user changes the value of object 2 from 10000 to 12000, then the application will reevaluate object 1 adding 2000 to its resultant value.","Overview of Third Party Graphs The content management system 110 has third party graphs 132 for each of the supported third party applications of the content management system 110.Each third party graph represents dependencies on specific locations in a third party content item that is synchronized with the content management system 110.Each object in the third party graph has a corresponding object in dependency graph 126 to which the specified value from the third party content item is pushed.","Third party graphs are explained in further detail with reference to FIG.","4 FIG.","4 illustrates an example of a third party graph 132 for Microsoft Excel in accordance with one embodiment.","This particular third party graph has three data columns including file path, cell location, and dependent object ID.","The file path allows the third party live fill modules 130 to determine the location of the content item within the namespace of the content item.","The cell location column refers to the particular cell in the excel file where the referenced data is located.","The third party live fill module 130 uses this value to determine where in the Excel file to extract the referenced data from.","The dependent object ID column indicates the object ID in the dependency graph 128 to which the referenced data should be uploaded.","In the example of FIG.","4, objects 2, 3, and 4 all receive live updates according to rows 450, 460, and 470 of the Excel graph 132.Further detail regarding the operation of the third party live fill modules 130 is provided below.","Depending on the application associated with a third party graph 132, different columns may be included.","For example, an Excel graph 132 may contain an additional column indicating which worksheet contains the referenced data.","Depending on the structure of the data in the associated application, many more columns may be necessary to locate the data consistently.","Despite variations in the number of columns, each third party graph 132 contains a column for the file path of the content item, at least one column specifying the location of the referenced data within the content item, and one column specifying the dependent object ID in the dependency graph 126.When a server (the first party application server 128 or the dependency server 124) creates a third party dependency the server creates a new object in the dependency graph 126 and the links a new object in the third party graph 132 to the newly created object in the dependency graph.","Each third party live fill module 130 on the content management system 110 continuously monitors the status of a corresponding third party graph 132 as well as the documents listed as dependencies in the third party graph 132.When a change to either the third party graph or one of the content items listed in the third party graph 132 occurs, the third party live fill module 130 accesses the appropriate third party content item and pushes the value at the specified location in the third party graph 130 to the dependency graph 126 according to the dependent object in the third party graph.","The third party live fill module 130 for a particular third party application keeps the objects in the dependency graph 126 that rely on data from that third party application updated according to the entries in the third party graph 132 corresponding to the third party application.","Overview of Client Device Each client device 100 is a computing device, such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile device, or other system that maintains a local copy of shared data synchronized with content management system 110 and with other clients using the installed client application 102.The shared data may be synchronized only with clients associated with a single user, or may be synchronized to clients associated with multiple users.","Client device 100 includes modules and applications for manipulating and adding data to the shared data, as further described with respect to FIG.","2.FIG.","2 shows modules of client application 102.Client application 102 includes various modules and data stores for synchronizing data with content management system 110.Client application 102 includes content synchronization module 210, third party bridges 220, and clipboard extension module 230.Additionally, the client application 102 maintains data stores including file journal 260, shared data 264, and block cache 270.Shared data 264 are data that has been synchronized with content management system 110, and includes content items received from content management system 110.When users add, modify, or delete content items in shared data 264, those changes are synchronized with content management system 110.The content synchronization module 210 and the block cache 270 work to identify blocks that comprise content items being uploaded to content management system 110.content synchronization module 210 assigns a block identifier by performing any suitable hashing algorithm, such as MD5 or SHA-1.Content synchronization module 210 then uses these identifiers to compare the resident blocks located in the block cache 270 with the blocks maintained by content management system 110.Within the client application 102, the file journal 260 stores a table listing metadata for all content items accessible to the account using the client application 102.Metadata includes revision date and time, namespace, and blocklists corresponding to each content item.","Content items that are not resident or not synchronized are still included in the file journal 260.When data is modified or added to the shared data 264 on the client device 100 within the client application 102, the modifications to the shared data 264 are transmitted to content management system 110 by content synchronization module 210.The uploaded data includes the relevant block identifier for the modified or added blocks.","The content management module 110 then notifies other client devices that have the same namespace as the uploading client device 100 that new blocks, or new versions of blocks, have been uploaded.","The notification may include the block identifiers and the corresponding content items to be updated.","When the client device 100 receives a notification, client device 100 queries content management system 110 for modifications to shared data 264.When the shared data is modified, the content synchronization module 210 requests the modifications from content management system 110 to store shared data on client device 100.The request may be a single request that includes a block list for the new or updated content items or multiple requests may be sent each, including a single block for download to the client device 100.Content synchronization module 210 then receives any blocks downloaded from the content management system 110 by updating the file journal 260, shared data 264, and the block cache 270, to reflect the new versions of the downloaded blocks.","Third party bridges 220 translate between the content management system 110 and the supported third party applications installed on client devices 100.The client application 102 may contain a third party bridge 220 for each supported third party application on the client device 100.Third party bridges 220 are configured to communicate with the dependency server 124 in real time to provide synchronized data on the value of dependencies included in third party content items.","A third party bridge 220 provides the functionality of creating dependencies between content items to third party content items 220 that would otherwise not have that capability.","A third party bridge 220 may be an add-on to the original third party application that provides additional functionality and user interface elements.","A third party bridge also has the capability to perform read or write applications on third party content items in order to ensure that dependency data in the third party content item is synchronized with the data in the dependency graph 126.The third party bridge is further described with reference to FIG.","3.The clipboard extension module 230 modifies the standard clipboard on the client device to provide additional functionality to the content management system 110.The clipboard extension module 230 allows metadata describing the location of copied data to be communicated to the application in which the data is eventually posted.","The metadata contained in the clipboard may include whether the copied data is located in a synchronized content item and the location of the copied data in the synchronized content item that the data was copied from.","When the user inputs a paste command in a third or first party application associated with the content management system 110 the application check the metadata in the clipboard to determine whether the copied data originated from a synchronized content item.","If the copied data originated from a synchronized content item, the application provides a UI to the user for creating a dependency between the original location of the copied data and the pasted location of the copied data.","The UI displays options for creating a dependency between the two points including an option to create an alias dependency between the two locations, an option to create a reference dependency between the two locations, or an option to paste normally.","If the user chooses one of the first two options, the UI displays a second interface for specifying the dependency object.","Once the user specifies the formula and, if the location of origin is in a third party document, the reference location for the dependency, the content management system 110 updates the dependency graph 126 and any third party graphs 132 if necessary.","First Party Application Server FIG.","3A illustrates a system architecture for a first party application provided by the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.","The first party application server 128 is comprised of a number of modules including application modules 300, parsing module 310, dependency module 320, and calculation module 330.The application module 300 of the first party application server 128 provides a first party web application in the browser of a user including the application user interface and the general functionality of that interface.","For example, an application module 300 may contain the program code to implement a word processing application.","In this case, the application module 300 would generate the UI of the word processing application in the web browser of a client device and respond to user inputs to input text into the word processing application as well as providing additional features typical of word processing applications in response to user input.","Additionally, the application module 300 would coordinate the process of saving the word processing content items created in the word processing application in the data store 118 of the content management system 110.The first party application server 128 may have multiple application modules 300 each module corresponding to a different first party application.","For example, an application module 300 may provide a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, and a presentation application.","Additionally, an application module 300 may operate multiple sessions of the application at the same time thereby serving all user of the content management system 110.The parsing module 310 monitors and parses input text in the first party application to determine whether the dependency primitive is present in the text.","In some embodiments, the dependency primitive is an equal sign, “=.” When the parsing module 310 determines an instance of the dependency primitive the parsing module 310 applies syntax rules to determine the state of the dependency primitive.","First the parsing module 310 determines whether the potential formulas are written in valid dependency syntax.","An example of dependency syntax is shown in Table 1 below in accordance with one embodiment.","If the syntax is invalid, the parsing module 310 notifies the application module 300 to display a pop up UI indicating that the formula as currently presented is either incomplete or invalid.","In some embodiments, the pop up UI may display an option for the user to indicate that the usage of the dependency primitive was not intended to create a dependency, in which case, the parsing module 310 ignores that instance of the dependency primitive.","In some embodiments, the parsing module 310 may notify the dependency module 320 before the user provided formula is complete so that the dependency module 320 can search for dependency objects that begin with the incomplete strings found in the incomplete formula provided by the user.","If the dependency module 320 locates possible matches, the application module 300 may display a UI which presents autocomplete options to the user.","While the syntax is invalid the parsing module 310 monitors the formula to determine when it becomes valid.","When the user edits the formula to make it valid, the parsing module 310 notifies the application module 300 to display a UI indication that the formula is valid.","If the user indicates that the formula is complete (by interacting with the UI indication or pressing a key like the enter key, spacebar, or the like), the parsing module 310 notifies the dependency module 320 and the calculation module 330 to compile the formula.","The compilation of a dependency formula is described with reference to the dependency module 320 and the calculation module 330.After the formula is compiled, the resultant value is displayed in the first party application instead of the original dependency formula.","The dependency ID is stored as metadata relating to the resultant value in the first party application.","In some embodiments, the application module 300 displays the formula of a dependency object in a pop up UI when a user of the first party application hovers over the resultant value for the dependency object in the first party application.","In response to a user interacting with the formula pop-up, the application module 300 may replace the resultant value with the original formula for the dependency object.","When this occurs, the parsing module 310 determines whether the user has edited the formula.","If so, the formula is recompiled.","Before the discussion of the dependency module 320 and calculation module 330 Table 1 provides an example of syntax for creating dependency objects in the content management system 110.Examples may be taken from FIG.","4.Resultant Syntax Example Description Compilation Result Value = = Signals the Parsing module 310 N/A beginning of a identifies that the new formula is incomplete dependency but monitors for a formula.","completed formula = [existing = incomeTotal Creates a Parsing module 310 Calculated object name] reference identifies that the value of the dependency to syntax is valid.","referenced an existing Dependency module formula.","dependency 320 returns the (2000) object formula for the referenced object.","= [static value] = 1 + 2 * 7 Or Calculates a A new dependency Result of the [mathematic = mean(3, 7, 3, 5, mathematical object is created with mathematical operation] 6) expression an anonymized name operation.","[static value] .",".",".","and the formula equal (15) to the mathematical expression = [existing = incomeTotal * Creates a new A new dependency Result of object name] 1.08 dependency object is created with existing [mathematic object and an anonymized name object and operation] returns the having dependencies the [static or calculation on the existing object operation.","reference value] included in the (2160) formula [new object returnRate = 1.08 Creates new A new dependency Result of name] = [static dependency object is created with static value value or object and the new object name or calculation calculation] returns the static having the formula value or calculation [new object alias = Creates an alias No new objects are Value of the name] = totalIncome dependency created changes to one original [existing object with an existing definition are object.","name] dependency synchronized with the (2000) object original [new object expIncome = to Creates a new A new object is Value of the name] = talIncome * 1.08 reference created with the existing [existing object] dependency existing object as a object with [mathematical dependency the operation operation] (2160) [new object expIncome = Creates a new A UI is displayed for Value of the name] = [third .xlsx reference the user to select a chosen party tag] dependency location a third party location in with a third document.","A new the third party content object is created in the party item dependency graph and document a new entry is created in the third party graph.","After receiving a notification from the parsing module 310 to compile dependency formulas, the dependency module 320 determines whether strings in the dependency syntax are previously defined dependency objects or if they are new objects.","The dependency module 320 extracts strings from the formula identified by the parsing module 310 and notes their location with respect to the dependency primitive.","The dependency module 320 may use a variety of known database searching algorithms to determine whether each of the extracted strings is already present in the dependency graph 126.For each of the identified strings that are already present in the database the dependency module 320 uses a recursive algorithm to determine the value of the corresponding dependency object.","If a string is not present in the dependency graph 126 the dependency module 320 checks the position of the novel string in the formula provided by the user.","If the location of the novel string corresponds to syntax requiring the creation of a new dependency object, the dependency module 320 creates a new entry in the dependency graph 126.Typically, this location is immediately before the dependency primitive as shown in Table 1.Alternatively, a separate symbol may be used to identify that the user intends to create a new dependency object to facilitate easier parsing (by having all relevant characters appear after the dependency primitive).","The dependency module 320 determines whether the dependency object to be created is a reference dependency or an alias dependency, depending on the syntax (see Table 1 for examples of how these might differ).","If, on the other hand, the string cannot be found as a dependency ID and is not in a location that would correspond to creating a new dependency object the dependency module 320 notifies the application module 300 that the referenced object does not exist in the dependency graph.","The application module 300, in this case, may display UI elements communicating the status of the problematic string to the user.","In addition to compiling formulas provided by the user, the dependency module 320 also handles copy and paste triggered dependencies.","Upon receiving a command from the user to paste data from the clipboard, the application module 300 analyzes the data from the clipboard to determine whether the data was copied from another synchronized content item.","If so, the application module 300 displays a UI to the user requesting input as to whether the user wants to create a reference dependency, an alias dependency, or no dependency between the copied data and the pasted data.","Depending on the option chosen by the user, the dependency module 320 will create the appropriate dependency between the two data locations.","The dependency module 320 may also allow the first party application server 128 to monitor the dependency graph 126 for any changes to the dependency objects present in the current first party content item.","The dependency module 320 may maintain a list of dependency objects referenced in the first party content item.","The dependency module 320 may monitor each of the dependency objects in the list periodically to determine if changes have been made by another user on a separate client device 100.If changes are detected the resultant value of the changed dependency object is recalculated and an dependents of the changed object being displayed in the current session of the first party application are also recalculated.","Recalculation of all dependency objects in a first party content item may also occur when the first party content item is opened by a user.","Once the dependency module 320 has determined the value of all referenced objects in the formula the calculation module 330 completes the mathematical operations on the values determined by the dependency module 320.The calculation module 330 has the capability to interpret typical mathematical operators including multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.","Additionally, the calculation module 330 may be configured to perform more advance mathematical operations.","The calculation module 330 may also apply functions, for example, determining average, standard deviations for sets of data included in the formula provided by the user.","Any suitable mathematical function or operation may be supported by the calculation module 330.Once the calculation module 330 has determined the resultant value for the dependency object the calculation module 330 transmits the resultant value to the application module 300 to display in the UI instead of the formula provided by the user.","Once the replacement is complete the application module 300 may represent the details of the dependency with metadata while only displaying the raw text of the resultant value.","Metadata may be used to indicate that the raw text in a particular location is generated by a particular dependency object ID.","Additionally, application metadata may be used to represent the formula for the dependency object FIG.","3B illustrates a system architecture for a third party bridge provided by the client application in accordance with one embodiment.","The third party bridge 220, which has a similar structure as the first party application server 128 in some embodiments.","In some embodiments, similar functionality to a first party application may be offered to third party applications running on client devices 100.In this case, many of the modules are analogous to the modules of the first party application server 128.However, in other embodiments, more limited functionality is offered to third party applications and as such the third party bridge 220 has fewer modules and provides less functionality to third party applications.","The third party bridge 220 may contain an add-on application module 370, an add-on parsing module 380, a third party read module 340, a third party write module 350, and a calculation module 330.A client application 102 may include more than one third party bridge 220 if the content management system 110 supports multiple third party applications.","If this is the case each third party bridge 220 will have the same modular architecture but each of the modules that interface with the third party application will have different instructions to interface with the particular third party application that they serve.","The add-on application module 370 performs similar functions to those of the application module 300 but applied to a third party application.","Instead of directly issuing commands to the application as would occur in the first party application, the add-on application module 370 overlays UI elements on to the third party application in order to allow the user to configure dependency objects.","To interface with the dependency graph 126, the add-on application module 370 communicates with the dependency server 124 in the content management system 110.In some embodiments, the add-on application module 370 provides a UI element that initiates the creation of a third party dependency in the third party content item irrespective of the user inputting the dependency primitive.","Upon the user selecting this UI element the add-on application module 370 may provide a highlighting tool for the user to select the appropriate data for the dependency object.","The add-on application module 370 may then provide a text input field for the user to complete a formula specifying a dependency object based on the selected data in the third party content item.","The add-on parsing module 380 monitors user input to the third party application to determine whether a user is creating a dependency object.","The add-on parsing module 380 may also interpret application data to determine what dependency formulas already exist in the content item of the third party application.","In some embodiments, the add-on parsing module parses formulas defined by users in the input fields provided by the add-on application module 370.Otherwise, the formula parsing process is similar to the parsing process on first party application.","The third party read module 340 provides the third party bridge 220 with the ability to access the selected third party content item data.","The third party read module 340 determines the location of the user selected data in the third party content item.","The third party read module 340 then communicates the location of the data to the dependency server 124.An embodiment that supports including dependency objects in third party content items updates the value of dependencies in a content item in addition to allowing the user to reference the selected parts of the content item data in dependency objects included in the first party application.","In this case, the third party write module 350 contains instructions for writing to the content item to include metadata interpretable by the add-on application module 370.The metadata is compatible with the third party application and provides the third-party read module with a location and formula with which to query the content management system 110.These modules working together provide a framework to include dependencies in a third party application that would not normally support it.","Process Flow for Propagating Dependencies in a Content Management System FIGS.","5-8 illustrate interactions between the various servers of the content management system 110 to accomplish tasks associated with propagating dependencies.","In the following descriptions, servers and applications may be referred to as a whole while performing an action instead of referencing the module of the server or application that is performing the taste.","FIG.","5 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.","FIG.","5 illustrates the first case wherein a user of a first party application defines a dependency object within the first party application according to the process described above with respect to the first party application server 128.On the server level the first party application server 128 accesses 510 the dependency graph 126 to create a new entry in the database corresponding to the new dependency object in the first party content item 500.Then the first party application server 128 recursively evaluates the dependencies in the formula of the newly created dependency object.","Once all the dependent values are known the first party application server 128 uses its calculation module 330 to obtain a resultant value, which is then displayed by the first party application for first party content item 500.FIG.","6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency on a third party content item using a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.","The first party application server 128 receives an input from a user to create a dependency on data from a third party application.","In some embodiments the first party application server 128 presents a UI to the user that allows the user to choose a third party content item from which to reference data.","Upon receiving input from the user regarding the third party content item, the UI may display a preview of the third party content item allowing the user to specify the exact location of the data they would like to reference.","The first party application server 128 then creates 600 an entry in the dependency graph 126.Then the first party application server creates 610 an entry in the third party graph 132A corresponding to the third party content item 500A to which the user desired to create a dependency and containing location information specified by the user.","Third party live fill module 130A monitors 620 the third party graph 132A for changes.","The third party live fill module 130A detects the creation 610 of the first party application server and proceeds to retrieve 630 the data from the content item 500A and location specified by the third party graph entry.","In some embodiments, before retrieving the data from the third party content item 500A the third party live fill module 130A checks the metadata server 112 to determine if content item 500A is currently synchronized on the content management system 110.After retrieving the data 630 from the third party content item 500A, the third party life fill module 130A pushes the value of the retrieved data to the formula for the newly created dependency object on the dependency graph 126.The first party application server 128 may then access 650 the dependency graph to determine the resultant value for the dependency in the first party content item.","FIG.","7 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of updating a dependency object based on modifications to a third party content item in accordance with one embodiment.","In this case, a user on a client device 100 modifies a third party content item 500A.","The content synchronization module 210 monitors 700 changes to the shared data 264 and thus begins synchronizing 510 the new version of the content item 500A with the content management system 110.The third party live fill module 130A monitors 720 the data store for changes and searches the third party graph 132A for dependencies on the modified content item 500A.","If the third party live fill module 130A finds entries with a file path that matches a file path in at least one third party graph entry, the third party live fill module pushes 740 the data from the location specified in the third party graph entry to the dependency object specified by the third party graph entry.","The first party application 128 then updates 750 the resultant value displayed in the first party content item.","FIG.","8 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a third party application in accordance with one embodiment.","A user editing third party content item 500A on the client device 100 inputs a command (via an add-on UI element or using the dependency primitive) to create a dependency on the content management system 110.The third party bridge 220A monitors 800 the user's inputs to the third party application and transmits the formula provided by the user to the dependency server 124.Dependency server 124 then creates 820 a dependency object in the dependency graph 126 according to the provided user formula.","The dependency server 124 then recursively evaluates 830 the formula of the newly created dependency object based on other entries in the dependency graph 126.Upon obtaining an expression the dependency server 124 transmits 840 the expression to the third party bridge where the third party bridge 220A calculates the resultant value of the expression.","The third party bridge 220A then edits the content item 500A according to the resultant value.","In some embodiments, the user may create a dependency on data located on a third party content item while editing a third party content item (of the same or different applications).","If this is the case, after the dependency server 124 completes step 820 the dependency server 124 creates an entry in the appropriate third party graph 132 that corresponds with the third party application with which the dependency is to be created.","Once an entry has been created in the third party graph 132 and the dependency graph, the third party live fill module 130A completes steps 620, 630, and 640 to update the dependency graph 126.After this update is complete the dependency server 124 may continue with steps 830, 840, and 850 to provide the appropriate resultant value to the third party application operating on client device 100.The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.","Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.","The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.","It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.","Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Propagating Computable Dependencies within Synchronized Content Items Between First and Third-Party Applications\",\n \"A content management system synchronizes content items across client computing systems connected by a network.\",\n \"The content management system provides a first party web application to the user.\",\n \"The first party application receives input from the user to create a dependency on another piece of information on a content item in the content management system.\",\n \"The input from the user contains a formula defining the relations between the information source and the created dependency.\",\n \"The value of the dependency is then dependent on the information in the referenced content item and changes based on updates to that content item.\",\n \"The user may also create dependencies with synchronized third party content items.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method comprising: providing, by a content management system, a first party web application to a user; receiving a first input from the user, the first input associated with a source document to be modified, identifying a reference document different than the source document, and including a dependency primitive associated with the source document and the reference document; in response to receiving the first input, accessing a dependency formula associated with the dependency primitive via the first party web application; determining, based on a set of syntax rules, that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency in response to the dependency primitive including a mathematical operation; and responsive to determining that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency: creating in a dependency graph a dependency object associated with the source document and the reference document, the dependency object having an object ID, an object name and a formula for the dependency object; recursively calculating a resultant value of the dependency object using the formula for the dependency object, the resultant value stored by the content management system; and displaying by the first party web application the source document and the resultant value of the dependency object within the source document.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1 wherein creating a dependency object further comprises: displaying a UI to the user for selecting a file path of a third party content item including reference data in a namespace associated with the user; receiving input from a user indicating the file path of the third party content item; displaying a preview of the third party content item to the user for selecting a location within the preview corresponding to a location in the third party content item of the reference data; receiving input from a user indicating the location in the third party content item for the reference data; and creating an entry in a third party graph, wherein the entry comprises the file path to a third party content item synchronized with the content management system, the location in the third party content item of the reference data, and the object ID of the dependency object.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 2 further comprising updating the formula of the dependency object based on the reference data in the third party content item.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 3 further comprising: detecting a modification to the third party content item; synchronizing the third party content item with the content management system; updating the dependency object based on the modification to the third party content item; and updating the displayed resultant value of the dependency object based on the modification to the dependency object.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 3 wherein the third party content item comprises a spreadsheet document.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 1 wherein the first party web application is a word processing application.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 1 wherein the formula of the dependency object comprises text data.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 1 wherein the dependency object is created in response to receiving an input from the user to paste data from a third party application to the first party web application.\",\n \"9.A system comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: provide a first party web application to a user; receive a first input from the user, the first input associated with a source document to be modified, identifying a reference document different than the source document, and including a dependency primitive associated with the source document and the reference document; in response to receiving the first input, access a dependency formula associated with the dependency primitive via the first party web application; determine, based on a set of syntax rules, that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency in response to the dependency primitive including a mathematical operation; and responsive to determining that the dependency primitive is a reference dependency and the dependency formula is syntactically valid: create in a dependency graph a dependency object associated with the source document and the reference document, the dependency object having an object ID, an object name, a formula for the dependency object, dependencies of the object, and dependents of the object; recursively calculate a resultant value of the dependency object using the formula for the dependency object and the value of all dependencies of the dependency object, the resultant value stored by the content management system; and display by the first party web application the source document and the resultant value of the dependency object within the source document; 10.The system of claim 9, the instructions further causing the processor to: display a UI to the user for selecting a file path of a third party content item including reference data in a namespace associated with the user; receive input from a user indicating the file path of the third party content item; display a preview of the third party content item to the user for selecting a location within the preview corresponding to a location in the third party content item of the reference data; receive input from a user indicating the location in the third party content item for the reference data; and create an entry in a third party graph, wherein the entry comprises the file path to a third party content item synchronized with the content management system, the location in the third party content item of the reference data, and the object ID of the dependency object.\",\n \"11.The system of claim 10, the instructions further causing the processor to update the formula of the dependency object based on the reference data in the third party content item.\",\n \"12.The system of claim 11, the instructions further causing the processor to: detect a modification to the third party content item; synchronize the third party content item with the content management system; update the dependency object based on the modification to the third party content item; and update the displayed resultant value of the dependency object based on the modification to the dependency object.\",\n \"13.The system of claim 11 wherein the third party content item comprises a spreadsheet document.\",\n \"14.The system of claim 9 wherein the first party web application is a word processing application.\",\n \"15.The system of claim 9 wherein the formula of the dependency object comprises text data.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 9 wherein the dependency object is created in response to receiving an input from the user to paste data from the third party application to the first party web application.\",\n \"17.A method comprising: providing, by a content management system, a first party web application to a user; receiving a first input from the user, the first input associated with a source document to be modified, identifying a reference document different than the source document, and including a dependency primitive associated with the source document and the reference document; in response to receiving the first input, accessing a dependency formula associated with the dependency primitive via the first party web application; determining, based on a set of syntax rules, whether the dependency primitive is an alias dependency in response to the dependency primitive not including a mathematical operation; and responsive to determining that the dependency primitive is an alias dependency and the dependency formula includes an existing dependency object name: recursively calculating a resultant value of an existing dependency object corresponding to the existing dependency object name using the formula for the existing dependency object and the value of all dependencies of the existing dependency object, the resultant value stored by the content management system; displaying by the first party web application the source document and the resultant value of the existing dependency object within the source document; and synchronizing the displayed resultant value with the existing dependency object.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 17 wherein the first party web application is a word processing application.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 17 wherein the existing dependency object is created in response to receiving an input from the user to paste data from a third party application to the first party web application.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND The described embodiments relate generally to improving workflow dynamics by providing synchronized and updated information across content items and applications.\",\n \"Content management systems enable users to share content items from one client to another client.\",\n \"The clients are computing devices that provide content items to a content management system for storage and synchronization with other clients.\",\n \"Content management systems typically store content items for a variety of computer applications including, for example, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, and presentation applications.\",\n \"Oftentimes a user of a content management system wishes to update a number of documents in the content management system with a new or updated piece of information.\",\n \"For example, if a user who works at a company intends to give a monthly presentation to the board of the company, the user may wish to update the presentation each month with the latest sales numbers from the last month.\",\n \"However, the process of updating documents is usually tedious, involving many application accesses and copy and paste actions by a user.\",\n \"In the above example, even though both documents might be synchronized on a content management system, the user would typically have to copy and paste the latest numbers from a spreadsheet, or other such document, to the presentation before showing it to the board.\",\n \"In another example, a user might want to use a default paragraph across a variety of promotional materials and so would have to copy and paste the paragraph to each document.\",\n \"As illustrated by the above examples, propagating information across documents of different applications and in different locations can be a time consuming process for users.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a system environment for a content management system that synchronizes content items between client devices and the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a system architecture for a client application installed on a client device in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates a system architecture for a first party application provided by the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates a system architecture for a third party bridge provided by the client application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a data structure for a dependency graph and a third party graph in accordance with one embodiment FIG.\",\n \"5 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency on a third party content item using a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of updating a dependency based on changes to a third party content item in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a third party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\",\n \"The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustration only.\",\n \"One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/986,060, filed Dec. 31, 2015, now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"______, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND The described embodiments relate generally to improving workflow dynamics by providing synchronized and updated information across content items and applications.\",\n \"Content management systems enable users to share content items from one client to another client.\",\n \"The clients are computing devices that provide content items to a content management system for storage and synchronization with other clients.\",\n \"Content management systems typically store content items for a variety of computer applications including, for example, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, and presentation applications.\",\n \"Oftentimes a user of a content management system wishes to update a number of documents in the content management system with a new or updated piece of information.\",\n \"For example, if a user who works at a company intends to give a monthly presentation to the board of the company, the user may wish to update the presentation each month with the latest sales numbers from the last month.\",\n \"However, the process of updating documents is usually tedious, involving many application accesses and copy and paste actions by a user.\",\n \"In the above example, even though both documents might be synchronized on a content management system, the user would typically have to copy and paste the latest numbers from a spreadsheet, or other such document, to the presentation before showing it to the board.\",\n \"In another example, a user might want to use a default paragraph across a variety of promotional materials and so would have to copy and paste the paragraph to each document.\",\n \"As illustrated by the above examples, propagating information across documents of different applications and in different locations can be a time consuming process for users.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a system environment for a content management system that synchronizes content items between client devices and the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 illustrates a system architecture for a client application installed on a client device in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates a system architecture for a first party application provided by the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates a system architecture for a third party bridge provided by the client application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a data structure for a dependency graph and a third party graph in accordance with one embodiment FIG.\",\n \"5 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency on a third party content item using a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of updating a dependency based on changes to a third party content item in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a third party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustration only.\",\n \"One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Functional Overview of a Dependency System for a Content Management System A general functional overview of a content item synchronization system and process is now described.\",\n \"As a preliminary condition, users store content items on client devices, and the content items are synchronized with instances of the content items on other clients and with a host system, typically a content management system.\",\n \"A client device stores the content items in a local content directory.\",\n \"Content items stored in the local content directory are synchronized with a content management system, which maintains copies of the content items and synchronizes the content items with other client devices.\",\n \"Each client device executes a client application, which enables the user to access the content management system.\",\n \"The content items in the content management system may be any type of content items that would be stored on a computer including text files, audio files, image and video files, presentation files, spreadsheet files etc.\",\n \"A user of the content management can create dependencies between documents using first party and/or third party applications while editing content items synchronized on the content management system.\",\n \"A dependency may simply be a link propagating information saved on one content item to a specific location in another content item.\",\n \"Alternatively, a dependency may apply a calculation or other function or transformation on the linked information.\",\n \"In some cases, these calculations may involve a plurality of linked values originally located in a plurality of different content items.\",\n \"Additionally, other static values may be added to the dependency calculation at the user's discretion.\",\n \"These types of dependencies are referred to as ‘reference dependencies” herein.\",\n \"A dependency may also be a mutual dependency between two or more synchronized content items.\",\n \"In this case, a change to dependent content in one content item will be reflected in another content item or vice versa.\",\n \"These dependencies are referred to as “alias dependencies” herein.\",\n \"Dependencies may be created by the user in a variety of ways.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a dependency may be created by typing an instance of a specific symbol, for example an “=” followed by text defining the dependency.\",\n \"Additionally, a user might name a dependency by typing text followed immediately by the symbol followed by the definition of the dependency.\",\n \"Various other syntax structures may differentiate reference dependencies from alias dependencies.\",\n \"Dependencies may also be created by the user via a prompt by a first party application or an add-on to a third party application associated with the content management system.\",\n \"The user interface prompt may appear upon receiving an input from the user to paste information from another content item synchronized with the content management system.\",\n \"The prompt may offer a number of options to the user including options to create a reference dependency, create an alias dependency, or to paste without a dependency.\",\n \"Depending on the option selected by the user, the appropriate dependency will be created.\",\n \"A user may create a dependency with information from content items of a third party application using specific syntax in a first party application or while using an add-on in a third party application.\",\n \"A first party application or an add-on to a third party application may also provide a user interface for creating dependencies with other documents.\",\n \"Once a user has created a dependency, the dependency is maintained in a dependency graph for access by client applications of the content management system and first party applications of the content management system.\",\n \"The content management system supplements the dependency graph using a third party dependency graph for each supported third party application.\",\n \"A corresponding live fill module gathers necessary data from synchronized content items on the content management system and updates the dependency graph accordingly.\",\n \"Any first party or supported third party applications may then access the dependency graph to determine the value of each dependency in the currently open content item.\",\n \"Overview of System Architecture FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates the system architecture of a content management system.\",\n \"Details about each component will be further described in a later section, however some elements are introduced here to provide context for the explanation of dependency propagation in a synchronized content management system.\",\n \"Further, as is apparent to those of skill in the art, the operations and methods used for dependency propagation in a synchronized content management system necessarily require a computer, and are not performed in any embodiment by mental steps by a human operator.\",\n \"Further, while the operations may make use of the facilitates of a computer to store and retrieve information, transmit and send information, or process information, those of skill in the art appreciate that such operations are not simply generic computer operations since they are herein performed in specific manners on specifically defined data using the algorithms described herein, and thus require configuration of a computer in a manner different from how such computers are provisioned natively by their operating system and standard applications alone.\",\n \"Additionally, the configuration disclosed provides enhanced data linking capabilities for applications opening content items on a content management system.\",\n \"Client devices 100 communicate with content management system 110 through a network 106 which can be any suitable communication means providing internetworking between client devices 100 located remotely from content management system 110.In general, client device 100A with a client application 102A installed provides content items to content management system 110.The client application 102A contains the programs and protocols necessary for client device 100A to perform the functions associated with dependency propagation.\",\n \"Therefore, client device 100A often performs actions requested by the client application 102A.\",\n \"However because client device 100A and client application 102A act together, for ease of description some of these actions are referred to using “client device 100A” as the operative element.\",\n \"The user of client device 100A has designated certain of the content items to be shared with client device 100B, which for example, can be another computer managed by the same user, or a computer operated by a different user.\",\n \"Content management system 110 notifies client device 100B and synchronizes the designated content items received from client device 100A with local content stored at client device 100B.\",\n \"The content management system is typically responsible for notifying client devices that they require synchronization.\",\n \"Content management system 110 associates each content item with a namespace corresponding to a set of content items.\",\n \"A namespace designates a directory (or “folder”) in a directory structure into which the given content items are stored.\",\n \"The association of content items with particular namespaces is stored in a namespace table 122.Content management system 110 associates each client with the namespaces (and content items therein) to which it has access, along with an identification of the specific rights to access, modify, and delete the content items in each namespace.\",\n \"When clients 100 are synchronized to a namespace, the clients store a local copy of content items associated with the namespace and organize the content items according to content location, if available.\",\n \"A user may be associated with an individual client device 100 or with multiple clients 100; for example, a user may have a home computer, a work computer, a portable computer, a smartphone, and tablet computer all synchronized together.\",\n \"To share content items, a user designates a namespace to be shared with other users and/or clients.\",\n \"Content management system 110 then synchronizes the content items in the shared namespace(s) across the clients 100 associated with the shared namespace.\",\n \"The content items stored at content management system 110 can include any type of content item, including documents, data, movies, applications, code, images, music, and so forth.\",\n \"The content item may also be a folder or other mechanism of grouping content items together, such as a collection, playlist, album, file archive, and so forth.\",\n \"Each user is associated with an account on content management system 110 that includes information specifying an amount of storage to be used for storing content items on content management system 110.Overview of Content Management System The method of synchronization using content management system 110 between client devices 100A and 100B can be explained with reference to the architecture illustrated by FIG.\",\n \"1.The following describes one of a number of possible methods of synchronization that may be used with dependency propagation in the content management system 110.Content management system 110 stores content items in data store 118.Content items are stored in fixed size portions termed a block.\",\n \"The size of a block varies according to the implementation, and in one embodiment, the blocks are 4 megabytes in size.\",\n \"Thus, a small content item is stored as a single block, while a large content item may be split up into dozens, hundreds, or more blocks for storage at content management system 110.The metadata includes a blocklist that defines the blocks in the content item and an ordering of the blocks in the content item.\",\n \"Pending block table 120 maintains a list of pending blocks expected to be received at content management system 110.Pending block table 120 stores an association between blocks (identified by block identifiers) and the namespaces to which the blocks belong that clients 100 indicate will be transmitted.\",\n \"Namespace table 122 stores data associating individual content items with namespaces and maintains data associating each namespace with clients.\",\n \"Metadata server 112 is responsible for managing a request from the client to add (“commit”) a new content item to content management system 110.Metadata server 112 also receives requests to synchronize content items from client device 100.Metadata server 112 maintains a record of the last time that client device 100 synchronized with content management system 110.When a request is received from client device 100 to synchronize, metadata server 112 determines any content items that have been committed to namespaces synchronized to that client device 100 since the last synchronization time stamp.\",\n \"In addition, metadata server 112 determines any pending blocks that have been received since the last synchronization time stamp.\",\n \"Notification server 116 is responsible for communicating with clients 100, and particularly with notifying clients that new data is available.\",\n \"The notification server 116 maintains a list of clients 110 associated with each namespace at namespace table 122.When the notification server 116 receives an alert from block server 114 or metadata server 112 that a new block is available for a given namespace, notification server 116 identifies clients associated with the namespace from namespace table 112.Notification server 116 notifies client(s) 100 associated with the namespace to wake client(s) 100 and indicates that new blocks are available for the identified namespace.\",\n \"Synchronization between two clients 100, client device 100A and client device 100B occurs as follows.\",\n \"First, client device 100A adds an additional content item to the shared data.\",\n \"The additional content item is then transmitted to content management system 110.Content management system 110 notifies client device 100B that the additional content item is in the shared data, and client device 100B retrieves the additional content item from content management system 110 as client device 100B.\",\n \"Content management system 110 maintains a list of content items and pending blocks that are expected to be received at content management system 110 using a pending block table 120, and notifies client device 100B to download blocks corresponding to a content item as blocks are received by content management system 110.Pending blocks are those blocks that correspond to a content item that content management system 110 expects to receive and are used to identify blocks that may be provided to receiving client device 100B prior to a content item being committed to content management system 110.To manage in-transit content items, content management system 110 retains a list of pending blocks along with the namespace associated with the pending blocks.\",\n \"When a pending block is received, clients associated with the namespace are notified and can initiate a transfer for the received block.\",\n \"Thus, uploading clients (providing a new content item) and downloading clients (receiving the new content item) may asynchronously transfer blocks to content management system 110.In addition to the servers and databases responsible for synchronization the client device also includes a dependency server 124, a dependency graph 126, a first party application server 128, third party live fill modules 130, and third party graphs 132.The first party application server 128 provides web applications to users of the content management system 110.These web applications may include word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, presentation applications, or any other type of application.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the first party application provides a hybrid application that can be used for word processing and may contain previews of content items on the content management system 110.The first party application server 128 provides a web application interface to the user through the user's web browser.\",\n \"Using the provided web application, the user may create a first party content item, which is stored in the data store 118.However, unlike the synchronization process described for third party content items that may also be stored on a user's client device 100, the content management system 110 only requires one version of the first party content item stored in the data store 118.The first party application server 128 may then access the updated copy in the data store 118 whenever the user requests it through the web application interface.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the content management system 110 may include additional client applications (separate or included in client application 102) that may have the ability to open first party content items outside of a web browser or while the client device 100 does not have access to network 106.In this case, the content management system 110 may synchronize the first party content items with the client device 100.In addition to providing a web application interface and facilitating the creation of first party content items in the data store 118, the first party application server 128 may provide user interfaces for creating dependencies between first party content items and/or between a first party content item and a third party content item synchronized with the content management system 110.These user interfaces (UI) may be provided to a user of the first party web application by receiving input from the user to select a particular UI element indicating the creation of a dependency.\",\n \"Example implementations of a UI for creating dependencies are discussed in further detail with reference to FIG.\",\n \"3.The first party application server 128 may also monitor user text input to the provided web application in real time.\",\n \"When the provided web application receives input from a user corresponding to a key symbol the first party application server 128 may display UI elements to the user indicating that a dependency will be created based on further user input.\",\n \"The first party application server 128 then creates a dependency on the content management system 110 based on received further user input.\",\n \"This process is discussed in more detail in reference to FIG.\",\n \"3.The dependency server 124 communicates with the client application 102 installed on client device 100 regarding dependencies created or updated by the user while using a supported third party application.\",\n \"The dependency server 124 coordinates requests from the supported third party application via the client application 102.Once requests to access or modify either the dependency graph 126 and/or a third party graph 132 are received by the dependency server 124, the dependency server 124 edits or retrieves data from the dependency graph 126 and the third party graph of the third party application 132 and transmits the retrieved data back to the requesting client device 100.The processes facilitated by the dependency server 124 are further described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8.Overview of the Dependency Graph The dependency graph 126 is a database recording each dependency created in the content management system 110.The dependency graph 126 may be constructed using any type of database software.\",\n \"Various modules or servers of the content management system 110 may access the dependency graph and to retrieve and evaluate the formula of each object and thus determine an updated value to display in a first or third party application.\",\n \"Dependency objects are further addressed with reference to FIG.\",\n \"4.FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates a data structure for a dependency graph and a third party graph in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"The dependency graph 126 is comprised of a plurality of database entries, each entry referred to herein as a “dependency object,” or where convenient “object.” Each dependency object is comprised of an object ID, an object name, a formula, dependencies, and dependents, examples of which are shown in FIG.\",\n \"4.Each dependency object created in the content management system 110 is given an independent object ID.\",\n \"The object ID may be generated by the dependency server 124 or the first party application server 128 using any suitable hashing algorithm.\",\n \"For ease of illustration, the object IDs shown in FIG.\",\n \"4 are single digit numbers, however in practice the object ID may have any number of digits as long as the ID numbers can uniquely represent each dependency object in the dependency graph 126.The object name of a dependency object is a string that is a user facing reference to the dependency object.\",\n \"If a user intends to insert a dependency into a content item, the user may select a particular dependency object by typing the object name of the dependency object preceded by proper syntax.\",\n \"Alternatively, a user may create a dependency without specifying a name.\",\n \"When this occurs, the first party application server 128 or the dependency server may create an anonymized name for the dependency object.\",\n \"The anonymized name is not shown to the user but kept for usage by the content management system 110.The formula for the dependency object defines the dependency of the value of the dependency object (which may be calculated at runtime of an application, and thus not stored in the dependency graph 126) in terms of mathematical operation on references to other dependency objects.\",\n \"Formulas as represented in FIG.\",\n \"4 may also simply be the value assigned to the dependency as is the case in rows 410, 420, 430, and 440.In the case of 440, the formula is simply a string of characters that the user has created as a dependency object.\",\n \"If a reference dependency is created with object 5 the full text in the formula column will be displayed in the application.\",\n \"In row 400, the formula is a mathematical operation involving the formulas of 3 other objects.\",\n \"The final result of the formula that is displayed in the application is referred to herein as a “resultant value” for a particular dependency object.\",\n \"Dependencies for a dependency object are a list of object IDs that correspond to objects referenced in the formula.\",\n \"By appending the dependencies as a list without the operations in the formula, programs utilizing the dependency graph 126 can more easily recursively access objects in the dependency graph.\",\n \"For example, if a function were to solve for the value of object 1 it could immediately be called on the dependencies of object 1.If any of the dependencies had dependencies of their own then the program could again be called on those dependencies.\",\n \"When an object had no dependencies the function would return the value in the formula.\",\n \"Once this process was complete, a mathematical expression or other relationship between referenced objects could be calculated.\",\n \"For example, in FIG.\",\n \"4 this process could be completed by calling the recursive function on object 1.Because object 1 has three dependencies the function would be called on each of objects 2, 3, and 4.Because objects 2, 3, and 4 have no dependencies the function would return their formulas.\",\n \"The function would then yield the formula 10000−(2500+5500).\",\n \"Dependents are a list of object IDs that depend upon the value of a dependency object.\",\n \"Appending the dependents of a for a dependency object also allows for recursive traversal of the dependency graph 126 but in the opposite direction.\",\n \"This allows an application that is displaying multiple dependency objects to respond to changes in dependency objects appropriately.\",\n \"If a user makes an edit to a dependency object, the application will recursively reevaluate all dependents of the edited object.\",\n \"For example, if an application is displaying both object 2 and object 1 and a user changes the value of object 2 from 10000 to 12000, then the application will reevaluate object 1 adding 2000 to its resultant value.\",\n \"Overview of Third Party Graphs The content management system 110 has third party graphs 132 for each of the supported third party applications of the content management system 110.Each third party graph represents dependencies on specific locations in a third party content item that is synchronized with the content management system 110.Each object in the third party graph has a corresponding object in dependency graph 126 to which the specified value from the third party content item is pushed.\",\n \"Third party graphs are explained in further detail with reference to FIG.\",\n \"4 FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates an example of a third party graph 132 for Microsoft Excel in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"This particular third party graph has three data columns including file path, cell location, and dependent object ID.\",\n \"The file path allows the third party live fill modules 130 to determine the location of the content item within the namespace of the content item.\",\n \"The cell location column refers to the particular cell in the excel file where the referenced data is located.\",\n \"The third party live fill module 130 uses this value to determine where in the Excel file to extract the referenced data from.\",\n \"The dependent object ID column indicates the object ID in the dependency graph 128 to which the referenced data should be uploaded.\",\n \"In the example of FIG.\",\n \"4, objects 2, 3, and 4 all receive live updates according to rows 450, 460, and 470 of the Excel graph 132.Further detail regarding the operation of the third party live fill modules 130 is provided below.\",\n \"Depending on the application associated with a third party graph 132, different columns may be included.\",\n \"For example, an Excel graph 132 may contain an additional column indicating which worksheet contains the referenced data.\",\n \"Depending on the structure of the data in the associated application, many more columns may be necessary to locate the data consistently.\",\n \"Despite variations in the number of columns, each third party graph 132 contains a column for the file path of the content item, at least one column specifying the location of the referenced data within the content item, and one column specifying the dependent object ID in the dependency graph 126.When a server (the first party application server 128 or the dependency server 124) creates a third party dependency the server creates a new object in the dependency graph 126 and the links a new object in the third party graph 132 to the newly created object in the dependency graph.\",\n \"Each third party live fill module 130 on the content management system 110 continuously monitors the status of a corresponding third party graph 132 as well as the documents listed as dependencies in the third party graph 132.When a change to either the third party graph or one of the content items listed in the third party graph 132 occurs, the third party live fill module 130 accesses the appropriate third party content item and pushes the value at the specified location in the third party graph 130 to the dependency graph 126 according to the dependent object in the third party graph.\",\n \"The third party live fill module 130 for a particular third party application keeps the objects in the dependency graph 126 that rely on data from that third party application updated according to the entries in the third party graph 132 corresponding to the third party application.\",\n \"Overview of Client Device Each client device 100 is a computing device, such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile device, or other system that maintains a local copy of shared data synchronized with content management system 110 and with other clients using the installed client application 102.The shared data may be synchronized only with clients associated with a single user, or may be synchronized to clients associated with multiple users.\",\n \"Client device 100 includes modules and applications for manipulating and adding data to the shared data, as further described with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.FIG.\",\n \"2 shows modules of client application 102.Client application 102 includes various modules and data stores for synchronizing data with content management system 110.Client application 102 includes content synchronization module 210, third party bridges 220, and clipboard extension module 230.Additionally, the client application 102 maintains data stores including file journal 260, shared data 264, and block cache 270.Shared data 264 are data that has been synchronized with content management system 110, and includes content items received from content management system 110.When users add, modify, or delete content items in shared data 264, those changes are synchronized with content management system 110.The content synchronization module 210 and the block cache 270 work to identify blocks that comprise content items being uploaded to content management system 110.content synchronization module 210 assigns a block identifier by performing any suitable hashing algorithm, such as MD5 or SHA-1.Content synchronization module 210 then uses these identifiers to compare the resident blocks located in the block cache 270 with the blocks maintained by content management system 110.Within the client application 102, the file journal 260 stores a table listing metadata for all content items accessible to the account using the client application 102.Metadata includes revision date and time, namespace, and blocklists corresponding to each content item.\",\n \"Content items that are not resident or not synchronized are still included in the file journal 260.When data is modified or added to the shared data 264 on the client device 100 within the client application 102, the modifications to the shared data 264 are transmitted to content management system 110 by content synchronization module 210.The uploaded data includes the relevant block identifier for the modified or added blocks.\",\n \"The content management module 110 then notifies other client devices that have the same namespace as the uploading client device 100 that new blocks, or new versions of blocks, have been uploaded.\",\n \"The notification may include the block identifiers and the corresponding content items to be updated.\",\n \"When the client device 100 receives a notification, client device 100 queries content management system 110 for modifications to shared data 264.When the shared data is modified, the content synchronization module 210 requests the modifications from content management system 110 to store shared data on client device 100.The request may be a single request that includes a block list for the new or updated content items or multiple requests may be sent each, including a single block for download to the client device 100.Content synchronization module 210 then receives any blocks downloaded from the content management system 110 by updating the file journal 260, shared data 264, and the block cache 270, to reflect the new versions of the downloaded blocks.\",\n \"Third party bridges 220 translate between the content management system 110 and the supported third party applications installed on client devices 100.The client application 102 may contain a third party bridge 220 for each supported third party application on the client device 100.Third party bridges 220 are configured to communicate with the dependency server 124 in real time to provide synchronized data on the value of dependencies included in third party content items.\",\n \"A third party bridge 220 provides the functionality of creating dependencies between content items to third party content items 220 that would otherwise not have that capability.\",\n \"A third party bridge 220 may be an add-on to the original third party application that provides additional functionality and user interface elements.\",\n \"A third party bridge also has the capability to perform read or write applications on third party content items in order to ensure that dependency data in the third party content item is synchronized with the data in the dependency graph 126.The third party bridge is further described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"3.The clipboard extension module 230 modifies the standard clipboard on the client device to provide additional functionality to the content management system 110.The clipboard extension module 230 allows metadata describing the location of copied data to be communicated to the application in which the data is eventually posted.\",\n \"The metadata contained in the clipboard may include whether the copied data is located in a synchronized content item and the location of the copied data in the synchronized content item that the data was copied from.\",\n \"When the user inputs a paste command in a third or first party application associated with the content management system 110 the application check the metadata in the clipboard to determine whether the copied data originated from a synchronized content item.\",\n \"If the copied data originated from a synchronized content item, the application provides a UI to the user for creating a dependency between the original location of the copied data and the pasted location of the copied data.\",\n \"The UI displays options for creating a dependency between the two points including an option to create an alias dependency between the two locations, an option to create a reference dependency between the two locations, or an option to paste normally.\",\n \"If the user chooses one of the first two options, the UI displays a second interface for specifying the dependency object.\",\n \"Once the user specifies the formula and, if the location of origin is in a third party document, the reference location for the dependency, the content management system 110 updates the dependency graph 126 and any third party graphs 132 if necessary.\",\n \"First Party Application Server FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates a system architecture for a first party application provided by the content management system in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"The first party application server 128 is comprised of a number of modules including application modules 300, parsing module 310, dependency module 320, and calculation module 330.The application module 300 of the first party application server 128 provides a first party web application in the browser of a user including the application user interface and the general functionality of that interface.\",\n \"For example, an application module 300 may contain the program code to implement a word processing application.\",\n \"In this case, the application module 300 would generate the UI of the word processing application in the web browser of a client device and respond to user inputs to input text into the word processing application as well as providing additional features typical of word processing applications in response to user input.\",\n \"Additionally, the application module 300 would coordinate the process of saving the word processing content items created in the word processing application in the data store 118 of the content management system 110.The first party application server 128 may have multiple application modules 300 each module corresponding to a different first party application.\",\n \"For example, an application module 300 may provide a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, and a presentation application.\",\n \"Additionally, an application module 300 may operate multiple sessions of the application at the same time thereby serving all user of the content management system 110.The parsing module 310 monitors and parses input text in the first party application to determine whether the dependency primitive is present in the text.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the dependency primitive is an equal sign, “=.” When the parsing module 310 determines an instance of the dependency primitive the parsing module 310 applies syntax rules to determine the state of the dependency primitive.\",\n \"First the parsing module 310 determines whether the potential formulas are written in valid dependency syntax.\",\n \"An example of dependency syntax is shown in Table 1 below in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"If the syntax is invalid, the parsing module 310 notifies the application module 300 to display a pop up UI indicating that the formula as currently presented is either incomplete or invalid.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the pop up UI may display an option for the user to indicate that the usage of the dependency primitive was not intended to create a dependency, in which case, the parsing module 310 ignores that instance of the dependency primitive.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the parsing module 310 may notify the dependency module 320 before the user provided formula is complete so that the dependency module 320 can search for dependency objects that begin with the incomplete strings found in the incomplete formula provided by the user.\",\n \"If the dependency module 320 locates possible matches, the application module 300 may display a UI which presents autocomplete options to the user.\",\n \"While the syntax is invalid the parsing module 310 monitors the formula to determine when it becomes valid.\",\n \"When the user edits the formula to make it valid, the parsing module 310 notifies the application module 300 to display a UI indication that the formula is valid.\",\n \"If the user indicates that the formula is complete (by interacting with the UI indication or pressing a key like the enter key, spacebar, or the like), the parsing module 310 notifies the dependency module 320 and the calculation module 330 to compile the formula.\",\n \"The compilation of a dependency formula is described with reference to the dependency module 320 and the calculation module 330.After the formula is compiled, the resultant value is displayed in the first party application instead of the original dependency formula.\",\n \"The dependency ID is stored as metadata relating to the resultant value in the first party application.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the application module 300 displays the formula of a dependency object in a pop up UI when a user of the first party application hovers over the resultant value for the dependency object in the first party application.\",\n \"In response to a user interacting with the formula pop-up, the application module 300 may replace the resultant value with the original formula for the dependency object.\",\n \"When this occurs, the parsing module 310 determines whether the user has edited the formula.\",\n \"If so, the formula is recompiled.\",\n \"Before the discussion of the dependency module 320 and calculation module 330 Table 1 provides an example of syntax for creating dependency objects in the content management system 110.Examples may be taken from FIG.\",\n \"4.Resultant Syntax Example Description Compilation Result Value = = Signals the Parsing module 310 N/A beginning of a identifies that the new formula is incomplete dependency but monitors for a formula.\",\n \"completed formula = [existing = incomeTotal Creates a Parsing module 310 Calculated object name] reference identifies that the value of the dependency to syntax is valid.\",\n \"referenced an existing Dependency module formula.\",\n \"dependency 320 returns the (2000) object formula for the referenced object.\",\n \"= [static value] = 1 + 2 * 7 Or Calculates a A new dependency Result of the [mathematic = mean(3, 7, 3, 5, mathematical object is created with mathematical operation] 6) expression an anonymized name operation.\",\n \"[static value] .\",\n \".\",\n \".\",\n \"and the formula equal (15) to the mathematical expression = [existing = incomeTotal * Creates a new A new dependency Result of object name] 1.08 dependency object is created with existing [mathematic object and an anonymized name object and operation] returns the having dependencies the [static or calculation on the existing object operation.\",\n \"reference value] included in the (2160) formula [new object returnRate = 1.08 Creates new A new dependency Result of name] = [static dependency object is created with static value value or object and the new object name or calculation calculation] returns the static having the formula value or calculation [new object alias = Creates an alias No new objects are Value of the name] = totalIncome dependency created changes to one original [existing object with an existing definition are object.\",\n \"name] dependency synchronized with the (2000) object original [new object expIncome = to Creates a new A new object is Value of the name] = talIncome * 1.08 reference created with the existing [existing object] dependency existing object as a object with [mathematical dependency the operation operation] (2160) [new object expIncome = Creates a new A UI is displayed for Value of the name] = [third .xlsx reference the user to select a chosen party tag] dependency location a third party location in with a third document.\",\n \"A new the third party content object is created in the party item dependency graph and document a new entry is created in the third party graph.\",\n \"After receiving a notification from the parsing module 310 to compile dependency formulas, the dependency module 320 determines whether strings in the dependency syntax are previously defined dependency objects or if they are new objects.\",\n \"The dependency module 320 extracts strings from the formula identified by the parsing module 310 and notes their location with respect to the dependency primitive.\",\n \"The dependency module 320 may use a variety of known database searching algorithms to determine whether each of the extracted strings is already present in the dependency graph 126.For each of the identified strings that are already present in the database the dependency module 320 uses a recursive algorithm to determine the value of the corresponding dependency object.\",\n \"If a string is not present in the dependency graph 126 the dependency module 320 checks the position of the novel string in the formula provided by the user.\",\n \"If the location of the novel string corresponds to syntax requiring the creation of a new dependency object, the dependency module 320 creates a new entry in the dependency graph 126.Typically, this location is immediately before the dependency primitive as shown in Table 1.Alternatively, a separate symbol may be used to identify that the user intends to create a new dependency object to facilitate easier parsing (by having all relevant characters appear after the dependency primitive).\",\n \"The dependency module 320 determines whether the dependency object to be created is a reference dependency or an alias dependency, depending on the syntax (see Table 1 for examples of how these might differ).\",\n \"If, on the other hand, the string cannot be found as a dependency ID and is not in a location that would correspond to creating a new dependency object the dependency module 320 notifies the application module 300 that the referenced object does not exist in the dependency graph.\",\n \"The application module 300, in this case, may display UI elements communicating the status of the problematic string to the user.\",\n \"In addition to compiling formulas provided by the user, the dependency module 320 also handles copy and paste triggered dependencies.\",\n \"Upon receiving a command from the user to paste data from the clipboard, the application module 300 analyzes the data from the clipboard to determine whether the data was copied from another synchronized content item.\",\n \"If so, the application module 300 displays a UI to the user requesting input as to whether the user wants to create a reference dependency, an alias dependency, or no dependency between the copied data and the pasted data.\",\n \"Depending on the option chosen by the user, the dependency module 320 will create the appropriate dependency between the two data locations.\",\n \"The dependency module 320 may also allow the first party application server 128 to monitor the dependency graph 126 for any changes to the dependency objects present in the current first party content item.\",\n \"The dependency module 320 may maintain a list of dependency objects referenced in the first party content item.\",\n \"The dependency module 320 may monitor each of the dependency objects in the list periodically to determine if changes have been made by another user on a separate client device 100.If changes are detected the resultant value of the changed dependency object is recalculated and an dependents of the changed object being displayed in the current session of the first party application are also recalculated.\",\n \"Recalculation of all dependency objects in a first party content item may also occur when the first party content item is opened by a user.\",\n \"Once the dependency module 320 has determined the value of all referenced objects in the formula the calculation module 330 completes the mathematical operations on the values determined by the dependency module 320.The calculation module 330 has the capability to interpret typical mathematical operators including multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.\",\n \"Additionally, the calculation module 330 may be configured to perform more advance mathematical operations.\",\n \"The calculation module 330 may also apply functions, for example, determining average, standard deviations for sets of data included in the formula provided by the user.\",\n \"Any suitable mathematical function or operation may be supported by the calculation module 330.Once the calculation module 330 has determined the resultant value for the dependency object the calculation module 330 transmits the resultant value to the application module 300 to display in the UI instead of the formula provided by the user.\",\n \"Once the replacement is complete the application module 300 may represent the details of the dependency with metadata while only displaying the raw text of the resultant value.\",\n \"Metadata may be used to indicate that the raw text in a particular location is generated by a particular dependency object ID.\",\n \"Additionally, application metadata may be used to represent the formula for the dependency object FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates a system architecture for a third party bridge provided by the client application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"The third party bridge 220, which has a similar structure as the first party application server 128 in some embodiments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, similar functionality to a first party application may be offered to third party applications running on client devices 100.In this case, many of the modules are analogous to the modules of the first party application server 128.However, in other embodiments, more limited functionality is offered to third party applications and as such the third party bridge 220 has fewer modules and provides less functionality to third party applications.\",\n \"The third party bridge 220 may contain an add-on application module 370, an add-on parsing module 380, a third party read module 340, a third party write module 350, and a calculation module 330.A client application 102 may include more than one third party bridge 220 if the content management system 110 supports multiple third party applications.\",\n \"If this is the case each third party bridge 220 will have the same modular architecture but each of the modules that interface with the third party application will have different instructions to interface with the particular third party application that they serve.\",\n \"The add-on application module 370 performs similar functions to those of the application module 300 but applied to a third party application.\",\n \"Instead of directly issuing commands to the application as would occur in the first party application, the add-on application module 370 overlays UI elements on to the third party application in order to allow the user to configure dependency objects.\",\n \"To interface with the dependency graph 126, the add-on application module 370 communicates with the dependency server 124 in the content management system 110.In some embodiments, the add-on application module 370 provides a UI element that initiates the creation of a third party dependency in the third party content item irrespective of the user inputting the dependency primitive.\",\n \"Upon the user selecting this UI element the add-on application module 370 may provide a highlighting tool for the user to select the appropriate data for the dependency object.\",\n \"The add-on application module 370 may then provide a text input field for the user to complete a formula specifying a dependency object based on the selected data in the third party content item.\",\n \"The add-on parsing module 380 monitors user input to the third party application to determine whether a user is creating a dependency object.\",\n \"The add-on parsing module 380 may also interpret application data to determine what dependency formulas already exist in the content item of the third party application.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the add-on parsing module parses formulas defined by users in the input fields provided by the add-on application module 370.Otherwise, the formula parsing process is similar to the parsing process on first party application.\",\n \"The third party read module 340 provides the third party bridge 220 with the ability to access the selected third party content item data.\",\n \"The third party read module 340 determines the location of the user selected data in the third party content item.\",\n \"The third party read module 340 then communicates the location of the data to the dependency server 124.An embodiment that supports including dependency objects in third party content items updates the value of dependencies in a content item in addition to allowing the user to reference the selected parts of the content item data in dependency objects included in the first party application.\",\n \"In this case, the third party write module 350 contains instructions for writing to the content item to include metadata interpretable by the add-on application module 370.The metadata is compatible with the third party application and provides the third-party read module with a location and formula with which to query the content management system 110.These modules working together provide a framework to include dependencies in a third party application that would not normally support it.\",\n \"Process Flow for Propagating Dependencies in a Content Management System FIGS.\",\n \"5-8 illustrate interactions between the various servers of the content management system 110 to accomplish tasks associated with propagating dependencies.\",\n \"In the following descriptions, servers and applications may be referred to as a whole while performing an action instead of referencing the module of the server or application that is performing the taste.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates the first case wherein a user of a first party application defines a dependency object within the first party application according to the process described above with respect to the first party application server 128.On the server level the first party application server 128 accesses 510 the dependency graph 126 to create a new entry in the database corresponding to the new dependency object in the first party content item 500.Then the first party application server 128 recursively evaluates the dependencies in the formula of the newly created dependency object.\",\n \"Once all the dependent values are known the first party application server 128 uses its calculation module 330 to obtain a resultant value, which is then displayed by the first party application for first party content item 500.FIG.\",\n \"6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency on a third party content item using a first party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"The first party application server 128 receives an input from a user to create a dependency on data from a third party application.\",\n \"In some embodiments the first party application server 128 presents a UI to the user that allows the user to choose a third party content item from which to reference data.\",\n \"Upon receiving input from the user regarding the third party content item, the UI may display a preview of the third party content item allowing the user to specify the exact location of the data they would like to reference.\",\n \"The first party application server 128 then creates 600 an entry in the dependency graph 126.Then the first party application server creates 610 an entry in the third party graph 132A corresponding to the third party content item 500A to which the user desired to create a dependency and containing location information specified by the user.\",\n \"Third party live fill module 130A monitors 620 the third party graph 132A for changes.\",\n \"The third party live fill module 130A detects the creation 610 of the first party application server and proceeds to retrieve 630 the data from the content item 500A and location specified by the third party graph entry.\",\n \"In some embodiments, before retrieving the data from the third party content item 500A the third party live fill module 130A checks the metadata server 112 to determine if content item 500A is currently synchronized on the content management system 110.After retrieving the data 630 from the third party content item 500A, the third party life fill module 130A pushes the value of the retrieved data to the formula for the newly created dependency object on the dependency graph 126.The first party application server 128 may then access 650 the dependency graph to determine the resultant value for the dependency in the first party content item.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of updating a dependency object based on modifications to a third party content item in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"In this case, a user on a client device 100 modifies a third party content item 500A.\",\n \"The content synchronization module 210 monitors 700 changes to the shared data 264 and thus begins synchronizing 510 the new version of the content item 500A with the content management system 110.The third party live fill module 130A monitors 720 the data store for changes and searches the third party graph 132A for dependencies on the modified content item 500A.\",\n \"If the third party live fill module 130A finds entries with a file path that matches a file path in at least one third party graph entry, the third party live fill module pushes 740 the data from the location specified in the third party graph entry to the dependency object specified by the third party graph entry.\",\n \"The first party application 128 then updates 750 the resultant value displayed in the first party content item.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process of defining a dependency in a third party application in accordance with one embodiment.\",\n \"A user editing third party content item 500A on the client device 100 inputs a command (via an add-on UI element or using the dependency primitive) to create a dependency on the content management system 110.The third party bridge 220A monitors 800 the user's inputs to the third party application and transmits the formula provided by the user to the dependency server 124.Dependency server 124 then creates 820 a dependency object in the dependency graph 126 according to the provided user formula.\",\n \"The dependency server 124 then recursively evaluates 830 the formula of the newly created dependency object based on other entries in the dependency graph 126.Upon obtaining an expression the dependency server 124 transmits 840 the expression to the third party bridge where the third party bridge 220A calculates the resultant value of the expression.\",\n \"The third party bridge 220A then edits the content item 500A according to the resultant value.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the user may create a dependency on data located on a third party content item while editing a third party content item (of the same or different applications).\",\n \"If this is the case, after the dependency server 124 completes step 820 the dependency server 124 creates an entry in the appropriate third party graph 132 that corresponds with the third party application with which the dependency is to be created.\",\n \"Once an entry has been created in the third party graph 132 and the dependency graph, the third party live fill module 130A completes steps 620, 630, and 640 to update the dependency graph 126.After this update is complete the dependency server 124 may continue with steps 830, 840, and 850 to provide the appropriate resultant value to the third party application operating on client device 100.The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.\",\n \"Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.\",\n \"The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.\",\n \"It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.\",\n \"Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872452"}}},{"rowIdx":4494080,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CHEST THERAPY","An apparatus includes a vibration band that is enclosed by an elongated cover.","The vibration band includes an elongated band having a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.","One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.","The elongated cover has a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end.","The elongated cover includes a releasable connection assembly, which includes a first terminal-end connector coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the cover second terminal end.","The second terminal-end connector is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.","The elongated cover further includes one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end."],["1.An apparatus comprising: a vibration band comprising: an elongated band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end, and one or more vibrating elements disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end; and an elongated cover that comprises a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end and that encloses the vibration band, the elongated cover comprising: a releasable connection assembly comprising a first terminal-end connector coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the cover second terminal end and releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector, and one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.","2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated cover includes a length-adjustment mechanism that adjusts a distance between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.","3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the length-adjustment mechanism is coupled to an exterior surface of the elongated cover.","4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated cover comprises a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve comprising a tubular wall that circumscribes a space configured to receive the vibration band, the tubular wall having an interior surface facing towards the space and an exterior surface facing away from the space.","5.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the tubular wall includes a pocket configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.","6.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pocket comprises a portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space to form a recess configured to receive the respective vibrating element.","7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space includes a non-slip material on the exterior surface.","8.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the portion of the tubular wall protrudes in a first direction, and wherein at least one of the interspaced connectors extends from the tubular wall in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.","9.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tubular wall includes an opening that extends entirely through the tubular wall from the exterior surface to the interior surface and that fluidly connects with the space, wherein the opening is generally opposite a side of the tubular wall on which the pocket is constructed.","10.An apparatus comprising: a vibration band comprising: a band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end, and one or more vibrating elements disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end; and an elongated cover that encloses the vibration band, the elongated cover comprising one or more pockets, each pocket configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.","11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongated cover comprises a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve comprising a tubular wall that circumscribes a space configured to receive the vibration band, the tubular wall having an interior surface facing towards the space and an exterior surface facing away from the space.","12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pocket comprises a portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space to form a recess configured to receive the respective vibrating element.","13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space includes a non-slip material on the exterior surface.","14.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tubular wall includes an opening that extends entirely through the tubular wall from the exterior surface to the interior surface and that fluidly connects with the space, wherein the opening is generally opposite a side of the tubular wall on which the pocket is constructed.","15.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one or more interspaced connectors are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular sleeve.","16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the portion of the tubular wall protrudes in a first direction, and wherein at least one of the interspaced connectors extends from the tubular wall in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.","17.An apparatus comprising: a vibration band comprising: an elongated band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end, and one or more vibrating elements disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end; and an elongated cover that comprises a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end and that encloses the vibration band, the elongated cover comprising: a releasable connection assembly comprising a first terminal-end connector coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the cover second terminal end and releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector, one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end, and one or more pockets, each pocket configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.","18.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein an exterior surface of the pocket includes a non-slip material.","19.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elongated cover further comprises an opening that is generally opposite a side of the elongated cover on which the pocket is positioned.","20.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more vibrating elements comprise at least four uniform groupings of vibrating elements that are spaced unevenly between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end."],[" BACKGROUND Individuals having certain medical conditions may undergo chest physical therapy to aid with lung drainage and airway clearance.","Such medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), progressive muscle weakness (e.g., myasthenia gravis), and tetanus.","Individuals having lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and certain forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), including chronic bronchitis, may also benefit from chest physical therapy."],[" SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.","This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.","Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this Summary.","In brief and at a high level this disclosure describes, among other things, a portable apparatus for providing therapy, such as chest physical therapy to a user.","In one example, the portable apparatus may include a chest band having one or more vibrating elements coupled thereto.","When the chest band is worn by a user, the vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force to various portions of the user's chest and/or thorax.","This vibrational force may, among other things, improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/563,644, filed Dec. 8, 2014, and entitled, “Portable Apparatus for Providing Chest Therapy,” which claims the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application Ser.","No.","61/913,409, filed Dec. 9, 2013, and entitled, “Mobile Percussion Airway Clearance System.” The entirety of the disclosures of each of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/563,644 and U.S.","Provisional Application Ser.","No.","61/913,409 is hereby incorporated by reference.","BACKGROUND Individuals having certain medical conditions may undergo chest physical therapy to aid with lung drainage and airway clearance.","Such medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), progressive muscle weakness (e.g., myasthenia gravis), and tetanus.","Individuals having lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and certain forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), including chronic bronchitis, may also benefit from chest physical therapy.","SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.","This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.","Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this Summary.","In brief and at a high level this disclosure describes, among other things, a portable apparatus for providing therapy, such as chest physical therapy to a user.","In one example, the portable apparatus may include a chest band having one or more vibrating elements coupled thereto.","When the chest band is worn by a user, the vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force to various portions of the user's chest and/or thorax.","This vibrational force may, among other things, improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.","DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure makes reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: FIG.","1 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, where the exemplary chest band is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","2 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, where the exemplary chest band is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","3 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","4 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","5 is a plan view of a top surface of an exemplary chest band segment, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","6 is a cross-section view of the exemplary chest band segment of FIG.","5, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","7 is an enlarged, cross-section view of an exemplary vibrating element of FIG.","6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","8 is a cutaway view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","9 is an exploded view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","10 is a top-down plan view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","11 is a plan view of a top surface of an exemplary chest band segment including vibrating elements, where each of the vibrating elements is electrically coupled to a power source, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","12 is a plan view of a top surface of an exemplary chest band segment including vibrating elements, where each of the vibrating elements is electrically coupled to a power source, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","13 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary chest band coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","14 is a cutaway view of an exemplary wearable pack coupled to an exemplary chest band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","15 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, where the combination of the chest band and the wearable pack is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","16 is a block diagram showing exemplary components that may be included in an exemplary portable apparatus for providing chest physical therapy, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","17 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device that may be used in conjunction with a portable apparatus for providing chest physical therapy, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","18 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary belt on which chest band segments are mounted, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","19A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary chest band including a belt on which chest band segments are mounted, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","20A is a side elevation view of the exemplary chest band of FIGS.","19A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","20B is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the exemplary chest band of FIG.","20A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","21A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary chest bands that are coupled together in parallel, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","22A-B are plan views of a top and bottom surface, respectively, of an exemplary chest band segment including vibrating elements, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","22C is a side elevation view of the exemplary chest band segment of FIGS.","22A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","23A is a perspective view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","23B is an exploded cutaway view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","23C is a cross-section view of the exemplary chest band segment of FIG.","22C, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","24A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary vibration band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","24C is a side elevation view of the exemplary vibration band of FIGS.","24A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","25A is an exploded view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","25B-C are enlarged front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of a portion of the exemplary vibration band of FIGS.","24A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","25D is a cross-section view of the portion of the exemplary vibration band shown in FIG.","25C, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","25E is a side elevation view of a portion of an exemplary vibration band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","26A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary apparatus unit, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","27A-B are enlarged perspective views of a portion of a cover of the exemplary apparatus unit of FIGS.","26A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","27C is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the exemplary apparatus unit of FIGS.","26A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","27D-E are cross-section views of the portion of the cover shown in FIG.","27B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","28A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of the exemplary apparatus unit of FIGS.","26A-B after its length has been adjusted, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","29A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary apparatus units that are coupled together in parallel, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","30A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary units that are coupled together in parallel being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","31A is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary wearable pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","31B is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary apparatus unit coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","31C is a front, perspective view of an exemplary apparatus unit coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, where the combination is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.","32A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary apparatus units being worn in a crisscross configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.","33A-B are perspective views of an exemplary positioning mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; and FIG.","34 is a perspective view of an exemplary positioning mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject matter of select embodiments may be described with specificity to meet statutory requirements.","But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the claims.","Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.","Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps disclosed herein unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.","For purposes of this disclosure, the word “including” has the same broad meaning as the word “comprising.” In addition, words such as “a” and “an,” unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, include the plural as well as the singular.","Thus, for example, the constraint of “a feature” is satisfied where one or more features are present.","Also, the term “or” includes the conjunctive, the disjunctive, and both (a or b thus includes either a or b, as well as a and b).","Embodiments of the invention include a portable apparatus for providing therapy, such as chest physical therapy, to a user.","The therapy provided by the apparatus may improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.","Exemplary embodiments of the invention may be described as a “Mobile Percussion Airway Clearance System” or “MPACS.” Individuals having certain medical conditions and/or diseases may benefit from the chest therapy provided by the features described herein.","Such medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), progressive muscle weakness (e.g., myasthenia gravis), and tetanus.","Individuals having lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and certain forms of COPD, including chronic bronchitis, may also benefit from chest physical therapy provided by the features described herein.","While the present disclosure focuses on chest physical therapy (which may be referred to herein as “chest therapy”), it will be understood by those having skill in the relevant art that the features described herein could be used for various other forms of physical therapy.","Such other forms of physical therapy are included within the scope hereof.","An exemplary embodiment described herein may provide high-frequency chest wall percussions by way of a chest band including one or more vibrating elements.","When the chest band is worn by a user, the vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force to various portions of the user's chest and/or thorax.","It is this force that may, among other things, improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.","A significant advantage of the portable apparatus including the features described herein is that it maximizes the mobility of the user while the user engages in a chest therapy session provided by the apparatus.","To this end, the apparatus may be lightweight and portable.","Accordingly, the user may engage in a chest therapy session provided by the apparatus while simultaneously participating in daily activities, such as cooking, walking, driving, cleaning, yard work, playing, and the like.","The user may also engage in a chest therapy session provided by the apparatus while simultaneously participating in relatively strenuous activities, such as running, hiking, bike riding, exercising, and the like.","Any encumbrance to the user during such daily and relatively strenuous activities is minimal.","And because the apparatus is lightweight, portable, convenient, and comfortable, the user is likely to engage in chest therapy sessions more often than the user would if the user was required to use other devices that are heavier and more restrictive.","Furthermore, the ability to exercise while engaging in a chest therapy session may provide particular advantages.","For example, the chest therapy session might improve the user's ability to breath during exercise, thereby enhancing the user's exercise experience.","In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may include a wearable pack, where the wearable pack may be used to store and transport all components needed for chest therapy, as well as other types of therapy and/or treatment, such as nebulizer treatments.","Even with these additional components, the apparatus may weigh approximately 8 pounds or less.","Again, this enhanced mobility provides numerous benefits.","For example, the user may easily carry the apparatus with him wherever he goes.","The user need not return home (or to some other fixed location) in order to engage in a chest therapy and/or nebulizer treatment session.","The user may maintain a physically and/or socially active schedule while also obtaining the benefits of frequent chest therapy sessions and nebulizer treatments.","The apparatus may thereby provide psychological benefits due to significant lifestyle improvements.","A number of features provide the mobility advantages mentioned above.","As already described, the apparatus may be lightweight and portable.","Additionally, a portable power source, such as batteries, may be used to power the apparatus.","As will be discussed in more detail below, a configuration of vibrating elements may maximize user mobility and minimize any physical interference caused by the apparatus.","Additionally, a chest band may be comprised, at least in part, of elastic materials, thereby allowing a user to breathe normally during a chest therapy session.","This exemplary feature, among others, allows a user to engage in strenuous activities that may result in heavy breathing while wearing the chest band.","Notably, exemplary embodiments hereof do not rely on pneumatic forces to provide chest therapy to a user.","This may be advantageous, because the equipment required to provide such pneumatic force may be heavy, cumbersome, and power intensive.","This discussion of exemplary advantages is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting.","Based on the present disclosure, it will be understood that additional advantages are provided by a portable apparatus for providing therapy, as described herein.","Exemplary embodiments hereof include a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user.","The portable apparatus may include a wearable pack.","A chest band including one or more chest band segments may be coupled to the wearable pack.","The wearable pack may be configured to be worn around a chest of the user.","A plurality of vibrating elements may be coupled to the one or more chest band segments.","The plurality of vibrating elements may provide a vibrational force to the chest of the user when the chest band is worn around the chest of the user.","The portable apparatus may further include a nebulizer treatment component coupled to the wearable pack.","A user input component may be provided for receiving a user input regarding an operation of one or more of the nebulizer treatment component or the plurality of vibrating elements.","The user input component may be electrically coupled to the plurality of vibrating elements and the nebulizer treatment component.","An additional embodiment includes a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user.","The portable apparatus may include a chest band segment including a top surface parallel to an opposite bottom surface.","The bottom surface of the chest band segment may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a body of the user.","A plurality of vibrating elements may be coupled to the chest band segment, where each of the plurality of vibrating elements provides a vibrational force.","Yet another embodiment provides an article of manufacture that includes a panel having a top surface that is parallel to an opposite bottom surface.","The bottom surface may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a body of a user.","A vibrating element may be coupled to the panel, where the vibrating element provides a vibrational force.","Another embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a vibration band, which includes an elongated band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.","One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.","An elongated cover that comprises a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end encloses the vibration band.","The elongated cover includes a releasable connection assembly, which includes a first terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover second terminal end and that is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.","The elongated cover further includes one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.","An additional embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a vibration band and an elongated cover that encloses the vibration band.","The vibration band includes a band that has a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.","One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.","The elongated cover includes one or more pockets, each of which is configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.","Yet another embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a vibration band and an elongated cover that encloses the vibration band.","The vibration band includes an elongated band having a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.","One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.","The elongated cover includes a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end.","The cover further includes a releasable connection assembly, which includes a first terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover second terminal end and that is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.","The cover also includes one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.","Additionally, the cover includes one or more pockets, each of which is configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.","With reference now to the figures, components included in a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user are described in accordance with embodiments of the invention.","Various embodiments are described with respect to the figures in which like elements are depicted with like reference numerals.","Referring initially to FIG.","1, a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band 100, where the exemplary chest band is being worn by a user, is provided.","FIG.","2 provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 100 being worn by the user.","The chest band 100 may include one or more chest band segments, such as the chest band segments 102 and 104.Each chest band segment may include one or more vibrating elements.","For example, the chest band segment 102 includes vibrating elements 106, 108, 122, and 124, and the chest band segment 104 includes vibrating elements 110, 112, 118, and 120.The vibrating elements may be uniform in size and/or shape.","Additionally or alternatively, the vibrating elements may vary in size and/or shape.","At the front of the user's body, the chest band segments 102 and 104 are coupled to one another by connection components 114 and 116.At the back of the user's body, the chest band segments 102 and 104 are coupled to one another by connection components 126 and 128.As shown in FIGS.","1-2, one or more chest band segments may be coupled to one another to form a circumferential chest band.","While the exemplary chest band 100 includes two chest band segments (chest band segments 102 and 104), any number of chest band segments is contemplated as being within the scope hereof.","For example, a single chest band segment might wrap around the body of the user.","In this case, one or more connection components may be needed in only one location in order to couple one end of the single chest band segment to the opposing end of the single chest band segment.","In other examples, more than two chest band segments may be coupled to one another in order to form a chest band.","In this instance, connection components may be used to couple one chest band segment to the next in order to form a continuous circumferential chest band.","A chest band comprising multiple chest band segments may provide several advantages.","For example, chest band segments having various uniform configurations may be manufactured, and each individual user may select a number of chest band segments having a desired configuration to serve the particular user's needs.","For example, if a user has a relatively large chest circumference, the user might require several chest band segments, while a young child having a relatively small chest circumference might require fewer chest band segments.","Additionally or alternatively, multiple sizes of chest band segments and/or chest bands might be provided.","A further advantage of chest bands comprising multiple chest band segments is that a user may easily replace a single chest band segment that is malfunctioning.","In other words, if one vibrating element on one chest band segment is not working, the user may simply replace that singular chest band segment with a new one, rather than incurring the expense of replacing the entire chest band.","The chest band segments 102 and 104 may be comprised of any type and/or number of materials.","For example, a rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic, may be used.","Additionally or alternatively, a flexible material, such as a foam and/or elastic material, may be used.","In some instances, any combination of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials may be used to form a chest band segment.","The illustrative connection components 114, 116, 126, and 128 shown in the figures include a snap-fit buckle that joins two straps, each of which is coupled to a chest band segment.","For example, connection component 116 includes a snap-fit buckle 156 that joins strap 158, which is coupled to the chest band segment 104, with strap 160, which is coupled to the chest band segment 102.The snap-fit buckle 156 may allow the length of strap 158 and/or strap 160 to be adjusted.","The remaining connection components may provide similar features.","In this way, the circumference of the chest band 100 may be easily adjusted and tailored to the size of a particular user.","Additionally, the material comprising straps 158 and 160 may be elastic, such that the connection components may stretch in length.","Advantageously, this allows the chest band 100 to fit snugly around the chest of the user, while also allowing the user to take deep breaths and cough.","Thus, the user need not pause or discontinue treatment in order to breathe deeply or cough to expel mucus from the lungs.","Accordingly, the user may engage in any number of activities while wearing the chest band and engaging in chest therapy.","It will be understood that the connection components 114, 116, 126, and 128 are exemplary only, and that any number of other connection component configurations are included within the scope hereof.","For example, the connection components may comprise clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, or any other means for connecting one chest band segment to another.","Any combination of these components is included within the scope hereof.","It will further be understood that the number of connection components illustrated in FIGS.","1-2 is exemplary only, and that any number of connection components may be used to connect one chest band segment to another.","In some instances, the chest band segments may be mounted on a belt, such as an elastic belt, where the belt wraps around the chest of the user.","Thus, in some instances, the chest band segments might not include connection components, but might instead be mounted on a belt or other item that may be secured around the user's chest.","For example, FIG.","18 shows an exemplary belt 500 on which chest band segments 102 and 104 are mounted.","As shown in FIGS.","1-2, the vibrating elements 106, 108, 110, 112, 118, 120, 122, and 124 may be coupled to the chest band segments 102 and 104.When the user wears the chest band, the vibrating elements are positioned at various portions of the user's body, and when the vibrating elements are in operation, they provide a vibrational force to the user's body.","The operation of the vibrating elements and the vibrational force provided to the user's body are discussed in more detail with respect to FIGS.","6-10 below, while exemplary configurations of the vibrating elements are discussed here with respect to FIGS.","1-2.The vibrating elements may be positioned at particular locations on the chest band segments, such that when the chest band is worn by a user and the chest band segments are positioned adjacent to the user's body, the vibrating elements are located at a desired portion of the user's lung.","For example, the vibrating elements may be placed according to particular lung lobe regions in order to provide a vibrational force to areas of the lung where mucus accumulates.","The configuration of vibrating elements illustrated in FIGS.","1-2 is exemplary only.","In other instances, the vibrating elements may be positioned at any location on the chest band segments 102 and 104.The exemplary configuration shown in FIGS.","1-2 does, however, provide certain advantages, including enhanced mobility of the user while he is wearing the chest band.","This enhanced mobility is at least partially attributable to the positioning of the upper vibrating elements, including vibrating elements 106, 112, 118, and 124, at a lateral area of the user's body, and the positioning of the lower vibrating elements, including vibrating elements 108, 110, 120 and 122, at a medial area of the user's body.","As a user moves and swings his arm, the upper portion of his arm, near his armpit, has a more limited range of motion than a lower portion of his arm, near his elbow.","Thus, as the user walks, runs, or engages in any number of activities, the lower portion of the user's arm may swing across the user's body or rub against the user's torso.","The motion of the upper portion of the user's arm, by contrast, will be more limited.","Accordingly, an upper vibrating element, such as the vibrating element 106, may be located at a lateral portion of the user's body and may have limited impact on the user's arm motions.","Because the lower portion of the user's arm has a greater range of motion, a lower vibrating element, such as vibrating element 108, may be located at a medial portion of the user's body.","Thus, as the user's arm moves next to the user's side, the user's arm is less likely to catch on and/or rub against the vibrating element 108, because it is located at a medial portion of the user's chest.","Accordingly, the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.","1-2 allows the vibrating elements to be positioned at various portions of the user's lungs, while also maximizing the mobility of the user and allowing the user to swing his arms freely when the user is wearing the chest band.","Turning now to FIGS.","3-4, a front, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 100 is provided in FIG.","3.The portion of the chest band 100 that is visible in FIG.","3 is the portion that may face away from the user when the user wears the chest band.","In other words, it is the same portion that is visible in FIGS.","1-2.A rear, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 100 is provided in FIG.","4.The portion of the chest band 100 that is visible in FIG.","4 is the portion that may be adjacent to the user's body when the user wears the chest band 100.In other words, this portion of the chest band 100 is not visible when the user wears the chest band, because this is the portion that presses against the user's body.","FIG.","5 shows a plan view of a top surface of the exemplary chest band segment 102.FIG.","6 provides a cross-section view of the exemplary chest band segment 102 of FIG.","5.As shown in FIG.","6, the chest band segment may resemble a flat panel.","In particular, the chest band segment 102 may include a top surface 130 that is parallel to an opposite bottom surface 132, such that the chest band segment forms a plane.","The chest band segment 102 may be configured such that the bottom surface 132 is positioned adjacent to the user's body when the chest band segment 102 is in use.","The vibrating elements 108 and 122 extend through the bottom surface 132 and the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.As can be seen in this cross-section view of FIG.","6, the vibrating elements 108 and 122 are maintained in a vertical position with respect to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.This vertical positioning of vibrating elements will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS.","6-7, after the exemplary components that may be included in the vibrating elements are described with respect to the vibrating element 108 in FIGS.","8-10.A cutaway view of the exemplary vibrating element 108 is provided in FIG.","8.The vibrating element 108 may have a top end 162 and an opposite bottom end 164.In embodiments, the top end 162 and the bottom end 164 are axially opposed along a central vertical axis Y.","The vibrating element may include a motor having various components, such as a motor body 144, a shaft 146, and a mass 148.A power connection 150 may provide power to the motor.","The vibrating element 108 may further include a housing for the motor components.","In particular, an inner housing 138 and an outer housing having an upper portion 134 and a lower portion 136 may be provided.","The position of the motor body 144 may be maintained within the inner housing 138 by one or more positioning rings.","For example, an upper positioning ring 142 may be positioned adjacent to the top of the motor body 144 at the top end 162 of the vibrating element 108.A lower positioning ring 140 may be positioned adjacent to the bottom of the motor body 144.In this way, the upper positioning ring 142 and the lower positioning ring 140 may maintain the motor body 144 at a desired position within the inner housing 138.The exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures includes an asymmetric outer housing.","For example, the lower portion 136 of the outer housing, which is adjacent to the user's chest during use, may include a rounded surface that serves as a percussion cap.","The percussion cap may enhance the user's comfort during chest physical therapy.","For example, even if an intense vibrational force is provided to the user's body by the vibrating elements, the percussion cap may allow such force to be provided with minimal discomfort to the user.","Other configurations of an outer housing are included within the scope hereof.","In some instances, a symmetric outer housing may be used.","Each of the vibrating element components described with respect to FIG.","8 is also depicted in the exploded view of the vibrating element 108 provided by FIG.","9.As shown in FIG.","9, the upper positioning ring 142 and the lower positioning ring 140 may be positioned adjacent to a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively, of the motor body 144.The two positioning rings and the motor may fit within the inner housing 138.The outer housing upper portion 134 and the outer housing lower portion 136 may fit over the inner housing 138.FIG.","10 provides a top-down plan view of the exemplary vibrating element 108.As mentioned, when the vibrating element 108 is in operation, it may provide a vibrational force.","In particular, when power is supplied to the motor via the power connection 150, the mass 148 may be caused to rotate about the vertical axis Y.","Due to the asymmetric configuration of the mass 148, as the mass 148 rotates, it causes displacement of the vibrating element 108.This displacement creates a vibrational force.","The shaft 146 and the mass 148 may be allowed to rotate freely in order to maximize the vibrational force provided.","As used herein, the term “asymmetric mass” includes a mass that is asymmetric in shape, such as the exemplary mass 148, as well as a mass that is symmetric in shape but that is coupled asymmetrically to the shaft 146.For example, a cylindrical weight is symmetric in shape, but when the shaft 146 is coupled to the cylindrical weight at a point near the perimeter of the cylinder face, as opposed to the center of the cylinder face, the cylindrical weight lacks rotational symmetry about the axis Y corresponding to the shaft 146.A mass that is symmetric in shape but that is off-center with respect to the shaft 146 will cause displacement of the vibrating element 108 as the mass rotates and is therefore included in the term “asymmetric mass.” The frequency at which the vibrating element 108 vibrates may be controlled by controlling the speed of the rotation of the mass 148.In one example, the vibrating element 108 may vibrate at a frequency between approximately 5 cycles per second and approximately 65 cycles per second (or between 5 hertz and 65 hertz).","In another example, the vibrating element may vibrate at a frequency within a range of approximately 20 cycles per second to approximately 50 cycles per second (or 20 hertz to 50 hertz).","In some embodiments, an “unbalanced motor,” such as a low profile unbalanced motor, or a “vibration motor” may be included in the vibrating element.","For example, the “Uni Vibe™ 24 mm Vibration Motor—13 mm Type,” having a rated operating voltage of 12V and offered for sale by Precision Microdrives™, may be included in the vibrating element 108.Returning now to FIG.","6, the vertical positioning of the vibrating elements 108 and 122 with respect to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102 will be discussed.","As illustrated in FIG.","6, the vibrating element 108 may extend through the bottom surface 132 and the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.In particular, the vibrating element may extend vertically through these surfaces, such that the vibrating element 108 is maintained in a vertical position with respect to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.In one instance, a vertical position may be characterized by the central vertical axis Y being approximately perpendicular to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment.","As used herein, the terms “approximately” or “substantially,” when used to describe a quantity and/or value, include a range of 85% to 115% of the specified quantity and/or value.","For example, according to the statement above, if an angle between the vertical axis Y of the vibrating element 108 and the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102 ranges between 76.5° and 103.5° (i.e.","85% and 115% of 90°, respectively), the central vertical axis Y of the vibrating element 108 may be described as “approximately” or “substantially” perpendicular to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.This vertical positioning may provide numerous advantages.","One such advantage is that when the bottom end 164 of the vibrating element is positioned adjacent to the user's body, the vibrating element provides a vibrational force to the user's body.","In particular, as the mass 148 rotates, the vibrating element 108 shakes and creates a percussive and/or tapping force on the user's body.","This vibrational force may aid in loosening mucus in the user's lungs and clearing the user's airways.","If the vibrating element was positioned horizontally, such that the vertical axis Y of the vibrating element 108 was parallel to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102, the vibrating element 108 might provide a “stroking” force, but it would not provide the vibrational force that is provided by the vertical orientation shown in FIG.","6.Nonetheless, in some instances, one or more vibrating elements may be positioned approximately parallel to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.In an exemplary embodiment, the vibrating element 108 is maintained in a vertical position with respect to the chest band segment 102 by, at least in part, a coupling between the housing for the vibrating element 108 and the chest band segment 102.As shown, the upper portion 134 of the outer housing is positioned adjacent to the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102 and the lower portion 136 of the outer housing is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment 102.FIG.","7 provides an enlarged, cross-section view of the vibrating element 108 of FIG.","6.This view more clearly illustrates an exemplary coupling between the housing for the vibrating element 108 and the chest band segment 102.As shown, the inner housing 138 may fit through an opening in the chest band segment 102, such that a first portion of the inner housing 138 is above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102 and a second portion of the inner housing 138 is below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment 102.The upper portion 134 of the outer housing may be secured to the first portion of the inner housing 138 that is above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.Similarly, the lower portion 136 of the outer housing may be secured to the second portion of the inner housing 138 that is below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment 102.The outer housing portions may be secured to the inner housing 138 in any number of ways, such as gluing, snapping, clamping, threading, or any other means of securing the outer housing portions to the inner housing portions.","As shown in FIG.","7, the upper portion 134 and the lower portion 136 of the outer housing may be positioned directly adjacent to the top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132, respectively, of the chest band segment 102.For example, the outer housing portions may pinch the chest band segment 102 such that the vibrating element does not slide up and down with respect to the chest band segment 102 during use.","In other words, the vibrating element 108 may remain coupled to the chest band segment 102 in a fixed position during operation.","This configuration may advantageously maintain the vibrating element in a vertical position, even as the mass 148 rotates and causes the vibrating element to vibrate.","For example, as the vibrating element vibrates, it does not tip over; instead, it may remain substantially upright, such that the bottom end 164 of the vibrating element may remain adjacent to the user's body and may continue to provide a vibrational force to the user's body.","According to this exemplary configuration, if the position of the motor body 144 corresponds to the upper portion 134 of the outer housing, as maintained by the positioning rings 140 and 142 within the inner housing 138, the motor body 144 is positioned above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.This is illustrated in FIG.","7.Additionally, if the motor body 144 is positioned in this way, the position of the mass 148 corresponds to the lower portion 136 of the outer housing.","Thus, the mass 148 is positioned below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment.","This is also illustrated in FIG.","7.In this example, when the vibrating element is secured to the chest band segment 102 at a point that falls between the motor body 144 and the mass 148, a pivot point may be created, where the vibrating element may rock and/or shake based on that pivot point.","In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, the entirety of the motor body 144 is disposed above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102, and the entirety of the mass 148 is disposed below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment.","However, a pivot point may be created where only a portion of the motor body 144 is disposed above the top surface 130 and/or only a portion of the mass 148 is disposed below the bottom surface.","The exact positioning of the vibrating element may be adjusted to optimize this pivot point location, thereby optimizing the vibrational force that may be provided to the user's body, as well.","It will be understood that while an exemplary embodiment of a vibrating element coupled to a chest band segment is described with respect to various separate components, in other embodiments, certain parts may be machined particularly for use with the apparatus described herein.","For example, a vibrating element may be machined such that it comprises components different in number and/or nature from those described above, but nonetheless provides the desired vibrating effect.","All such variations are included within the scope hereof.","As mentioned, the chest band segment 102 may be comprised of any number of materials.","A material selection may take into account a preference to maintain the vibrating elements in a vertical position.","Turning now to FIG.","11, a top-down plan view of the exemplary chest band segment 102 is provided.","In particular, FIG.","11 illustrates the way in which multiple different vibrating elements may be electrically coupled to a single power source 154 by way of a series circuit 152.FIG.","12 illustrates the way in which multiple different vibrating elements may be electrically coupled to a single power source 154 by way of a parallel circuit 153.In either scenario, one or more wires may connect a power connection, such as the power connection 150 discussed with respect to FIGS.","6-10, to the power source 154.A selection of a series circuit 152 or a parallel circuit 153 may be based on considerations of battery life and motor effectiveness, among other things.","A series circuit 152, for example, may provide for increased battery life (such as increased life of the power source 154) but decreased effectiveness of the vibrating element (such as a decreased effectiveness of a motor component included in a vibrating element).","By contrast, a parallel circuit 153 may utilize the full potential of a vibrating element (such as the full potential of a motor component included in a vibrating element), but may cause the power source 154 to be drained more quickly.","Additionally, in a parallel circuit 153, if one vibrating element fails, the remaining vibrating elements may continue to function properly.","In a series circuit 152, if one vibrating element fails, then the remaining vibrating elements included in the circuit will not function properly, either.","Accordingly, each circuit configuration is associated with various advantages and disadvantages.","The power source 154 of FIGS.","11-12 may include a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery.","As shown, the power source 154 may be external to the chest band segment 102.In some instances, the power source 154 may be integrated into the chest band segment 102.In additional instances, the vibrating elements may be coupled to multiple power sources.","Any combination of the above is included within the scope hereof.","As previously mentioned, a significant advantage of the apparatus described herein is that it is portable.","In one example, this portability is enhanced by providing the components of the apparatus in conjunction with a wearable pack.","A rear, perspective view of an exemplary wearable pack 200 is illustrated in FIG.","13 and a cutaway view showing an exemplary interior of the wearable pack 200 is illustrated in FIG.","14.The wearable pack 200 may be, for example, a backpack.","Numerous other wearable packs are included within the scope hereof, including fanny packs, sling bags, shoulder bags, purses, and any other pack that may be worn and/or carried by a user.","Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may be integrated into a garment, such as a jacket, sweatshirt, vest, or other garment.","FIGS.","13-14 illustrate one exemplary way in which the chest band 100 may be coupled to the wearable pack 200.In this example, the chest band 100 slides through two chest band slots 210 and 212.The user may then fasten the chest band 100 around his chest and wear the wearable pack 200 on his back, as illustrated in FIG.","15.As shown in FIG.","14, the chest band 100 may be electrically coupled to a power source 222.This exemplary electrical coupling may be achieved by plugging the power components 230 and 232 into the power ports 226 and 228, respectively.","The power ports 226 and 228 may be electrically coupled to the power source 222.For example, one or more wires may run from the power ports 226 and 228 to the power source 222.These wires may be sewn into an interior wall of the wearable pack 200.The chest band 100 and the power source 222 may further be electrically coupled and/or communicatively coupled to user input components 216 and 218.Thus, the operation of the vibrating elements included on the chest band 100 may be initiated and/or adjusted based on a user input received at user input component 216, for example.","In one basic embodiment, the chest band 100, the user input component 216, and the power source 222 may operate to provide the chest therapy described herein.","The user input component 216 may include a resistor, such as an analog resistor, a variable resistor, or a combination thereof, in order to provide a variety of operational settings (e.g., high, medium, or low vibrational intensity, as well as any number of intermediate settings; a pulse setting; a waterfall setting).","These components may be electrically coupled via a printed circuit board, for example.","Because all of these components are relatively small and lightweight, they may be easily stored and/or transported, thereby providing enhanced mobility for the user.","As used herein, the term “electrically coupled” includes wireless electrical connections, such as a Bluetooth® connection.","For example, chest band 100 may be controlled via a user input component at a mobile device application and/or a remote control.","In one example, the user input component 216 may enable a user to turn on the vibrating elements included in the chest band 100 and select a desired level of vibrational force.","As mentioned, the user input component 216 may provide for any number of power settings.","For example, six different settings associated with varying levels of vibrational intensity may be provided.","As mentioned, the frequency of vibration provided by the vibrating elements may range from 5 hertz to 65 hertz, in some embodiments.","In one example, a “low” setting may correspond to a frequency of 20 hertz and a “high” setting may correspond to a frequency of 50 hertz, where intermediate settings may correspond to frequencies between 20 hertz and 50 hertz.","Thus, the same apparatus may provide a desired intensity of chest therapy to users of any number of ages and/or sizes.","A small child, for example, might choose a low power setting, while a large adult might choose a high power setting.","A user can thus choose a setting that is both effective and comfortable, according to his individual needs.","In addition to the chest band 100, the wearable pack 200 may include other therapy and/or treatment components.","For example, a nebulizer treatment component 224 may be provided.","The nebulizer treatment component 224 may include an air compressor connected to tubing that runs to a desired location on the wearable pack 200.An auxiliary attachment 214 may be connected to the end of the tubing.","The auxiliary attachment 214 may be configured to attach to a nebulizer mouth piece.","The wearable pack 200 may include an opening that allows the auxiliary attachment 214 to be accessed from the exterior of the wearable pack 200.For example, as shown in FIGS.","13-14, the auxiliary attachment 214 may be located at an exterior portion of a shoulder strap of the wearable pack 200, such that a user may easily attach a nebulizer mouth piece and conveniently engage in a nebulizer treatment.","The nebulizer treatment component 224 may be electrically coupled to the power source 222, as well as the user input components 216 and 218.For example, the user input component 218 may allow a user to turn the nebulizer treatment component on and off.","Accordingly, the user input components 216 and 218 may allow a user to engage a desired operational setting of the chest band 100 and/or the nebulizer treatment component 224.Advantageously, the user may simultaneously engage in chest therapy using the chest band 100 and a nebulizer treatment using the nebulizer treatment component 224.And because the apparatus is designed to be portable, the user may engage in such therapy and treatment while performing any number of activities.","For example, the apparatus may enable the user to engage in a chest therapy session and/or a nebulizer treatment while walking, running, biking, playing, or any other desired activity.","In additional embodiments, a programmable controller might also be electrically coupled to some or all of the components mentioned above.","The controller may control the operation of the chest band 100, including the multiple vibrating elements, based on user input received at the user input component 216.The controller may be programmable to provide an expanded selection of operating settings.","For example, the controller may provide any number of customized programs.","One program might simultaneously engage all vibrating elements at the same power setting, thereby providing a similar vibrational force to the user's body from each vibrating element.","Another program might selectively engage particular vibrating elements at customized power settings.","For example, all vibrating elements might be simultaneously engaged, but the vibrational force provided by each vibrating element might vary.","Additionally or alternatively, only a portion of the vibrating elements might be engaged at a particular point in time.","The controller may further provide for timed programming, such that a particular program runs for a predetermined period of time.","Any and all such combinations of the above are included within the scope hereof.","The controller might also be electrically coupled to the nebulizer treatment component 224 and may provide customized operational settings for nebulizer treatments.","As shown in FIG.","13, the wearable pack 200 may include a compartment 220 for housing certain components, such as the power source 222 and the nebulizer treatment component 224.This compartment 220 may be a separate pocket included in the wearable pack 200, such that the components included therein are separated from other articles that may be stored in the wearable pack.","It will be understood that additional components might be included in an apparatus for providing chest therapy.","For example, an alert component might remind a user that it is time to engage in a chest therapy and/or nebulizer treatment session.","An alert provided by the alert component might include any combination of visual, audio, and/or tactile alerts.","For example, a flashing light, a sounding alarm, and/or a vibration may remind a user that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last therapy and/or treatment session.","It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.","13-14, the chest band 100 is both physically coupled and electrically coupled to the wearable pack 200 during use.","However, the chest band 100 need not necessarily be physically attached to the wearable pack 200 in order for the chest band 100 to provide physical chest therapy.","For example, if the wearable pack is a fanny pack, then the fanny pack may be worn around the user's waist, while the chest band 100 is worn separately around the user's chest.","In this example, the chest band 100 may be electrically coupled to the fanny pack during operation, but need not be physically touching the fanny pack.","Furthermore, while exemplary embodiments above are discussed with respect to a wearable pack, in a further embodiment, the components required for operating the chest band 100 might be fully integrated into the chest band 100, itself.","For example, a power source, a controller, and user input components might all be included in the chest band, such that a user can store and transport the chest band 100 in any way desired.","Additionally, as mentioned, the components required for operating the chest band 100 and/or nebulizer treatment component 224 might be integrated into a garment, such as a jacket, sweatshirt, vest, or other article of clothing.","Turning now to FIG.","15, a front, perspective view is provided of the exemplary chest band 100 coupled to the exemplary wearable pack 200, where the combination of the chest band 100 and the wearable pack 200 is being worn by a user.","In this exemplary embodiment, the chest band segments of the chest band 100 include covers that conceal the vibrating elements from view.","Thus, the vibrating elements and any associated wiring may be hidden from view.","In this instance, the connection components described above with respect to FIGS.","1-2 may be coupled to the cover material of the chest band segments.","In addition to aesthetic considerations, chest band segments might include covers in order to enhance the comfort of the user while the chest band 100 is in use.","For example, a cover comprising a particular material might make chest therapy sessions more comfortable for the user.","The covers may be removable in some embodiments, such that a user may access the vibrating elements, wiring, and/or other components.","This may facilitate maintenance and/or repairs, for example.","As mentioned, the configurations of the chest band and/or chest band segments discussed above are exemplary.","Turning now to the remaining figures, additional configurations are discussed.","FIG.","19A provides a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band 600, and FIG.","19B provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 600.The front, perspective view provided in FIG.","19A shows the side of the chest band 600 that faces away from a user's body when the user wears the chest band (i.e.","the portion that is visible to an observer).","The rear, perspective view provided in FIG.","19B shows the side of the chest band 600 that is adjacent to the user's body when the user wears the chest band 600 (i.e.","the portion that is not visible to an observer).","FIG.","20A provides a side elevation view of the chest band 600, and FIG.","20B provides an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the chest band 600.The chest band 600 includes a belt 602 onto which chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 are mounted.","Each of chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 include vibrating elements for providing a vibrational force to a user's chest.","The chest band segments may be permanently or adjustably mounted on the belt 602.For example, in the figures, chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 are slidably mounted on the belt 602.Adjustable mounting allows a user to position each chest band segment at a precise desired location along the length of the belt 602.In the figures, the chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 are evenly spaced along the length of the belt 602, but in use, they may be positioned at any location along the length of the belt 602 in order to provide a percussive force at a desired location on the user's body.","While the exemplary chest band 600 includes four chest band segments, any number of chest band segments, each of which may include any number of vibrating elements, may be mounted on the belt 602.The modular design of the chest band 600 allows it to be customized based on the unique needs of a particular user.","In order to provide further customization based on the unique needs of a particular user, the chest band 600 may be coupled to one or more other chest bands in parallel, as is depicted by the chest bands 600 and 700 in FIGS.","21A-B.","This ladder configuration provides for the application of a percussive force across a larger area of the user's body.","Accordingly, the apparatus can be customized based on user size and/or body shape (e.g., an adult may use two or more chest bands coupled together in parallel, while a child may use only one), severity of medical condition (e.g., a person having a very severe medical condition may use several chest bands coupled together in parallel, each of which includes multiple chest band segments, while a person having a less severe condition may use fewer chest bands and/or chest band segments), and other considerations.","FIGS.","21A-B illustrate a one-to-one correspondence between the chest band segments on the belt 602 and the chest band segments on the belt 702, but based on the modular design of the chest bands 600 and 700, this need not necessarily be the case.","For example, chest band segment 708 could be omitted from the multi-chest-band configuration.","It may be desirable omit a particular chest band segment if percussive therapy is not desired at a particular location on a user's body and/or if a chest band segment at that particular location would impair the user's mobility.","Similarly, it may be desirable to stagger chest band segments on multiple different bands.","For example, chest band segment 708 might be mounted to the belt 702, but it may be staggered from chest band segment 608.The modular design of the chest bands 600 and 700 allow for such customization.","Exemplary features of various components of the chest band 600 will now be discussed, beginning with the belt 602.The belt 602 is characterized by a length that is greater than its width.","For example, the ratio of the length to width of the belt 602 may be between approximately 5:1 and 30:1.The length of the belt 602 may be adjustable in order to provide a customized fit for a particular user.","The belt 602 may be constructed of an elastic material.","An elastic material advantageously permits a user to cough during a chest therapy session.","However, in embodiments, the belt 602 may be constructed of non-elastic materials or a combination of elastic and non-elastic materials.","The belt 602 includes connectors 612 and 614, which are coupled to opposite terminal ends of the belt 602 and are used to secure the chest band 600 around the body of a user (the terms “connector” and “connection component” may be used interchangeably herein).","For example, connectors 612 and 614 may be detachably coupled to one another in order to form a circumferential chest band around the user, a crisscross configuration over the shoulders and around the torso of the user, or any number of other configurations.","In the figures, connectors 612 and 614 are depicted as complimentary ends (specifically, female and male ends, respectively) of a snap-fit buckle.","But connectors may comprise clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, or any other means of connection.","The connectors 612 and 614 may be removably coupled to the terminal ends of the belt 602 in order to facilitate the addition and/or removal of chest band segments, as will be explained in more detail below.","Exemplary features of the chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610, which are mounted on the belt 602, will now be discussed with respect to FIGS.","22A-C.","FIG.","22A shows a plan view of a top side 648 of the chest band segment 604.When the user wears the chest band 600, the top side 648 of the chest band segment 604 faces away from the user (i.e.","it is visible to an observer).","FIG.","22B shows a plan view of a bottom side 650 of the chest band segment 604.The bottom side 650 faces the user's body when the user wears the chest band 600 (i.e.","it is not visible to an observer).","FIG.","22C provides a side elevation view of the chest band segment 604.The chest band segment 604 includes a lower panel 620 and an upper panel 622 for holding vibrating elements 616 and 618 in place.","The lower panel 620 is depicted as being wider than the upper panel 622, but in other exemplary embodiments, the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 may be the same size, or the lower panel 620 may be narrower than the upper panel 622.Any relative dimensions are included within the scope hereof.","The lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 may be comprised of any type and/or number of materials.","For example, a rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic, may be used.","Additionally or alternatively, a flexible material, such as a foam, elastic, and/or other textile material, may be used.","Any combination of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials may be used to form the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622.The lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 may be comprised of the same materials or of different materials.","The lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 are coupled to mounting components 624 and 626.In the figures, mounting components 624 and 626 are depicted as tri-bar slide adjusters.","The tri-bar slide adjusters include three parallel bars for receiving and maintaining end portions of the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 and for adjustably mounting the chest band segment 604 on the belt 602.For example, as shown in FIG.","20B, the belt 602 is threaded through the tri-bar slide adjusters 624 and 626.The tri-bar slide adjusters 624 and 626 provide enough resistance that the chest band segment 604 is prevented from inadvertently slipping back and forth on the belt, but at the same time, allow a user to intentionally slide the chest band segment 604 up and down the length of the belt 602 in order to position the chest band segment 604 at a desired location.","Any number of chest band segments can be mounted on the belt 602.Chest band segments may be added or removed by sliding the chest band segments on or off one end of the belt 602 or by otherwise attaching or removing the chest band segments to or from the belt 602.As mentioned, the connectors 612 and 614 may be removably coupled to the terminal ends of the belt 602 in order to facilitate sliding chest band segments on or off the belt 602.The tri-bar slide adjusters 624 and 626 are one example of a mounting component.","Other mounting components may include slides, fasteners, buckles, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, and other hardware.","The chest band segment 604 includes connectors 628 and 630 extending laterally from the chest band segment 604, as shown in FIGS.","22A-B.","These connectors are used to facilitate the multi-chest band configuration depicted in FIGS.","21A-B.","As shown in FIGS.","21A-B, chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610, which are mounted on the belt 602, are secured via connectors to the chest band segments 704, 706, 708, and 710, which are mounted on the belt 702.In this way, the chest bands 600 and 700 are coupled to one another in a parallel fashion.","Any number of belts having any number of chest band segments may be incorporated into a multi-chest-band configuration in this manner.","The connectors may also be used to attach shoulder straps to a chest band.","Exemplary shoulder strap configurations are discussed with respect to FIGS.","29A-B below.","In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS.","22A-C, the connectors 628 and 630 are coupled to a connector strap 632 that forms a loop around the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622.The connector strap 632 may be unsecured, such that it rotates freely around the chest band segment 604 and may be removed from the chest band segment 604, altogether.","Additionally or alternatively, the connector strap may be detachably or permanently affixed to the chest band segment 604.For example, the connector strap 632 may be affixed to the chest band segment 604 via hook-and-loop fasteners, loops, buckles, sewing, glue, or any other means.","Furthermore, the connectors 628 and 630 may be coupled to the chest band segment 604 by means other than the connector strap 632.For example, the connectors 628 and 630 may be directly attached to the lower panel 620 and/or upper panel 622 via hook-and-loop fasteners, loops, buckles, sewing, glue, or any other means.","The depiction of connectors 628 and 630 in the figures is exemplary only.","Other types and configurations of connectors are included within the scope hereof.","For example, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, and any number of other connectors may be used to couple a chest band to another chest band and/or to shoulder straps.","Exemplary details regarding the vibrating elements and the manner in which they may be coupled to the chest band segment 604 will now be discussed with respect to FIGS.","23A-C. Beginning with FIG.","23A, the vibrating element 616 having a lower housing portion 638 and an upper housing portion 640 is depicted.","FIG.","23B provides an exploded view of the vibrating element 616.As shown, the vibrating element 616 may include features similar to those discussed above with respect to the vibrating element 108.For example, a motor 642 is coupled to a mass 646 via a shaft 644, and this assembly is housed within the upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638.As discussed with respect to vibrating element 108, the lower housing portion 638 includes a rounded surface that serves as a percussion cap and that enhances the user's comfort during chest physical therapy.","The upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638 may include a tongue 634 and groove 636 or other complimentary and/or interlocking components that facilitate securing the upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638 in place with respect to one another.","As also shown, an interior of the upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638 may include a cavity for retaining the motor 642 and mass 646 assembly.","Although wires and other power connections are not depicted for ease of viewing, it will be understood that the vibrating element 616 may include wires for connecting the motor 642 to a power source.","Such wires may extend through one or more apertures in the housing for the vibrating element, such as one or more apertures in the upper housing portion 640.In embodiments, each vibrating element may be powered by a battery or other means such that wires need not extend outside of the housing.","The configuration of the vibrating element 616 depicted in the figures is exemplary only, and it will be understood that the vibrating element 616 may include different and/or additional features, such as those discussed herein with respect to other vibrating element configurations.","FIG.","23C provides an exemplary cross-section view of the vibrating element 616 coupled to the chest band segment 604.The lower panel 620 of the chest band segment 604 may include one or more apertures for receiving and maintaining one or more vibrating elements.","The lower housing portion 638 of the vibrating element 616 may be positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the lower panel 620, with the tongue 634 extending through an aperture in the lower panel.","The upper housing portion 640 may be positioned adjacent to an opposite top surface of the lower panel 620, such that the groove 636 receives the tongue 634 and the upper housing portion 640 sits between the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622.The vibrating element may then be secured in place via any number of methods.","For example, once positioned on opposing surfaces of the lower panel 620, the upper housing portion 640 may be glued to the lower housing portion 638.Additionally or alternatively, the vibrating element may be screwed in place, such as by inserting a bolt or screw through the lower housing portion 638, the lower panel 620, and the upper housing portion 640.A removable fastener like a bolt or screw allows the vibrating element to be quickly and easily decoupled from the chest band segment 604.This may be desirable for purposes of repairing and/or replacing a particular vibrating element.","This may also be desirable for purposes of customizing the number of vibrating elements that a chest band segment includes.","As shown in the exemplary configuration depicted in FIG.","23C, the upper housing portion 640, which retains the motor 642, is disposed above a top surface of the lower panel 620.The lower housing portion 638, which retains the mass 646, is disposed below a bottom surface of the lower panel 620.Details regarding the vibrational force provided by vibrating elements 616 and 618 (e.g., the vibrational force that is provided as an asymmetric mass rotates about an axis corresponding to a shaft) were discussed above and are not repeated here.","Additionally, the vertical configuration of the vibrating element and the pivot point that is created when the motor body and the mass are disposed on opposite sides of the chest band segment were previously discussed.","It will be understood that the previous discussion of these and other features are also applicable to the vibrating elements 616 and 618 and the chest band segment 604; accordingly, these details are also not repeated here.","The figures show the entirety of the motor body disposed above one surface of the lower panel 620 and the entirety of the mass disposed below an opposite surface of the lower panel 620.As used herein, the terms “disposed above” and “disposed below” mean that at least a portion of the relevant component, but not necessarily the entirety of the relevant component, is disposed above or below the specified object.","Vibrating elements may be coupled to a chest band segment at a point that is not between the motor body and the mass.","All such configurations are included within the scope hereof.","Any number of vibrating elements may be included on a chest band segment, and the configuration including two vibrating elements is exemplary only.","A chest band segment may be configured to maintain a certain number of vibrating elements, such as one or more vibrating elements (e.g., the lower panel 620 of the chest band segment 604 may include two apertures and is therefore configured to maintain two vibrating elements).","In use, the chest band segment may include the number of vibrating elements for which it is configured to receive, but it may also include fewer than such number.","For example, although the chest band segment 604 is configured to maintain two vibrating elements, in use, it may include only one vibrating element.","The chest band segment 604 is substantially rectangular in shape.","However, other shapes may also be utilized.","For example, other shapes, such as a circle, oval, square, polygon, elongated polygon, or other shape, may be utilized.","The shape of the chest band segment 604 may depend on the number of vibrating elements that are coupled to the chest band segment.","For example, if only one vibrating element is coupled to a chest band segment, then the chest band segment may be a square.","In embodiments, the chest band 600 may further include one or more covers for covering at least a portion of the chest band 600.For example, each chest band segment may be individually covered such that the vibrating elements are contained within the cover.","The covered chest band segments may then be mounted on the belt.","Additionally or alternatively, the belt and the chest band segments may be contained within a single cover.","For example, a cover may comprise a sleeve that slips over the chest band after the chest band segments have been mounted on the belt.","The one or more covers may be removable to permit access to the belt, the chest band segments, and/or the vibrating elements (e.g., to permit a user to adjust the location of the chest band segments, to add or remove chest band segments, to adjust the length of the belt, and/or to perform maintenance on the vibrating elements or other components).","For example, the one or more covers may include one or more clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, or any other means for securing the cover over the desired portion of the chest band.","The cover may be adjustable, such that the length of the chest band may be increased or decreased by adjusting the cover.","Turning now to the remaining figures, additional exemplary configurations of a chest band and/or chest band segments are discussed.","FIG.","24A provides a front, perspective view of an exemplary vibration band 800, and FIG.","24B provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary vibration band 800.FIG.","24C provides a side elevation view of the vibration band 800.The vibration band 800 includes a band 802 to which vibrating elements 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826 are coupled.","Thus, the vibration band 800 is an exemplary embodiment of a chest band comprising one chest band segment that includes vibrating elements, as discussed above.","For example, the band 802 is an exemplary chest band segment, and the vibrating elements 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826 may have features similar to those previously discussed with respect to vibrating elements.","The term “vibration band” is introduced here for ease of reference to the combination of a band and one or more vibrating elements.","In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.","24A-C, the band 802 is elongated in shape.","As used herein, the term “elongated” is used to describe an object that has a length exceeding its width.","For example, the ratio of the length to width of the band 802 may be between approximately 5:1 and 30:1.In other exemplary configurations, the band 802 may have a different shape, such as non-elongated shape.","In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.","24A-C, the band 802 has a width that is approximately the same as, or slightly wider than, the width of the vibrating elements.","But as shown in FIG.","1, for example, the width of the band 802 may be significantly greater than the width of a vibrating element.","The band 802 may be constructed of elastic materials, non-elastic materials, or a combination of elastic and non-elastic materials.","The band 802 has a first terminal end 804 and a second terminal end 806, which are at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis of the band 802.The band 802 has a top surface 808 and an opposing bottom surface 810.The top surface 808 is the surface that faces away from a user's body when the user wears the vibration band 800, and the bottom surface 810 is the surface that faces toward the user's body in an in-use configuration.","The vibrating elements 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826 are disposed between the first terminal end 804 and the second terminal end 806 of the band 802.In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, the vibrating elements are disposed in pairs.","For example, vibrating elements 812 and 814 constitute a first pair, vibrating elements 816 and 818 constitute a second pair, vibrating elements 820 and 822 constitute a third pair, and vibrating elements 824 and 826 constitute a fourth pair.","The vibrating elements in each pair are disposed relatively close to one another (e.g., the distance between the two vibrating elements is less than the width of a single vibrating element).","The pairs are uniform, in that the space occupied by each pair on the band is approximately the same (i.e.","the total width of the two vibrating elements, including the space between them, is approximately the same for each pair).","The pairs of vibrating elements are spaced along the longitudinal axis of the band 802.In the figures, the pairs are spaced unevenly, with the distance between the first pair and the second pair being greater than the distance between the second pair and the third pair, and with the distance between the third pair and the fourth pair being approximately the same as the distance between the first pair and the second pair.","This uneven spacing may be desirable for providing percussive chest therapy at particular regions of a user's body.","It will be understood that the depicted configuration is exemplary only and that in embodiments, the vibrating elements need not be disposed in pairs.","For example, the vibrating elements may be disposed in groupings of more than two vibrating elements.","The groupings may be uniform, non-uniform, or a combination of the two.","Additionally or alternatively, the vibrating elements may not be disposed in groups, at all.","Furthermore, the number of vibrating elements depicted is exemplary only.","Any number of vibrating elements is included within the scope hereof.","Accordingly, one or more vibrating elements may be spaced evenly and/or unevenly, in groupings and/or not in groupings, along the band 802.Exemplary details regarding the vibrating elements and the manner in which they may be coupled to the band 802 will now be discussed with respect to FIGS.","25A-E. Beginning with FIG.","25A, an exploded view of the vibrating element 816 is provided.","As shown, the vibrating element includes a motor 828 and mass 830 assembly that is housed within a vibrating element housing 834, similar to the exemplary vibrating element configurations previously discussed above.","The vibrating element housing may include one or more pieces.","For example, the housing 834 for vibrating element 816 includes four quadrants 836, 838, 840, and 842 that are sandwiched by two end caps 844 and 846.The various pieces may be assembled and held in place with respect to one another via bolts and nuts, as discussed in more detail below.","An interior portion of the vibrating element housing 834 includes a cavity for retaining the motor 828 and mass 830 assembly.","Although wires and other power connections are not depicted for ease of viewing, it will be understood that the vibrating element 816 may include wires for connecting the motor 828 to a power source.","Such wires may extend through one or more apertures in the housing for the vibrating element, such as the apertures depicted in the end caps 844 and 846.In embodiments, each vibrating element may be powered by a battery or other means such that wires need not extend outside of the housing.","The configuration of the vibrating element 816 depicted in the figures is exemplary only, and it will be understood that the vibrating element 816 may include different and/or additional features, including those discussed herein with respect to other vibrating element configurations.","FIGS.","25B-D depict an exemplary manner in which vibrating element 816 is coupled to the band 802.As shown, quadrants 836 and 838 may be positioned adjacent to the bottom surface 810 of the band 802, and quadrants 840 and 842 may be positioned adjacent to the top surface 808 of the band 802.The band 802 may include an aperture through which the motor 828 and mass 830 assembly extends when the four quadrants are positioned in this manner.","Although not pictured, the four quadrants may include tongues and grooves or other complimentary and/or interlocking components that facilitate securing the four quadrants in place with respect to one another and the band 802, similar to the configuration discussed above with respect to FIGS.","22-23.End caps 844 and 846 may sandwich the four quadrants, as shown.","In the figures, the housing 834 and the enclosed motor 828 and mass 830 assembly are coupled to the band 802 via bolts that extend through the end cap 846, through the quadrants, and through the end cap 844, and that are secured in place by nuts.","The exterior surface of the end cap 844 may include recessed portions configured to receive the nuts so that the nuts sit flush with the end cap 844.This may reduce the risk of the nuts catching on surrounding fabric.","The exterior surface of the end cap 846 may similarly include recessions for the heads of the bolts.","The nuts and bolts depicted in the figures are exemplary only, and it will be understood that vibrating elements may be coupled to the band 802 in many other ways, including other removable and nonremovable fasteners.","As shown in the exemplary configuration depicted in FIG.","25D, the motor 828 and mass 830 are disposed on opposite sides of the band 802, with the motor 828 being above the band 802 and the mass 830 and shaft 832 being below the band 802.Details regarding the vibrational force provided by vibrating element 816 (e.g., the vibrational force that is provided as an asymmetric mass rotates about an axis corresponding to a shaft) were discussed above and are not repeated here.","Additionally, the vertical configuration of the vibrating element and the pivot point that is created when the motor body and the mass are disposed on opposite sides of the band were previously discussed.","It is understood that the previous discussion of these and other features are also applicable to the vibrating element 816 and the band 802; accordingly, these details are also not repeated here.","The vibrating element housing 834 and the manner in which it is coupled to the band 802 in FIGS.","25B-D is exemplary only.","The vibrating element housing 834 has the shape of an octagonal prism, but other housing shapes are included within the scope hereof.","The vibrating element housing 834 includes six different pieces (four quadrants and two end caps), but a larger or smaller number of pieces may be used.","For example, the housing may include two halves and two end caps (e.g., quadrants 836 and 840 may be a single piece and quadrants 838 and 842 may be a single piece).","In this instance, the housing may be secured to the band 802 in the configuration 848 shown in FIG.","25E, with an end cap disposed on one side of a band and the remainder of the housing disposed on the other side of the band.","In this instance, the motor and mass are disposed on the same side of the band.","Such configurations are included within the scope hereof.","Accordingly, the vibrating element housing 834 may be configured in any number of ways, and the vibrating element housing 834 may be secured to the band 802 in any number of ways.","The vibration band 800 may be secured around a user's body in order to provide percussive therapy.","For example, the vibration band 800 may be secured around a user's torso in order to provide percussive chest therapy.","The vibration band 800 may be used to provide percussive therapy at other portions of a user's body, as well.","The vibration band 800 may be sized according to the area of the body at which percussive therapy will be provided.","Releasable connection assemblies, such as buckles, may be secured to the terminal ends of the band 802 in order to facilitate securing the vibration band 800 around a user's body.","Additionally or alternatively, the vibration band 800 may be paired with a cover that facilitates securing the vibration band 800 around a user's body and provides additional features.","An exemplary cover is described directly below.","In FIGS.","26A-B, an apparatus unit 900 that includes a cover 902 enclosing the vibration band 800 is shown.","FIG.","26A provides a front, perspective view of the exemplary cover 902, which shows the side of the cover 902 that faces away from a user's body when the user wears the apparatus unit 900.FIG.","26B provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary cover 902, which shows the side of the cover 902 that faces toward the user's body when the user wears the apparatus unit 900.At a high level, the cover 902 is configured to receive the vibration band 800.The cover 902 may include one or more pockets that correspond to the one or more vibrating elements on the vibration band.","For example, the cover 902 includes pockets 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, and 956, each of which is configured to receive a vibrating element.","In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.","26A-B, the cover 902 is elongated in shape.","For example, the ratio of the length to width of the cover 902 may be between approximately 5:1 and 30:1.However, the cover 902 may also have a different shape, such as non-elongated shape.","In the figures, the width of the cover 902 corresponds to the width of the band 802.For example, the width of the cover 902 may be approximately one to two times the width of the band 802.The cover 902 has a first terminal end 904 and a second terminal end 906, which are at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis of the cover 902.The pockets 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, and 956 are disposed between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906.In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, the spacing between the pockets corresponds to the spacing between the vibrating elements on the band 802.For example, the pockets are disposed in uniform pairs that are spaced unevenly along a longitudinal axis of the cover 902.As discussed with respect to the vibrating elements, the pockets may be spaced evenly and/or unevenly, in groupings (which may be uniform and/or non-uniform) and/or not in groupings, along the cover 902.The pockets are constructed on one side of the cover 902, and an opposite side of the cover 902 includes closeable openings 934, 936, 938, and 940.Each opening provides access to a vibrating element cavity associated with a pair of pockets.","For example, the closeable opening 934 provides access to a vibrating element cavity associated with pockets 942 and 944.The closeable openings may be located on other portions of the cover 902 and may differ in number and size from those shown in the figures.","Additional details regarding the construction of the cover 902, the pockets 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, and 956, the vibrating element cavities, and the closeable openings 934, 936, 938, and 940 will be provided with respect to FIGS.","27A-E below.","The cover 902 includes a releasable connection assembly that may be used to secure the unit 900 around a user's body (e.g., a user's torso) and form a circumferential band.","The releasable connection assembly includes a terminal-end connector 908 coupled to the first terminal end 904 and a terminal-end connector 910 coupled to the second terminal end 906.The terminal-end connectors 908 and 910 may be releasably connectable to one another.","As used herein, the term “releasably connectable” refers to components that are intended to be connected and disconnected repeatedly without degrading the structural integrity of the components.","For example, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, and zippers are examples of releasable connection assemblies that include connectors that are releasably connectable to one another.","In the figures, terminal-end connectors 908 and 910 are complimentary ends (specifically, female and male ends, respectively) of a snap-fit buckle.","However, other types of releasable connection assemblies, included those listed above, are included within the scope hereof.","Furthermore, the terminal ends 904 and 906 may be non-releasably connectable.","As used herein, the term “non-releasably connectable” refers to components that cannot be connected and disconnected repeatedly without degrading the structural integrity of the components.","For example, the terminal ends 904 and 906 may be glued or stitched together such that the unit 900 is permanently or semi-permanently configured as a circumferential band.","The cover also includes length-adjustment mechanisms 928, 930, and 932 for adjusting a length of the unit 900 (i.e.","adjusting a distance between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906) and providing a customized fit for a particular user.","For example, a user with a relatively small torso may shorten the length of the unit 900, such that when the unit is planar (i.e.","is lying flat, as shown in FIGS.","26A-B and FIGS.","28A-B), the distance between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906 is reduced.","FIGS.","28A-B show the unit 900 after the length-adjustment mechanisms 928, 930, and 932 have been used to shorten the length of the unit 900.In the figures, the length-adjustment mechanisms 928, 930, and 932 are adjustable straps with buckles that are coupled to an exterior surface of the cover 902.Other types of length-adjustment mechanisms, as well as length-adjustment mechanisms that are coupled to other surfaces of the cover 902, are also included within the scope hereof.","For example, the length-adjustment mechanisms may include snaps, clasps, zippers, elastic, drawstrings, and other mechanisms.","In an example, the cover 902 may be constructed of an elastic material and/or the cover may include elastic bands so that the length of the unit 900 in a relaxed state is relatively short.","When the cover is placed on a user's body, the elastic may stretch to fit around the user's body and provide a snug fit.","Length-adjustment mechanisms may be located in an interior portion of the cover 902.In the figures, each length-adjustment mechanisms is located between two pairs of pockets on a side of the cover 902 that is generally opposite the side of the cover 902 on which the pockets are constructed.","This allows a user to adjust the spacing between the pairs of pockets and the corresponding vibrating elements and thus position the vibrating elements to provide percussive force at a desired location on the user's body.","The length-adjustment mechanisms may be uniform or non-uniform.","For example, as shown in the figures, length-adjustment mechanisms 928 and 932 have longer straps than length-adjustment mechanism 930 does, and length-adjustment mechanisms 928 and 932 thus facilitate a greater degree of length adjustment than length-adjustment mechanism 930 does.","Accordingly, in the figures, the length-adjustment mechanisms are non-uniform.","The degree of length adjustment that is provided by a particular length-adjustment mechanism may correspond to the distance between the two pairs of pockets between which the length-adjustment mechanism is located.","For example, the distance between the pair of pockets 946 and 948 and the pair of pockets 950 and 952 is smaller than the distance between the pair of pockets 942 and 944 and the pair of pockets 946 and 948.Accordingly, the length-adjustment mechanism 928 provides for a greater degree of length adjustment than does length-adjustment mechanism 930.The cover 902 also includes interspaced connectors 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, and 926 that are positioned along a longitudinal axis of the cover 902 between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906 and that extend laterally from the cover 902 in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cover and that is also perpendicular to a direction in which the pockets protrude.","These interspaced connectors may be configured to releasably connect to a mating connector, such as a mating connector coupled to another apparatus unit.","For example, in FIGS.","29A-B, the interspaced connectors are used to releasably connect the unit 900 to another unit 1000.As previously discussed, the ability to couple one or more units in parallel provides for the application of a percussive force across a larger area of a user's body and facilitates customization for a particular user.","The interspaced connectors may also be used to connect shoulder straps to the unit 900.For example, in FIGS.","29A-B, the interspaced connectors are used to releasably connect shoulder straps 978 and 986 to the unit 900 via shoulder connectors 980, 982, 988, and 990.The shoulder straps may include length-adjustment mechanisms 984 and 992 for adjusting the length of the shoulder straps and providing a customized fit for a particular user.","The configuration and number of interspaced connectors in the figures is exemplary only.","For example, the cover 902 may include an interspaced connector comprising a zipper that runs along the length of the cover 902 between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906.As another example, the cover 902 may include eyelets through which a lace is threaded and used to connect the unit 900 to another unit.","Accordingly, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, zippers, laces, and any number of other connectors may be used as one or more interspaced connectors for releasably connecting the unit 900 to another unit and/or to shoulder straps.","Additionally or alternatively, the unit 900 may be non-releasably connected to another unit and/or to shoulder straps.","Turning now to FIGS.","27A-E, a more detailed discussion of the construction of the cover 902 will be provided.","FIGS.","27A-C provide an enlarged, front, perspective view of a portion of the cover 902.In FIG.","27A, the closeable opening 936 is in a closed position, and in FIGS.","27B-C, the closeable opening 936 is in an open position.","An opening and closing mechanism 958 facilitates the transition between the open and closed positions and secures the opening in the closed position.","In the figures, the opening and closing mechanism 958 is depicted as a zipper, but many other mechanism are included within the scope hereof.","For example, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, and laces may be used as the opening and closing mechanism 958.FIG.","27B shows the cover 902 having an empty interior, while FIG.","27C shows the vibration band 800 enclosed within the cover 902.As shown in FIG.","27 B, the closeable opening 936 provides access to a vibrating element cavity 960 associated with pockets 946 and 948 (the pockets that are opposite the closeable opening 936).","Each of the pockets is configured to receive a vibrating element.","For example, the shape of the interior portion of the pockets corresponds to the shape of the vibrating elements.","The vibration band 800 may be inserted into the cover 902 (e.g., inserted into one of the closeable openings and then guided along the length of the cover, using the other closeable openings as access points), and each vibrating element may be inserted into a corresponding pocket.","Releasable connectors 994 and 996 may be used to secure the vibration band 800 in place and prevent the vibrating elements from slipping out of the pockets and/or the band 802 from sliding.","In the figures, the length of the band 802 is comparable to the length of the cover 902.But as discussed herein with respect to additional configurations, the band 802 may be comprised of one or more segments.","For example, the band 802 may be comprised of four smaller segments, each of which includes one of the pairs of vibrating elements.","Each such segment may be inserted into the cover 902 through the closeable openings.","Additionally or alternatively, the unit 900 may not include a vibration band, at all.","The vibrating elements may be standalone components that are disposed directly in the pockets and secured in place.","FIGS.","27D-E provide cross-section views of the cover 902.The cover 902 is comprised of a tubular sleeve, which includes a tubular wall 976 that circumscribes a space 966 that is configured to receive the vibration band 800.The tubular wall 976 may be one continuous wall, or it may be several walls sewn together.","In the figures, the tubular sleeve has a rectangular cross-section, but any other cross-section shape is included within the scope hereof.","The wall 976 may have several different sides, including a front side 968 that faces away from the user in an in-use configuration, a rear side 972 that faces toward the user in an in-use configuration, a bottom side 970, and a top side 974.The wall 976 has an exterior surface 962 that faces away from the space 966 and an interior surface 964 that faces towards the space 966.The front side 968 includes the closeable openings described above.","The closeable openings extend entirely through the tubular wall from the exterior surface 962 to the interior surface 964 and fluidly connect with the space 966.The interspaced connectors are coupled to the bottom side 970 and top side 974 of the wall 976.The rear side 972 is generally opposite the front side 968 and includes the pockets described above.","The pockets correspond to a portion of the wall 976 that protrudes away from the space 966 to form a recess configured to receive a vibrating element, as shown in FIG.","27E.","The portion of the tubular wall 976 that protrudes away from the space 966 may include a non-slip material on the exterior surface 962 of the tubular wall 976.For example, the portions 997 and 999 of the exterior surface 962 of the tubular wall 976 may include a non-slip material, such as neoprene.","The direction in which the tubular wall 976 protrudes may be substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the interspaced connectors extend from the tubular wall 976.This configuration ensures that when two units are connected in parallel, the pockets of both units are flush with a user's body.","A padding layer 998 may line the tubular wall along the entire length of the cover 902.Additionally or alternatively, the padding layer 998 may line the tubular wall only in portions of the cover corresponding to the pockets (e.g., extending 1-2 inches on either side of a pair of pockets).","Including the padding layer 998 in this portion of the cover may help stabilize the vibrating elements (e.g., maintain them in a vertical position).","In some instances, the recesses configured to receive the vibrating elements may also be lined with padding.","The padding may enhance the comfort of the user during percussive therapy.","For example, the padding may prevent the hard housing of the vibrating elements from causing discomfort, while still allowing the percussive force to reach the user's body.","Accordingly, the material for the padding may be selected so that the vibrational force provided by the vibrational elements is not overly dampened.","The remainder of the tubular wall may not be lined with padding in order to reduce bulk and facilitate length adjustments.","The padding layer 998 may include foam or another material.","Turning now to the remaining figures, several different in-use configurations are shown.","FIGS.","30A-B show the units 900 and 1000 secured around the torso of a user via releasable connection assemblies and shoulder straps.","FIGS.","31A-C show a wearable pack 1100 that includes loops 1102, 1104, and 1106 for receiving the unit 900.The pack 1100 may maintain the unit 900 at a desired height on a user's body and prevent the unit 900 from slipping downward.","In this way, the pack 1100 may serve a purpose that is similar to that served by the shoulder straps shown in FIGS.","30A-B.","FIGS.","32A-B show a crisscross configuration of units 900 and 1000.The crisscross configuration may be facilitated by a positioning mechanism 1200 for positioning and maintaining multiple units in a crisscross configuration.","For example, FIGS.","33A-B show a positioning mechanism 1200 that includes two separate sleeves 1202 and 1204 that are rotatably coupled to one another.","A unit may be placed in each sleeve, and the sleeves may then be rotated until they are offset by a desired angle, such as an angle of approximately 90 degrees, as is shown in FIG.","32B.","The sleeves may include hook-and-loop fasteners, or any other releasable connector, to facilitate placing a unit in the sleeve.","An additional exemplary configuration of a positioning mechanism 1300 is shown in FIG.","34.The positioning mechanism 1300 may be a disc that includes channels for receiving a unit and routing the unit in a desired direction.","The controller and user input features previously discussed herein may be incorporated into the unit 900 (and any additional units used in conjunction with unit 900).","For example, the unit 900 may be communicatively coupled to a mobile device application and/or a remote control.","When multiple units are used in conjunction with one another, they may be controlled in a coordinated manner.","For example, a mobile device application and/or remote may allow a user to select a number of units that are to be used, allow the user to pair each unit to the mobile device and/or remote, such as via a Bluetooth® connection, and enable the user to customize a percussive therapy session based on the user's particular needs.","Additionally or alternatively, user input components may be provided on the units, themselves.","The units may include a display screen that displays information regarding operational settings.","It will be understood by those having skill in the relevant art that the features described herein with respect to various exemplary embodiments may be combined and/or interchanged.","For example, the features described with respect to the exemplary chest bands 100 or 600 may be combined and/or interchanged with the features described with respect to the exemplary vibration band 800 and/or unit 900.As one example, rather than mounting chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 on the belt 602, these chest band segments may be coupled together in a linear chain via a series of connectors, as are chest band segments 102 and 104 in FIGS.","1-4, for example.","As another example, chest band segments 102 and 104 may include connectors in order to facilitate the formation of parallel chains of chest band segments, as discussed with respect to other embodiments.","Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments discussed with respect to the figures herein are not intended to be mutually exclusive, but instead set forth various features that may be combined and incorporated into an apparatus for providing percussive therapy.","FIG.","16 provides a block diagram that shows exemplary components that may be included in an exemplary portable apparatus 300 for providing chest therapy.","As previously discussed, the portable apparatus 300 may include a chest band (also referred to as a “vibration band” herein) 310 having one or more vibrating elements 312.The portable apparatus 300 may further include a power supply 314 and a controller 316.A user input component 318 and a nebulizer treatment component 320 may also be included.","As described above, the controller 316 may control the operation of the chest band 310 and the nebulizer treatment component 320 based on a user input received at the user input component 318.One or more of these components may be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to one another.","It will be understood that the components illustrated in FIG.","16 are exemplary in nature and in number and should not be construed as limiting.","Any number of components may be employed to achieve the functionality described herein.","Components in addition to those illustrated in FIG.","16 may also be included within the apparatus 300 and are included within the scope hereof.","As described above, a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user may include a controller that controls various operations of the apparatus.","The controller may be, for example, a computing device, such as the exemplary computing device 400 of FIG.","17.Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine useable instructions, including computer executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine.","Generally, program modules including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code that performs particular tasks or implements particular abstract data types.","Embodiments hereof may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including hand held devices, consumer electronics, general purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, etc.","Moreover, embodiments hereof may also be practiced in a distributed computing system where tasks are performed by separate or remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network.","Computing device 400 is but one example of a suitable operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments hereof.","The computing device 400 should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one component nor any combination of components illustrated.","As shown in the example of FIG.","17, the computing device 400 may have a bus 410 that directly or indirectly couples the following components: a memory 412, one or more processors 414, one or more presentation components 416, one or more input/output (I/O) ports 418, one or more I/O components 420, and an illustrative power supply 422.Bus 410 represents what may be one or more buses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof).","Although the various components of FIG.","17 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components may not be so clear.","For example, a presentation component, such as a display device, may be considered to be an I/O component.","Additionally, processors may have memory.","The power supply 422 might include a rechargeable battery.","For example, the power supply 422 may be a rechargeable battery that provides power to various components of a portable apparatus, including the vibrating elements, the nebulizer treatment component, and the controller, among others.","As mentioned above, the rechargeable battery may be a lithium-ion battery of a desired voltage.","As will be understood, the components of exemplary computing device 400 may be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the invention.","In embodiments, computing device 400 may include fewer components than those depicted in FIG.","17, or other components in addition to those depicted in FIG.","17.Computing device 400 typically may have a variety of non-transitory computer-readable media.","By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise Random Access Memory (RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or other memory technologies; CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical or holographic media; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, carrier wave or any other medium that can be used to encode desired information and be accessed by computing device 400.Memory 412 may be comprised of tangible computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory.","Memory 412 may be removable, nonremovable, or a combination thereof.","Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc.","Computing device 400 is depicted to have one or more processors 414 that read data from various entities such as memory 412 or I/O components 420.Exemplary data that is read by a processor may be comprised of computer code or machine-useable instructions, which may be computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine.","Presentation component(s) 416 may present data indications to a user or other device.","Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, light-emitting component, etc.","I/O ports 418 allow computing device 400 to be logically coupled to other devices including I/O components 420, some of which may be built in.","In the context of embodiments hereof, the computing device 400 may be used to control various components included in a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user.","For example, the controller discussed above may include at least some of the components of computing device 400.Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below.","Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive.","Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it.","Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below.","Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CHEST THERAPY\",\n \"An apparatus includes a vibration band that is enclosed by an elongated cover.\",\n \"The vibration band includes an elongated band having a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.\",\n \"One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.\",\n \"The elongated cover has a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end.\",\n \"The elongated cover includes a releasable connection assembly, which includes a first terminal-end connector coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the cover second terminal end.\",\n \"The second terminal-end connector is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.\",\n \"The elongated cover further includes one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.An apparatus comprising: a vibration band comprising: an elongated band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end, and one or more vibrating elements disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end; and an elongated cover that comprises a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end and that encloses the vibration band, the elongated cover comprising: a releasable connection assembly comprising a first terminal-end connector coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the cover second terminal end and releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector, and one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.\",\n \"2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated cover includes a length-adjustment mechanism that adjusts a distance between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.\",\n \"3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the length-adjustment mechanism is coupled to an exterior surface of the elongated cover.\",\n \"4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated cover comprises a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve comprising a tubular wall that circumscribes a space configured to receive the vibration band, the tubular wall having an interior surface facing towards the space and an exterior surface facing away from the space.\",\n \"5.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the tubular wall includes a pocket configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"6.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pocket comprises a portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space to form a recess configured to receive the respective vibrating element.\",\n \"7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space includes a non-slip material on the exterior surface.\",\n \"8.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the portion of the tubular wall protrudes in a first direction, and wherein at least one of the interspaced connectors extends from the tubular wall in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.\",\n \"9.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tubular wall includes an opening that extends entirely through the tubular wall from the exterior surface to the interior surface and that fluidly connects with the space, wherein the opening is generally opposite a side of the tubular wall on which the pocket is constructed.\",\n \"10.An apparatus comprising: a vibration band comprising: a band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end, and one or more vibrating elements disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end; and an elongated cover that encloses the vibration band, the elongated cover comprising one or more pockets, each pocket configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongated cover comprises a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve comprising a tubular wall that circumscribes a space configured to receive the vibration band, the tubular wall having an interior surface facing towards the space and an exterior surface facing away from the space.\",\n \"12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pocket comprises a portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space to form a recess configured to receive the respective vibrating element.\",\n \"13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the portion of the tubular wall that protrudes away from the space includes a non-slip material on the exterior surface.\",\n \"14.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tubular wall includes an opening that extends entirely through the tubular wall from the exterior surface to the interior surface and that fluidly connects with the space, wherein the opening is generally opposite a side of the tubular wall on which the pocket is constructed.\",\n \"15.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one or more interspaced connectors are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular sleeve.\",\n \"16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the portion of the tubular wall protrudes in a first direction, and wherein at least one of the interspaced connectors extends from the tubular wall in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.\",\n \"17.An apparatus comprising: a vibration band comprising: an elongated band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end, and one or more vibrating elements disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end; and an elongated cover that comprises a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end and that encloses the vibration band, the elongated cover comprising: a releasable connection assembly comprising a first terminal-end connector coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector coupled to the cover second terminal end and releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector, one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end, and one or more pockets, each pocket configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"18.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein an exterior surface of the pocket includes a non-slip material.\",\n \"19.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elongated cover further comprises an opening that is generally opposite a side of the elongated cover on which the pocket is positioned.\",\n \"20.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more vibrating elements comprise at least four uniform groupings of vibrating elements that are spaced unevenly between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Individuals having certain medical conditions may undergo chest physical therapy to aid with lung drainage and airway clearance.\",\n \"Such medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), progressive muscle weakness (e.g., myasthenia gravis), and tetanus.\",\n \"Individuals having lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and certain forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), including chronic bronchitis, may also benefit from chest physical therapy.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.\",\n \"This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.\",\n \"Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this Summary.\",\n \"In brief and at a high level this disclosure describes, among other things, a portable apparatus for providing therapy, such as chest physical therapy to a user.\",\n \"In one example, the portable apparatus may include a chest band having one or more vibrating elements coupled thereto.\",\n \"When the chest band is worn by a user, the vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force to various portions of the user's chest and/or thorax.\",\n \"This vibrational force may, among other things, improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/563,644, filed Dec. 8, 2014, and entitled, “Portable Apparatus for Providing Chest Therapy,” which claims the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/913,409, filed Dec. 9, 2013, and entitled, “Mobile Percussion Airway Clearance System.” The entirety of the disclosures of each of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/563,644 and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"61/913,409 is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Individuals having certain medical conditions may undergo chest physical therapy to aid with lung drainage and airway clearance.\",\n \"Such medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), progressive muscle weakness (e.g., myasthenia gravis), and tetanus.\",\n \"Individuals having lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and certain forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), including chronic bronchitis, may also benefit from chest physical therapy.\",\n \"SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.\",\n \"This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.\",\n \"Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this Summary.\",\n \"In brief and at a high level this disclosure describes, among other things, a portable apparatus for providing therapy, such as chest physical therapy to a user.\",\n \"In one example, the portable apparatus may include a chest band having one or more vibrating elements coupled thereto.\",\n \"When the chest band is worn by a user, the vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force to various portions of the user's chest and/or thorax.\",\n \"This vibrational force may, among other things, improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure makes reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, where the exemplary chest band is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, where the exemplary chest band is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary chest band including vibrating elements, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"5 is a plan view of a top surface of an exemplary chest band segment, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a cross-section view of the exemplary chest band segment of FIG.\",\n \"5, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"7 is an enlarged, cross-section view of an exemplary vibrating element of FIG.\",\n \"6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"8 is a cutaway view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"9 is an exploded view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"10 is a top-down plan view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"11 is a plan view of a top surface of an exemplary chest band segment including vibrating elements, where each of the vibrating elements is electrically coupled to a power source, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a plan view of a top surface of an exemplary chest band segment including vibrating elements, where each of the vibrating elements is electrically coupled to a power source, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"13 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary chest band coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"14 is a cutaway view of an exemplary wearable pack coupled to an exemplary chest band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"15 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, where the combination of the chest band and the wearable pack is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a block diagram showing exemplary components that may be included in an exemplary portable apparatus for providing chest physical therapy, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"17 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device that may be used in conjunction with a portable apparatus for providing chest physical therapy, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"18 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary belt on which chest band segments are mounted, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary chest band including a belt on which chest band segments are mounted, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"20A is a side elevation view of the exemplary chest band of FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"20B is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the exemplary chest band of FIG.\",\n \"20A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary chest bands that are coupled together in parallel, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"22A-B are plan views of a top and bottom surface, respectively, of an exemplary chest band segment including vibrating elements, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"22C is a side elevation view of the exemplary chest band segment of FIGS.\",\n \"22A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"23A is a perspective view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"23B is an exploded cutaway view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"23C is a cross-section view of the exemplary chest band segment of FIG.\",\n \"22C, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"24A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary vibration band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"24C is a side elevation view of the exemplary vibration band of FIGS.\",\n \"24A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"25A is an exploded view of an exemplary vibrating element, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"25B-C are enlarged front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of a portion of the exemplary vibration band of FIGS.\",\n \"24A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"25D is a cross-section view of the portion of the exemplary vibration band shown in FIG.\",\n \"25C, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"25E is a side elevation view of a portion of an exemplary vibration band, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary apparatus unit, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"27A-B are enlarged perspective views of a portion of a cover of the exemplary apparatus unit of FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"27C is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the exemplary apparatus unit of FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"27D-E are cross-section views of the portion of the cover shown in FIG.\",\n \"27B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"28A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of the exemplary apparatus unit of FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B after its length has been adjusted, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"29A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary apparatus units that are coupled together in parallel, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"30A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary units that are coupled together in parallel being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"31A is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary wearable pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"31B is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary apparatus unit coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"31C is a front, perspective view of an exemplary apparatus unit coupled to an exemplary wearable pack, where the combination is being worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIGS.\",\n \"32A-B are front and rear, perspective views, respectively, of two exemplary apparatus units being worn in a crisscross configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; FIG.\",\n \"33A-B are perspective views of an exemplary positioning mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof; and FIG.\",\n \"34 is a perspective view of an exemplary positioning mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment hereof.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The subject matter of select embodiments may be described with specificity to meet statutory requirements.\",\n \"But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the claims.\",\n \"Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.\",\n \"Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps disclosed herein unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.\",\n \"For purposes of this disclosure, the word “including” has the same broad meaning as the word “comprising.” In addition, words such as “a” and “an,” unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, include the plural as well as the singular.\",\n \"Thus, for example, the constraint of “a feature” is satisfied where one or more features are present.\",\n \"Also, the term “or” includes the conjunctive, the disjunctive, and both (a or b thus includes either a or b, as well as a and b).\",\n \"Embodiments of the invention include a portable apparatus for providing therapy, such as chest physical therapy, to a user.\",\n \"The therapy provided by the apparatus may improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments of the invention may be described as a “Mobile Percussion Airway Clearance System” or “MPACS.” Individuals having certain medical conditions and/or diseases may benefit from the chest therapy provided by the features described herein.\",\n \"Such medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), progressive muscle weakness (e.g., myasthenia gravis), and tetanus.\",\n \"Individuals having lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and certain forms of COPD, including chronic bronchitis, may also benefit from chest physical therapy provided by the features described herein.\",\n \"While the present disclosure focuses on chest physical therapy (which may be referred to herein as “chest therapy”), it will be understood by those having skill in the relevant art that the features described herein could be used for various other forms of physical therapy.\",\n \"Such other forms of physical therapy are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"An exemplary embodiment described herein may provide high-frequency chest wall percussions by way of a chest band including one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"When the chest band is worn by a user, the vibrating elements may be positioned adjacent to the user's chest and/or thorax in order to provide a vibrational force to various portions of the user's chest and/or thorax.\",\n \"It is this force that may, among other things, improve lung drainage, mobilize lung secretions, and promote airway clearance.\",\n \"A significant advantage of the portable apparatus including the features described herein is that it maximizes the mobility of the user while the user engages in a chest therapy session provided by the apparatus.\",\n \"To this end, the apparatus may be lightweight and portable.\",\n \"Accordingly, the user may engage in a chest therapy session provided by the apparatus while simultaneously participating in daily activities, such as cooking, walking, driving, cleaning, yard work, playing, and the like.\",\n \"The user may also engage in a chest therapy session provided by the apparatus while simultaneously participating in relatively strenuous activities, such as running, hiking, bike riding, exercising, and the like.\",\n \"Any encumbrance to the user during such daily and relatively strenuous activities is minimal.\",\n \"And because the apparatus is lightweight, portable, convenient, and comfortable, the user is likely to engage in chest therapy sessions more often than the user would if the user was required to use other devices that are heavier and more restrictive.\",\n \"Furthermore, the ability to exercise while engaging in a chest therapy session may provide particular advantages.\",\n \"For example, the chest therapy session might improve the user's ability to breath during exercise, thereby enhancing the user's exercise experience.\",\n \"In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may include a wearable pack, where the wearable pack may be used to store and transport all components needed for chest therapy, as well as other types of therapy and/or treatment, such as nebulizer treatments.\",\n \"Even with these additional components, the apparatus may weigh approximately 8 pounds or less.\",\n \"Again, this enhanced mobility provides numerous benefits.\",\n \"For example, the user may easily carry the apparatus with him wherever he goes.\",\n \"The user need not return home (or to some other fixed location) in order to engage in a chest therapy and/or nebulizer treatment session.\",\n \"The user may maintain a physically and/or socially active schedule while also obtaining the benefits of frequent chest therapy sessions and nebulizer treatments.\",\n \"The apparatus may thereby provide psychological benefits due to significant lifestyle improvements.\",\n \"A number of features provide the mobility advantages mentioned above.\",\n \"As already described, the apparatus may be lightweight and portable.\",\n \"Additionally, a portable power source, such as batteries, may be used to power the apparatus.\",\n \"As will be discussed in more detail below, a configuration of vibrating elements may maximize user mobility and minimize any physical interference caused by the apparatus.\",\n \"Additionally, a chest band may be comprised, at least in part, of elastic materials, thereby allowing a user to breathe normally during a chest therapy session.\",\n \"This exemplary feature, among others, allows a user to engage in strenuous activities that may result in heavy breathing while wearing the chest band.\",\n \"Notably, exemplary embodiments hereof do not rely on pneumatic forces to provide chest therapy to a user.\",\n \"This may be advantageous, because the equipment required to provide such pneumatic force may be heavy, cumbersome, and power intensive.\",\n \"This discussion of exemplary advantages is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting.\",\n \"Based on the present disclosure, it will be understood that additional advantages are provided by a portable apparatus for providing therapy, as described herein.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments hereof include a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user.\",\n \"The portable apparatus may include a wearable pack.\",\n \"A chest band including one or more chest band segments may be coupled to the wearable pack.\",\n \"The wearable pack may be configured to be worn around a chest of the user.\",\n \"A plurality of vibrating elements may be coupled to the one or more chest band segments.\",\n \"The plurality of vibrating elements may provide a vibrational force to the chest of the user when the chest band is worn around the chest of the user.\",\n \"The portable apparatus may further include a nebulizer treatment component coupled to the wearable pack.\",\n \"A user input component may be provided for receiving a user input regarding an operation of one or more of the nebulizer treatment component or the plurality of vibrating elements.\",\n \"The user input component may be electrically coupled to the plurality of vibrating elements and the nebulizer treatment component.\",\n \"An additional embodiment includes a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user.\",\n \"The portable apparatus may include a chest band segment including a top surface parallel to an opposite bottom surface.\",\n \"The bottom surface of the chest band segment may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a body of the user.\",\n \"A plurality of vibrating elements may be coupled to the chest band segment, where each of the plurality of vibrating elements provides a vibrational force.\",\n \"Yet another embodiment provides an article of manufacture that includes a panel having a top surface that is parallel to an opposite bottom surface.\",\n \"The bottom surface may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a body of a user.\",\n \"A vibrating element may be coupled to the panel, where the vibrating element provides a vibrational force.\",\n \"Another embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a vibration band, which includes an elongated band comprising a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.\",\n \"One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.\",\n \"An elongated cover that comprises a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end encloses the vibration band.\",\n \"The elongated cover includes a releasable connection assembly, which includes a first terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover second terminal end and that is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.\",\n \"The elongated cover further includes one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.\",\n \"An additional embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a vibration band and an elongated cover that encloses the vibration band.\",\n \"The vibration band includes a band that has a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.\",\n \"One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.\",\n \"The elongated cover includes one or more pockets, each of which is configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"Yet another embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a vibration band and an elongated cover that encloses the vibration band.\",\n \"The vibration band includes an elongated band having a band first terminal end and a band second terminal end.\",\n \"One or more vibrating elements are disposed between the band first terminal end and the band second terminal end.\",\n \"The elongated cover includes a cover first terminal end and a cover second terminal end.\",\n \"The cover further includes a releasable connection assembly, which includes a first terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover first terminal end and a second terminal-end connector that is coupled to the cover second terminal end and that is releasably connectable to the first terminal-end connector.\",\n \"The cover also includes one or more interspaced connectors disposed between the cover first terminal end and the cover second terminal end.\",\n \"Additionally, the cover includes one or more pockets, each of which is configured to receive a respective one of the one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"With reference now to the figures, components included in a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user are described in accordance with embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"Various embodiments are described with respect to the figures in which like elements are depicted with like reference numerals.\",\n \"Referring initially to FIG.\",\n \"1, a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band 100, where the exemplary chest band is being worn by a user, is provided.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 100 being worn by the user.\",\n \"The chest band 100 may include one or more chest band segments, such as the chest band segments 102 and 104.Each chest band segment may include one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"For example, the chest band segment 102 includes vibrating elements 106, 108, 122, and 124, and the chest band segment 104 includes vibrating elements 110, 112, 118, and 120.The vibrating elements may be uniform in size and/or shape.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the vibrating elements may vary in size and/or shape.\",\n \"At the front of the user's body, the chest band segments 102 and 104 are coupled to one another by connection components 114 and 116.At the back of the user's body, the chest band segments 102 and 104 are coupled to one another by connection components 126 and 128.As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2, one or more chest band segments may be coupled to one another to form a circumferential chest band.\",\n \"While the exemplary chest band 100 includes two chest band segments (chest band segments 102 and 104), any number of chest band segments is contemplated as being within the scope hereof.\",\n \"For example, a single chest band segment might wrap around the body of the user.\",\n \"In this case, one or more connection components may be needed in only one location in order to couple one end of the single chest band segment to the opposing end of the single chest band segment.\",\n \"In other examples, more than two chest band segments may be coupled to one another in order to form a chest band.\",\n \"In this instance, connection components may be used to couple one chest band segment to the next in order to form a continuous circumferential chest band.\",\n \"A chest band comprising multiple chest band segments may provide several advantages.\",\n \"For example, chest band segments having various uniform configurations may be manufactured, and each individual user may select a number of chest band segments having a desired configuration to serve the particular user's needs.\",\n \"For example, if a user has a relatively large chest circumference, the user might require several chest band segments, while a young child having a relatively small chest circumference might require fewer chest band segments.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, multiple sizes of chest band segments and/or chest bands might be provided.\",\n \"A further advantage of chest bands comprising multiple chest band segments is that a user may easily replace a single chest band segment that is malfunctioning.\",\n \"In other words, if one vibrating element on one chest band segment is not working, the user may simply replace that singular chest band segment with a new one, rather than incurring the expense of replacing the entire chest band.\",\n \"The chest band segments 102 and 104 may be comprised of any type and/or number of materials.\",\n \"For example, a rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic, may be used.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, a flexible material, such as a foam and/or elastic material, may be used.\",\n \"In some instances, any combination of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials may be used to form a chest band segment.\",\n \"The illustrative connection components 114, 116, 126, and 128 shown in the figures include a snap-fit buckle that joins two straps, each of which is coupled to a chest band segment.\",\n \"For example, connection component 116 includes a snap-fit buckle 156 that joins strap 158, which is coupled to the chest band segment 104, with strap 160, which is coupled to the chest band segment 102.The snap-fit buckle 156 may allow the length of strap 158 and/or strap 160 to be adjusted.\",\n \"The remaining connection components may provide similar features.\",\n \"In this way, the circumference of the chest band 100 may be easily adjusted and tailored to the size of a particular user.\",\n \"Additionally, the material comprising straps 158 and 160 may be elastic, such that the connection components may stretch in length.\",\n \"Advantageously, this allows the chest band 100 to fit snugly around the chest of the user, while also allowing the user to take deep breaths and cough.\",\n \"Thus, the user need not pause or discontinue treatment in order to breathe deeply or cough to expel mucus from the lungs.\",\n \"Accordingly, the user may engage in any number of activities while wearing the chest band and engaging in chest therapy.\",\n \"It will be understood that the connection components 114, 116, 126, and 128 are exemplary only, and that any number of other connection component configurations are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"For example, the connection components may comprise clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, or any other means for connecting one chest band segment to another.\",\n \"Any combination of these components is included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"It will further be understood that the number of connection components illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2 is exemplary only, and that any number of connection components may be used to connect one chest band segment to another.\",\n \"In some instances, the chest band segments may be mounted on a belt, such as an elastic belt, where the belt wraps around the chest of the user.\",\n \"Thus, in some instances, the chest band segments might not include connection components, but might instead be mounted on a belt or other item that may be secured around the user's chest.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"18 shows an exemplary belt 500 on which chest band segments 102 and 104 are mounted.\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2, the vibrating elements 106, 108, 110, 112, 118, 120, 122, and 124 may be coupled to the chest band segments 102 and 104.When the user wears the chest band, the vibrating elements are positioned at various portions of the user's body, and when the vibrating elements are in operation, they provide a vibrational force to the user's body.\",\n \"The operation of the vibrating elements and the vibrational force provided to the user's body are discussed in more detail with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"6-10 below, while exemplary configurations of the vibrating elements are discussed here with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"1-2.The vibrating elements may be positioned at particular locations on the chest band segments, such that when the chest band is worn by a user and the chest band segments are positioned adjacent to the user's body, the vibrating elements are located at a desired portion of the user's lung.\",\n \"For example, the vibrating elements may be placed according to particular lung lobe regions in order to provide a vibrational force to areas of the lung where mucus accumulates.\",\n \"The configuration of vibrating elements illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2 is exemplary only.\",\n \"In other instances, the vibrating elements may be positioned at any location on the chest band segments 102 and 104.The exemplary configuration shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2 does, however, provide certain advantages, including enhanced mobility of the user while he is wearing the chest band.\",\n \"This enhanced mobility is at least partially attributable to the positioning of the upper vibrating elements, including vibrating elements 106, 112, 118, and 124, at a lateral area of the user's body, and the positioning of the lower vibrating elements, including vibrating elements 108, 110, 120 and 122, at a medial area of the user's body.\",\n \"As a user moves and swings his arm, the upper portion of his arm, near his armpit, has a more limited range of motion than a lower portion of his arm, near his elbow.\",\n \"Thus, as the user walks, runs, or engages in any number of activities, the lower portion of the user's arm may swing across the user's body or rub against the user's torso.\",\n \"The motion of the upper portion of the user's arm, by contrast, will be more limited.\",\n \"Accordingly, an upper vibrating element, such as the vibrating element 106, may be located at a lateral portion of the user's body and may have limited impact on the user's arm motions.\",\n \"Because the lower portion of the user's arm has a greater range of motion, a lower vibrating element, such as vibrating element 108, may be located at a medial portion of the user's body.\",\n \"Thus, as the user's arm moves next to the user's side, the user's arm is less likely to catch on and/or rub against the vibrating element 108, because it is located at a medial portion of the user's chest.\",\n \"Accordingly, the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2 allows the vibrating elements to be positioned at various portions of the user's lungs, while also maximizing the mobility of the user and allowing the user to swing his arms freely when the user is wearing the chest band.\",\n \"Turning now to FIGS.\",\n \"3-4, a front, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 100 is provided in FIG.\",\n \"3.The portion of the chest band 100 that is visible in FIG.\",\n \"3 is the portion that may face away from the user when the user wears the chest band.\",\n \"In other words, it is the same portion that is visible in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2.A rear, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 100 is provided in FIG.\",\n \"4.The portion of the chest band 100 that is visible in FIG.\",\n \"4 is the portion that may be adjacent to the user's body when the user wears the chest band 100.In other words, this portion of the chest band 100 is not visible when the user wears the chest band, because this is the portion that presses against the user's body.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 shows a plan view of a top surface of the exemplary chest band segment 102.FIG.\",\n \"6 provides a cross-section view of the exemplary chest band segment 102 of FIG.\",\n \"5.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"6, the chest band segment may resemble a flat panel.\",\n \"In particular, the chest band segment 102 may include a top surface 130 that is parallel to an opposite bottom surface 132, such that the chest band segment forms a plane.\",\n \"The chest band segment 102 may be configured such that the bottom surface 132 is positioned adjacent to the user's body when the chest band segment 102 is in use.\",\n \"The vibrating elements 108 and 122 extend through the bottom surface 132 and the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.As can be seen in this cross-section view of FIG.\",\n \"6, the vibrating elements 108 and 122 are maintained in a vertical position with respect to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.This vertical positioning of vibrating elements will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"6-7, after the exemplary components that may be included in the vibrating elements are described with respect to the vibrating element 108 in FIGS.\",\n \"8-10.A cutaway view of the exemplary vibrating element 108 is provided in FIG.\",\n \"8.The vibrating element 108 may have a top end 162 and an opposite bottom end 164.In embodiments, the top end 162 and the bottom end 164 are axially opposed along a central vertical axis Y.\",\n \"The vibrating element may include a motor having various components, such as a motor body 144, a shaft 146, and a mass 148.A power connection 150 may provide power to the motor.\",\n \"The vibrating element 108 may further include a housing for the motor components.\",\n \"In particular, an inner housing 138 and an outer housing having an upper portion 134 and a lower portion 136 may be provided.\",\n \"The position of the motor body 144 may be maintained within the inner housing 138 by one or more positioning rings.\",\n \"For example, an upper positioning ring 142 may be positioned adjacent to the top of the motor body 144 at the top end 162 of the vibrating element 108.A lower positioning ring 140 may be positioned adjacent to the bottom of the motor body 144.In this way, the upper positioning ring 142 and the lower positioning ring 140 may maintain the motor body 144 at a desired position within the inner housing 138.The exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures includes an asymmetric outer housing.\",\n \"For example, the lower portion 136 of the outer housing, which is adjacent to the user's chest during use, may include a rounded surface that serves as a percussion cap.\",\n \"The percussion cap may enhance the user's comfort during chest physical therapy.\",\n \"For example, even if an intense vibrational force is provided to the user's body by the vibrating elements, the percussion cap may allow such force to be provided with minimal discomfort to the user.\",\n \"Other configurations of an outer housing are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"In some instances, a symmetric outer housing may be used.\",\n \"Each of the vibrating element components described with respect to FIG.\",\n \"8 is also depicted in the exploded view of the vibrating element 108 provided by FIG.\",\n \"9.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9, the upper positioning ring 142 and the lower positioning ring 140 may be positioned adjacent to a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively, of the motor body 144.The two positioning rings and the motor may fit within the inner housing 138.The outer housing upper portion 134 and the outer housing lower portion 136 may fit over the inner housing 138.FIG.\",\n \"10 provides a top-down plan view of the exemplary vibrating element 108.As mentioned, when the vibrating element 108 is in operation, it may provide a vibrational force.\",\n \"In particular, when power is supplied to the motor via the power connection 150, the mass 148 may be caused to rotate about the vertical axis Y.\",\n \"Due to the asymmetric configuration of the mass 148, as the mass 148 rotates, it causes displacement of the vibrating element 108.This displacement creates a vibrational force.\",\n \"The shaft 146 and the mass 148 may be allowed to rotate freely in order to maximize the vibrational force provided.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “asymmetric mass” includes a mass that is asymmetric in shape, such as the exemplary mass 148, as well as a mass that is symmetric in shape but that is coupled asymmetrically to the shaft 146.For example, a cylindrical weight is symmetric in shape, but when the shaft 146 is coupled to the cylindrical weight at a point near the perimeter of the cylinder face, as opposed to the center of the cylinder face, the cylindrical weight lacks rotational symmetry about the axis Y corresponding to the shaft 146.A mass that is symmetric in shape but that is off-center with respect to the shaft 146 will cause displacement of the vibrating element 108 as the mass rotates and is therefore included in the term “asymmetric mass.” The frequency at which the vibrating element 108 vibrates may be controlled by controlling the speed of the rotation of the mass 148.In one example, the vibrating element 108 may vibrate at a frequency between approximately 5 cycles per second and approximately 65 cycles per second (or between 5 hertz and 65 hertz).\",\n \"In another example, the vibrating element may vibrate at a frequency within a range of approximately 20 cycles per second to approximately 50 cycles per second (or 20 hertz to 50 hertz).\",\n \"In some embodiments, an “unbalanced motor,” such as a low profile unbalanced motor, or a “vibration motor” may be included in the vibrating element.\",\n \"For example, the “Uni Vibe™ 24 mm Vibration Motor—13 mm Type,” having a rated operating voltage of 12V and offered for sale by Precision Microdrives™, may be included in the vibrating element 108.Returning now to FIG.\",\n \"6, the vertical positioning of the vibrating elements 108 and 122 with respect to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102 will be discussed.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6, the vibrating element 108 may extend through the bottom surface 132 and the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.In particular, the vibrating element may extend vertically through these surfaces, such that the vibrating element 108 is maintained in a vertical position with respect to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.In one instance, a vertical position may be characterized by the central vertical axis Y being approximately perpendicular to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment.\",\n \"As used herein, the terms “approximately” or “substantially,” when used to describe a quantity and/or value, include a range of 85% to 115% of the specified quantity and/or value.\",\n \"For example, according to the statement above, if an angle between the vertical axis Y of the vibrating element 108 and the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102 ranges between 76.5° and 103.5° (i.e.\",\n \"85% and 115% of 90°, respectively), the central vertical axis Y of the vibrating element 108 may be described as “approximately” or “substantially” perpendicular to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.This vertical positioning may provide numerous advantages.\",\n \"One such advantage is that when the bottom end 164 of the vibrating element is positioned adjacent to the user's body, the vibrating element provides a vibrational force to the user's body.\",\n \"In particular, as the mass 148 rotates, the vibrating element 108 shakes and creates a percussive and/or tapping force on the user's body.\",\n \"This vibrational force may aid in loosening mucus in the user's lungs and clearing the user's airways.\",\n \"If the vibrating element was positioned horizontally, such that the vertical axis Y of the vibrating element 108 was parallel to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102, the vibrating element 108 might provide a “stroking” force, but it would not provide the vibrational force that is provided by the vertical orientation shown in FIG.\",\n \"6.Nonetheless, in some instances, one or more vibrating elements may be positioned approximately parallel to the planar surface provided by the chest band segment 102.In an exemplary embodiment, the vibrating element 108 is maintained in a vertical position with respect to the chest band segment 102 by, at least in part, a coupling between the housing for the vibrating element 108 and the chest band segment 102.As shown, the upper portion 134 of the outer housing is positioned adjacent to the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102 and the lower portion 136 of the outer housing is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment 102.FIG.\",\n \"7 provides an enlarged, cross-section view of the vibrating element 108 of FIG.\",\n \"6.This view more clearly illustrates an exemplary coupling between the housing for the vibrating element 108 and the chest band segment 102.As shown, the inner housing 138 may fit through an opening in the chest band segment 102, such that a first portion of the inner housing 138 is above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102 and a second portion of the inner housing 138 is below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment 102.The upper portion 134 of the outer housing may be secured to the first portion of the inner housing 138 that is above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.Similarly, the lower portion 136 of the outer housing may be secured to the second portion of the inner housing 138 that is below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment 102.The outer housing portions may be secured to the inner housing 138 in any number of ways, such as gluing, snapping, clamping, threading, or any other means of securing the outer housing portions to the inner housing portions.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"7, the upper portion 134 and the lower portion 136 of the outer housing may be positioned directly adjacent to the top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132, respectively, of the chest band segment 102.For example, the outer housing portions may pinch the chest band segment 102 such that the vibrating element does not slide up and down with respect to the chest band segment 102 during use.\",\n \"In other words, the vibrating element 108 may remain coupled to the chest band segment 102 in a fixed position during operation.\",\n \"This configuration may advantageously maintain the vibrating element in a vertical position, even as the mass 148 rotates and causes the vibrating element to vibrate.\",\n \"For example, as the vibrating element vibrates, it does not tip over; instead, it may remain substantially upright, such that the bottom end 164 of the vibrating element may remain adjacent to the user's body and may continue to provide a vibrational force to the user's body.\",\n \"According to this exemplary configuration, if the position of the motor body 144 corresponds to the upper portion 134 of the outer housing, as maintained by the positioning rings 140 and 142 within the inner housing 138, the motor body 144 is positioned above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102.This is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7.Additionally, if the motor body 144 is positioned in this way, the position of the mass 148 corresponds to the lower portion 136 of the outer housing.\",\n \"Thus, the mass 148 is positioned below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment.\",\n \"This is also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7.In this example, when the vibrating element is secured to the chest band segment 102 at a point that falls between the motor body 144 and the mass 148, a pivot point may be created, where the vibrating element may rock and/or shake based on that pivot point.\",\n \"In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, the entirety of the motor body 144 is disposed above the top surface 130 of the chest band segment 102, and the entirety of the mass 148 is disposed below the bottom surface 132 of the chest band segment.\",\n \"However, a pivot point may be created where only a portion of the motor body 144 is disposed above the top surface 130 and/or only a portion of the mass 148 is disposed below the bottom surface.\",\n \"The exact positioning of the vibrating element may be adjusted to optimize this pivot point location, thereby optimizing the vibrational force that may be provided to the user's body, as well.\",\n \"It will be understood that while an exemplary embodiment of a vibrating element coupled to a chest band segment is described with respect to various separate components, in other embodiments, certain parts may be machined particularly for use with the apparatus described herein.\",\n \"For example, a vibrating element may be machined such that it comprises components different in number and/or nature from those described above, but nonetheless provides the desired vibrating effect.\",\n \"All such variations are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"As mentioned, the chest band segment 102 may be comprised of any number of materials.\",\n \"A material selection may take into account a preference to maintain the vibrating elements in a vertical position.\",\n \"Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"11, a top-down plan view of the exemplary chest band segment 102 is provided.\",\n \"In particular, FIG.\",\n \"11 illustrates the way in which multiple different vibrating elements may be electrically coupled to a single power source 154 by way of a series circuit 152.FIG.\",\n \"12 illustrates the way in which multiple different vibrating elements may be electrically coupled to a single power source 154 by way of a parallel circuit 153.In either scenario, one or more wires may connect a power connection, such as the power connection 150 discussed with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"6-10, to the power source 154.A selection of a series circuit 152 or a parallel circuit 153 may be based on considerations of battery life and motor effectiveness, among other things.\",\n \"A series circuit 152, for example, may provide for increased battery life (such as increased life of the power source 154) but decreased effectiveness of the vibrating element (such as a decreased effectiveness of a motor component included in a vibrating element).\",\n \"By contrast, a parallel circuit 153 may utilize the full potential of a vibrating element (such as the full potential of a motor component included in a vibrating element), but may cause the power source 154 to be drained more quickly.\",\n \"Additionally, in a parallel circuit 153, if one vibrating element fails, the remaining vibrating elements may continue to function properly.\",\n \"In a series circuit 152, if one vibrating element fails, then the remaining vibrating elements included in the circuit will not function properly, either.\",\n \"Accordingly, each circuit configuration is associated with various advantages and disadvantages.\",\n \"The power source 154 of FIGS.\",\n \"11-12 may include a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery.\",\n \"As shown, the power source 154 may be external to the chest band segment 102.In some instances, the power source 154 may be integrated into the chest band segment 102.In additional instances, the vibrating elements may be coupled to multiple power sources.\",\n \"Any combination of the above is included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"As previously mentioned, a significant advantage of the apparatus described herein is that it is portable.\",\n \"In one example, this portability is enhanced by providing the components of the apparatus in conjunction with a wearable pack.\",\n \"A rear, perspective view of an exemplary wearable pack 200 is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13 and a cutaway view showing an exemplary interior of the wearable pack 200 is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14.The wearable pack 200 may be, for example, a backpack.\",\n \"Numerous other wearable packs are included within the scope hereof, including fanny packs, sling bags, shoulder bags, purses, and any other pack that may be worn and/or carried by a user.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may be integrated into a garment, such as a jacket, sweatshirt, vest, or other garment.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"13-14 illustrate one exemplary way in which the chest band 100 may be coupled to the wearable pack 200.In this example, the chest band 100 slides through two chest band slots 210 and 212.The user may then fasten the chest band 100 around his chest and wear the wearable pack 200 on his back, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"14, the chest band 100 may be electrically coupled to a power source 222.This exemplary electrical coupling may be achieved by plugging the power components 230 and 232 into the power ports 226 and 228, respectively.\",\n \"The power ports 226 and 228 may be electrically coupled to the power source 222.For example, one or more wires may run from the power ports 226 and 228 to the power source 222.These wires may be sewn into an interior wall of the wearable pack 200.The chest band 100 and the power source 222 may further be electrically coupled and/or communicatively coupled to user input components 216 and 218.Thus, the operation of the vibrating elements included on the chest band 100 may be initiated and/or adjusted based on a user input received at user input component 216, for example.\",\n \"In one basic embodiment, the chest band 100, the user input component 216, and the power source 222 may operate to provide the chest therapy described herein.\",\n \"The user input component 216 may include a resistor, such as an analog resistor, a variable resistor, or a combination thereof, in order to provide a variety of operational settings (e.g., high, medium, or low vibrational intensity, as well as any number of intermediate settings; a pulse setting; a waterfall setting).\",\n \"These components may be electrically coupled via a printed circuit board, for example.\",\n \"Because all of these components are relatively small and lightweight, they may be easily stored and/or transported, thereby providing enhanced mobility for the user.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “electrically coupled” includes wireless electrical connections, such as a Bluetooth® connection.\",\n \"For example, chest band 100 may be controlled via a user input component at a mobile device application and/or a remote control.\",\n \"In one example, the user input component 216 may enable a user to turn on the vibrating elements included in the chest band 100 and select a desired level of vibrational force.\",\n \"As mentioned, the user input component 216 may provide for any number of power settings.\",\n \"For example, six different settings associated with varying levels of vibrational intensity may be provided.\",\n \"As mentioned, the frequency of vibration provided by the vibrating elements may range from 5 hertz to 65 hertz, in some embodiments.\",\n \"In one example, a “low” setting may correspond to a frequency of 20 hertz and a “high” setting may correspond to a frequency of 50 hertz, where intermediate settings may correspond to frequencies between 20 hertz and 50 hertz.\",\n \"Thus, the same apparatus may provide a desired intensity of chest therapy to users of any number of ages and/or sizes.\",\n \"A small child, for example, might choose a low power setting, while a large adult might choose a high power setting.\",\n \"A user can thus choose a setting that is both effective and comfortable, according to his individual needs.\",\n \"In addition to the chest band 100, the wearable pack 200 may include other therapy and/or treatment components.\",\n \"For example, a nebulizer treatment component 224 may be provided.\",\n \"The nebulizer treatment component 224 may include an air compressor connected to tubing that runs to a desired location on the wearable pack 200.An auxiliary attachment 214 may be connected to the end of the tubing.\",\n \"The auxiliary attachment 214 may be configured to attach to a nebulizer mouth piece.\",\n \"The wearable pack 200 may include an opening that allows the auxiliary attachment 214 to be accessed from the exterior of the wearable pack 200.For example, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"13-14, the auxiliary attachment 214 may be located at an exterior portion of a shoulder strap of the wearable pack 200, such that a user may easily attach a nebulizer mouth piece and conveniently engage in a nebulizer treatment.\",\n \"The nebulizer treatment component 224 may be electrically coupled to the power source 222, as well as the user input components 216 and 218.For example, the user input component 218 may allow a user to turn the nebulizer treatment component on and off.\",\n \"Accordingly, the user input components 216 and 218 may allow a user to engage a desired operational setting of the chest band 100 and/or the nebulizer treatment component 224.Advantageously, the user may simultaneously engage in chest therapy using the chest band 100 and a nebulizer treatment using the nebulizer treatment component 224.And because the apparatus is designed to be portable, the user may engage in such therapy and treatment while performing any number of activities.\",\n \"For example, the apparatus may enable the user to engage in a chest therapy session and/or a nebulizer treatment while walking, running, biking, playing, or any other desired activity.\",\n \"In additional embodiments, a programmable controller might also be electrically coupled to some or all of the components mentioned above.\",\n \"The controller may control the operation of the chest band 100, including the multiple vibrating elements, based on user input received at the user input component 216.The controller may be programmable to provide an expanded selection of operating settings.\",\n \"For example, the controller may provide any number of customized programs.\",\n \"One program might simultaneously engage all vibrating elements at the same power setting, thereby providing a similar vibrational force to the user's body from each vibrating element.\",\n \"Another program might selectively engage particular vibrating elements at customized power settings.\",\n \"For example, all vibrating elements might be simultaneously engaged, but the vibrational force provided by each vibrating element might vary.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, only a portion of the vibrating elements might be engaged at a particular point in time.\",\n \"The controller may further provide for timed programming, such that a particular program runs for a predetermined period of time.\",\n \"Any and all such combinations of the above are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"The controller might also be electrically coupled to the nebulizer treatment component 224 and may provide customized operational settings for nebulizer treatments.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"13, the wearable pack 200 may include a compartment 220 for housing certain components, such as the power source 222 and the nebulizer treatment component 224.This compartment 220 may be a separate pocket included in the wearable pack 200, such that the components included therein are separated from other articles that may be stored in the wearable pack.\",\n \"It will be understood that additional components might be included in an apparatus for providing chest therapy.\",\n \"For example, an alert component might remind a user that it is time to engage in a chest therapy and/or nebulizer treatment session.\",\n \"An alert provided by the alert component might include any combination of visual, audio, and/or tactile alerts.\",\n \"For example, a flashing light, a sounding alarm, and/or a vibration may remind a user that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last therapy and/or treatment session.\",\n \"It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.\",\n \"13-14, the chest band 100 is both physically coupled and electrically coupled to the wearable pack 200 during use.\",\n \"However, the chest band 100 need not necessarily be physically attached to the wearable pack 200 in order for the chest band 100 to provide physical chest therapy.\",\n \"For example, if the wearable pack is a fanny pack, then the fanny pack may be worn around the user's waist, while the chest band 100 is worn separately around the user's chest.\",\n \"In this example, the chest band 100 may be electrically coupled to the fanny pack during operation, but need not be physically touching the fanny pack.\",\n \"Furthermore, while exemplary embodiments above are discussed with respect to a wearable pack, in a further embodiment, the components required for operating the chest band 100 might be fully integrated into the chest band 100, itself.\",\n \"For example, a power source, a controller, and user input components might all be included in the chest band, such that a user can store and transport the chest band 100 in any way desired.\",\n \"Additionally, as mentioned, the components required for operating the chest band 100 and/or nebulizer treatment component 224 might be integrated into a garment, such as a jacket, sweatshirt, vest, or other article of clothing.\",\n \"Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"15, a front, perspective view is provided of the exemplary chest band 100 coupled to the exemplary wearable pack 200, where the combination of the chest band 100 and the wearable pack 200 is being worn by a user.\",\n \"In this exemplary embodiment, the chest band segments of the chest band 100 include covers that conceal the vibrating elements from view.\",\n \"Thus, the vibrating elements and any associated wiring may be hidden from view.\",\n \"In this instance, the connection components described above with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"1-2 may be coupled to the cover material of the chest band segments.\",\n \"In addition to aesthetic considerations, chest band segments might include covers in order to enhance the comfort of the user while the chest band 100 is in use.\",\n \"For example, a cover comprising a particular material might make chest therapy sessions more comfortable for the user.\",\n \"The covers may be removable in some embodiments, such that a user may access the vibrating elements, wiring, and/or other components.\",\n \"This may facilitate maintenance and/or repairs, for example.\",\n \"As mentioned, the configurations of the chest band and/or chest band segments discussed above are exemplary.\",\n \"Turning now to the remaining figures, additional configurations are discussed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19A provides a front, perspective view of an exemplary chest band 600, and FIG.\",\n \"19B provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary chest band 600.The front, perspective view provided in FIG.\",\n \"19A shows the side of the chest band 600 that faces away from a user's body when the user wears the chest band (i.e.\",\n \"the portion that is visible to an observer).\",\n \"The rear, perspective view provided in FIG.\",\n \"19B shows the side of the chest band 600 that is adjacent to the user's body when the user wears the chest band 600 (i.e.\",\n \"the portion that is not visible to an observer).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20A provides a side elevation view of the chest band 600, and FIG.\",\n \"20B provides an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the chest band 600.The chest band 600 includes a belt 602 onto which chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 are mounted.\",\n \"Each of chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 include vibrating elements for providing a vibrational force to a user's chest.\",\n \"The chest band segments may be permanently or adjustably mounted on the belt 602.For example, in the figures, chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 are slidably mounted on the belt 602.Adjustable mounting allows a user to position each chest band segment at a precise desired location along the length of the belt 602.In the figures, the chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 are evenly spaced along the length of the belt 602, but in use, they may be positioned at any location along the length of the belt 602 in order to provide a percussive force at a desired location on the user's body.\",\n \"While the exemplary chest band 600 includes four chest band segments, any number of chest band segments, each of which may include any number of vibrating elements, may be mounted on the belt 602.The modular design of the chest band 600 allows it to be customized based on the unique needs of a particular user.\",\n \"In order to provide further customization based on the unique needs of a particular user, the chest band 600 may be coupled to one or more other chest bands in parallel, as is depicted by the chest bands 600 and 700 in FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B.\",\n \"This ladder configuration provides for the application of a percussive force across a larger area of the user's body.\",\n \"Accordingly, the apparatus can be customized based on user size and/or body shape (e.g., an adult may use two or more chest bands coupled together in parallel, while a child may use only one), severity of medical condition (e.g., a person having a very severe medical condition may use several chest bands coupled together in parallel, each of which includes multiple chest band segments, while a person having a less severe condition may use fewer chest bands and/or chest band segments), and other considerations.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B illustrate a one-to-one correspondence between the chest band segments on the belt 602 and the chest band segments on the belt 702, but based on the modular design of the chest bands 600 and 700, this need not necessarily be the case.\",\n \"For example, chest band segment 708 could be omitted from the multi-chest-band configuration.\",\n \"It may be desirable omit a particular chest band segment if percussive therapy is not desired at a particular location on a user's body and/or if a chest band segment at that particular location would impair the user's mobility.\",\n \"Similarly, it may be desirable to stagger chest band segments on multiple different bands.\",\n \"For example, chest band segment 708 might be mounted to the belt 702, but it may be staggered from chest band segment 608.The modular design of the chest bands 600 and 700 allow for such customization.\",\n \"Exemplary features of various components of the chest band 600 will now be discussed, beginning with the belt 602.The belt 602 is characterized by a length that is greater than its width.\",\n \"For example, the ratio of the length to width of the belt 602 may be between approximately 5:1 and 30:1.The length of the belt 602 may be adjustable in order to provide a customized fit for a particular user.\",\n \"The belt 602 may be constructed of an elastic material.\",\n \"An elastic material advantageously permits a user to cough during a chest therapy session.\",\n \"However, in embodiments, the belt 602 may be constructed of non-elastic materials or a combination of elastic and non-elastic materials.\",\n \"The belt 602 includes connectors 612 and 614, which are coupled to opposite terminal ends of the belt 602 and are used to secure the chest band 600 around the body of a user (the terms “connector” and “connection component” may be used interchangeably herein).\",\n \"For example, connectors 612 and 614 may be detachably coupled to one another in order to form a circumferential chest band around the user, a crisscross configuration over the shoulders and around the torso of the user, or any number of other configurations.\",\n \"In the figures, connectors 612 and 614 are depicted as complimentary ends (specifically, female and male ends, respectively) of a snap-fit buckle.\",\n \"But connectors may comprise clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, or any other means of connection.\",\n \"The connectors 612 and 614 may be removably coupled to the terminal ends of the belt 602 in order to facilitate the addition and/or removal of chest band segments, as will be explained in more detail below.\",\n \"Exemplary features of the chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610, which are mounted on the belt 602, will now be discussed with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"22A-C.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22A shows a plan view of a top side 648 of the chest band segment 604.When the user wears the chest band 600, the top side 648 of the chest band segment 604 faces away from the user (i.e.\",\n \"it is visible to an observer).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22B shows a plan view of a bottom side 650 of the chest band segment 604.The bottom side 650 faces the user's body when the user wears the chest band 600 (i.e.\",\n \"it is not visible to an observer).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22C provides a side elevation view of the chest band segment 604.The chest band segment 604 includes a lower panel 620 and an upper panel 622 for holding vibrating elements 616 and 618 in place.\",\n \"The lower panel 620 is depicted as being wider than the upper panel 622, but in other exemplary embodiments, the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 may be the same size, or the lower panel 620 may be narrower than the upper panel 622.Any relative dimensions are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"The lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 may be comprised of any type and/or number of materials.\",\n \"For example, a rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic, may be used.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, a flexible material, such as a foam, elastic, and/or other textile material, may be used.\",\n \"Any combination of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials may be used to form the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622.The lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 may be comprised of the same materials or of different materials.\",\n \"The lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 are coupled to mounting components 624 and 626.In the figures, mounting components 624 and 626 are depicted as tri-bar slide adjusters.\",\n \"The tri-bar slide adjusters include three parallel bars for receiving and maintaining end portions of the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622 and for adjustably mounting the chest band segment 604 on the belt 602.For example, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"20B, the belt 602 is threaded through the tri-bar slide adjusters 624 and 626.The tri-bar slide adjusters 624 and 626 provide enough resistance that the chest band segment 604 is prevented from inadvertently slipping back and forth on the belt, but at the same time, allow a user to intentionally slide the chest band segment 604 up and down the length of the belt 602 in order to position the chest band segment 604 at a desired location.\",\n \"Any number of chest band segments can be mounted on the belt 602.Chest band segments may be added or removed by sliding the chest band segments on or off one end of the belt 602 or by otherwise attaching or removing the chest band segments to or from the belt 602.As mentioned, the connectors 612 and 614 may be removably coupled to the terminal ends of the belt 602 in order to facilitate sliding chest band segments on or off the belt 602.The tri-bar slide adjusters 624 and 626 are one example of a mounting component.\",\n \"Other mounting components may include slides, fasteners, buckles, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, and other hardware.\",\n \"The chest band segment 604 includes connectors 628 and 630 extending laterally from the chest band segment 604, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"22A-B.\",\n \"These connectors are used to facilitate the multi-chest band configuration depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B.\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B, chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610, which are mounted on the belt 602, are secured via connectors to the chest band segments 704, 706, 708, and 710, which are mounted on the belt 702.In this way, the chest bands 600 and 700 are coupled to one another in a parallel fashion.\",\n \"Any number of belts having any number of chest band segments may be incorporated into a multi-chest-band configuration in this manner.\",\n \"The connectors may also be used to attach shoulder straps to a chest band.\",\n \"Exemplary shoulder strap configurations are discussed with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"29A-B below.\",\n \"In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"22A-C, the connectors 628 and 630 are coupled to a connector strap 632 that forms a loop around the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622.The connector strap 632 may be unsecured, such that it rotates freely around the chest band segment 604 and may be removed from the chest band segment 604, altogether.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the connector strap may be detachably or permanently affixed to the chest band segment 604.For example, the connector strap 632 may be affixed to the chest band segment 604 via hook-and-loop fasteners, loops, buckles, sewing, glue, or any other means.\",\n \"Furthermore, the connectors 628 and 630 may be coupled to the chest band segment 604 by means other than the connector strap 632.For example, the connectors 628 and 630 may be directly attached to the lower panel 620 and/or upper panel 622 via hook-and-loop fasteners, loops, buckles, sewing, glue, or any other means.\",\n \"The depiction of connectors 628 and 630 in the figures is exemplary only.\",\n \"Other types and configurations of connectors are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"For example, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, and any number of other connectors may be used to couple a chest band to another chest band and/or to shoulder straps.\",\n \"Exemplary details regarding the vibrating elements and the manner in which they may be coupled to the chest band segment 604 will now be discussed with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"23A-C. Beginning with FIG.\",\n \"23A, the vibrating element 616 having a lower housing portion 638 and an upper housing portion 640 is depicted.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23B provides an exploded view of the vibrating element 616.As shown, the vibrating element 616 may include features similar to those discussed above with respect to the vibrating element 108.For example, a motor 642 is coupled to a mass 646 via a shaft 644, and this assembly is housed within the upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638.As discussed with respect to vibrating element 108, the lower housing portion 638 includes a rounded surface that serves as a percussion cap and that enhances the user's comfort during chest physical therapy.\",\n \"The upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638 may include a tongue 634 and groove 636 or other complimentary and/or interlocking components that facilitate securing the upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638 in place with respect to one another.\",\n \"As also shown, an interior of the upper housing portion 640 and the lower housing portion 638 may include a cavity for retaining the motor 642 and mass 646 assembly.\",\n \"Although wires and other power connections are not depicted for ease of viewing, it will be understood that the vibrating element 616 may include wires for connecting the motor 642 to a power source.\",\n \"Such wires may extend through one or more apertures in the housing for the vibrating element, such as one or more apertures in the upper housing portion 640.In embodiments, each vibrating element may be powered by a battery or other means such that wires need not extend outside of the housing.\",\n \"The configuration of the vibrating element 616 depicted in the figures is exemplary only, and it will be understood that the vibrating element 616 may include different and/or additional features, such as those discussed herein with respect to other vibrating element configurations.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23C provides an exemplary cross-section view of the vibrating element 616 coupled to the chest band segment 604.The lower panel 620 of the chest band segment 604 may include one or more apertures for receiving and maintaining one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"The lower housing portion 638 of the vibrating element 616 may be positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the lower panel 620, with the tongue 634 extending through an aperture in the lower panel.\",\n \"The upper housing portion 640 may be positioned adjacent to an opposite top surface of the lower panel 620, such that the groove 636 receives the tongue 634 and the upper housing portion 640 sits between the lower panel 620 and the upper panel 622.The vibrating element may then be secured in place via any number of methods.\",\n \"For example, once positioned on opposing surfaces of the lower panel 620, the upper housing portion 640 may be glued to the lower housing portion 638.Additionally or alternatively, the vibrating element may be screwed in place, such as by inserting a bolt or screw through the lower housing portion 638, the lower panel 620, and the upper housing portion 640.A removable fastener like a bolt or screw allows the vibrating element to be quickly and easily decoupled from the chest band segment 604.This may be desirable for purposes of repairing and/or replacing a particular vibrating element.\",\n \"This may also be desirable for purposes of customizing the number of vibrating elements that a chest band segment includes.\",\n \"As shown in the exemplary configuration depicted in FIG.\",\n \"23C, the upper housing portion 640, which retains the motor 642, is disposed above a top surface of the lower panel 620.The lower housing portion 638, which retains the mass 646, is disposed below a bottom surface of the lower panel 620.Details regarding the vibrational force provided by vibrating elements 616 and 618 (e.g., the vibrational force that is provided as an asymmetric mass rotates about an axis corresponding to a shaft) were discussed above and are not repeated here.\",\n \"Additionally, the vertical configuration of the vibrating element and the pivot point that is created when the motor body and the mass are disposed on opposite sides of the chest band segment were previously discussed.\",\n \"It will be understood that the previous discussion of these and other features are also applicable to the vibrating elements 616 and 618 and the chest band segment 604; accordingly, these details are also not repeated here.\",\n \"The figures show the entirety of the motor body disposed above one surface of the lower panel 620 and the entirety of the mass disposed below an opposite surface of the lower panel 620.As used herein, the terms “disposed above” and “disposed below” mean that at least a portion of the relevant component, but not necessarily the entirety of the relevant component, is disposed above or below the specified object.\",\n \"Vibrating elements may be coupled to a chest band segment at a point that is not between the motor body and the mass.\",\n \"All such configurations are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"Any number of vibrating elements may be included on a chest band segment, and the configuration including two vibrating elements is exemplary only.\",\n \"A chest band segment may be configured to maintain a certain number of vibrating elements, such as one or more vibrating elements (e.g., the lower panel 620 of the chest band segment 604 may include two apertures and is therefore configured to maintain two vibrating elements).\",\n \"In use, the chest band segment may include the number of vibrating elements for which it is configured to receive, but it may also include fewer than such number.\",\n \"For example, although the chest band segment 604 is configured to maintain two vibrating elements, in use, it may include only one vibrating element.\",\n \"The chest band segment 604 is substantially rectangular in shape.\",\n \"However, other shapes may also be utilized.\",\n \"For example, other shapes, such as a circle, oval, square, polygon, elongated polygon, or other shape, may be utilized.\",\n \"The shape of the chest band segment 604 may depend on the number of vibrating elements that are coupled to the chest band segment.\",\n \"For example, if only one vibrating element is coupled to a chest band segment, then the chest band segment may be a square.\",\n \"In embodiments, the chest band 600 may further include one or more covers for covering at least a portion of the chest band 600.For example, each chest band segment may be individually covered such that the vibrating elements are contained within the cover.\",\n \"The covered chest band segments may then be mounted on the belt.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the belt and the chest band segments may be contained within a single cover.\",\n \"For example, a cover may comprise a sleeve that slips over the chest band after the chest band segments have been mounted on the belt.\",\n \"The one or more covers may be removable to permit access to the belt, the chest band segments, and/or the vibrating elements (e.g., to permit a user to adjust the location of the chest band segments, to add or remove chest band segments, to adjust the length of the belt, and/or to perform maintenance on the vibrating elements or other components).\",\n \"For example, the one or more covers may include one or more clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, zippers, or any other means for securing the cover over the desired portion of the chest band.\",\n \"The cover may be adjustable, such that the length of the chest band may be increased or decreased by adjusting the cover.\",\n \"Turning now to the remaining figures, additional exemplary configurations of a chest band and/or chest band segments are discussed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24A provides a front, perspective view of an exemplary vibration band 800, and FIG.\",\n \"24B provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary vibration band 800.FIG.\",\n \"24C provides a side elevation view of the vibration band 800.The vibration band 800 includes a band 802 to which vibrating elements 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826 are coupled.\",\n \"Thus, the vibration band 800 is an exemplary embodiment of a chest band comprising one chest band segment that includes vibrating elements, as discussed above.\",\n \"For example, the band 802 is an exemplary chest band segment, and the vibrating elements 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826 may have features similar to those previously discussed with respect to vibrating elements.\",\n \"The term “vibration band” is introduced here for ease of reference to the combination of a band and one or more vibrating elements.\",\n \"In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"24A-C, the band 802 is elongated in shape.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “elongated” is used to describe an object that has a length exceeding its width.\",\n \"For example, the ratio of the length to width of the band 802 may be between approximately 5:1 and 30:1.In other exemplary configurations, the band 802 may have a different shape, such as non-elongated shape.\",\n \"In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"24A-C, the band 802 has a width that is approximately the same as, or slightly wider than, the width of the vibrating elements.\",\n \"But as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, for example, the width of the band 802 may be significantly greater than the width of a vibrating element.\",\n \"The band 802 may be constructed of elastic materials, non-elastic materials, or a combination of elastic and non-elastic materials.\",\n \"The band 802 has a first terminal end 804 and a second terminal end 806, which are at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis of the band 802.The band 802 has a top surface 808 and an opposing bottom surface 810.The top surface 808 is the surface that faces away from a user's body when the user wears the vibration band 800, and the bottom surface 810 is the surface that faces toward the user's body in an in-use configuration.\",\n \"The vibrating elements 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826 are disposed between the first terminal end 804 and the second terminal end 806 of the band 802.In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, the vibrating elements are disposed in pairs.\",\n \"For example, vibrating elements 812 and 814 constitute a first pair, vibrating elements 816 and 818 constitute a second pair, vibrating elements 820 and 822 constitute a third pair, and vibrating elements 824 and 826 constitute a fourth pair.\",\n \"The vibrating elements in each pair are disposed relatively close to one another (e.g., the distance between the two vibrating elements is less than the width of a single vibrating element).\",\n \"The pairs are uniform, in that the space occupied by each pair on the band is approximately the same (i.e.\",\n \"the total width of the two vibrating elements, including the space between them, is approximately the same for each pair).\",\n \"The pairs of vibrating elements are spaced along the longitudinal axis of the band 802.In the figures, the pairs are spaced unevenly, with the distance between the first pair and the second pair being greater than the distance between the second pair and the third pair, and with the distance between the third pair and the fourth pair being approximately the same as the distance between the first pair and the second pair.\",\n \"This uneven spacing may be desirable for providing percussive chest therapy at particular regions of a user's body.\",\n \"It will be understood that the depicted configuration is exemplary only and that in embodiments, the vibrating elements need not be disposed in pairs.\",\n \"For example, the vibrating elements may be disposed in groupings of more than two vibrating elements.\",\n \"The groupings may be uniform, non-uniform, or a combination of the two.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the vibrating elements may not be disposed in groups, at all.\",\n \"Furthermore, the number of vibrating elements depicted is exemplary only.\",\n \"Any number of vibrating elements is included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"Accordingly, one or more vibrating elements may be spaced evenly and/or unevenly, in groupings and/or not in groupings, along the band 802.Exemplary details regarding the vibrating elements and the manner in which they may be coupled to the band 802 will now be discussed with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"25A-E. Beginning with FIG.\",\n \"25A, an exploded view of the vibrating element 816 is provided.\",\n \"As shown, the vibrating element includes a motor 828 and mass 830 assembly that is housed within a vibrating element housing 834, similar to the exemplary vibrating element configurations previously discussed above.\",\n \"The vibrating element housing may include one or more pieces.\",\n \"For example, the housing 834 for vibrating element 816 includes four quadrants 836, 838, 840, and 842 that are sandwiched by two end caps 844 and 846.The various pieces may be assembled and held in place with respect to one another via bolts and nuts, as discussed in more detail below.\",\n \"An interior portion of the vibrating element housing 834 includes a cavity for retaining the motor 828 and mass 830 assembly.\",\n \"Although wires and other power connections are not depicted for ease of viewing, it will be understood that the vibrating element 816 may include wires for connecting the motor 828 to a power source.\",\n \"Such wires may extend through one or more apertures in the housing for the vibrating element, such as the apertures depicted in the end caps 844 and 846.In embodiments, each vibrating element may be powered by a battery or other means such that wires need not extend outside of the housing.\",\n \"The configuration of the vibrating element 816 depicted in the figures is exemplary only, and it will be understood that the vibrating element 816 may include different and/or additional features, including those discussed herein with respect to other vibrating element configurations.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"25B-D depict an exemplary manner in which vibrating element 816 is coupled to the band 802.As shown, quadrants 836 and 838 may be positioned adjacent to the bottom surface 810 of the band 802, and quadrants 840 and 842 may be positioned adjacent to the top surface 808 of the band 802.The band 802 may include an aperture through which the motor 828 and mass 830 assembly extends when the four quadrants are positioned in this manner.\",\n \"Although not pictured, the four quadrants may include tongues and grooves or other complimentary and/or interlocking components that facilitate securing the four quadrants in place with respect to one another and the band 802, similar to the configuration discussed above with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"22-23.End caps 844 and 846 may sandwich the four quadrants, as shown.\",\n \"In the figures, the housing 834 and the enclosed motor 828 and mass 830 assembly are coupled to the band 802 via bolts that extend through the end cap 846, through the quadrants, and through the end cap 844, and that are secured in place by nuts.\",\n \"The exterior surface of the end cap 844 may include recessed portions configured to receive the nuts so that the nuts sit flush with the end cap 844.This may reduce the risk of the nuts catching on surrounding fabric.\",\n \"The exterior surface of the end cap 846 may similarly include recessions for the heads of the bolts.\",\n \"The nuts and bolts depicted in the figures are exemplary only, and it will be understood that vibrating elements may be coupled to the band 802 in many other ways, including other removable and nonremovable fasteners.\",\n \"As shown in the exemplary configuration depicted in FIG.\",\n \"25D, the motor 828 and mass 830 are disposed on opposite sides of the band 802, with the motor 828 being above the band 802 and the mass 830 and shaft 832 being below the band 802.Details regarding the vibrational force provided by vibrating element 816 (e.g., the vibrational force that is provided as an asymmetric mass rotates about an axis corresponding to a shaft) were discussed above and are not repeated here.\",\n \"Additionally, the vertical configuration of the vibrating element and the pivot point that is created when the motor body and the mass are disposed on opposite sides of the band were previously discussed.\",\n \"It is understood that the previous discussion of these and other features are also applicable to the vibrating element 816 and the band 802; accordingly, these details are also not repeated here.\",\n \"The vibrating element housing 834 and the manner in which it is coupled to the band 802 in FIGS.\",\n \"25B-D is exemplary only.\",\n \"The vibrating element housing 834 has the shape of an octagonal prism, but other housing shapes are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"The vibrating element housing 834 includes six different pieces (four quadrants and two end caps), but a larger or smaller number of pieces may be used.\",\n \"For example, the housing may include two halves and two end caps (e.g., quadrants 836 and 840 may be a single piece and quadrants 838 and 842 may be a single piece).\",\n \"In this instance, the housing may be secured to the band 802 in the configuration 848 shown in FIG.\",\n \"25E, with an end cap disposed on one side of a band and the remainder of the housing disposed on the other side of the band.\",\n \"In this instance, the motor and mass are disposed on the same side of the band.\",\n \"Such configurations are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"Accordingly, the vibrating element housing 834 may be configured in any number of ways, and the vibrating element housing 834 may be secured to the band 802 in any number of ways.\",\n \"The vibration band 800 may be secured around a user's body in order to provide percussive therapy.\",\n \"For example, the vibration band 800 may be secured around a user's torso in order to provide percussive chest therapy.\",\n \"The vibration band 800 may be used to provide percussive therapy at other portions of a user's body, as well.\",\n \"The vibration band 800 may be sized according to the area of the body at which percussive therapy will be provided.\",\n \"Releasable connection assemblies, such as buckles, may be secured to the terminal ends of the band 802 in order to facilitate securing the vibration band 800 around a user's body.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the vibration band 800 may be paired with a cover that facilitates securing the vibration band 800 around a user's body and provides additional features.\",\n \"An exemplary cover is described directly below.\",\n \"In FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B, an apparatus unit 900 that includes a cover 902 enclosing the vibration band 800 is shown.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"26A provides a front, perspective view of the exemplary cover 902, which shows the side of the cover 902 that faces away from a user's body when the user wears the apparatus unit 900.FIG.\",\n \"26B provides a rear, perspective view of the exemplary cover 902, which shows the side of the cover 902 that faces toward the user's body when the user wears the apparatus unit 900.At a high level, the cover 902 is configured to receive the vibration band 800.The cover 902 may include one or more pockets that correspond to the one or more vibrating elements on the vibration band.\",\n \"For example, the cover 902 includes pockets 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, and 956, each of which is configured to receive a vibrating element.\",\n \"In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B, the cover 902 is elongated in shape.\",\n \"For example, the ratio of the length to width of the cover 902 may be between approximately 5:1 and 30:1.However, the cover 902 may also have a different shape, such as non-elongated shape.\",\n \"In the figures, the width of the cover 902 corresponds to the width of the band 802.For example, the width of the cover 902 may be approximately one to two times the width of the band 802.The cover 902 has a first terminal end 904 and a second terminal end 906, which are at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis of the cover 902.The pockets 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, and 956 are disposed between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906.In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, the spacing between the pockets corresponds to the spacing between the vibrating elements on the band 802.For example, the pockets are disposed in uniform pairs that are spaced unevenly along a longitudinal axis of the cover 902.As discussed with respect to the vibrating elements, the pockets may be spaced evenly and/or unevenly, in groupings (which may be uniform and/or non-uniform) and/or not in groupings, along the cover 902.The pockets are constructed on one side of the cover 902, and an opposite side of the cover 902 includes closeable openings 934, 936, 938, and 940.Each opening provides access to a vibrating element cavity associated with a pair of pockets.\",\n \"For example, the closeable opening 934 provides access to a vibrating element cavity associated with pockets 942 and 944.The closeable openings may be located on other portions of the cover 902 and may differ in number and size from those shown in the figures.\",\n \"Additional details regarding the construction of the cover 902, the pockets 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, and 956, the vibrating element cavities, and the closeable openings 934, 936, 938, and 940 will be provided with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"27A-E below.\",\n \"The cover 902 includes a releasable connection assembly that may be used to secure the unit 900 around a user's body (e.g., a user's torso) and form a circumferential band.\",\n \"The releasable connection assembly includes a terminal-end connector 908 coupled to the first terminal end 904 and a terminal-end connector 910 coupled to the second terminal end 906.The terminal-end connectors 908 and 910 may be releasably connectable to one another.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “releasably connectable” refers to components that are intended to be connected and disconnected repeatedly without degrading the structural integrity of the components.\",\n \"For example, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, laces, and zippers are examples of releasable connection assemblies that include connectors that are releasably connectable to one another.\",\n \"In the figures, terminal-end connectors 908 and 910 are complimentary ends (specifically, female and male ends, respectively) of a snap-fit buckle.\",\n \"However, other types of releasable connection assemblies, included those listed above, are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"Furthermore, the terminal ends 904 and 906 may be non-releasably connectable.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “non-releasably connectable” refers to components that cannot be connected and disconnected repeatedly without degrading the structural integrity of the components.\",\n \"For example, the terminal ends 904 and 906 may be glued or stitched together such that the unit 900 is permanently or semi-permanently configured as a circumferential band.\",\n \"The cover also includes length-adjustment mechanisms 928, 930, and 932 for adjusting a length of the unit 900 (i.e.\",\n \"adjusting a distance between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906) and providing a customized fit for a particular user.\",\n \"For example, a user with a relatively small torso may shorten the length of the unit 900, such that when the unit is planar (i.e.\",\n \"is lying flat, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"26A-B and FIGS.\",\n \"28A-B), the distance between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906 is reduced.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"28A-B show the unit 900 after the length-adjustment mechanisms 928, 930, and 932 have been used to shorten the length of the unit 900.In the figures, the length-adjustment mechanisms 928, 930, and 932 are adjustable straps with buckles that are coupled to an exterior surface of the cover 902.Other types of length-adjustment mechanisms, as well as length-adjustment mechanisms that are coupled to other surfaces of the cover 902, are also included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"For example, the length-adjustment mechanisms may include snaps, clasps, zippers, elastic, drawstrings, and other mechanisms.\",\n \"In an example, the cover 902 may be constructed of an elastic material and/or the cover may include elastic bands so that the length of the unit 900 in a relaxed state is relatively short.\",\n \"When the cover is placed on a user's body, the elastic may stretch to fit around the user's body and provide a snug fit.\",\n \"Length-adjustment mechanisms may be located in an interior portion of the cover 902.In the figures, each length-adjustment mechanisms is located between two pairs of pockets on a side of the cover 902 that is generally opposite the side of the cover 902 on which the pockets are constructed.\",\n \"This allows a user to adjust the spacing between the pairs of pockets and the corresponding vibrating elements and thus position the vibrating elements to provide percussive force at a desired location on the user's body.\",\n \"The length-adjustment mechanisms may be uniform or non-uniform.\",\n \"For example, as shown in the figures, length-adjustment mechanisms 928 and 932 have longer straps than length-adjustment mechanism 930 does, and length-adjustment mechanisms 928 and 932 thus facilitate a greater degree of length adjustment than length-adjustment mechanism 930 does.\",\n \"Accordingly, in the figures, the length-adjustment mechanisms are non-uniform.\",\n \"The degree of length adjustment that is provided by a particular length-adjustment mechanism may correspond to the distance between the two pairs of pockets between which the length-adjustment mechanism is located.\",\n \"For example, the distance between the pair of pockets 946 and 948 and the pair of pockets 950 and 952 is smaller than the distance between the pair of pockets 942 and 944 and the pair of pockets 946 and 948.Accordingly, the length-adjustment mechanism 928 provides for a greater degree of length adjustment than does length-adjustment mechanism 930.The cover 902 also includes interspaced connectors 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, and 926 that are positioned along a longitudinal axis of the cover 902 between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906 and that extend laterally from the cover 902 in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cover and that is also perpendicular to a direction in which the pockets protrude.\",\n \"These interspaced connectors may be configured to releasably connect to a mating connector, such as a mating connector coupled to another apparatus unit.\",\n \"For example, in FIGS.\",\n \"29A-B, the interspaced connectors are used to releasably connect the unit 900 to another unit 1000.As previously discussed, the ability to couple one or more units in parallel provides for the application of a percussive force across a larger area of a user's body and facilitates customization for a particular user.\",\n \"The interspaced connectors may also be used to connect shoulder straps to the unit 900.For example, in FIGS.\",\n \"29A-B, the interspaced connectors are used to releasably connect shoulder straps 978 and 986 to the unit 900 via shoulder connectors 980, 982, 988, and 990.The shoulder straps may include length-adjustment mechanisms 984 and 992 for adjusting the length of the shoulder straps and providing a customized fit for a particular user.\",\n \"The configuration and number of interspaced connectors in the figures is exemplary only.\",\n \"For example, the cover 902 may include an interspaced connector comprising a zipper that runs along the length of the cover 902 between the first terminal end 904 and the second terminal end 906.As another example, the cover 902 may include eyelets through which a lace is threaded and used to connect the unit 900 to another unit.\",\n \"Accordingly, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, zippers, laces, and any number of other connectors may be used as one or more interspaced connectors for releasably connecting the unit 900 to another unit and/or to shoulder straps.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the unit 900 may be non-releasably connected to another unit and/or to shoulder straps.\",\n \"Turning now to FIGS.\",\n \"27A-E, a more detailed discussion of the construction of the cover 902 will be provided.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"27A-C provide an enlarged, front, perspective view of a portion of the cover 902.In FIG.\",\n \"27A, the closeable opening 936 is in a closed position, and in FIGS.\",\n \"27B-C, the closeable opening 936 is in an open position.\",\n \"An opening and closing mechanism 958 facilitates the transition between the open and closed positions and secures the opening in the closed position.\",\n \"In the figures, the opening and closing mechanism 958 is depicted as a zipper, but many other mechanism are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"For example, buckles, clasps, belts, hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, and laces may be used as the opening and closing mechanism 958.FIG.\",\n \"27B shows the cover 902 having an empty interior, while FIG.\",\n \"27C shows the vibration band 800 enclosed within the cover 902.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"27 B, the closeable opening 936 provides access to a vibrating element cavity 960 associated with pockets 946 and 948 (the pockets that are opposite the closeable opening 936).\",\n \"Each of the pockets is configured to receive a vibrating element.\",\n \"For example, the shape of the interior portion of the pockets corresponds to the shape of the vibrating elements.\",\n \"The vibration band 800 may be inserted into the cover 902 (e.g., inserted into one of the closeable openings and then guided along the length of the cover, using the other closeable openings as access points), and each vibrating element may be inserted into a corresponding pocket.\",\n \"Releasable connectors 994 and 996 may be used to secure the vibration band 800 in place and prevent the vibrating elements from slipping out of the pockets and/or the band 802 from sliding.\",\n \"In the figures, the length of the band 802 is comparable to the length of the cover 902.But as discussed herein with respect to additional configurations, the band 802 may be comprised of one or more segments.\",\n \"For example, the band 802 may be comprised of four smaller segments, each of which includes one of the pairs of vibrating elements.\",\n \"Each such segment may be inserted into the cover 902 through the closeable openings.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, the unit 900 may not include a vibration band, at all.\",\n \"The vibrating elements may be standalone components that are disposed directly in the pockets and secured in place.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"27D-E provide cross-section views of the cover 902.The cover 902 is comprised of a tubular sleeve, which includes a tubular wall 976 that circumscribes a space 966 that is configured to receive the vibration band 800.The tubular wall 976 may be one continuous wall, or it may be several walls sewn together.\",\n \"In the figures, the tubular sleeve has a rectangular cross-section, but any other cross-section shape is included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"The wall 976 may have several different sides, including a front side 968 that faces away from the user in an in-use configuration, a rear side 972 that faces toward the user in an in-use configuration, a bottom side 970, and a top side 974.The wall 976 has an exterior surface 962 that faces away from the space 966 and an interior surface 964 that faces towards the space 966.The front side 968 includes the closeable openings described above.\",\n \"The closeable openings extend entirely through the tubular wall from the exterior surface 962 to the interior surface 964 and fluidly connect with the space 966.The interspaced connectors are coupled to the bottom side 970 and top side 974 of the wall 976.The rear side 972 is generally opposite the front side 968 and includes the pockets described above.\",\n \"The pockets correspond to a portion of the wall 976 that protrudes away from the space 966 to form a recess configured to receive a vibrating element, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"27E.\",\n \"The portion of the tubular wall 976 that protrudes away from the space 966 may include a non-slip material on the exterior surface 962 of the tubular wall 976.For example, the portions 997 and 999 of the exterior surface 962 of the tubular wall 976 may include a non-slip material, such as neoprene.\",\n \"The direction in which the tubular wall 976 protrudes may be substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the interspaced connectors extend from the tubular wall 976.This configuration ensures that when two units are connected in parallel, the pockets of both units are flush with a user's body.\",\n \"A padding layer 998 may line the tubular wall along the entire length of the cover 902.Additionally or alternatively, the padding layer 998 may line the tubular wall only in portions of the cover corresponding to the pockets (e.g., extending 1-2 inches on either side of a pair of pockets).\",\n \"Including the padding layer 998 in this portion of the cover may help stabilize the vibrating elements (e.g., maintain them in a vertical position).\",\n \"In some instances, the recesses configured to receive the vibrating elements may also be lined with padding.\",\n \"The padding may enhance the comfort of the user during percussive therapy.\",\n \"For example, the padding may prevent the hard housing of the vibrating elements from causing discomfort, while still allowing the percussive force to reach the user's body.\",\n \"Accordingly, the material for the padding may be selected so that the vibrational force provided by the vibrational elements is not overly dampened.\",\n \"The remainder of the tubular wall may not be lined with padding in order to reduce bulk and facilitate length adjustments.\",\n \"The padding layer 998 may include foam or another material.\",\n \"Turning now to the remaining figures, several different in-use configurations are shown.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"30A-B show the units 900 and 1000 secured around the torso of a user via releasable connection assemblies and shoulder straps.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"31A-C show a wearable pack 1100 that includes loops 1102, 1104, and 1106 for receiving the unit 900.The pack 1100 may maintain the unit 900 at a desired height on a user's body and prevent the unit 900 from slipping downward.\",\n \"In this way, the pack 1100 may serve a purpose that is similar to that served by the shoulder straps shown in FIGS.\",\n \"30A-B.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"32A-B show a crisscross configuration of units 900 and 1000.The crisscross configuration may be facilitated by a positioning mechanism 1200 for positioning and maintaining multiple units in a crisscross configuration.\",\n \"For example, FIGS.\",\n \"33A-B show a positioning mechanism 1200 that includes two separate sleeves 1202 and 1204 that are rotatably coupled to one another.\",\n \"A unit may be placed in each sleeve, and the sleeves may then be rotated until they are offset by a desired angle, such as an angle of approximately 90 degrees, as is shown in FIG.\",\n \"32B.\",\n \"The sleeves may include hook-and-loop fasteners, or any other releasable connector, to facilitate placing a unit in the sleeve.\",\n \"An additional exemplary configuration of a positioning mechanism 1300 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"34.The positioning mechanism 1300 may be a disc that includes channels for receiving a unit and routing the unit in a desired direction.\",\n \"The controller and user input features previously discussed herein may be incorporated into the unit 900 (and any additional units used in conjunction with unit 900).\",\n \"For example, the unit 900 may be communicatively coupled to a mobile device application and/or a remote control.\",\n \"When multiple units are used in conjunction with one another, they may be controlled in a coordinated manner.\",\n \"For example, a mobile device application and/or remote may allow a user to select a number of units that are to be used, allow the user to pair each unit to the mobile device and/or remote, such as via a Bluetooth® connection, and enable the user to customize a percussive therapy session based on the user's particular needs.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, user input components may be provided on the units, themselves.\",\n \"The units may include a display screen that displays information regarding operational settings.\",\n \"It will be understood by those having skill in the relevant art that the features described herein with respect to various exemplary embodiments may be combined and/or interchanged.\",\n \"For example, the features described with respect to the exemplary chest bands 100 or 600 may be combined and/or interchanged with the features described with respect to the exemplary vibration band 800 and/or unit 900.As one example, rather than mounting chest band segments 604, 606, 608, and 610 on the belt 602, these chest band segments may be coupled together in a linear chain via a series of connectors, as are chest band segments 102 and 104 in FIGS.\",\n \"1-4, for example.\",\n \"As another example, chest band segments 102 and 104 may include connectors in order to facilitate the formation of parallel chains of chest band segments, as discussed with respect to other embodiments.\",\n \"Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments discussed with respect to the figures herein are not intended to be mutually exclusive, but instead set forth various features that may be combined and incorporated into an apparatus for providing percussive therapy.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 provides a block diagram that shows exemplary components that may be included in an exemplary portable apparatus 300 for providing chest therapy.\",\n \"As previously discussed, the portable apparatus 300 may include a chest band (also referred to as a “vibration band” herein) 310 having one or more vibrating elements 312.The portable apparatus 300 may further include a power supply 314 and a controller 316.A user input component 318 and a nebulizer treatment component 320 may also be included.\",\n \"As described above, the controller 316 may control the operation of the chest band 310 and the nebulizer treatment component 320 based on a user input received at the user input component 318.One or more of these components may be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to one another.\",\n \"It will be understood that the components illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16 are exemplary in nature and in number and should not be construed as limiting.\",\n \"Any number of components may be employed to achieve the functionality described herein.\",\n \"Components in addition to those illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16 may also be included within the apparatus 300 and are included within the scope hereof.\",\n \"As described above, a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user may include a controller that controls various operations of the apparatus.\",\n \"The controller may be, for example, a computing device, such as the exemplary computing device 400 of FIG.\",\n \"17.Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine useable instructions, including computer executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine.\",\n \"Generally, program modules including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code that performs particular tasks or implements particular abstract data types.\",\n \"Embodiments hereof may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including hand held devices, consumer electronics, general purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, etc.\",\n \"Moreover, embodiments hereof may also be practiced in a distributed computing system where tasks are performed by separate or remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network.\",\n \"Computing device 400 is but one example of a suitable operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments hereof.\",\n \"The computing device 400 should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one component nor any combination of components illustrated.\",\n \"As shown in the example of FIG.\",\n \"17, the computing device 400 may have a bus 410 that directly or indirectly couples the following components: a memory 412, one or more processors 414, one or more presentation components 416, one or more input/output (I/O) ports 418, one or more I/O components 420, and an illustrative power supply 422.Bus 410 represents what may be one or more buses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof).\",\n \"Although the various components of FIG.\",\n \"17 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components may not be so clear.\",\n \"For example, a presentation component, such as a display device, may be considered to be an I/O component.\",\n \"Additionally, processors may have memory.\",\n \"The power supply 422 might include a rechargeable battery.\",\n \"For example, the power supply 422 may be a rechargeable battery that provides power to various components of a portable apparatus, including the vibrating elements, the nebulizer treatment component, and the controller, among others.\",\n \"As mentioned above, the rechargeable battery may be a lithium-ion battery of a desired voltage.\",\n \"As will be understood, the components of exemplary computing device 400 may be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the invention.\",\n \"In embodiments, computing device 400 may include fewer components than those depicted in FIG.\",\n \"17, or other components in addition to those depicted in FIG.\",\n \"17.Computing device 400 typically may have a variety of non-transitory computer-readable media.\",\n \"By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise Random Access Memory (RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or other memory technologies; CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical or holographic media; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, carrier wave or any other medium that can be used to encode desired information and be accessed by computing device 400.Memory 412 may be comprised of tangible computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory.\",\n \"Memory 412 may be removable, nonremovable, or a combination thereof.\",\n \"Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc.\",\n \"Computing device 400 is depicted to have one or more processors 414 that read data from various entities such as memory 412 or I/O components 420.Exemplary data that is read by a processor may be comprised of computer code or machine-useable instructions, which may be computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine.\",\n \"Presentation component(s) 416 may present data indications to a user or other device.\",\n \"Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, light-emitting component, etc.\",\n \"I/O ports 418 allow computing device 400 to be logically coupled to other devices including I/O components 420, some of which may be built in.\",\n \"In the context of embodiments hereof, the computing device 400 may be used to control various components included in a portable apparatus for providing chest therapy to a user.\",\n \"For example, the controller discussed above may include at least some of the components of computing device 400.Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below.\",\n \"Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive.\",\n \"Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it.\",\n \"Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below.\",\n \"Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872459"}}},{"rowIdx":4494081,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["DETERMINATION DEVICE THROUGH CLUSTERING ANALYSIS OF POSITION HISTORY DATA, METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM","According to an embodiment a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information, and a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies."],["1.A computer-implemented method comprising: acquiring, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the pieces of geographical position information being obtained by a positioning device, the history data, by a processor, being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and determining, by the processor, whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies.","2.The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.","3.The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising: outputting an indication that a user is present at a base location based on the determination of whether the movable body is present in the specified point in time and the geographical area.","4.The computer-implemented method according to claim 3, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.","5.A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to: acquire, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the pieces of geographical position information being obtained by a positioning device, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and determine whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies.","6.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 5, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.","7.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 5, wherein the computer-executable instructions include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to: output an indication that a user is present at a base location based on the determination of whether the movable body is present in the specified point in time and the geographical area.","8.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.","9.An information processing device comprising: a hardware processor programmed to: acquire, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the pieces of geographical position information being obtained by a positioning device, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a memory with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and determine whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.","10.The information processing device according to claim 9, further comprising the memory.","11.The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.","12.The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to: output an indication that a user is present at a base location based on the determination of whether the movable body is present in the specified point in time and the geographical area.","13.The information processing device according to claim 12, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.","14.A computer-implemented method comprising: calculating a probability of a user being at a base location based on pieces of position information indicating a history of visits to base locations of a terminal device over time; estimating whether the user of the terminal device is present at the base location based on a comparison of the calculated probability with a predetermined threshold; and in a case that the user of the terminal device is estimated to be present at the base location: outputting an indication that the user is present at the base location.","15.The computer-implemented method according to claim 14, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.","16.The computer-implemented method according to claim 14, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.","17.An information processing device comprising: a hardware processor programmed to: calculate a probability of a user being at a base location based on pieces of position information indicating a history of visits to base locations of a terminal device over time; estimate whether the user of the terminal device is present at the base location based on a comparison of the calculated probability with a predetermined threshold; and in a case that the user of the terminal device is estimated to be present at the base location: output an indication that the user is present at the base location.","18.The information processing device according to claim 17, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.","19.The information processing device according to claim 17, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.","20.A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to: calculate a probability of a user being at a base location based on pieces of position information indicating a history of visits to base locations of a terminal device over time; estimate whether the user of the terminal device is present at the base location based on a comparison of the calculated probability with a predetermined threshold; and in a case that the user of the terminal device is estimated to be present at the base location: output an indication that the user is present at the base location.","21.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.","22.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.","According to one aspect of an embodiment a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information.","The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data includes a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.","The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","15/429,608 filed Feb. 10, 2017, which claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.","2016-030495 filed in Japan on Feb. 19, 2016.The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.","2.Description of the Related Art Conventionally, delivery business of collecting packages from delivery sources and delivering the collected packages to specified delivery destinations has been known.","The delivery business has a problem in terms of profitability because when the package is delivered to the specified delivery destination and a user receiving the package is absent, the package needs to be delivered again after a while.","In order to solve the problem, the following technique has been proposed.","That is, a small base station is installed in a house, and when a previously registered terminal device of a user is present in a communication area of the small base station, it is determined that the user is present at a delivery destination and a package is delivered thereto.","Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.","2012-252619.With the above-mentioned conventional technique, it cannot however be considered that absence of the user is capable of being easily determined, resulting in a problem.","The above-mentioned conventional technique, for example, requires time and effort for advance preparation at the delivery destination involving installation of dedicated equipment such as the small base station in the house and previous registration of the terminal device of the user.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.","According to one aspect of an embodiment a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information.","The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data includes a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.","The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a diagram for explaining an example of action effects exerted by a determination system according to an embodiment; FIG.","2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a determination server in the embodiment; FIG.","3 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in a position history database in the embodiment; FIG.","4 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in an estimation result database in the embodiment; FIG.","5 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in a presence probability database in the embodiment; FIG.","6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of guide processing that the determination server executes in the embodiment; FIG.","7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a delivery center server in the embodiment; FIG.","8 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in a delivery database in the embodiment; FIG.","9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of generation processing that the delivery center server executes in the embodiment; and FIG.","10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of transmission processing that the delivery center server executes in the embodiment.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Modes (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) for carrying out a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.","It should be noted that the embodiments do not limit the determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data, the method, and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium in the present application.","The same reference numerals denote the same sites and the same pieces of processing in the following embodiments and overlapped description thereof is omitted.","The following describes an example of a determination system providing a delivery service of delivering packages to specified bases using an estimation result by, as processing executed by the determination device, estimating bases of users U01 to U04 based on histories of positions of terminal devices 101 to 104 used by the users U01 to U04, respectively.","1.Outline of Determination System First, concepts of estimation processing and determination processing that a determination system 1 executes will be described with reference to FIG.","1.FIG.","1 is a diagram for explaining an example of action effects exerted by the determination system in the embodiment.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","1, the determination system 1 includes a determination server 10, a delivery center server 50, the terminal devices 101 to 104, and a visitor terminal V01.In the following description, the terminal devices 101 to 104 are collectively referred to as terminal devices 100 in some cases.","The outline illustrated in FIG.","1 is merely an example and the determination system 1 may include the desired number of terminal devices 100, the desired number of determination servers 10, the desired number of delivery center servers 50, and the desired number of visitor terminals V01.Each terminal device 100 is a terminal device such as a mobile terminal like a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a notebook-type personal computer (PC), and is capable of communicating with any server through a network such as a mobile communication network, the Internet, and a wireless local area network (LAN).","The terminal device 100 has a positioning function of specifying the position (hereinafter, referred as “current position”) of the terminal device 100 at a predetermined time interval using a positioning means such as a global positioning system (GPS).","The determination server 10 is an information processing device that executes the estimation processing, the determination processing, and decision processing, which will be described later, and is implemented by a server device, a cloud system, or the like.","The determination server 10 is connected to the delivery center server 50 in a communicable manner through a network N. The delivery center server 50 is an information processing device that executes various pieces of information processing for providing the delivery service, and is implemented by a server device, a cloud system, or the like.","The delivery center server 50 is connected to the determination server 10 and the visitor terminal V01 in a communicable manner through the network N. The visitor terminal V01 is a terminal device such as a mobile terminal like a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a PDA, and a notebook-type PC, and is capable of communicating with the delivery center server 50 through the network N such as a mobile communication network, the Internet, and a wireless local area network (LAN).","The visitor terminal V01, for example, displays various pieces of information about the delivery service such as capabilities of visits to bases as delivery destinations and a delivery route in accordance with instructions from the delivery center server 50.The users U01 to U04 are, for example, users using the terminal devices 101 to 104, respectively, and living in the same multiple dwelling housing (e.g.","apartment house) M10.To be more specific, the user U01 using the terminal device 101 and the user U02 using the terminal device 102 are the users living in a room (meaning a dwelling unit or a house, the same holds true hereinbelow) R21 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.The user U03 using the terminal device 103 is a user living in a room R11 in the multiple dwelling housing M10 and the user U04 using the terminal device 104 is a user living in a room R12 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.That is, the users U01 to U04 are the users based in the rooms R11 to R21 located at substantially the same position.","As illustrated in (A) in FIG.","1, the user U01 is currently out whereas the user U02 stays in the room R21.The user U02 can therefore receive a package addressed to the user U01 or the user U02, that is, a package addressed to the room R21.Accordingly, the package can be delivered to the room R21.As illustrated in (B) in FIG.","1, the user U04 is currently out and there is therefore no user who receives a package in the room R12.Accordingly, a package addressed to the user U04, that is, a package addressed to the room R12 cannot be delivered.","When a visitor visits the room R12, redelivery needs to be performed.","Advance preparation at the delivery destinations involving installation of pieces of dedicated equipment in the houses or previous registration of the terminal devices of the users in order to reduce time and effort for the redelivery requires time and effort.","Furthermore, whether a user who has not performed the advance preparation is at home cannot be determined.","For example, even when the terminal device 101 is located in the vicinity of the multiple dwelling housing M10, pieces of information about whether the user U01 using the terminal device 101 is based in (lives in) the multiple dwelling housing M10 and about a room in which the user U01 lives in the multiple dwelling housing M10 are not known.","In other words, even when the current position of each terminal device 100 can be specified, whether a user receiving a package is present at a destination, that is, whether the package can be delivered cannot be determined in the case in which the terminal device 100 corresponding to a base as the destination of the package is unknown.","Moreover, even when the user receiving the package is present in the base as the destination of the package, whether the user is a real user based in the destination cannot be checked.","There is therefore a risk that the package is delivered to a malicious third party.","In order to address the above-mentioned situations, the determination system 1 determines whether the individual users U01 to U04 are at home, that is, whether the packages addressed to the individual bases can be delivered without requiring the advance preparation by executing various pieces of processing, which will be described below.","First, the terminal devices 100 position the current positions of the terminal devices 100 using the positioning means such as the GPS.","The determination server 10 collects pieces of position information indicating the current positions from the terminal devices 100 of the individual users U01 to U04 (step S1).","The terminal devices 100 may transmit the pieces of position information to the determination server 10 with, for example, a function of a previously installed predetermined application or the like.","The determination server 10 executes the estimation processing of estimating bases such as houses and work places of the individual users U01 to U04 by estimating correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases based on the pieces of position information collected from the terminal devices 100 (step S2).","The determination server 10 executes the determination processing of determining whether the users U01 to U04 using the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases as visit destinations are present in the bases based on the estimation result, executes specification processing of specifying time bands with probabilities of presence of the individual users U01 to U04 in the estimated bases, in which the probabilities are higher than a predetermined threshold, and notifies the delivery center server 50 of results of the individual pieces of processing (step S3).","The delivery center server 50 executes generation processing of generating capabilities of visits to the bases as the delivery destinations (that is, capabilities of delivery of the packages) and a delivery route as a route for delivering the packages to the bases based on the notified pieces of information (step S4).","Then, the delivery center server 50 transmits the generated capabilities of delivery and delivery route to the visitor terminal V01 (step S5).","2.Estimation Processing and Determination Processing that Determination Server 10 Executes in the Embodiment Hereinafter, examples of the functional configuration and action effects of the determination server 10 that executes the above-mentioned estimation processing and determination processing will be described with reference to the drawings.","2-1.Example of Functional Configuration FIG.","2 is a diagram for explaining the example of the functional configuration of the determination server in the embodiment.","As illustrated in FIG.","2, the determination server 10 includes a communication unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a controller 40.The communication unit 20 is implemented by, for example, a network interface card (NIC).","The communication unit 20 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly and transmits and receives pieces of information between the determination server 10 and the delivery center server 50 and the terminal device 100.The storage unit 30 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) and a flash memory or a storage device such as a hard disk and an optical disk.","The storage unit 30 includes a position history database 31, an estimation result database 32, and a presence probability database 33.Pieces of position history information indicating histories of positions at which the terminal devices 100 have stayed are registered in the position history database 31.To be more specific, the pieces of position information collected from the terminal devices 100 are registered as the pieces of position history information in the position history database 31.FIG.","3 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in the position history database in the embodiment.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","3, the pieces of position history information having items of a “terminal identifier (ID)”, a “user ID”, “position information”, “collection time”, “terminal information”, and “communication device information” are registered in the position history database 31.It should be noted that pieces of position history information having a desired item other than the items illustrated in FIG.","3 may be registered in the position history database 31.The “terminal ID” is an identifier indicating the terminal device 100 that has acquired the corresponding position information using the positioning function such as the GPS.","The “user ID” is an identifier indicating the user using the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID”.","The “position information” is information indicating the position of the terminal device 100, the position being measured by the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID”.","The “collection time” is the time at which the corresponding “position information” has been measured or the time at which the corresponding “position information” has been collected from the terminal device 100.The “terminal information” is information about the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID”.","The “terminal information” is, for example, a model name and a model number of the terminal device 100, and an internet protocol (IP) address and a media access control (MAC) address assigned to the terminal device 100.The “terminal information” is, for example, information indicating names and versions of an operating system (OS), an application (for example, a disaster prevention prompt report application or a map application) that has collected the corresponding “position information”, an application that has transmitted the “position information” to the determination server 10, and the like.","That is, as the “terminal information”, any information indicating characteristics of the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID” can be employed.","The “communication device information” is information indicating a communication device (for example, a wireless LAN master unit, also referred to as a wireless router or the like) with which the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID” can communicate or a communication device used when the position information is transmitted to the determination server 10.The “communication device information” is, for example, information about characteristics containing specifications and a format of communication that are generated in communication between the terminal device 100 and the communication device.","The terminal device 100 acquires the “communication device information” from the communication device or a collection unit 41 of the determination server 10 acquires the “communication device information” through the communication unit 20.The communication device information is, for example, a device name, a model number, an Internet protocol (IP) address, a port number, and a service set identifier (SSID) of the communication device.","As a more specific example, the “communication device information” is various pieces of information about an access point installed at a base, such as the communication device with which the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID” can communicate.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","3, for example, the position history information in which a terminal ID “ID101”, a user ID “U01”, position information “position #1”, collection time “2015/01/01/21:00:00”, terminal information “terminal information #1”, and communication device information “communication device #1” correspond to one another is registered in the position history database 31.This position history information indicates, for example, that the user U01 indicated by the user ID “U01” uses the terminal device 101 indicated by the terminal ID “ID101”.","The position history information further indicates that the terminal device 101 has collected the position information “position #1” at the collection time “2015/01/01/21:00:00”.","In addition, the position history information indicates that the terminal information of the terminal device 101 is the “terminal information #1” and that the communication device information of the communication device installed at a position communicable with the terminal device 101 is the communication device information “communication device #1”.","When the terminal device 101 transmits the position information and the like to the determination server 10 through the communication device, the communication device information is the IP address and the like of the communication device that has transferred the position information transmitted from the terminal device 101 to the determination server 10.Although the example in FIG.","3 illustrates conceptual values such as the “position #1”, the “terminal information #1”, and the “communication device #1”, the embodiment is not limited thereto.","In the position history database 31, for example, values of the north latitude and the east longitude, the latitude and the longitude, or the like measured by the GPS are registered as the “position information”, the model name and the model number of the terminal device 100, the name and the version of the OS, and the like are registered as the “terminal information”, and the IP address of the communication device, the SSID that the communication device uses, and the like are registered as the “communication device information”.","It should be noted that among the items illustrated in FIG.","3, information of an item that the determination server 10 have failed to collect does not have to be registered.","The estimation result by the estimation processing, which will be described later, is registered in the estimation result database 32.To be more specific, pieces of estimation result information indicating estimated correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases are registered in the estimation result database 32.FIG.","4 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in the estimation result database in the embodiment.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","4, the pieces of estimation result information having items of a “base ID”, “position information”, a “terminal ID”, a “user ID”, and a “room number” are registered in the estimation result database 32.It should be noted that pieces of estimation result information having a desired item other than the items illustrated in FIG.","4 may be registered in the estimation result database 32.The “base ID” is an identifier for identifying a place as a hub of activity of a user, that is, a place as a base.","The base may be, for example, not only a house in which the user lives but also a predetermined facility such as a work place, a temporary housing, and a park as long as it is a place that the user periodically visits.","The base may be a predetermined spot that actually exists, such as a reception desk of a predetermined work place and a guardhouse of a building, as long as the position thereof can be specified.","That is, the base can be any spot as long as a visitor can meet the user at the spot or the spot serves as a unit of a visit in a service involving visiting.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","4, the rooms in which the individual users live are employed as an example of the bases.","The “room number” illustrated in FIG.","4 is, for example, information indicating a number of the room as the base of the user indicated by the corresponding “user ID” in the facility located at a position indicated by the corresponding “position information”.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","4, for example, the estimation result information in which a base ID “base #1”, position information “position #1”, terminal IDs “ID101, ID102”, user IDs “U01, U02,” and a room number “R21” correspond to one another is registered in the estimation result database 32.This estimation result information indicates that the base indicated by the base ID “base #1” is a room indicated by the room number “R21” among the rooms in the facility located at the position information “position #1” and the users U01 and U02 using the terminal devices 101 and 102 indicated by the terminal IDs “ID101, ID102” are based in the room.","Pieces of presence probability information indicating presence probabilities specified by the specification processing, which will be described later, are registered in the presence probability database 33.To be more specific, the pieces of presence probability information indicating the probabilities of presence of the users in the bases for each time band are registered in the presence probability database 33.For example, FIG.","5 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in the presence probability database in the embodiment.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","5, the presence probability information in which the “base ID” and the probabilities of the presence of the users in each base for each time band correspond to each other are registered in the presence probability database 33.In the example illustrated in FIG.","5, for example, in the presence probability database 33, a probability “70%” of the presence of the user in the base indicated by the base ID “base #1” between “10:00 and 11:00” and a probability “80%” of the presence of the user in the base between “11:00 and 12:00” are registered.","Furthermore, in the presence probability database 33, a probability “80%” of the presence of the user in the base indicated by the base ID “base #2” between “10:00 and 11:00” and a probability “20%” of the presence of the user in the base between “11:00 and 12:00” are registered.","Description is continued with reference to FIG.","2 again.","The controller 40 is implemented by, for example, causing a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like to execute various programs stored in the storage device in the determination server 10 using a storage region of the RAM or the like as a work region.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","2, the controller 40 includes the collection unit 41, an estimation unit 42, a determination unit 43, a specifying unit 44, and an information provision unit 45.A connection relation among the processors 41 to 45 included in the controller 40 is not limited to the connection relation illustrated in FIG.","2 and may be another connection relation.","The individual processors 41 to 45 implement and execute functions and actions (for example, FIG.","1) of the estimation processing and the determination processing, which will be described below, but these are functional units structured for description and may be unidentical to practical hardware components or software modules.","That is, the determination server 10 may implement and execute the estimation processing and the determination processing by any functional unit as long as it can implement and execute the functions and actions of the estimation processing and the determination processing, which will be described later.","2.2.Example of Action Effects in Guide Processing Hereinafter, contents of guide processing that the individual processors 41 to 45 execute and implement will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.","6.FIG.","6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of the guide processing that the determination server executes in the embodiment.","First, the collection unit 41 collects the pieces of position information from the respective terminal devices 101 to 104 (step S101).","The terminal devices 100 acquire the pieces of position information at a predetermined time interval, for example.","As will be seen in the following description, the terminal devices 100 collect various pieces of information that can be indicators for estimating the bases in addition to the pieces of position information.","The terminal devices 100 acquire, for example, the pieces of communication device information of the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 communicate at the bases, such as the SSIDs of the wireless routers installed in the houses.","The terminal devices 100 acquire the user IDs of the users using the terminal devices 100 through, for example, user authentication in a predetermined web service or application.","Then, the terminal devices 100 transmit, to the determination server 10, the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 100, the user IDs of the users using the terminal devices 100, the pieces of acquired position information, the date and time at which the pieces of position information have been acquired, the pieces of acquired communication device information, and the pieces of terminal information indicating the OSs, browsers, and the like of the terminal devices 100.As a result, the collection unit 41 stores the various pieces of acquired information as the pieces of position history information in the position history database 31 (step S102).","The collection unit 41 may collect the pieces of information other than the pieces of position information by any method.","When the collection unit 41 has acquired the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100, the collection unit 41, for example, may collect the terminal IDs and the user IDs of the users using the terminal devices 100 from servers or the like providing mobile communication network services to the terminal devices 100 utilizing, as keys, pieces of identification information such as the IP addresses corresponding to the terminal devices 100 as transmission sources of the pieces of position information by lending, address translation, or the like, and the MAC addresses that the terminal devices 100 use.","The collection unit 41, for example, may collect the user IDs of the users who log-in through the terminal devices 100 from reception servers receiving the log-ins of the users for providing predetermined web services or the like.","The collection unit 41 may collect the pieces of terminal information and the pieces of communication device information from various pieces of information that can be acquired when the collection unit 41 receives the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100.The collection unit 41 may acquire, as the pieces of terminal information, for example, the names and versions of the assigned OSs when the terminal devices 100 transmit the pieces of information.","The collection unit 41 can acquire the IP addresses and the port numbers of the communication devices as the IP addresses and the port numbers of the transmission sources of the pieces of position information when the pieces of position information are transmitted through the communication devices installed at the bases.","The collection unit 41 may collect the IP addresses and the port numbers of the transmission sources of the pieces of position information as the pieces of communication device information.","Thereafter, the estimation unit 42 specifies places that the individual users have visited from the pieces of position history information registered in the position history database 31 (step S103).","To be more specific, the estimation unit 42 specifies all the places at which the individual terminal devices 100 have stayed by extracting all pairs of the terminal IDs and the pieces of position information that are registered in the position history database 31 in the corresponding manner.","The estimation unit 42 estimates the correspondence between the respective terminal devices 100 and the bases based on the amounts (hereinafter, referred to as stay amounts) for which the terminal devices 100 have stayed at the respective places (step S104).","To be more specific, the estimation unit 42 specifies the places as the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100 based on the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100 and causes the specified places to correspond to the terminal devices 100 that the users use.","Then, the estimation unit 42 registers the estimation result in the estimation result database 32 (step S105).","The estimation unit 42, for example, extracts all of the pieces of position history information containing the terminal ID “ID101” indicating the terminal device 101 with reference to the position history database 31.Then, the estimation unit 42 specifies the places that the user using the terminal device 101 has visited based on the pieces of position information contained in the pieces of extracted position history information.","The estimation unit 42 specifies, for example, the addresses, facility names, and the like of the places that the user has visited.","Subsequently, the estimation unit 42 calculates the stay amounts for which the terminal device 100 and the user have stayed at the specified places based on the collection time contained in the pieces of extracted position history information.","The estimation unit 42 calculates, for the individual specified places, for example, at least one of the numbers of times that the terminal device 100 has been present, the lengths of periods of time during which the terminal device 100 has stayed, and the time bands in which the terminal device 100 has stayed.","That is, the estimation unit 42 specifies the places that the users using the terminal devices 100 have visited, and calculates, as the stay amounts, at least one of the numbers of times that the users have visited the specified places, the stay periods of time therein, and the stay time bands therein.","Then, the estimation unit 42 estimates, based on the stay amounts, the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100, that is, the bases as the houses in which the users using the terminal devices 100 live, the bases as companies in which the users work, or the like.","That is, the estimation unit 42 estimates correspondence between the individual bases and the users based on what-is-called heat maps of the places that the users visit.","For example, when the user visits a fixed place during the day, the place or an area including the place is estimated to be the work place of the user.","For example, when the user stays at a fixed place for a long period of time during the night, the place is estimated to be the house of the user.","When the user is a full-time homemaker or the like, a place at which the user stays for the longest period of time is estimated to be the house of the user whereas when the user is a clerical worker or the like, a place at which the user stays for the longest period of time is estimated to be the work place of the user.","In the above-mentioned manner, a certain pattern is estimated to be generated when the user visits the base thereof such as the work place and the house.","For this reason, the estimation unit 42 can calculate the stay amounts of the users (that is, the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100) based on the pieces of position history information to estimate who uses which base, that is, correspondence relations between the bases and the users.","The estimation unit 42 estimates the bases of the users based on the numbers of times that the respective terminal devices 100 have stayed and the temporal amounts thereof.","The estimation unit 42 can therefore estimate, as the bases of the users, areas that the users visit many times or areas in which the users stay for a long period of time even when the pieces of position information acquired from the terminal devices 100 have some errors and the positions indicated by the pieces of position information are slightly different at every acquisition.","Accordingly, the estimation unit 42 can estimate the bases of the users even when the pieces of position information acquired from the terminal devices 100 have some errors.","As illustrated in FIG.","1, the multiple dwelling housing M10 has the rooms R11 to R21 in which the users U01 to U04 live.","In such a case, the pieces of position information that are collected from the terminal devices 101 to 104 are similar to one another.","Accordingly, when the bases of the users U01 to U04 are estimated from the pieces of position information, the multiple dwelling housing M10 can be estimated as the base but the rooms as the bases of the individual users U01 to U04 cannot be estimated in some cases.","In order to address the above-mentioned situation, the estimation unit 42 estimates the bases of the respective users U01 to U04 by estimating the correspondence between the terminal devices 101 to 104 and the bases based on the pieces of terminal device information about the respective terminal devices 100 and the pieces of communication device information about the communication devices communicating with the respective terminal devices 100, in addition to the pieces of position information.","In, for example, multiple dwelling housings such as apartments and condominiums, it is estimated that the communication devices for connection to a network such as the Internet are installed in the respective rooms and different SSIDs are assigned to the respective communication devices.","Also in buildings and the like with a plurality of commercial facilities, the communication devices capable of being identified by the SSIDs that are different among the commercial facilities are installed in many cases.","It is considered, for example, that the wireless router installed in the room R21 and the wireless router installed in the room R11 use different SSIDs.","When the correspondence between the SSIDs used by the communication devices and the rooms in which the communication devices are installed can be specified, the pieces of information about the SSIDs used by the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate can be indicators for specifying the rooms as the bases of the users in the multiple dwelling housing M10.When the room corresponding to at least one of the terminal devices 100 using the same SSID can be specified based on information by user registration in a certain service, or the like, all the terminal devices 100 using the same SSID can correspond to the room.","Global IP addresses that are different from one another when seen from the network N side are lent to the communication devices in some cases.","In such a case, pairs of the IP addresses and port numbers lent to the communication devices are lent to the terminal devices 100 capable of communicating with the communication devices when seen from the network N side.","The pieces of information about the IP addresses lent to the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate can be indicators indicating the rooms in which the users are based in the multiple dwelling housing M10.In the multiple dwelling housing M10 or the like, one IP address is lent to a communication device as a master unit that is connected to all of the communication devices installed in the respective rooms (that is, one global IP address is lent to the entire multiple dwelling housing M10) and the communication devices installed in the respective rooms can be specified with the port numbers from the network N side in some cases.","In such a case, when the terminal devices 100 transmit the pieces of position information to the determination server 10 through the communication devices installed in the rooms, the determination server 10 can specify the communication devices through which the terminal devices 100 have transmitted the pieces of position information based on the IP address and the port numbers of the communication devices as the transmission sources.","The pieces of information of the IP address and the port numbers lent to the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate can be indicators indicating the rooms in which the users are based in the multiple dwelling housing M10.The user makes selection, contract, and the like of an Internet service provider (ISP) (hereinafter, referred to as a “provider”) for each of the rooms (houses) including the case in which the communication device is installed in each of the rooms of the multiple dwelling housing in advance.","The various pieces of information about the communication devices, such as the SSIDs, the IP addresses, and the port numbers that the communication devices use and the providers that are used for connection of the communication devices to the network N can be indicators for specifying the rooms in which the users of the terminal devices 100 capable of communicating with the communication devices are based by reception of provision of pieces of information about contract addresses containing the room numbers in the multiple dwelling housing from systems of the providers.","Users working in the same company receive the terminal devices 100 provided by the company in some cases.","In such a case, the terminal devices 100 provided by the company are of a common model in many cases.","It is estimated that the terminal devices 100 provided by different companies are of different models.","For example, when a plurality of companies are settled in the same building, the model types of the terminal devices 100 that the users use can therefore be indicators for estimating companies where the users work, that is, companies as the bases of the users.","Furthermore, the versions and the model numbers of the OSs, the browsers, and the applications that the terminal devices 100 execute are different among the models of the terminal devices 100 in some cases.","The model numbers of the terminal devices 100 and the versions and the model numbers of the OSs, the browsers, the applications, and the like that the terminal devices 100 execute can therefore be indicators for specifying users based in the same work place.","The users based in the same home or the same company use the mobile communication network service that is provided by the same carrier with a high probability.","The collection unit 41 collects, as the pieces of communication device information, not only the SSIDs of the communication devices but also the IP addresses and the port numbers of the communication devices, the pieces of information of the providers, and the like.","The collection unit 41 collects, as the pieces of terminal device information, the versions and the model numbers of the OSs, the browsers, the applications, and the like, and the carriers of the respective terminal devices 100.The estimation unit 42 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 among the bases located at the same place based on similarity, difference, and the like in the pieces of terminal device information and the pieces of communication device information in addition to the position histories.","The estimation unit 42 generates, for the individual bases, the pieces of estimation result information in which the base IDs, the pieces of position information indicating the places of the bases indicated by the base IDs, the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 100 that the users based in the places indicated by the pieces of position information use, and the user IDs of the users based in the places indicated by the pieces of position information correspond to one another.","Then, the estimation unit 42 registers the pieces of generated estimation result information in the estimation result database 32.For example, when the pieces of position information acquired from the terminal devices 101 to 104 indicate the position of the multiple dwelling housing M10 during the night, the estimation unit 42 estimates that the users U01 to U04 of the terminal devices 101 to 104 are based in the multiple dwelling housing M10.When the pieces of communication device information acquired from the terminal devices 101 and 102 are the same and the pieces of communication device information acquired from the terminal devices 103 and 104 are different from each other, the estimation unit 42 estimates that the users U01 and U02 of the terminal devices 101 and 102 are based in a common room and the users U03 and U04 of the terminal devices 103 and 104 are based in different rooms.","The IP addresses, the providers, and the like of the communication devices enable the rooms in which the communication devices are installed to be specified based on pieces of customer information that the providers have.","For example, the values of the IP addresses lent to the respective communication devices, the pieces of customer information of customers using the respective communication devices, and the like are registered in customer information management servers with which the providers manage the pieces of customer information.","The pieces of customer information contain the addresses and the user IDs of the users using the communication devices, the addresses containing the room numbers of the rooms in which the communication devices are installed, and the like.","The estimation unit 42 acquires the pieces of information that are managed by the customer information management servers of the providers contained in the pieces of communication device information, and specifies the rooms in which the communication devices capable of communicating with the terminal devices 100 are installed based on the pieces of communication device information received from the terminal devices 100.The collection unit 41 collects, for example, the IP addresses lent to the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate together with the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100.In another example, when the terminal devices 100 transmit the pieces of position information through the communication devices, the collection unit 41 collects the IP addresses and the port numbers indicating the transmission sources of the pieces of position information as the IP addresses and the port numbers of the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate.","The estimation unit 42 notifies the customer information management servers of the IP addresses and the port numbers collected by the collection unit 41.In such a case, the customer information management servers specify the communication devices to which the notified IP addresses and port numbers are lent and specify the users using the specified communication devices and the rooms in which the specified communication devices are installed from the pieces of customer information.","Then, the customer information management servers transmit the user IDs indicating the specified users and the room numbers indicating the specified rooms to the determination server 10.In such a case, the estimation unit 42 registers the received user IDs and room numbers in the estimation result database 32 in a corresponding manner.","The addresses of the users that are contained in the pieces of customer information can be considered to be the addresses of the bases of the users.","The estimation unit 42 may therefore estimate the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100 from the pieces of customer information that the customer information management servers manage based on the user IDs received from the terminal devices 100.The estimation unit 42, for example, notifies the customer information management servers of the user IDs received from the terminal devices 100.In such a case, the customer information management servers specify the pieces of customer information of the users indicated by the notified user IDs, the pieces of information of the communication devices that the users use, and the like, and transmit the pieces of specified customer information and the pieces of specified information of the communication devices to the determination server 10.In such a case, the estimation unit 42 specifies the pieces of position information of the places as the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100, the room numbers thereof, and the like from the addresses of the users that are contained in the pieces of received customer information, and registers the pieces of specified position information and the specified room numbers in the estimation result database 32 so as to correspond to the user IDs.","For example, when the determination server 10 collects the communication device information containing the SSID of the communication device to which the terminal device 101 can be connected and the terminal information from the terminal device 101 that the user U01 uses, and estimates the base of the user U01 to be the room R21 based on the collected communication device information and the collected terminal information, it is considered that the determination server 10 estimates the correspondence between the SSID of the communication device and the room R21 as the base in which the communication device is installed.","When the bases corresponding to the SSIDs contained in the pieces of collected communication device information have been already estimated, the estimation unit 42 may regard the estimated bases as the bases of the terminal devices 100 as the collection sources of the pieces of communication device information.","As a result, the estimation unit 42 can estimate the bases of the users U01 and U02 of the terminal devices 101 and 102 to be the room R21 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.The estimation unit 42 can estimate the base of the user U03 of the terminal device 103 to be the room R11 in the multiple dwelling housing M10 and the base of the user U04 of the terminal device 104 to be the room R12 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.It should be noted that the estimation unit 42 may execute the processing of estimating the bases of the respective users using any method other than the above-mentioned processing.","As described above, the pieces of information that are used for specifying the rooms in which the communication devices are installed, such as the pieces of communication device information containing the IP addresses, the port numbers, and the like lent to the respective communication devices, are different depending on routes through which the terminal devices 100 collect the pieces of communication device information from the communication devices, routes through which the determination server 10 receives the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100, the connection configurations of the communication devices in the multiple dwelling housing M10, and the like.","The collection unit 41 may collect, as the pieces of communication information, not only the pieces of communication device information such as the SSIDs and the IP addresses of the communication devices but also various pieces of information that are used in communication with the terminal devices 100, such as pieces of desired acquirable information about routes through which the terminal devices 100 access the network N. In such a case, the pieces of communication device information are collected as a part of the pieces of communication information.","The estimation unit 42 may estimate the bases in which the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate are installed based on the pieces of collected communication information.","Alternatively, the estimation unit 42 may select the pieces of information that are used for estimating the bases among the pieces of communication information based on the pieces of information indicating the routes through which the terminal devices 100 access the network N and estimate the bases based on the pieces of selected information.","The estimation unit 42 may estimate the bases of the users from the pieces of terminal information.","For example, the pieces of company information such as the addresses of the companies as the provision sources of the terminal devices 100, the models of the terminal devices 100, types of pieces of software that are executed, and the like are registered in a corresponding manner in the management servers with which the carriers of the terminal devices 100 provided to the users by the companies or the like manage the pieces of customer information.","The estimation unit 42 transmits the pieces of position information received from the terminal devices 100 and the pieces of terminal information received from the terminal devices 100 as queries to the management servers.","The management servers transmit the pieces of company information corresponding to the pieces of position information and the pieces of terminal information received as the queries to the determination server 10.In such a case, the estimation unit 42 may register the pieces of received company information as the pieces of information indicating the bases of the users in the estimation result database 32.Subsequently, the determination unit 43 determines whether the users of the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases as visit destinations are present in the bases based on the estimation result by the estimation unit 42 (step S106).","To be more specific, the determination unit 43 determines whether any of the users using the terminal devices 100 corresponding to each base as the visit destination, that is, each base specified as the delivery destination of the package is present in the base.","When any of the users is determined to be present in the base, the determination unit 43 transmits the determination result to the delivery center server 50.The determination unit 43, for example, receives the pieces of information of the bases as the delivery destinations from the delivery center server 50 or the like.","In such a case, the determination unit 43 extracts the terminal IDs corresponding to the base IDs of the bases as the delivery destinations with reference to the estimation result database 32.The determination unit 43 searches the position history database 31 for the latest pieces of position information that have been acquired within a predetermined period of time among the pieces of position information received from the terminal devices 100 indicated by the extracted terminal IDs.","When the pieces of position information provided as a search result are identical to the positions of the bases contained in the estimation result database 32, the determination unit 43 determines that the users are present in the bases.","On the other hand, when the pieces of position information cannot be provided as the search result or when the pieces of position information provided as the search result are not identical to the positions of the bases contained in the estimation result database 32, the determination unit 43 determines that the users are not present in the bases.","Then, the determination unit 43 transmits the determination result to the delivery center server 50 through the information provision unit 45.In the example illustrated in FIG.","1, for example, the terminal device 101 of the user U01 and the terminal device 102 of the user U02 correspond to the room R21 as the base and the terminal device 104 of the user U04 corresponds to the room R12 as the base.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","1, absence of the user U01 can be specified because the position information that is acquired from the terminal device 101 is not identical to the position information of the multiple dwelling housing M10.In the example illustrated in FIG.","1, presence of the user U02 in the base can be specified because the position information that is acquired from the terminal device 102 is identical to the position information of the multiple dwelling housing M10 (or is located in the predetermined area).","In the case in which a package addressed to the user U01 is delivered, when the user U02 based in the room 21 is present in the room R21 even if the user U01 is absent therein, the package can be delivered by visiting the room R21.The determination unit 43 can therefore determine that a visitor can visit the room R21 as illustrated in FIG.","1(C) when either of the user U01 or U02 (for example, the user U02) based in the room R21 is present.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","1, the user U04 based in the room R12 is absent in the room R12 as the base.","As illustrated in FIG.","1(D), the determination unit 43 therefore determines that the visitor cannot visit the room R12.In the above-mentioned manner, when the terminal devices correspond to one base as the delivery destination and any of the terminal devices is located at the same place as the base, it can be estimated that any of the users based in the place is present in the base.","When at least one user is present in each base, the package can be delivered thereto.","The determination unit 43 therefore determines that the package can be delivered when any of the users corresponding to each base as the delivery destination is present in the base.","Description is continued with reference to FIG.","6 again.","The specifying unit 44 calculates the probabilities of presence of any of the users corresponding to respective bases for the each time band (step S107).","Then, the specifying unit 44 specifies time bands with the probabilities of the presence of any of the users of the terminal devices 100 in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold based on the stay histories of the terminal devices 100 in the corresponding bases.","Thereafter, the specifying unit 44 registers the calculation result in the presence probability database 33 (step S108).","The specifying unit 44, for example, extracts the correspondence between the bases and the users from the estimation result database 32.The specifying unit 44 calculates probabilities of stay of the users corresponding to the extracted bases in the bases for each time band with reference to the position history database 31.For example, the specifying unit 44 calculates the probability of presence of the user U01 or the user U02 in the room R21 between “10:00 and 11:00”.","Then, the specifying unit 44 registers the probabilities calculated for each time band as the pieces of presence probability information in the presence probability database 33.Subsequently, the information provision unit 45 transmits, to the delivery center server 50, the determination result by the determination unit 43 together with the pieces of presence probability information specified by the specifying unit 44 (step S109).","To be more specific, the information provision unit 45 transmits, to the delivery center server 50, together with the estimation result by the estimation unit 42, the pieces of presence probability information registered in the presence probability database 33.The individual processors 41 to 45 can independently execute the pieces of processing at steps S101 to S108 in FIG.","6 in a divided manner at desired granularities.","The collection unit 41 may execute the pieces of processing at steps S101 and S102, for example, at a predetermined time interval.","The estimation unit 42 may execute the pieces of processing at steps S103 to S105, that is, the estimation processing at a predetermined time interval.","The determination unit 43 may execute the processing at step S106, that is, the determination processing at a predetermined time interval or may execute it upon reception of a request from the delivery center server 50.The specifying unit 44 may execute the pieces of processing at steps S107 and S108, that is, the specifying processing at a predetermined time interval.","3.Pieces of Processing that Delivery Center Server 50 Executes in Embodiment Hereinafter, examples of the functional configuration and action effects of the delivery center server 50 that executes, together with the above-mentioned generation processing, transmission processing of transmitting delivery information indicating delivery to the terminal devices 100 of the users as the delivery destinations of packages will be described with reference to the drawings.","3-1.Example of Functional Configuration FIG.","7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the delivery center server in the embodiment.","As illustrated in FIG.","7, the delivery center server 50 includes a communication unit 60, a storage unit 70, and a controller 80.The communication unit 60 is implemented by, for example, an NIC, is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives pieces of information between the delivery center server 50 and the determination server 10, terminal device 100, and the visitor terminal V01.The storage unit 70 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM and a flash memory or a storage device such as a hard disk and an optical disk.","The storage unit 70 includes a presence probability database 71 and a delivery database 72.Description of the presence probability database 71 is omitted, since the pieces of information registered in the presence probability database 71 are regarded as the same as those in the presence probability database 33 of the determination server 10.Pieces of information indicating the bases as the delivery destinations of packages, that is, the bases as the visit destinations in the delivery service are registered in the delivery database 72.FIG.","8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the pieces of information that are registered in the delivery database in the embodiment.","As illustrated in FIG.","8, the pieces of delivery information having items of a “deliverer ID”, a “package ID”, and a “delivery destination ID” are registered in the delivery database 72.The “deliverer ID” is information for identifying a deliverer who delivers the package to the base and is, for example, an identifier of the visitor terminal V01 that the deliverer uses.","The “package ID” is an identifier of the package that is delivered to the base.","The “delivery destination ID” is a base ID of the base as the delivery destination, that is, the base as the visit destination.","In FIG.","8, for example, the delivery information in which a deliverer ID “V01”, a package ID “package #1”, and a delivery destination ID “base #1” correspond to one another is registered.","This delivery information indicates, for example, that the deliverer indicated by the deliverer ID “V01”, that is, the deliverer using the visitor terminal V01 delivers a package indicated by the package ID “package #1” to a base indicated by the delivery destination ID “base #1”.","Although the example in FIG.","8 illustrates conceptual values such as the “package #1”, the embodiment is not limited thereto.","It should be noted that pieces of delivery information having a desired item other than the pieces of information illustrated in FIG.","8 may be registered in the delivery database 72.Description is continued with reference to FIG.","7 again.","The controller 80 is implemented by, for example, causing a CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like to execute various programs stored in the storage device in the delivery center server 50 using a storage region of the RAM or the like as a work region.","In the example illustrated in FIG.","7, the controller 80 includes an information acquisition unit 81, a generator 82, a transmitter 83, and a receiver 84.A connection relation among the individual processors 81 to 84 included in the controller 80 is not limited to the connection relation illustrated in FIG.","7 and may be another connection relation.","The individual processors 81 to 84 implement and execute functions and actions (for example, FIG.","1) of the generation processing and the transmission processing, which will be described below, but these are functional units structured for description and may be unidentical to practical hardware components or software modules.","That is, the delivery center server 50 may implement and execute the generation processing and the transmission processing, which will be described below, by any functional unit as long as it can implement and execute the functions and actions of the generation processing and the transmission processing.","3-2.Example of Action Effects in Generation Processing Hereinafter, contents of the generation processing that the information acquisition unit 81 and the generator 82 execute and implement will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.","9.FIG.","9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of the generation processing that the delivery center server in the embodiment executes.","First, the information acquisition unit 81 acquires the determination result and the pieces of presence probability information from the determination server 10 (step S201).","Then, the information acquisition unit 81 registers the pieces of acquired presence probability information in the presence probability database 71 (step S202).","Subsequently, the generator 82 generates a delivery route indicating the order of visiting a plurality of bases as delivery destinations of packages based on the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases as the delivery destinations of the packages (step S203).","The generator 82, for example, specifies the bases corresponding to the visitor terminal V01, that is, the bases that the deliverer using the visitor terminal V01 visits with reference to the delivery database 72.Then, the generator 82 specifies the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases specified from the delivery database 72 for each time band with reference to the presence probability database 71.The generator 82 generates the delivery route for visiting the bases specified from the delivery database 72 based on the specified time bands.","The generator 82, for example, estimates periods of time that are to be taken for transportation between the bases based on position relations between the bases, and generates the delivery route so as to make the probabilities of the presence of the users when the deliverer visits the respective bases be higher than the predetermined threshold in consideration with the estimated periods of time for transportation.","Then, the generator 82 transmits the generated delivery route together with the determination result to the visitor terminal V01 (step S204) and displays the delivery route on the visitor terminal V01.The generator 82 may, for example, display pieces of information indicating time bands in which the deliverer visit the individual bases together with the delivery route on the visitor terminal V01 and display the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases for each time band.","That is, the generator 82 may display any information on the visitor terminal V01 as long as the information can be provided as results of the estimation processing, the determination processing, and the specifying processing by the determination server 10.The delivery center server 50 may notify the visitor terminal V01 of whether the users are present in the bases as the visit destinations, that is, whether the deliverer can visit the bases as the visit destinations even without generating the delivery route by transmitting the determination result by the determination server 10 as it is to the visitor terminal V01.The delivery center server 50 may transmit, together with the probabilities of the presence of the users in the individual bases, the pieces of information indicating the users receiving the packages are present or not in the individual bases, that is, the pieces of information for capabilities of visiting the individual bases, and the delivery center server 50 may display the information.","3-3.Example of Action Effects in Transmission Processing Time and effort for redelivery are expected to be further reducible by transmitting visit notification to the users based in the places as the delivery destinations and the users present in the bases before the packages are delivered.","The transmitter 83 and the receiver 84 execute the transmission processing illustrated in FIG.","10, thereby further reducing the time and effort for redelivery.","Hereinafter, contents of the transmission processing that the transmitter 83 and the receiver 84 execute and implement will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.","10.FIG.","10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of the transmission processing that the delivery center server executes in the embodiment.","For example, the transmitter 83 determines whether the current timing is a transmission timing of the visit notification (step S301).","When the transmitter 83 determines that the current timing is not the transmission timing of the visit notification (No at step S301), the transmitter 83 stands by until the transmission timing of the visit notification.","Then, when the transmitter 83 determines that the current timing is the transmission timing of the visit notification (Yes at step S301), the transmitter 83 transmits the visit notification (step S302).","For example, the transmitter 83 specifies the current position of the visitor terminal V01 and determines that the current timing is the transmission timing of the visit notification when the specified position makes close to a predetermined area from each base as the delivery destination.","Then, the transmitter 83 transmits the visit information indicating that the visitor visits the base to the terminal device 100 of the user corresponding to the base.","For example, when the deliverer using the visitor terminal V01 visits the room R21, the transmitter 83 determines whether the current position of the visitor terminal V01 is within the predetermined area from the room R21.When the transmitter 83 determines that the current position of the visitor terminal V01 is within the predetermined area from the room R21, the transmitter 83 specifies the user U02 of the users U01 and U02 based in the room R21 to be present in the room R21 based on the determination result acquired from the determination server 10 and transmits the visit notification to the terminal device 102 that the specified user U02 uses.","The transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification to both of the terminal devices 101 and 102 that the users U01 and U02 based in the room R21 use, respectively.","The transmitter 83 may calculate a period of time until the visitor reaches each base based on a distance between the current place of the visitor terminal V01 and the base.","When the calculated period of time becomes equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification to the user corresponding to the base.","For example, when the period of time that is to be taken for transportation from the current place of the visitor terminal V01 to the room R21 becomes equal to or shorter than 10 minutes, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification containing delivery of the package or a visit within 10 minutes to the terminal device 102.For example, when the position indicated by the position information of the terminal device 102 corresponds to the position of the room R21 as the base as the delivery destination, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit information to the terminal device 100 that the user uses.","To be specific, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit information to the terminal devices 100 based on the pieces of position information of the terminal devices 100 that the users corresponding to the bases as the delivery destinations use.","For example, even in the case in which the user U02 is not present in the room R21, when the user U02 cleans the outside of the room R21, goes out to the neighborhood, and so on, it is also considered that transmission of the visit notification enables the user U02 to receive the package.","Furthermore, the pieces of position information measured by the terminal devices 100 have errors in some cases.","In consideration with the errors, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification when the current place of either of the terminal device 101 or 102 is located in the vicinity of the multiple dwelling housing M10 even in the case in which the current places of the terminal devices 101 and 102 that the users U01 and U02 use are away from the multiple dwelling housing M10.For example, when the current place of the terminal device 102 is located in an area within 5 minutes by walk from the multiple dwelling housing M10, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification to the terminal device 102.The receiver 84 determines whether it receives pieces of response information from the terminal devices 100 of the users based in the places as the delivery destinations (step S303).","When the receiver 84 does not receive the pieces of response information (No at step S303), the processing is finished.","On the other hand, when the receiver 84 receives the pieces of response information (Yes at step S303), the receiver 84 notifies the visitor terminal V01 of the pieces of response information (step S304) and the processing is finished.","For example, when the terminal device 102 receives the visit notification from the transmitter 83, the terminal device 102 displays the information indicating the visit by the deliverer, and receives input of capability of the visit or a desirable time band for a revisit, that is, a time band in which the deliverer can visit.","Then, the terminal device 102 transmits, to the delivery center server 50, the received input of the capability of the visit or the time band in which the deliverer can visit as the response information.","In such a case, the receiver 84 transmits contents of the response information received from the terminal device 102 to the visitor terminal V01.The delivery center server 50 may regenerate new route information based on the pieces of response information received by the receiver 84.For example, when the receiver 84 has received the response information indicating incapability of the visit or the time band in which the deliverer can visit from the terminal device 102 of the user U02, the generator 82 may regenerate route information causing the deliverer to visit the room R21 in the time band in which the deliverer can visit that is indicated by the response information and transmit the regenerated route information to the visitor terminal V01.As a result, the receiver 84 can prevent delivery failure that the deliverer visits the base regardless of the absence of the user and time and effort for the redelivery.","4.Modifications The determination system 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be implemented in various different modes other than the above-mentioned embodiment.","The following describes other embodiments of the above-mentioned determination system 1.4-1.Specifications of Reception Facility In recent years, package reception facilities such as lockers and posts are installed such that packages can be delivered even when users are absent in delivery destinations.","When such reception facilities are installed, the packages can be delivered even in the case of absence of the users receiving the packages in the delivery destinations.","There are upper limits in the sizes and the numbers of packages capable of being received by the reception facilities due to the sizes of the lockers, the sizes of the post box slots, the number of lockers, and the like.","The determination system 1 may decide capabilities of visits to the bases as the visit destinations based on, together with the determination result by the determination processing, the pieces of information about the package reception facilities at the bases as the visit destinations.","The delivery center server 50, for example, previously stores therein presence and absence of the reception facilities corresponding to the respective bases as the visit destinations and the pieces of information about the reception facilities, such as the sizes, the numbers, the weights, and the like of the packages capable of being received by the respective reception facilities.","For example, when the user U04 is determined to be absent in the room R12 as the visit destination as a determination result of the determination processing, the delivery center server 50 determines whether the reception facility corresponding to the room R12 is present.","When the reception facility corresponding to the room R12 is present, the delivery center server 50 may transmit, to the visitor terminal V01, an instruction to put the package addressed to the room R12 in the reception facility.","When the size of the package to be delivered is larger than the upper limit of the package capable of being received by the reception facility, the delivery center server 50 may transmit notification indicating that the deliverer cannot visit to the visitor terminal V01.When the number of packages capable of being received by the reception facility can be specified in real time, the delivery center server 50 may determine whether the reception facility can receive a new package and transmit notification to the visitor terminal V01 indicating whether the deliverer can visit based on the determination result.","4-2.Provision Mode of Determination System In the above description, results of the estimation processing and the determination processing by the determination server 10 are provided to the delivery service of delivering the packages to the specified bases, as an example.","The embodiment is however not limited thereto and the results of the above-mentioned estimation processing and determination processing can be provided to various types of services supposing presence of a user in a visit destination as long as a base of the user is estimated.","The results of the estimation processing and the determination processing executed by the determination system 1 can be used in, for example, various types of services involving a visit by a person while a user is present in a base, such as delivery of postal matters for which reception destinations are specified like registered mails, business activities, sales, interviews, inspection of various facilities, administrative services involving visits for various businesses, and a visiting care service.","4-3.Change of Base In the above description, the determination server 10 estimates the correspondence between the bases and the users U01 to U04.The bases of the users U01 to U04 however vary among the time bands in some cases.","For example, the bases of the users are companies during the day whereas the bases thereof are the houses during the night in some cases.","For example, sole proprietors and the like have no base during the day whereas the bases thereof are companies during the evening and night in other cases.","In consideration with these cases, the determination server 10 may estimate the bases of the users for each time band based on the time bands for which the pieces of position information are acquired.","The determination server 10, for example, estimates the work place or the like of the user U04 as the base of the user U04 in time bands during the day and estimates the room R12 as the base of the user U04 in time bands during the night.","The determination server 10 may determine that no user based in the room R12 is present during the day.","The delivery center server 50 may specify the base of the user U04 in a time band in which the deliverer visits and specify the specified base as the visit destination.","The delivery center server 50 may determine that in the time bands during the day, the room R12 is not the base of the user U04 and that packages addressed to the room R12 cannot be delivered.","The delivery center server 50 may change the bases as the delivery destinations in accordance with types of packages.","For example, when the package is an office supply, the delivery center server 50 may deliver the package to the place that is estimated to be the base during the day.","4-4.Usage of Results of Pieces of Processing In the above-mentioned embodiment, the determination server 10 determines whether the users are present in the corresponding bases and the delivery center server 50 determines that packages can be delivered when the users are determined to be present in the corresponding bases.","The embodiment is however not limited thereto.","The determination system 1 may provide various types of services by, for example, using absence of the users in the corresponding bases.","As a specific example, the determination result by the determination system 1 may be used for, for example, an application of interrupting electrical systems in the corresponding bases for inspection when the users are determined to be absent in the corresponding bases.","The determination result may be used for, for example, an application of intensively performing patrols by police officers, municipalities, and the like in time bands with low probabilities of the presence of the users in the corresponding bases.","In the above-mentioned example, the determination system 1 estimates the correspondence between the users U01 to U04 and the bases based on the pieces of position history information of the terminal devices 100 that the users U01 to U04 use.","The embodiment is however not limited thereto.","The determination system 1 may estimate, for example, correspondence between a movable information processing device such as a robot and a base based on the position history information of the robot.","An estimation result and a determination result of the base of the robot can be used for, for example, indicators of determination whether the robot has returned to a charging place or a maintenance position, whether the robot is not stolen, and the like.","In the above-mentioned example, the determination system 1 determines that the package can be delivered when either of the user U01 or U02 based in the room R21 is present.","The embodiment is however not limited thereto.","For example, the determination system 1 may determine whether a predetermined user among users corresponding to a facility as a visit destination is present and determine that the deliverer can visit when the predetermined user is determined to be present.","For example, the determination system 1 specifies a user who is engaged in reception among users based in a company as a visit destination based on pieces of previously registered information and the like and determines whether the specified user is present.","Then, the determination system 1 may determine that the deliverer can visit when the specified user is determined to be present.","Execution of this processing enables the determination system 1 to deliver a package to a predetermined user at reception or the like even when an addressed user is absent in the base.","4-5.Specification of User The determination server 10 may specify users using the terminal devices 100 by any method.","For example, the determination server 10 may receive advance registration indicating that the user using the terminal device 101 is the user U01, and, for example, may acquire information about the user U01 from the carrier of the terminal device 101.The determination server 10 may acquire information that the user U01 uses for log-in, registration authentication information that the user U01 has registered in advance, or the like from an auction site or the like when the user U01 logs in the auction site or the like using the terminal device 101.The determination server 10 may acquire these pieces of information from a server device managing various pieces of information or may acquire these pieces of information from the terminal device 101.The determination server 10, for example, may specify the users using the terminal devices 100 based on the pieces of identification information from the terminal devices 100.For example, the terminal devices 100 may store therein pieces of registration authentication information and the like input by the users when the users log in the auction site or the like, and transmit the pieces of stored registration authentication information together with the pieces of position information to the determination server 10 to notify the determination server 10 of the users using the terminal devices 100.That is, the determination server 10 may collect the terminal IDs, the user IDs, the pieces of terminal information, and the pieces of communication device information that are registered as the pieces of position history information by any method.","The determination server 10 is not required to specify the correspondence between all of the users and the terminal devices 100.For example, when the users present in the visit destinations may be different from recipients themselves of packages as in the package delivery service and the like, the determination server 10 may do without specifying the correspondence between the users and the terminal devices 100 and may specify only the correspondence between some users and the terminal devices 100.That is, the determination server 10 may determine whether the deliverer can visit the respective bases based on the presence or absence of the terminal devices 100 when only the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100, that is, only the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases can be estimated.","With the processing, for example, the determination server 10 may do without specifying or registering the “user ID” in the estimation result database 32 illustrated in FIG.","4.4-6.SSID In the above description, the determination server 10 uses the pieces of position information that the terminal devices 100 acquire using the positioning means such as the GPS as the pieces of position history information.","The embodiment is however not limited thereto.","The determination server 10 may specify the positions of the terminal devices 100 using, for example, the pieces of communication device information such as the SSIDs.","For example, the determination server 10 stores therein the SSIDs, the IP addresses, the MAC addresses, the port numbers, and the like set to the communication devices so as to correspond to the positions at which the communication devices are installed.","When the determination server 10 receives the pieces of communication device information from the terminal devices 100, the determination server 10 may specify the positions corresponding to the pieces of communication device information and use the specified positions as the positions of the terminal devices 100.4-7.Visit Notification In the above description, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit notification to the users corresponding to the bases as the visit destinations.","The delivery center server 50 may transmit the visit notification to only users registered in advance.","For example, the delivery center server 50 may transmit the visit notification to only the terminal device 102 of the user U02 when only the user U02 of the users U01 and U02 has performed registration in advance.","4-8.Determination Result In the above description, the determination system 1 determines whether the users are present in the bases in real time based on the estimation result and calculates the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases.","It is sufficient that the determination system 1 only determines whether the users are present in the bases in real time based on the estimation result or only calculates the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases.","The delivery center server 50 need not notify the visitor terminal V01 of all of the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases for each time band.","The delivery center server 50 may notify the visitor terminal V01 of, for example, only time bands with the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold.","The delivery center server 50 may specify the time bands with the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold for all of the bases as the visit destinations and generate the delivery route based on the specified time bands.","4-9.Other Embodiments The above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example and the present invention encompasses the following exemplifications and other embodiments.","The functional configurations, the data structures, the orders and contents of the pieces of processing illustrated in the flowcharts, and the like in the present application are merely examples, and presence and absence of the components, arrangement manners thereof, the order and specific contents of the pieces of processing that they execute, and the like can be appropriately changed.","Instead of the configuration in which the determination server 10 and the delivery center server 50 implement the above-mentioned various pieces of processing as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the pieces of processing can be implemented as devices, methods, and programs in terminals which applications or the like of smart phones implement.","Furthermore, one server device, one cloud system, or the like may implement the functions and the functional configurations that the determination server 10 and the delivery center server 50 execute.","The configuration in which the individual processors 41 to 45 configuring the determination server 10 are implemented by independent devices is also employed commonly, and the configuration in which the individual processors 81 to 84 configuring the delivery center server 50 are implemented by independent devices is also employed commonly.","In the same manner, the configuration of the present invention can be flexibly changed as follows.","That is, for example, the pieces of processing described in the above-mentioned embodiment are implemented by calling an external platform or the like using an application program interface (API) or network computing (what-is-called cloud or the like).","Furthermore, the individual elements according to the present invention are not limited to be implemented by operation controllers of computers and may be implemented by other information processing mechanisms such as physical electronic circuits.","5.Effects As described above, the determination server 10 estimates the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases based on the pieces of position history information as histories of the pieces of position information indicating the positions of the terminal devices 100.Furthermore, the determination server 10 determines whether the users of the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases as the visit destinations are present in the bases based on the estimation result.","Thus, the determination server 10 can link the bases and the users to each other even when the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 or the users using the terminal devices 100 and the bases of the users are not registered in advance.","As a result, the determination server 10 can easily determine whether the users are present in the bases as the visit destinations without advance registration.","In addition, the determination server 10 prevents the delivery failure and reduces the number of times of revisit in various types of visit services, thereby improving profitability.","The determination server 10 can set any place as the base as long as the base can be made to be linked with the user.","This enables visit services such as the delivery service to be provided to, for example, users with no fixed address.","The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 based on the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100 at the respective positions indicated by the pieces of position history information.","The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 based on, for example, at least one of the numbers of times that the terminal devices 100 have stayed, the lengths of the periods of time during which the terminal devices 100 have stayed, and the time bands in which the terminal devices 100 have stayed as the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100.The determination server 10 can therefore specify the places in which the users of the terminal devices 100 are really based.","The determination server 10 can, for example, increase reliability that the places are the bases of the users as the periods of time during which the users have stayed are longer.","When these pieces of processing are executed, the users who have stayed at the visit destinations for a long period of time, that is, the users really based in the visit destinations can be estimated.","As a result, the determination server 10, for example, can prevent occurrence of the case in which a package is delivered to a user who pretends to be based in a visit destination while stealing into the visit destination, waiting at an entrance of the visit destination, and so on although the user is not based in the visit destination.","The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 from the bases located at the same place based on the pieces of terminal device information about the terminal devices 100 in addition to the pieces of position history information.","The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 from the bases located at the same place based on the pieces of communication device information about the communication devices communicating with the terminal devices 100 at the bases in addition to the pieces of position history information.","The determination server 10 can therefore estimate the correspondence between the bases located at the same place such as the rooms R11 to R21 in the multiple dwelling housing M10, and the individual users appropriately.","The determination server 10 determines whether any of the users using the terminal devices 100 corresponding to each base as the visit destination is present in the base.","When the determination server 10 determines that any of the users is present, it determines that the user is present in the base.","With this determination, even when the addressed user himself (herself) is not present, the determination server 10 can determine whether the package can be delivered to the family or the like of the user.","The determination server 10 determines whether the users of the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases are present in the bases specified as the delivery destinations of the packages.","The determination server 10 can reduce the number of times of delivery failure and revisit in the delivery service based on the determination result.","The determination server 10 specifies the time bands with the probabilities of the presence of the users of the terminal devices 100 in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold based on the stay histories of the terminal devices 100 in the corresponding bases.","The delivery center server 50 generates the route information indicating the route for visiting the individual bases based on the time bands specified for the bases as the visit destinations.","The delivery center server 50 can therefore implement the delivery service efficiently based on the estimation result.","The determination server 10 calculates the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases as the visit destinations for each time band and displays the calculated probabilities on the visitor terminal V01 that the visitor uses.","The determination server 10 can therefore provide indicators to the visitor for determining whether the visitor visits the bases.","The delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information indicating a visit by the visitor to the bases to the users corresponding to the bases.","To be specific, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases specified as the visit destinations.","For example, when the visitor makes close to the predetermined area from the bases, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the users corresponding to the bases.","Alternatively, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the users corresponding to the bases when the period of time until the visitor reaches the bases become equal to or shorter than the predetermined period of time.","When the visit information is transmitted, the users in the vicinity of the bases can be notified of visits by the visitor to urge the users to return to the bases.","The delivery center server 50 can therefore reduce the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.","The delivery center server 50 receives the capabilities of the visits or the pieces of response information indicating the time bands in which the visitor can visit from the users to which the visit information has been transmitted.","The delivery center server 50 can therefore reduce the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.","The delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the terminal devices 100 based on the pieces of position information of the terminal devices 100 that the users corresponding to the bases use.","For example, when the positions indicated by the pieces of position information of the terminal devices 100 correspond to the positions of the bases as the visit destinations, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the terminal devices 100.The delivery center server 50 can therefore urge the users in the vicinity of the bases to return to the bases, thereby reducing the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.","The determination system 1 decides the capabilities of visits to the bases as the delivery destinations based on the determination result and the pieces of information about the reception facilities for packages that are delivered to the bases as the visit destinations.","In this manner, the determination system 1 decides the capabilities of the visits to the visit destinations based on the pieces of information about the reception facilities of the packages addressed to the bases, such as the lockers and the posts, thereby reducing the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.","Although some embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, these are examples and the present invention can be implemented in modes described in the disclosure of the invention and in other modes with various modifications or improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.","Furthermore, the above-mentioned “sections, modules, and units” can be read as “means”, “circuits” or the like.","For example, a determination unit can be read as a determination means or a determination circuit.","The embodiment above can be applied not only to a determination device, a determination method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium but also to a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data.","The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit (corresponding to estimation unit 42) that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information.","The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data includes a determination unit (corresponding to determination unit 43) that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.","The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data can be applied not only to the field of delivery but also to other fields such as an animal management and traffic control of aircraft and spacecraft.","“A determination device comprising: an estimation unit that estimates correspondence between a terminal device and a base from history of pieces of position information indicating positions of the terminal device; and a determination unit that determines whether a user of the terminal device corresponding to the base as a visit destination is present in the base based on an estimation result by the estimation unit” can be performed alone without requiring a configuration “a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data comprising: an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit”.","According to an aspect of the embodiment, absence of a user can be easily determined.","Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"DETERMINATION DEVICE THROUGH CLUSTERING ANALYSIS OF POSITION HISTORY DATA, METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM\",\n \"According to an embodiment a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information, and a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A computer-implemented method comprising: acquiring, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the pieces of geographical position information being obtained by a positioning device, the history data, by a processor, being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and determining, by the processor, whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies.\",\n \"2.The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.\",\n \"3.The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising: outputting an indication that a user is present at a base location based on the determination of whether the movable body is present in the specified point in time and the geographical area.\",\n \"4.The computer-implemented method according to claim 3, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"5.A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to: acquire, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the pieces of geographical position information being obtained by a positioning device, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and determine whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies.\",\n \"6.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 5, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.\",\n \"7.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 5, wherein the computer-executable instructions include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to: output an indication that a user is present at a base location based on the determination of whether the movable body is present in the specified point in time and the geographical area.\",\n \"8.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"9.An information processing device comprising: a hardware processor programmed to: acquire, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, the pieces of geographical position information being obtained by a positioning device, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a memory with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and determine whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.\",\n \"10.The information processing device according to claim 9, further comprising the memory.\",\n \"11.The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.\",\n \"12.The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to: output an indication that a user is present at a base location based on the determination of whether the movable body is present in the specified point in time and the geographical area.\",\n \"13.The information processing device according to claim 12, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"14.A computer-implemented method comprising: calculating a probability of a user being at a base location based on pieces of position information indicating a history of visits to base locations of a terminal device over time; estimating whether the user of the terminal device is present at the base location based on a comparison of the calculated probability with a predetermined threshold; and in a case that the user of the terminal device is estimated to be present at the base location: outputting an indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"15.The computer-implemented method according to claim 14, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.\",\n \"16.The computer-implemented method according to claim 14, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"17.An information processing device comprising: a hardware processor programmed to: calculate a probability of a user being at a base location based on pieces of position information indicating a history of visits to base locations of a terminal device over time; estimate whether the user of the terminal device is present at the base location based on a comparison of the calculated probability with a predetermined threshold; and in a case that the user of the terminal device is estimated to be present at the base location: output an indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"18.The information processing device according to claim 17, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.\",\n \"19.The information processing device according to claim 17, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"20.A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to: calculate a probability of a user being at a base location based on pieces of position information indicating a history of visits to base locations of a terminal device over time; estimate whether the user of the terminal device is present at the base location based on a comparison of the calculated probability with a predetermined threshold; and in a case that the user of the terminal device is estimated to be present at the base location: output an indication that the user is present at the base location.\",\n \"21.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the positioning device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.\",\n \"22.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 20, wherein the outputting of the indication that the user is present at the base location includes causing a display to display the indication that the user is present at the base location.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION \"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.\",\n \"According to one aspect of an embodiment a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information.\",\n \"The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data includes a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.\",\n \"The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/429,608 filed Feb. 10, 2017, which claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.\",\n \"2016-030495 filed in Japan on Feb. 19, 2016.The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.\",\n \"2.Description of the Related Art Conventionally, delivery business of collecting packages from delivery sources and delivering the collected packages to specified delivery destinations has been known.\",\n \"The delivery business has a problem in terms of profitability because when the package is delivered to the specified delivery destination and a user receiving the package is absent, the package needs to be delivered again after a while.\",\n \"In order to solve the problem, the following technique has been proposed.\",\n \"That is, a small base station is installed in a house, and when a previously registered terminal device of a user is present in a communication area of the small base station, it is determined that the user is present at a delivery destination and a package is delivered thereto.\",\n \"Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.\",\n \"2012-252619.With the above-mentioned conventional technique, it cannot however be considered that absence of the user is capable of being easily determined, resulting in a problem.\",\n \"The above-mentioned conventional technique, for example, requires time and effort for advance preparation at the delivery destination involving installation of dedicated equipment such as the small base station in the house and previous registration of the terminal device of the user.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.\",\n \"According to one aspect of an embodiment a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information.\",\n \"The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data includes a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.\",\n \"The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram for explaining an example of action effects exerted by a determination system according to an embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a determination server in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in a position history database in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in an estimation result database in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in a presence probability database in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of guide processing that the determination server executes in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a delivery center server in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"8 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in a delivery database in the embodiment; FIG.\",\n \"9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of generation processing that the delivery center server executes in the embodiment; and FIG.\",\n \"10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of transmission processing that the delivery center server executes in the embodiment.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Modes (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) for carrying out a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.\",\n \"It should be noted that the embodiments do not limit the determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data, the method, and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium in the present application.\",\n \"The same reference numerals denote the same sites and the same pieces of processing in the following embodiments and overlapped description thereof is omitted.\",\n \"The following describes an example of a determination system providing a delivery service of delivering packages to specified bases using an estimation result by, as processing executed by the determination device, estimating bases of users U01 to U04 based on histories of positions of terminal devices 101 to 104 used by the users U01 to U04, respectively.\",\n \"1.Outline of Determination System First, concepts of estimation processing and determination processing that a determination system 1 executes will be described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram for explaining an example of action effects exerted by the determination system in the embodiment.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, the determination system 1 includes a determination server 10, a delivery center server 50, the terminal devices 101 to 104, and a visitor terminal V01.In the following description, the terminal devices 101 to 104 are collectively referred to as terminal devices 100 in some cases.\",\n \"The outline illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1 is merely an example and the determination system 1 may include the desired number of terminal devices 100, the desired number of determination servers 10, the desired number of delivery center servers 50, and the desired number of visitor terminals V01.Each terminal device 100 is a terminal device such as a mobile terminal like a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a notebook-type personal computer (PC), and is capable of communicating with any server through a network such as a mobile communication network, the Internet, and a wireless local area network (LAN).\",\n \"The terminal device 100 has a positioning function of specifying the position (hereinafter, referred as “current position”) of the terminal device 100 at a predetermined time interval using a positioning means such as a global positioning system (GPS).\",\n \"The determination server 10 is an information processing device that executes the estimation processing, the determination processing, and decision processing, which will be described later, and is implemented by a server device, a cloud system, or the like.\",\n \"The determination server 10 is connected to the delivery center server 50 in a communicable manner through a network N. The delivery center server 50 is an information processing device that executes various pieces of information processing for providing the delivery service, and is implemented by a server device, a cloud system, or the like.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 is connected to the determination server 10 and the visitor terminal V01 in a communicable manner through the network N. The visitor terminal V01 is a terminal device such as a mobile terminal like a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a PDA, and a notebook-type PC, and is capable of communicating with the delivery center server 50 through the network N such as a mobile communication network, the Internet, and a wireless local area network (LAN).\",\n \"The visitor terminal V01, for example, displays various pieces of information about the delivery service such as capabilities of visits to bases as delivery destinations and a delivery route in accordance with instructions from the delivery center server 50.The users U01 to U04 are, for example, users using the terminal devices 101 to 104, respectively, and living in the same multiple dwelling housing (e.g.\",\n \"apartment house) M10.To be more specific, the user U01 using the terminal device 101 and the user U02 using the terminal device 102 are the users living in a room (meaning a dwelling unit or a house, the same holds true hereinbelow) R21 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.The user U03 using the terminal device 103 is a user living in a room R11 in the multiple dwelling housing M10 and the user U04 using the terminal device 104 is a user living in a room R12 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.That is, the users U01 to U04 are the users based in the rooms R11 to R21 located at substantially the same position.\",\n \"As illustrated in (A) in FIG.\",\n \"1, the user U01 is currently out whereas the user U02 stays in the room R21.The user U02 can therefore receive a package addressed to the user U01 or the user U02, that is, a package addressed to the room R21.Accordingly, the package can be delivered to the room R21.As illustrated in (B) in FIG.\",\n \"1, the user U04 is currently out and there is therefore no user who receives a package in the room R12.Accordingly, a package addressed to the user U04, that is, a package addressed to the room R12 cannot be delivered.\",\n \"When a visitor visits the room R12, redelivery needs to be performed.\",\n \"Advance preparation at the delivery destinations involving installation of pieces of dedicated equipment in the houses or previous registration of the terminal devices of the users in order to reduce time and effort for the redelivery requires time and effort.\",\n \"Furthermore, whether a user who has not performed the advance preparation is at home cannot be determined.\",\n \"For example, even when the terminal device 101 is located in the vicinity of the multiple dwelling housing M10, pieces of information about whether the user U01 using the terminal device 101 is based in (lives in) the multiple dwelling housing M10 and about a room in which the user U01 lives in the multiple dwelling housing M10 are not known.\",\n \"In other words, even when the current position of each terminal device 100 can be specified, whether a user receiving a package is present at a destination, that is, whether the package can be delivered cannot be determined in the case in which the terminal device 100 corresponding to a base as the destination of the package is unknown.\",\n \"Moreover, even when the user receiving the package is present in the base as the destination of the package, whether the user is a real user based in the destination cannot be checked.\",\n \"There is therefore a risk that the package is delivered to a malicious third party.\",\n \"In order to address the above-mentioned situations, the determination system 1 determines whether the individual users U01 to U04 are at home, that is, whether the packages addressed to the individual bases can be delivered without requiring the advance preparation by executing various pieces of processing, which will be described below.\",\n \"First, the terminal devices 100 position the current positions of the terminal devices 100 using the positioning means such as the GPS.\",\n \"The determination server 10 collects pieces of position information indicating the current positions from the terminal devices 100 of the individual users U01 to U04 (step S1).\",\n \"The terminal devices 100 may transmit the pieces of position information to the determination server 10 with, for example, a function of a previously installed predetermined application or the like.\",\n \"The determination server 10 executes the estimation processing of estimating bases such as houses and work places of the individual users U01 to U04 by estimating correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases based on the pieces of position information collected from the terminal devices 100 (step S2).\",\n \"The determination server 10 executes the determination processing of determining whether the users U01 to U04 using the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases as visit destinations are present in the bases based on the estimation result, executes specification processing of specifying time bands with probabilities of presence of the individual users U01 to U04 in the estimated bases, in which the probabilities are higher than a predetermined threshold, and notifies the delivery center server 50 of results of the individual pieces of processing (step S3).\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 executes generation processing of generating capabilities of visits to the bases as the delivery destinations (that is, capabilities of delivery of the packages) and a delivery route as a route for delivering the packages to the bases based on the notified pieces of information (step S4).\",\n \"Then, the delivery center server 50 transmits the generated capabilities of delivery and delivery route to the visitor terminal V01 (step S5).\",\n \"2.Estimation Processing and Determination Processing that Determination Server 10 Executes in the Embodiment Hereinafter, examples of the functional configuration and action effects of the determination server 10 that executes the above-mentioned estimation processing and determination processing will be described with reference to the drawings.\",\n \"2-1.Example of Functional Configuration FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram for explaining the example of the functional configuration of the determination server in the embodiment.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the determination server 10 includes a communication unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a controller 40.The communication unit 20 is implemented by, for example, a network interface card (NIC).\",\n \"The communication unit 20 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly and transmits and receives pieces of information between the determination server 10 and the delivery center server 50 and the terminal device 100.The storage unit 30 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) and a flash memory or a storage device such as a hard disk and an optical disk.\",\n \"The storage unit 30 includes a position history database 31, an estimation result database 32, and a presence probability database 33.Pieces of position history information indicating histories of positions at which the terminal devices 100 have stayed are registered in the position history database 31.To be more specific, the pieces of position information collected from the terminal devices 100 are registered as the pieces of position history information in the position history database 31.FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in the position history database in the embodiment.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3, the pieces of position history information having items of a “terminal identifier (ID)”, a “user ID”, “position information”, “collection time”, “terminal information”, and “communication device information” are registered in the position history database 31.It should be noted that pieces of position history information having a desired item other than the items illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3 may be registered in the position history database 31.The “terminal ID” is an identifier indicating the terminal device 100 that has acquired the corresponding position information using the positioning function such as the GPS.\",\n \"The “user ID” is an identifier indicating the user using the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID”.\",\n \"The “position information” is information indicating the position of the terminal device 100, the position being measured by the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID”.\",\n \"The “collection time” is the time at which the corresponding “position information” has been measured or the time at which the corresponding “position information” has been collected from the terminal device 100.The “terminal information” is information about the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID”.\",\n \"The “terminal information” is, for example, a model name and a model number of the terminal device 100, and an internet protocol (IP) address and a media access control (MAC) address assigned to the terminal device 100.The “terminal information” is, for example, information indicating names and versions of an operating system (OS), an application (for example, a disaster prevention prompt report application or a map application) that has collected the corresponding “position information”, an application that has transmitted the “position information” to the determination server 10, and the like.\",\n \"That is, as the “terminal information”, any information indicating characteristics of the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID” can be employed.\",\n \"The “communication device information” is information indicating a communication device (for example, a wireless LAN master unit, also referred to as a wireless router or the like) with which the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID” can communicate or a communication device used when the position information is transmitted to the determination server 10.The “communication device information” is, for example, information about characteristics containing specifications and a format of communication that are generated in communication between the terminal device 100 and the communication device.\",\n \"The terminal device 100 acquires the “communication device information” from the communication device or a collection unit 41 of the determination server 10 acquires the “communication device information” through the communication unit 20.The communication device information is, for example, a device name, a model number, an Internet protocol (IP) address, a port number, and a service set identifier (SSID) of the communication device.\",\n \"As a more specific example, the “communication device information” is various pieces of information about an access point installed at a base, such as the communication device with which the terminal device 100 indicated by the corresponding “terminal ID” can communicate.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3, for example, the position history information in which a terminal ID “ID101”, a user ID “U01”, position information “position #1”, collection time “2015/01/01/21:00:00”, terminal information “terminal information #1”, and communication device information “communication device #1” correspond to one another is registered in the position history database 31.This position history information indicates, for example, that the user U01 indicated by the user ID “U01” uses the terminal device 101 indicated by the terminal ID “ID101”.\",\n \"The position history information further indicates that the terminal device 101 has collected the position information “position #1” at the collection time “2015/01/01/21:00:00”.\",\n \"In addition, the position history information indicates that the terminal information of the terminal device 101 is the “terminal information #1” and that the communication device information of the communication device installed at a position communicable with the terminal device 101 is the communication device information “communication device #1”.\",\n \"When the terminal device 101 transmits the position information and the like to the determination server 10 through the communication device, the communication device information is the IP address and the like of the communication device that has transferred the position information transmitted from the terminal device 101 to the determination server 10.Although the example in FIG.\",\n \"3 illustrates conceptual values such as the “position #1”, the “terminal information #1”, and the “communication device #1”, the embodiment is not limited thereto.\",\n \"In the position history database 31, for example, values of the north latitude and the east longitude, the latitude and the longitude, or the like measured by the GPS are registered as the “position information”, the model name and the model number of the terminal device 100, the name and the version of the OS, and the like are registered as the “terminal information”, and the IP address of the communication device, the SSID that the communication device uses, and the like are registered as the “communication device information”.\",\n \"It should be noted that among the items illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3, information of an item that the determination server 10 have failed to collect does not have to be registered.\",\n \"The estimation result by the estimation processing, which will be described later, is registered in the estimation result database 32.To be more specific, pieces of estimation result information indicating estimated correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases are registered in the estimation result database 32.FIG.\",\n \"4 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in the estimation result database in the embodiment.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4, the pieces of estimation result information having items of a “base ID”, “position information”, a “terminal ID”, a “user ID”, and a “room number” are registered in the estimation result database 32.It should be noted that pieces of estimation result information having a desired item other than the items illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4 may be registered in the estimation result database 32.The “base ID” is an identifier for identifying a place as a hub of activity of a user, that is, a place as a base.\",\n \"The base may be, for example, not only a house in which the user lives but also a predetermined facility such as a work place, a temporary housing, and a park as long as it is a place that the user periodically visits.\",\n \"The base may be a predetermined spot that actually exists, such as a reception desk of a predetermined work place and a guardhouse of a building, as long as the position thereof can be specified.\",\n \"That is, the base can be any spot as long as a visitor can meet the user at the spot or the spot serves as a unit of a visit in a service involving visiting.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4, the rooms in which the individual users live are employed as an example of the bases.\",\n \"The “room number” illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4 is, for example, information indicating a number of the room as the base of the user indicated by the corresponding “user ID” in the facility located at a position indicated by the corresponding “position information”.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4, for example, the estimation result information in which a base ID “base #1”, position information “position #1”, terminal IDs “ID101, ID102”, user IDs “U01, U02,” and a room number “R21” correspond to one another is registered in the estimation result database 32.This estimation result information indicates that the base indicated by the base ID “base #1” is a room indicated by the room number “R21” among the rooms in the facility located at the position information “position #1” and the users U01 and U02 using the terminal devices 101 and 102 indicated by the terminal IDs “ID101, ID102” are based in the room.\",\n \"Pieces of presence probability information indicating presence probabilities specified by the specification processing, which will be described later, are registered in the presence probability database 33.To be more specific, the pieces of presence probability information indicating the probabilities of presence of the users in the bases for each time band are registered in the presence probability database 33.For example, FIG.\",\n \"5 is a diagram illustrating an example of pieces of information that are registered in the presence probability database in the embodiment.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"5, the presence probability information in which the “base ID” and the probabilities of the presence of the users in each base for each time band correspond to each other are registered in the presence probability database 33.In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"5, for example, in the presence probability database 33, a probability “70%” of the presence of the user in the base indicated by the base ID “base #1” between “10:00 and 11:00” and a probability “80%” of the presence of the user in the base between “11:00 and 12:00” are registered.\",\n \"Furthermore, in the presence probability database 33, a probability “80%” of the presence of the user in the base indicated by the base ID “base #2” between “10:00 and 11:00” and a probability “20%” of the presence of the user in the base between “11:00 and 12:00” are registered.\",\n \"Description is continued with reference to FIG.\",\n \"2 again.\",\n \"The controller 40 is implemented by, for example, causing a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like to execute various programs stored in the storage device in the determination server 10 using a storage region of the RAM or the like as a work region.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, the controller 40 includes the collection unit 41, an estimation unit 42, a determination unit 43, a specifying unit 44, and an information provision unit 45.A connection relation among the processors 41 to 45 included in the controller 40 is not limited to the connection relation illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2 and may be another connection relation.\",\n \"The individual processors 41 to 45 implement and execute functions and actions (for example, FIG.\",\n \"1) of the estimation processing and the determination processing, which will be described below, but these are functional units structured for description and may be unidentical to practical hardware components or software modules.\",\n \"That is, the determination server 10 may implement and execute the estimation processing and the determination processing by any functional unit as long as it can implement and execute the functions and actions of the estimation processing and the determination processing, which will be described later.\",\n \"2.2.Example of Action Effects in Guide Processing Hereinafter, contents of guide processing that the individual processors 41 to 45 execute and implement will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6.FIG.\",\n \"6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of the guide processing that the determination server executes in the embodiment.\",\n \"First, the collection unit 41 collects the pieces of position information from the respective terminal devices 101 to 104 (step S101).\",\n \"The terminal devices 100 acquire the pieces of position information at a predetermined time interval, for example.\",\n \"As will be seen in the following description, the terminal devices 100 collect various pieces of information that can be indicators for estimating the bases in addition to the pieces of position information.\",\n \"The terminal devices 100 acquire, for example, the pieces of communication device information of the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 communicate at the bases, such as the SSIDs of the wireless routers installed in the houses.\",\n \"The terminal devices 100 acquire the user IDs of the users using the terminal devices 100 through, for example, user authentication in a predetermined web service or application.\",\n \"Then, the terminal devices 100 transmit, to the determination server 10, the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 100, the user IDs of the users using the terminal devices 100, the pieces of acquired position information, the date and time at which the pieces of position information have been acquired, the pieces of acquired communication device information, and the pieces of terminal information indicating the OSs, browsers, and the like of the terminal devices 100.As a result, the collection unit 41 stores the various pieces of acquired information as the pieces of position history information in the position history database 31 (step S102).\",\n \"The collection unit 41 may collect the pieces of information other than the pieces of position information by any method.\",\n \"When the collection unit 41 has acquired the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100, the collection unit 41, for example, may collect the terminal IDs and the user IDs of the users using the terminal devices 100 from servers or the like providing mobile communication network services to the terminal devices 100 utilizing, as keys, pieces of identification information such as the IP addresses corresponding to the terminal devices 100 as transmission sources of the pieces of position information by lending, address translation, or the like, and the MAC addresses that the terminal devices 100 use.\",\n \"The collection unit 41, for example, may collect the user IDs of the users who log-in through the terminal devices 100 from reception servers receiving the log-ins of the users for providing predetermined web services or the like.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 may collect the pieces of terminal information and the pieces of communication device information from various pieces of information that can be acquired when the collection unit 41 receives the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100.The collection unit 41 may acquire, as the pieces of terminal information, for example, the names and versions of the assigned OSs when the terminal devices 100 transmit the pieces of information.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 can acquire the IP addresses and the port numbers of the communication devices as the IP addresses and the port numbers of the transmission sources of the pieces of position information when the pieces of position information are transmitted through the communication devices installed at the bases.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 may collect the IP addresses and the port numbers of the transmission sources of the pieces of position information as the pieces of communication device information.\",\n \"Thereafter, the estimation unit 42 specifies places that the individual users have visited from the pieces of position history information registered in the position history database 31 (step S103).\",\n \"To be more specific, the estimation unit 42 specifies all the places at which the individual terminal devices 100 have stayed by extracting all pairs of the terminal IDs and the pieces of position information that are registered in the position history database 31 in the corresponding manner.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 estimates the correspondence between the respective terminal devices 100 and the bases based on the amounts (hereinafter, referred to as stay amounts) for which the terminal devices 100 have stayed at the respective places (step S104).\",\n \"To be more specific, the estimation unit 42 specifies the places as the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100 based on the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100 and causes the specified places to correspond to the terminal devices 100 that the users use.\",\n \"Then, the estimation unit 42 registers the estimation result in the estimation result database 32 (step S105).\",\n \"The estimation unit 42, for example, extracts all of the pieces of position history information containing the terminal ID “ID101” indicating the terminal device 101 with reference to the position history database 31.Then, the estimation unit 42 specifies the places that the user using the terminal device 101 has visited based on the pieces of position information contained in the pieces of extracted position history information.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 specifies, for example, the addresses, facility names, and the like of the places that the user has visited.\",\n \"Subsequently, the estimation unit 42 calculates the stay amounts for which the terminal device 100 and the user have stayed at the specified places based on the collection time contained in the pieces of extracted position history information.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 calculates, for the individual specified places, for example, at least one of the numbers of times that the terminal device 100 has been present, the lengths of periods of time during which the terminal device 100 has stayed, and the time bands in which the terminal device 100 has stayed.\",\n \"That is, the estimation unit 42 specifies the places that the users using the terminal devices 100 have visited, and calculates, as the stay amounts, at least one of the numbers of times that the users have visited the specified places, the stay periods of time therein, and the stay time bands therein.\",\n \"Then, the estimation unit 42 estimates, based on the stay amounts, the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100, that is, the bases as the houses in which the users using the terminal devices 100 live, the bases as companies in which the users work, or the like.\",\n \"That is, the estimation unit 42 estimates correspondence between the individual bases and the users based on what-is-called heat maps of the places that the users visit.\",\n \"For example, when the user visits a fixed place during the day, the place or an area including the place is estimated to be the work place of the user.\",\n \"For example, when the user stays at a fixed place for a long period of time during the night, the place is estimated to be the house of the user.\",\n \"When the user is a full-time homemaker or the like, a place at which the user stays for the longest period of time is estimated to be the house of the user whereas when the user is a clerical worker or the like, a place at which the user stays for the longest period of time is estimated to be the work place of the user.\",\n \"In the above-mentioned manner, a certain pattern is estimated to be generated when the user visits the base thereof such as the work place and the house.\",\n \"For this reason, the estimation unit 42 can calculate the stay amounts of the users (that is, the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100) based on the pieces of position history information to estimate who uses which base, that is, correspondence relations between the bases and the users.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 estimates the bases of the users based on the numbers of times that the respective terminal devices 100 have stayed and the temporal amounts thereof.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 can therefore estimate, as the bases of the users, areas that the users visit many times or areas in which the users stay for a long period of time even when the pieces of position information acquired from the terminal devices 100 have some errors and the positions indicated by the pieces of position information are slightly different at every acquisition.\",\n \"Accordingly, the estimation unit 42 can estimate the bases of the users even when the pieces of position information acquired from the terminal devices 100 have some errors.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, the multiple dwelling housing M10 has the rooms R11 to R21 in which the users U01 to U04 live.\",\n \"In such a case, the pieces of position information that are collected from the terminal devices 101 to 104 are similar to one another.\",\n \"Accordingly, when the bases of the users U01 to U04 are estimated from the pieces of position information, the multiple dwelling housing M10 can be estimated as the base but the rooms as the bases of the individual users U01 to U04 cannot be estimated in some cases.\",\n \"In order to address the above-mentioned situation, the estimation unit 42 estimates the bases of the respective users U01 to U04 by estimating the correspondence between the terminal devices 101 to 104 and the bases based on the pieces of terminal device information about the respective terminal devices 100 and the pieces of communication device information about the communication devices communicating with the respective terminal devices 100, in addition to the pieces of position information.\",\n \"In, for example, multiple dwelling housings such as apartments and condominiums, it is estimated that the communication devices for connection to a network such as the Internet are installed in the respective rooms and different SSIDs are assigned to the respective communication devices.\",\n \"Also in buildings and the like with a plurality of commercial facilities, the communication devices capable of being identified by the SSIDs that are different among the commercial facilities are installed in many cases.\",\n \"It is considered, for example, that the wireless router installed in the room R21 and the wireless router installed in the room R11 use different SSIDs.\",\n \"When the correspondence between the SSIDs used by the communication devices and the rooms in which the communication devices are installed can be specified, the pieces of information about the SSIDs used by the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate can be indicators for specifying the rooms as the bases of the users in the multiple dwelling housing M10.When the room corresponding to at least one of the terminal devices 100 using the same SSID can be specified based on information by user registration in a certain service, or the like, all the terminal devices 100 using the same SSID can correspond to the room.\",\n \"Global IP addresses that are different from one another when seen from the network N side are lent to the communication devices in some cases.\",\n \"In such a case, pairs of the IP addresses and port numbers lent to the communication devices are lent to the terminal devices 100 capable of communicating with the communication devices when seen from the network N side.\",\n \"The pieces of information about the IP addresses lent to the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate can be indicators indicating the rooms in which the users are based in the multiple dwelling housing M10.In the multiple dwelling housing M10 or the like, one IP address is lent to a communication device as a master unit that is connected to all of the communication devices installed in the respective rooms (that is, one global IP address is lent to the entire multiple dwelling housing M10) and the communication devices installed in the respective rooms can be specified with the port numbers from the network N side in some cases.\",\n \"In such a case, when the terminal devices 100 transmit the pieces of position information to the determination server 10 through the communication devices installed in the rooms, the determination server 10 can specify the communication devices through which the terminal devices 100 have transmitted the pieces of position information based on the IP address and the port numbers of the communication devices as the transmission sources.\",\n \"The pieces of information of the IP address and the port numbers lent to the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate can be indicators indicating the rooms in which the users are based in the multiple dwelling housing M10.The user makes selection, contract, and the like of an Internet service provider (ISP) (hereinafter, referred to as a “provider”) for each of the rooms (houses) including the case in which the communication device is installed in each of the rooms of the multiple dwelling housing in advance.\",\n \"The various pieces of information about the communication devices, such as the SSIDs, the IP addresses, and the port numbers that the communication devices use and the providers that are used for connection of the communication devices to the network N can be indicators for specifying the rooms in which the users of the terminal devices 100 capable of communicating with the communication devices are based by reception of provision of pieces of information about contract addresses containing the room numbers in the multiple dwelling housing from systems of the providers.\",\n \"Users working in the same company receive the terminal devices 100 provided by the company in some cases.\",\n \"In such a case, the terminal devices 100 provided by the company are of a common model in many cases.\",\n \"It is estimated that the terminal devices 100 provided by different companies are of different models.\",\n \"For example, when a plurality of companies are settled in the same building, the model types of the terminal devices 100 that the users use can therefore be indicators for estimating companies where the users work, that is, companies as the bases of the users.\",\n \"Furthermore, the versions and the model numbers of the OSs, the browsers, and the applications that the terminal devices 100 execute are different among the models of the terminal devices 100 in some cases.\",\n \"The model numbers of the terminal devices 100 and the versions and the model numbers of the OSs, the browsers, the applications, and the like that the terminal devices 100 execute can therefore be indicators for specifying users based in the same work place.\",\n \"The users based in the same home or the same company use the mobile communication network service that is provided by the same carrier with a high probability.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 collects, as the pieces of communication device information, not only the SSIDs of the communication devices but also the IP addresses and the port numbers of the communication devices, the pieces of information of the providers, and the like.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 collects, as the pieces of terminal device information, the versions and the model numbers of the OSs, the browsers, the applications, and the like, and the carriers of the respective terminal devices 100.The estimation unit 42 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 among the bases located at the same place based on similarity, difference, and the like in the pieces of terminal device information and the pieces of communication device information in addition to the position histories.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 generates, for the individual bases, the pieces of estimation result information in which the base IDs, the pieces of position information indicating the places of the bases indicated by the base IDs, the terminal IDs of the terminal devices 100 that the users based in the places indicated by the pieces of position information use, and the user IDs of the users based in the places indicated by the pieces of position information correspond to one another.\",\n \"Then, the estimation unit 42 registers the pieces of generated estimation result information in the estimation result database 32.For example, when the pieces of position information acquired from the terminal devices 101 to 104 indicate the position of the multiple dwelling housing M10 during the night, the estimation unit 42 estimates that the users U01 to U04 of the terminal devices 101 to 104 are based in the multiple dwelling housing M10.When the pieces of communication device information acquired from the terminal devices 101 and 102 are the same and the pieces of communication device information acquired from the terminal devices 103 and 104 are different from each other, the estimation unit 42 estimates that the users U01 and U02 of the terminal devices 101 and 102 are based in a common room and the users U03 and U04 of the terminal devices 103 and 104 are based in different rooms.\",\n \"The IP addresses, the providers, and the like of the communication devices enable the rooms in which the communication devices are installed to be specified based on pieces of customer information that the providers have.\",\n \"For example, the values of the IP addresses lent to the respective communication devices, the pieces of customer information of customers using the respective communication devices, and the like are registered in customer information management servers with which the providers manage the pieces of customer information.\",\n \"The pieces of customer information contain the addresses and the user IDs of the users using the communication devices, the addresses containing the room numbers of the rooms in which the communication devices are installed, and the like.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 acquires the pieces of information that are managed by the customer information management servers of the providers contained in the pieces of communication device information, and specifies the rooms in which the communication devices capable of communicating with the terminal devices 100 are installed based on the pieces of communication device information received from the terminal devices 100.The collection unit 41 collects, for example, the IP addresses lent to the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate together with the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100.In another example, when the terminal devices 100 transmit the pieces of position information through the communication devices, the collection unit 41 collects the IP addresses and the port numbers indicating the transmission sources of the pieces of position information as the IP addresses and the port numbers of the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 notifies the customer information management servers of the IP addresses and the port numbers collected by the collection unit 41.In such a case, the customer information management servers specify the communication devices to which the notified IP addresses and port numbers are lent and specify the users using the specified communication devices and the rooms in which the specified communication devices are installed from the pieces of customer information.\",\n \"Then, the customer information management servers transmit the user IDs indicating the specified users and the room numbers indicating the specified rooms to the determination server 10.In such a case, the estimation unit 42 registers the received user IDs and room numbers in the estimation result database 32 in a corresponding manner.\",\n \"The addresses of the users that are contained in the pieces of customer information can be considered to be the addresses of the bases of the users.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 may therefore estimate the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100 from the pieces of customer information that the customer information management servers manage based on the user IDs received from the terminal devices 100.The estimation unit 42, for example, notifies the customer information management servers of the user IDs received from the terminal devices 100.In such a case, the customer information management servers specify the pieces of customer information of the users indicated by the notified user IDs, the pieces of information of the communication devices that the users use, and the like, and transmit the pieces of specified customer information and the pieces of specified information of the communication devices to the determination server 10.In such a case, the estimation unit 42 specifies the pieces of position information of the places as the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100, the room numbers thereof, and the like from the addresses of the users that are contained in the pieces of received customer information, and registers the pieces of specified position information and the specified room numbers in the estimation result database 32 so as to correspond to the user IDs.\",\n \"For example, when the determination server 10 collects the communication device information containing the SSID of the communication device to which the terminal device 101 can be connected and the terminal information from the terminal device 101 that the user U01 uses, and estimates the base of the user U01 to be the room R21 based on the collected communication device information and the collected terminal information, it is considered that the determination server 10 estimates the correspondence between the SSID of the communication device and the room R21 as the base in which the communication device is installed.\",\n \"When the bases corresponding to the SSIDs contained in the pieces of collected communication device information have been already estimated, the estimation unit 42 may regard the estimated bases as the bases of the terminal devices 100 as the collection sources of the pieces of communication device information.\",\n \"As a result, the estimation unit 42 can estimate the bases of the users U01 and U02 of the terminal devices 101 and 102 to be the room R21 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.The estimation unit 42 can estimate the base of the user U03 of the terminal device 103 to be the room R11 in the multiple dwelling housing M10 and the base of the user U04 of the terminal device 104 to be the room R12 in the multiple dwelling housing M10.It should be noted that the estimation unit 42 may execute the processing of estimating the bases of the respective users using any method other than the above-mentioned processing.\",\n \"As described above, the pieces of information that are used for specifying the rooms in which the communication devices are installed, such as the pieces of communication device information containing the IP addresses, the port numbers, and the like lent to the respective communication devices, are different depending on routes through which the terminal devices 100 collect the pieces of communication device information from the communication devices, routes through which the determination server 10 receives the pieces of position information from the terminal devices 100, the connection configurations of the communication devices in the multiple dwelling housing M10, and the like.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 may collect, as the pieces of communication information, not only the pieces of communication device information such as the SSIDs and the IP addresses of the communication devices but also various pieces of information that are used in communication with the terminal devices 100, such as pieces of desired acquirable information about routes through which the terminal devices 100 access the network N. In such a case, the pieces of communication device information are collected as a part of the pieces of communication information.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 may estimate the bases in which the communication devices with which the terminal devices 100 can communicate are installed based on the pieces of collected communication information.\",\n \"Alternatively, the estimation unit 42 may select the pieces of information that are used for estimating the bases among the pieces of communication information based on the pieces of information indicating the routes through which the terminal devices 100 access the network N and estimate the bases based on the pieces of selected information.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 may estimate the bases of the users from the pieces of terminal information.\",\n \"For example, the pieces of company information such as the addresses of the companies as the provision sources of the terminal devices 100, the models of the terminal devices 100, types of pieces of software that are executed, and the like are registered in a corresponding manner in the management servers with which the carriers of the terminal devices 100 provided to the users by the companies or the like manage the pieces of customer information.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 transmits the pieces of position information received from the terminal devices 100 and the pieces of terminal information received from the terminal devices 100 as queries to the management servers.\",\n \"The management servers transmit the pieces of company information corresponding to the pieces of position information and the pieces of terminal information received as the queries to the determination server 10.In such a case, the estimation unit 42 may register the pieces of received company information as the pieces of information indicating the bases of the users in the estimation result database 32.Subsequently, the determination unit 43 determines whether the users of the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases as visit destinations are present in the bases based on the estimation result by the estimation unit 42 (step S106).\",\n \"To be more specific, the determination unit 43 determines whether any of the users using the terminal devices 100 corresponding to each base as the visit destination, that is, each base specified as the delivery destination of the package is present in the base.\",\n \"When any of the users is determined to be present in the base, the determination unit 43 transmits the determination result to the delivery center server 50.The determination unit 43, for example, receives the pieces of information of the bases as the delivery destinations from the delivery center server 50 or the like.\",\n \"In such a case, the determination unit 43 extracts the terminal IDs corresponding to the base IDs of the bases as the delivery destinations with reference to the estimation result database 32.The determination unit 43 searches the position history database 31 for the latest pieces of position information that have been acquired within a predetermined period of time among the pieces of position information received from the terminal devices 100 indicated by the extracted terminal IDs.\",\n \"When the pieces of position information provided as a search result are identical to the positions of the bases contained in the estimation result database 32, the determination unit 43 determines that the users are present in the bases.\",\n \"On the other hand, when the pieces of position information cannot be provided as the search result or when the pieces of position information provided as the search result are not identical to the positions of the bases contained in the estimation result database 32, the determination unit 43 determines that the users are not present in the bases.\",\n \"Then, the determination unit 43 transmits the determination result to the delivery center server 50 through the information provision unit 45.In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, for example, the terminal device 101 of the user U01 and the terminal device 102 of the user U02 correspond to the room R21 as the base and the terminal device 104 of the user U04 corresponds to the room R12 as the base.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, absence of the user U01 can be specified because the position information that is acquired from the terminal device 101 is not identical to the position information of the multiple dwelling housing M10.In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, presence of the user U02 in the base can be specified because the position information that is acquired from the terminal device 102 is identical to the position information of the multiple dwelling housing M10 (or is located in the predetermined area).\",\n \"In the case in which a package addressed to the user U01 is delivered, when the user U02 based in the room 21 is present in the room R21 even if the user U01 is absent therein, the package can be delivered by visiting the room R21.The determination unit 43 can therefore determine that a visitor can visit the room R21 as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1(C) when either of the user U01 or U02 (for example, the user U02) based in the room R21 is present.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, the user U04 based in the room R12 is absent in the room R12 as the base.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1(D), the determination unit 43 therefore determines that the visitor cannot visit the room R12.In the above-mentioned manner, when the terminal devices correspond to one base as the delivery destination and any of the terminal devices is located at the same place as the base, it can be estimated that any of the users based in the place is present in the base.\",\n \"When at least one user is present in each base, the package can be delivered thereto.\",\n \"The determination unit 43 therefore determines that the package can be delivered when any of the users corresponding to each base as the delivery destination is present in the base.\",\n \"Description is continued with reference to FIG.\",\n \"6 again.\",\n \"The specifying unit 44 calculates the probabilities of presence of any of the users corresponding to respective bases for the each time band (step S107).\",\n \"Then, the specifying unit 44 specifies time bands with the probabilities of the presence of any of the users of the terminal devices 100 in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold based on the stay histories of the terminal devices 100 in the corresponding bases.\",\n \"Thereafter, the specifying unit 44 registers the calculation result in the presence probability database 33 (step S108).\",\n \"The specifying unit 44, for example, extracts the correspondence between the bases and the users from the estimation result database 32.The specifying unit 44 calculates probabilities of stay of the users corresponding to the extracted bases in the bases for each time band with reference to the position history database 31.For example, the specifying unit 44 calculates the probability of presence of the user U01 or the user U02 in the room R21 between “10:00 and 11:00”.\",\n \"Then, the specifying unit 44 registers the probabilities calculated for each time band as the pieces of presence probability information in the presence probability database 33.Subsequently, the information provision unit 45 transmits, to the delivery center server 50, the determination result by the determination unit 43 together with the pieces of presence probability information specified by the specifying unit 44 (step S109).\",\n \"To be more specific, the information provision unit 45 transmits, to the delivery center server 50, together with the estimation result by the estimation unit 42, the pieces of presence probability information registered in the presence probability database 33.The individual processors 41 to 45 can independently execute the pieces of processing at steps S101 to S108 in FIG.\",\n \"6 in a divided manner at desired granularities.\",\n \"The collection unit 41 may execute the pieces of processing at steps S101 and S102, for example, at a predetermined time interval.\",\n \"The estimation unit 42 may execute the pieces of processing at steps S103 to S105, that is, the estimation processing at a predetermined time interval.\",\n \"The determination unit 43 may execute the processing at step S106, that is, the determination processing at a predetermined time interval or may execute it upon reception of a request from the delivery center server 50.The specifying unit 44 may execute the pieces of processing at steps S107 and S108, that is, the specifying processing at a predetermined time interval.\",\n \"3.Pieces of Processing that Delivery Center Server 50 Executes in Embodiment Hereinafter, examples of the functional configuration and action effects of the delivery center server 50 that executes, together with the above-mentioned generation processing, transmission processing of transmitting delivery information indicating delivery to the terminal devices 100 of the users as the delivery destinations of packages will be described with reference to the drawings.\",\n \"3-1.Example of Functional Configuration FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the delivery center server in the embodiment.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7, the delivery center server 50 includes a communication unit 60, a storage unit 70, and a controller 80.The communication unit 60 is implemented by, for example, an NIC, is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives pieces of information between the delivery center server 50 and the determination server 10, terminal device 100, and the visitor terminal V01.The storage unit 70 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM and a flash memory or a storage device such as a hard disk and an optical disk.\",\n \"The storage unit 70 includes a presence probability database 71 and a delivery database 72.Description of the presence probability database 71 is omitted, since the pieces of information registered in the presence probability database 71 are regarded as the same as those in the presence probability database 33 of the determination server 10.Pieces of information indicating the bases as the delivery destinations of packages, that is, the bases as the visit destinations in the delivery service are registered in the delivery database 72.FIG.\",\n \"8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the pieces of information that are registered in the delivery database in the embodiment.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8, the pieces of delivery information having items of a “deliverer ID”, a “package ID”, and a “delivery destination ID” are registered in the delivery database 72.The “deliverer ID” is information for identifying a deliverer who delivers the package to the base and is, for example, an identifier of the visitor terminal V01 that the deliverer uses.\",\n \"The “package ID” is an identifier of the package that is delivered to the base.\",\n \"The “delivery destination ID” is a base ID of the base as the delivery destination, that is, the base as the visit destination.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"8, for example, the delivery information in which a deliverer ID “V01”, a package ID “package #1”, and a delivery destination ID “base #1” correspond to one another is registered.\",\n \"This delivery information indicates, for example, that the deliverer indicated by the deliverer ID “V01”, that is, the deliverer using the visitor terminal V01 delivers a package indicated by the package ID “package #1” to a base indicated by the delivery destination ID “base #1”.\",\n \"Although the example in FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates conceptual values such as the “package #1”, the embodiment is not limited thereto.\",\n \"It should be noted that pieces of delivery information having a desired item other than the pieces of information illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"8 may be registered in the delivery database 72.Description is continued with reference to FIG.\",\n \"7 again.\",\n \"The controller 80 is implemented by, for example, causing a CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like to execute various programs stored in the storage device in the delivery center server 50 using a storage region of the RAM or the like as a work region.\",\n \"In the example illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7, the controller 80 includes an information acquisition unit 81, a generator 82, a transmitter 83, and a receiver 84.A connection relation among the individual processors 81 to 84 included in the controller 80 is not limited to the connection relation illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"7 and may be another connection relation.\",\n \"The individual processors 81 to 84 implement and execute functions and actions (for example, FIG.\",\n \"1) of the generation processing and the transmission processing, which will be described below, but these are functional units structured for description and may be unidentical to practical hardware components or software modules.\",\n \"That is, the delivery center server 50 may implement and execute the generation processing and the transmission processing, which will be described below, by any functional unit as long as it can implement and execute the functions and actions of the generation processing and the transmission processing.\",\n \"3-2.Example of Action Effects in Generation Processing Hereinafter, contents of the generation processing that the information acquisition unit 81 and the generator 82 execute and implement will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"9.FIG.\",\n \"9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of the generation processing that the delivery center server in the embodiment executes.\",\n \"First, the information acquisition unit 81 acquires the determination result and the pieces of presence probability information from the determination server 10 (step S201).\",\n \"Then, the information acquisition unit 81 registers the pieces of acquired presence probability information in the presence probability database 71 (step S202).\",\n \"Subsequently, the generator 82 generates a delivery route indicating the order of visiting a plurality of bases as delivery destinations of packages based on the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases as the delivery destinations of the packages (step S203).\",\n \"The generator 82, for example, specifies the bases corresponding to the visitor terminal V01, that is, the bases that the deliverer using the visitor terminal V01 visits with reference to the delivery database 72.Then, the generator 82 specifies the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases specified from the delivery database 72 for each time band with reference to the presence probability database 71.The generator 82 generates the delivery route for visiting the bases specified from the delivery database 72 based on the specified time bands.\",\n \"The generator 82, for example, estimates periods of time that are to be taken for transportation between the bases based on position relations between the bases, and generates the delivery route so as to make the probabilities of the presence of the users when the deliverer visits the respective bases be higher than the predetermined threshold in consideration with the estimated periods of time for transportation.\",\n \"Then, the generator 82 transmits the generated delivery route together with the determination result to the visitor terminal V01 (step S204) and displays the delivery route on the visitor terminal V01.The generator 82 may, for example, display pieces of information indicating time bands in which the deliverer visit the individual bases together with the delivery route on the visitor terminal V01 and display the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases for each time band.\",\n \"That is, the generator 82 may display any information on the visitor terminal V01 as long as the information can be provided as results of the estimation processing, the determination processing, and the specifying processing by the determination server 10.The delivery center server 50 may notify the visitor terminal V01 of whether the users are present in the bases as the visit destinations, that is, whether the deliverer can visit the bases as the visit destinations even without generating the delivery route by transmitting the determination result by the determination server 10 as it is to the visitor terminal V01.The delivery center server 50 may transmit, together with the probabilities of the presence of the users in the individual bases, the pieces of information indicating the users receiving the packages are present or not in the individual bases, that is, the pieces of information for capabilities of visiting the individual bases, and the delivery center server 50 may display the information.\",\n \"3-3.Example of Action Effects in Transmission Processing Time and effort for redelivery are expected to be further reducible by transmitting visit notification to the users based in the places as the delivery destinations and the users present in the bases before the packages are delivered.\",\n \"The transmitter 83 and the receiver 84 execute the transmission processing illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"10, thereby further reducing the time and effort for redelivery.\",\n \"Hereinafter, contents of the transmission processing that the transmitter 83 and the receiver 84 execute and implement will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"10.FIG.\",\n \"10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of flow of the transmission processing that the delivery center server executes in the embodiment.\",\n \"For example, the transmitter 83 determines whether the current timing is a transmission timing of the visit notification (step S301).\",\n \"When the transmitter 83 determines that the current timing is not the transmission timing of the visit notification (No at step S301), the transmitter 83 stands by until the transmission timing of the visit notification.\",\n \"Then, when the transmitter 83 determines that the current timing is the transmission timing of the visit notification (Yes at step S301), the transmitter 83 transmits the visit notification (step S302).\",\n \"For example, the transmitter 83 specifies the current position of the visitor terminal V01 and determines that the current timing is the transmission timing of the visit notification when the specified position makes close to a predetermined area from each base as the delivery destination.\",\n \"Then, the transmitter 83 transmits the visit information indicating that the visitor visits the base to the terminal device 100 of the user corresponding to the base.\",\n \"For example, when the deliverer using the visitor terminal V01 visits the room R21, the transmitter 83 determines whether the current position of the visitor terminal V01 is within the predetermined area from the room R21.When the transmitter 83 determines that the current position of the visitor terminal V01 is within the predetermined area from the room R21, the transmitter 83 specifies the user U02 of the users U01 and U02 based in the room R21 to be present in the room R21 based on the determination result acquired from the determination server 10 and transmits the visit notification to the terminal device 102 that the specified user U02 uses.\",\n \"The transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification to both of the terminal devices 101 and 102 that the users U01 and U02 based in the room R21 use, respectively.\",\n \"The transmitter 83 may calculate a period of time until the visitor reaches each base based on a distance between the current place of the visitor terminal V01 and the base.\",\n \"When the calculated period of time becomes equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification to the user corresponding to the base.\",\n \"For example, when the period of time that is to be taken for transportation from the current place of the visitor terminal V01 to the room R21 becomes equal to or shorter than 10 minutes, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification containing delivery of the package or a visit within 10 minutes to the terminal device 102.For example, when the position indicated by the position information of the terminal device 102 corresponds to the position of the room R21 as the base as the delivery destination, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit information to the terminal device 100 that the user uses.\",\n \"To be specific, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit information to the terminal devices 100 based on the pieces of position information of the terminal devices 100 that the users corresponding to the bases as the delivery destinations use.\",\n \"For example, even in the case in which the user U02 is not present in the room R21, when the user U02 cleans the outside of the room R21, goes out to the neighborhood, and so on, it is also considered that transmission of the visit notification enables the user U02 to receive the package.\",\n \"Furthermore, the pieces of position information measured by the terminal devices 100 have errors in some cases.\",\n \"In consideration with the errors, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification when the current place of either of the terminal device 101 or 102 is located in the vicinity of the multiple dwelling housing M10 even in the case in which the current places of the terminal devices 101 and 102 that the users U01 and U02 use are away from the multiple dwelling housing M10.For example, when the current place of the terminal device 102 is located in an area within 5 minutes by walk from the multiple dwelling housing M10, the transmitter 83 may transmit the visit notification to the terminal device 102.The receiver 84 determines whether it receives pieces of response information from the terminal devices 100 of the users based in the places as the delivery destinations (step S303).\",\n \"When the receiver 84 does not receive the pieces of response information (No at step S303), the processing is finished.\",\n \"On the other hand, when the receiver 84 receives the pieces of response information (Yes at step S303), the receiver 84 notifies the visitor terminal V01 of the pieces of response information (step S304) and the processing is finished.\",\n \"For example, when the terminal device 102 receives the visit notification from the transmitter 83, the terminal device 102 displays the information indicating the visit by the deliverer, and receives input of capability of the visit or a desirable time band for a revisit, that is, a time band in which the deliverer can visit.\",\n \"Then, the terminal device 102 transmits, to the delivery center server 50, the received input of the capability of the visit or the time band in which the deliverer can visit as the response information.\",\n \"In such a case, the receiver 84 transmits contents of the response information received from the terminal device 102 to the visitor terminal V01.The delivery center server 50 may regenerate new route information based on the pieces of response information received by the receiver 84.For example, when the receiver 84 has received the response information indicating incapability of the visit or the time band in which the deliverer can visit from the terminal device 102 of the user U02, the generator 82 may regenerate route information causing the deliverer to visit the room R21 in the time band in which the deliverer can visit that is indicated by the response information and transmit the regenerated route information to the visitor terminal V01.As a result, the receiver 84 can prevent delivery failure that the deliverer visits the base regardless of the absence of the user and time and effort for the redelivery.\",\n \"4.Modifications The determination system 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be implemented in various different modes other than the above-mentioned embodiment.\",\n \"The following describes other embodiments of the above-mentioned determination system 1.4-1.Specifications of Reception Facility In recent years, package reception facilities such as lockers and posts are installed such that packages can be delivered even when users are absent in delivery destinations.\",\n \"When such reception facilities are installed, the packages can be delivered even in the case of absence of the users receiving the packages in the delivery destinations.\",\n \"There are upper limits in the sizes and the numbers of packages capable of being received by the reception facilities due to the sizes of the lockers, the sizes of the post box slots, the number of lockers, and the like.\",\n \"The determination system 1 may decide capabilities of visits to the bases as the visit destinations based on, together with the determination result by the determination processing, the pieces of information about the package reception facilities at the bases as the visit destinations.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50, for example, previously stores therein presence and absence of the reception facilities corresponding to the respective bases as the visit destinations and the pieces of information about the reception facilities, such as the sizes, the numbers, the weights, and the like of the packages capable of being received by the respective reception facilities.\",\n \"For example, when the user U04 is determined to be absent in the room R12 as the visit destination as a determination result of the determination processing, the delivery center server 50 determines whether the reception facility corresponding to the room R12 is present.\",\n \"When the reception facility corresponding to the room R12 is present, the delivery center server 50 may transmit, to the visitor terminal V01, an instruction to put the package addressed to the room R12 in the reception facility.\",\n \"When the size of the package to be delivered is larger than the upper limit of the package capable of being received by the reception facility, the delivery center server 50 may transmit notification indicating that the deliverer cannot visit to the visitor terminal V01.When the number of packages capable of being received by the reception facility can be specified in real time, the delivery center server 50 may determine whether the reception facility can receive a new package and transmit notification to the visitor terminal V01 indicating whether the deliverer can visit based on the determination result.\",\n \"4-2.Provision Mode of Determination System In the above description, results of the estimation processing and the determination processing by the determination server 10 are provided to the delivery service of delivering the packages to the specified bases, as an example.\",\n \"The embodiment is however not limited thereto and the results of the above-mentioned estimation processing and determination processing can be provided to various types of services supposing presence of a user in a visit destination as long as a base of the user is estimated.\",\n \"The results of the estimation processing and the determination processing executed by the determination system 1 can be used in, for example, various types of services involving a visit by a person while a user is present in a base, such as delivery of postal matters for which reception destinations are specified like registered mails, business activities, sales, interviews, inspection of various facilities, administrative services involving visits for various businesses, and a visiting care service.\",\n \"4-3.Change of Base In the above description, the determination server 10 estimates the correspondence between the bases and the users U01 to U04.The bases of the users U01 to U04 however vary among the time bands in some cases.\",\n \"For example, the bases of the users are companies during the day whereas the bases thereof are the houses during the night in some cases.\",\n \"For example, sole proprietors and the like have no base during the day whereas the bases thereof are companies during the evening and night in other cases.\",\n \"In consideration with these cases, the determination server 10 may estimate the bases of the users for each time band based on the time bands for which the pieces of position information are acquired.\",\n \"The determination server 10, for example, estimates the work place or the like of the user U04 as the base of the user U04 in time bands during the day and estimates the room R12 as the base of the user U04 in time bands during the night.\",\n \"The determination server 10 may determine that no user based in the room R12 is present during the day.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 may specify the base of the user U04 in a time band in which the deliverer visits and specify the specified base as the visit destination.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 may determine that in the time bands during the day, the room R12 is not the base of the user U04 and that packages addressed to the room R12 cannot be delivered.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 may change the bases as the delivery destinations in accordance with types of packages.\",\n \"For example, when the package is an office supply, the delivery center server 50 may deliver the package to the place that is estimated to be the base during the day.\",\n \"4-4.Usage of Results of Pieces of Processing In the above-mentioned embodiment, the determination server 10 determines whether the users are present in the corresponding bases and the delivery center server 50 determines that packages can be delivered when the users are determined to be present in the corresponding bases.\",\n \"The embodiment is however not limited thereto.\",\n \"The determination system 1 may provide various types of services by, for example, using absence of the users in the corresponding bases.\",\n \"As a specific example, the determination result by the determination system 1 may be used for, for example, an application of interrupting electrical systems in the corresponding bases for inspection when the users are determined to be absent in the corresponding bases.\",\n \"The determination result may be used for, for example, an application of intensively performing patrols by police officers, municipalities, and the like in time bands with low probabilities of the presence of the users in the corresponding bases.\",\n \"In the above-mentioned example, the determination system 1 estimates the correspondence between the users U01 to U04 and the bases based on the pieces of position history information of the terminal devices 100 that the users U01 to U04 use.\",\n \"The embodiment is however not limited thereto.\",\n \"The determination system 1 may estimate, for example, correspondence between a movable information processing device such as a robot and a base based on the position history information of the robot.\",\n \"An estimation result and a determination result of the base of the robot can be used for, for example, indicators of determination whether the robot has returned to a charging place or a maintenance position, whether the robot is not stolen, and the like.\",\n \"In the above-mentioned example, the determination system 1 determines that the package can be delivered when either of the user U01 or U02 based in the room R21 is present.\",\n \"The embodiment is however not limited thereto.\",\n \"For example, the determination system 1 may determine whether a predetermined user among users corresponding to a facility as a visit destination is present and determine that the deliverer can visit when the predetermined user is determined to be present.\",\n \"For example, the determination system 1 specifies a user who is engaged in reception among users based in a company as a visit destination based on pieces of previously registered information and the like and determines whether the specified user is present.\",\n \"Then, the determination system 1 may determine that the deliverer can visit when the specified user is determined to be present.\",\n \"Execution of this processing enables the determination system 1 to deliver a package to a predetermined user at reception or the like even when an addressed user is absent in the base.\",\n \"4-5.Specification of User The determination server 10 may specify users using the terminal devices 100 by any method.\",\n \"For example, the determination server 10 may receive advance registration indicating that the user using the terminal device 101 is the user U01, and, for example, may acquire information about the user U01 from the carrier of the terminal device 101.The determination server 10 may acquire information that the user U01 uses for log-in, registration authentication information that the user U01 has registered in advance, or the like from an auction site or the like when the user U01 logs in the auction site or the like using the terminal device 101.The determination server 10 may acquire these pieces of information from a server device managing various pieces of information or may acquire these pieces of information from the terminal device 101.The determination server 10, for example, may specify the users using the terminal devices 100 based on the pieces of identification information from the terminal devices 100.For example, the terminal devices 100 may store therein pieces of registration authentication information and the like input by the users when the users log in the auction site or the like, and transmit the pieces of stored registration authentication information together with the pieces of position information to the determination server 10 to notify the determination server 10 of the users using the terminal devices 100.That is, the determination server 10 may collect the terminal IDs, the user IDs, the pieces of terminal information, and the pieces of communication device information that are registered as the pieces of position history information by any method.\",\n \"The determination server 10 is not required to specify the correspondence between all of the users and the terminal devices 100.For example, when the users present in the visit destinations may be different from recipients themselves of packages as in the package delivery service and the like, the determination server 10 may do without specifying the correspondence between the users and the terminal devices 100 and may specify only the correspondence between some users and the terminal devices 100.That is, the determination server 10 may determine whether the deliverer can visit the respective bases based on the presence or absence of the terminal devices 100 when only the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases of the users using the terminal devices 100, that is, only the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases can be estimated.\",\n \"With the processing, for example, the determination server 10 may do without specifying or registering the “user ID” in the estimation result database 32 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4.4-6.SSID In the above description, the determination server 10 uses the pieces of position information that the terminal devices 100 acquire using the positioning means such as the GPS as the pieces of position history information.\",\n \"The embodiment is however not limited thereto.\",\n \"The determination server 10 may specify the positions of the terminal devices 100 using, for example, the pieces of communication device information such as the SSIDs.\",\n \"For example, the determination server 10 stores therein the SSIDs, the IP addresses, the MAC addresses, the port numbers, and the like set to the communication devices so as to correspond to the positions at which the communication devices are installed.\",\n \"When the determination server 10 receives the pieces of communication device information from the terminal devices 100, the determination server 10 may specify the positions corresponding to the pieces of communication device information and use the specified positions as the positions of the terminal devices 100.4-7.Visit Notification In the above description, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit notification to the users corresponding to the bases as the visit destinations.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 may transmit the visit notification to only users registered in advance.\",\n \"For example, the delivery center server 50 may transmit the visit notification to only the terminal device 102 of the user U02 when only the user U02 of the users U01 and U02 has performed registration in advance.\",\n \"4-8.Determination Result In the above description, the determination system 1 determines whether the users are present in the bases in real time based on the estimation result and calculates the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases.\",\n \"It is sufficient that the determination system 1 only determines whether the users are present in the bases in real time based on the estimation result or only calculates the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 need not notify the visitor terminal V01 of all of the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases for each time band.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 may notify the visitor terminal V01 of, for example, only time bands with the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 may specify the time bands with the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold for all of the bases as the visit destinations and generate the delivery route based on the specified time bands.\",\n \"4-9.Other Embodiments The above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example and the present invention encompasses the following exemplifications and other embodiments.\",\n \"The functional configurations, the data structures, the orders and contents of the pieces of processing illustrated in the flowcharts, and the like in the present application are merely examples, and presence and absence of the components, arrangement manners thereof, the order and specific contents of the pieces of processing that they execute, and the like can be appropriately changed.\",\n \"Instead of the configuration in which the determination server 10 and the delivery center server 50 implement the above-mentioned various pieces of processing as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the pieces of processing can be implemented as devices, methods, and programs in terminals which applications or the like of smart phones implement.\",\n \"Furthermore, one server device, one cloud system, or the like may implement the functions and the functional configurations that the determination server 10 and the delivery center server 50 execute.\",\n \"The configuration in which the individual processors 41 to 45 configuring the determination server 10 are implemented by independent devices is also employed commonly, and the configuration in which the individual processors 81 to 84 configuring the delivery center server 50 are implemented by independent devices is also employed commonly.\",\n \"In the same manner, the configuration of the present invention can be flexibly changed as follows.\",\n \"That is, for example, the pieces of processing described in the above-mentioned embodiment are implemented by calling an external platform or the like using an application program interface (API) or network computing (what-is-called cloud or the like).\",\n \"Furthermore, the individual elements according to the present invention are not limited to be implemented by operation controllers of computers and may be implemented by other information processing mechanisms such as physical electronic circuits.\",\n \"5.Effects As described above, the determination server 10 estimates the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 and the bases based on the pieces of position history information as histories of the pieces of position information indicating the positions of the terminal devices 100.Furthermore, the determination server 10 determines whether the users of the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases as the visit destinations are present in the bases based on the estimation result.\",\n \"Thus, the determination server 10 can link the bases and the users to each other even when the correspondence between the terminal devices 100 or the users using the terminal devices 100 and the bases of the users are not registered in advance.\",\n \"As a result, the determination server 10 can easily determine whether the users are present in the bases as the visit destinations without advance registration.\",\n \"In addition, the determination server 10 prevents the delivery failure and reduces the number of times of revisit in various types of visit services, thereby improving profitability.\",\n \"The determination server 10 can set any place as the base as long as the base can be made to be linked with the user.\",\n \"This enables visit services such as the delivery service to be provided to, for example, users with no fixed address.\",\n \"The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 based on the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100 at the respective positions indicated by the pieces of position history information.\",\n \"The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 based on, for example, at least one of the numbers of times that the terminal devices 100 have stayed, the lengths of the periods of time during which the terminal devices 100 have stayed, and the time bands in which the terminal devices 100 have stayed as the stay amounts of the terminal devices 100.The determination server 10 can therefore specify the places in which the users of the terminal devices 100 are really based.\",\n \"The determination server 10 can, for example, increase reliability that the places are the bases of the users as the periods of time during which the users have stayed are longer.\",\n \"When these pieces of processing are executed, the users who have stayed at the visit destinations for a long period of time, that is, the users really based in the visit destinations can be estimated.\",\n \"As a result, the determination server 10, for example, can prevent occurrence of the case in which a package is delivered to a user who pretends to be based in a visit destination while stealing into the visit destination, waiting at an entrance of the visit destination, and so on although the user is not based in the visit destination.\",\n \"The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 from the bases located at the same place based on the pieces of terminal device information about the terminal devices 100 in addition to the pieces of position history information.\",\n \"The determination server 10 estimates the bases corresponding to the terminal devices 100 from the bases located at the same place based on the pieces of communication device information about the communication devices communicating with the terminal devices 100 at the bases in addition to the pieces of position history information.\",\n \"The determination server 10 can therefore estimate the correspondence between the bases located at the same place such as the rooms R11 to R21 in the multiple dwelling housing M10, and the individual users appropriately.\",\n \"The determination server 10 determines whether any of the users using the terminal devices 100 corresponding to each base as the visit destination is present in the base.\",\n \"When the determination server 10 determines that any of the users is present, it determines that the user is present in the base.\",\n \"With this determination, even when the addressed user himself (herself) is not present, the determination server 10 can determine whether the package can be delivered to the family or the like of the user.\",\n \"The determination server 10 determines whether the users of the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases are present in the bases specified as the delivery destinations of the packages.\",\n \"The determination server 10 can reduce the number of times of delivery failure and revisit in the delivery service based on the determination result.\",\n \"The determination server 10 specifies the time bands with the probabilities of the presence of the users of the terminal devices 100 in the bases, in which the probabilities are higher than the predetermined threshold based on the stay histories of the terminal devices 100 in the corresponding bases.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 generates the route information indicating the route for visiting the individual bases based on the time bands specified for the bases as the visit destinations.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 can therefore implement the delivery service efficiently based on the estimation result.\",\n \"The determination server 10 calculates the probabilities of the presence of the users in the bases as the visit destinations for each time band and displays the calculated probabilities on the visitor terminal V01 that the visitor uses.\",\n \"The determination server 10 can therefore provide indicators to the visitor for determining whether the visitor visits the bases.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information indicating a visit by the visitor to the bases to the users corresponding to the bases.\",\n \"To be specific, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the terminal devices 100 corresponding to the bases specified as the visit destinations.\",\n \"For example, when the visitor makes close to the predetermined area from the bases, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the users corresponding to the bases.\",\n \"Alternatively, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the users corresponding to the bases when the period of time until the visitor reaches the bases become equal to or shorter than the predetermined period of time.\",\n \"When the visit information is transmitted, the users in the vicinity of the bases can be notified of visits by the visitor to urge the users to return to the bases.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 can therefore reduce the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 receives the capabilities of the visits or the pieces of response information indicating the time bands in which the visitor can visit from the users to which the visit information has been transmitted.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 can therefore reduce the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.\",\n \"The delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the terminal devices 100 based on the pieces of position information of the terminal devices 100 that the users corresponding to the bases use.\",\n \"For example, when the positions indicated by the pieces of position information of the terminal devices 100 correspond to the positions of the bases as the visit destinations, the delivery center server 50 transmits the visit information to the terminal devices 100.The delivery center server 50 can therefore urge the users in the vicinity of the bases to return to the bases, thereby reducing the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.\",\n \"The determination system 1 decides the capabilities of visits to the bases as the delivery destinations based on the determination result and the pieces of information about the reception facilities for packages that are delivered to the bases as the visit destinations.\",\n \"In this manner, the determination system 1 decides the capabilities of the visits to the visit destinations based on the pieces of information about the reception facilities of the packages addressed to the bases, such as the lockers and the posts, thereby reducing the number of times of delivery failure and revisit.\",\n \"Although some embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, these are examples and the present invention can be implemented in modes described in the disclosure of the invention and in other modes with various modifications or improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.\",\n \"Furthermore, the above-mentioned “sections, modules, and units” can be read as “means”, “circuits” or the like.\",\n \"For example, a determination unit can be read as a determination means or a determination circuit.\",\n \"The embodiment above can be applied not only to a determination device, a determination method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium but also to a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data.\",\n \"The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data incudes an estimation unit (corresponding to estimation unit 42) that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information.\",\n \"The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data includes a determination unit (corresponding to determination unit 43) that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit.\",\n \"The determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data can be applied not only to the field of delivery but also to other fields such as an animal management and traffic control of aircraft and spacecraft.\",\n \"“A determination device comprising: an estimation unit that estimates correspondence between a terminal device and a base from history of pieces of position information indicating positions of the terminal device; and a determination unit that determines whether a user of the terminal device corresponding to the base as a visit destination is present in the base based on an estimation result by the estimation unit” can be performed alone without requiring a configuration “a determination device through a clustering analysis of position history data comprising: an estimation unit that, by conducting a clustering analysis on history data of pieces of geographical position information on Earth of a plurality of movable bodies that is obtained by a positioning device, based on a horizontal position constituted of a latitude and a longitude and a lapse of time, acquires pieces of area information indicating a characteristic of geographical area in which there is a tendency for the movable bodies to be positioned, by controlling an electronic information processing unit, the history data being accumulated sequentially in a storage device with pieces of movable body identification information and pieces of timestamp information; and a determination unit that determines whether the movable body is present in a specified point in time and the geographical area, based on the pieces of area information acquired for one of the movable bodies, by controlling an electronic information processing unit”.\",\n \"According to an aspect of the embodiment, absence of a user can be easily determined.\",\n \"Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872464"}}},{"rowIdx":4494082,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD","An image processing apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion."],["1.An image processing apparatus, comprising: an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of an embodiment, an image processing apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion.","Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a divisional of application Ser.","No.","14/821,091, filed Aug. 7, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus control method, an image pickup apparatus, and an image pickup apparatus control method.","Description of the Related Art There has been known a type of image pickup apparatus that uses a pupil division-type phase difference detecting method or a plurality of images different from one another in blurring to detect a defocus amount (the difference between a light receiving plane and an image forming plane of a lens).","A method of calculating the defocus amount from the image deviation amount (parallax amount) of an image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2008-15754.An image is divided into minute blocks, a correlation value is calculated by deviating data relative to a pair of pieces of pixel data in one of the minute blocks, and a deviation amount at which the correlation is highest is obtained as the parallax amount.","From the calculated deviation amount and a conversion efficient, which is determined based on an image pickup element's pixel pitch and a lens that are used, the defocus amount is calculated with respect to an expected image forming plane of an object image plane.","A method of calculating the defocus amount by Depth from Defocus (DFD) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-253964.In DFD, a photographing parameter of an image pickup optical system is controlled so as to obtain a plurality of images different from one another in blurring, and the amount of correlation in blurring between a measurement target pixel and its surrounding pixels in the plurality of obtained images is calculated to calculate the defocus amount.","The defocus amount calculated by these methods is a distance on the image plane, and object distance information can therefore be calculated further by converting the image plane distance into an object plane distance with the use of the lens equation.","Technologies of applying the defocus amount and the object distance that are calculated by these methods to various types of image processing have been disclosed as well.","In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2010-45457, face brightness correction includes performing processing in which a correction gain is changed in relation to the defocus amount so that the face in focus has an appropriate brightness.","Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-243529 includes performing processing in which an image pickup apparatus uses the object distance to pick up an image of an object when the object is within a prescribed distance from the image pickup apparatus.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of an embodiment, an image processing apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion.","Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a diagram for illustrating the system configuration of an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.","FIG.","2 is a diagram for schematically illustrating a pixel arrangement of an image pickup element in the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","3 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.","FIGS.","4A, 4B, and 4C are graphs for showing image deviation amount detection that uses an image having parallax.","FIGS.","5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are graphs for showing examples of gradation conversion characteristics in the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","6 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between an F-value, an image deviation amount, and a defocus amount.","FIG.","7 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","8 is a graph for showing another example of the gradation conversion characteristics in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","9 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between an image pickup plane distance and an object plane distance.","FIG.","10 is a graph for showing an example of gradation conversion characteristics in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","11 is a diagram for illustrating another example of the pixel arrangement of the image pickup element.","FIG.","12 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.","FIGS.","13A and 13B are block diagrams of an image processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.","FIGS.","14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E are diagrams for illustrating image generation in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.","FIGS.","15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are graphs for showing the relation between an object distance and a distance map in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.","FIG.","16 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between the object distance and a background magnification ratio in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.","DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS When the calculated defocus amount and object distance are output to the outside of an image pickup apparatus, or output to another module or application within the image pickup apparatus, the distance information needs to be converted before being output, depending on where the distance information is output to.","For instance, some need a distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2010-45457, and others need the distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-243529.The distance information also needs to be kept under the limit word length of a transmission path that connects to the output destination of the distance information.","Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.","The following embodiments describe examples of applying an image processing apparatus of the present invention to a digital camera, which is an example of an image pickup apparatus.","First Embodiment FIG.","1 is a block diagram for illustrating the function configuration of a digital camera as an example of an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.","In FIG.","1, a control unit 101 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of blocks that are included in a digital camera 100 by reading the blocks' respective operation programs out of a ROM 102, and deploying the operation programs on a RAM 103 to perform the operation programs.","The ROM 102 is a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores, in addition to the operation programs of the blocks included in the digital camera 100, parameters and other types of information necessary for the operation of the blocks.","The RAM 103 is a rewritable volatile memory, and is used as a temporary storage area for data that is output through the operation of the blocks included in the digital camera 100.A photographing optical system 104 forms an image of an object in an image pickup unit 105.The image pickup unit 105 includes an image pickup element such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor, and outputs, to an A/D conversion unit 106, an analog image signal, which is obtained through photoelectric conversion of an optical image formed in the image pickup element by the photographing optical system 104.The A/D conversion unit 106 performs A/D conversion processing on the input analog image signal, and outputs the resultant digital image data to the RAM 103, where the digital image data is stored.","An image processing unit 107 performs various image processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering on image data stored in the RAM 103.A recording medium 108 is a detachable memory card or the like.","Images stored in the RAM 103, including an image that has been processed by the image processing unit 107 and an image that has been subjected to A/D conversion by the A/D conversion unit 106, are recorded on the recording medium 108 as recorded images.","The image processing unit 107 and the recording medium 108 also handle the generation and recording of a defocus amount and an object distance, which are described later.","FIG.","2 is a diagram for schematically illustrating the pixel arrangement configuration of the image pickup unit 105 that is included in the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment.","The pixel arrangement configuration of FIG.","2 is the same as that of the image pickup element disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2008-15754.In FIG.","2, each unit pixel 202 includes a micro lens 201 and a pair of photoelectric converters 203 and 204.The photoelectric converters (divided pixels) 203 and 204 receive luminous fluxes via the micro lens (pupil dividing unit) 201 from different pupil regions of an exit pupil of the photographing optical system 104.In the image pickup unit 105 of FIG.","1 where the unit pixels 202 are arranged two-dimensionally and orderly, an image signal of an image is generated from a luminous flux that has passed through a pupil division region associated with, for example, the divided pixel 203 by collecting the photoelectric conversion output of the divided pixel 203 from each unit pixel 202.Similarly, an image signal of an image is generated from a luminous flux that has passed through another pupil division region, which is associated with the other divided pixel 204, by collecting the photoelectric conversion output of the divided pixel 204.The image pickup unit 105 can acquire a pair of image signals having parallax in this manner.","In this embodiment, an image picked up by the photoelectric converter 203 is referred to as image A and an image picked up by the photoelectric converter 204 is referred to as image B.","FIG.","3 is a diagram for illustrating an image generation unit, a defocus amount calculation unit, and a gradation conversion unit in the image processing unit 107 of the digital camera to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.","The image generation unit 305 adds together a plurality of object images formed from luminous fluxes that arrive from different regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system 104 (the image A and the image B in this embodiment), and generates an image corresponding to a single object image that is generated from luminous fluxes arriving from all regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system 104.The image A that is denoted by 306 and the image B that is denoted by 307 are input to the image generation unit 305, and the image generation unit 305 outputs an image 308.The image 308 generated by the image generation unit 305 receives further image processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering, and the processed image is recorded on the recording medium 108 of FIG.","1 as a recorded image.","The defocus amount calculation unit, which is denoted by 301, is configured to calculate a defocus amount at a target pixel position.","The image A that is denoted by 302 and the image B that is denoted by 303 are input to the defocus amount calculation unit 301, and the defocus amount calculation unit 301 outputs a defocus amount 304.The defocus amount calculation unit 301 calculates the defocus amount by calculating a correlation function of correlation between the image A and the image B, or by other methods.","Processing of calculating the correlation function is described.","The processing of calculating the defocus amount from the correlation function can use a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2008-15754.Concrete processing of the calculation is described with reference to FIGS.","4A to 4C.","In each of FIGS.","4A to 4C, the axis of abscissa represents the image deviation amount and the axis of ordinate represents the amount of correlation between images that is expressed by Expression (1).","FIG.","4A is an example in which the degree of correlation is high.","FIGS.","4B and 4C are examples in which the degree of correlation is low.","According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2008-15754, a pair of pieces of pixel data in one minute block are expressed in a generalized form as (E(1) to E(m)) and (F(1) to F(m)) (m represents the number of data pieces).","The data series (F(1) to F(m)) is deviated relative to the data series (E(1) to E(m)) to calculate, by Expression (1), a correlation amount C(k) between the two data series at an image deviation amount k. C(k)=Σ|E(n)−F(n+k)| (1) In Expression (1), Σ operation is calculated for n. Values that n and n+k can take in this operation are limited to a range of 1 to m. The image deviation amount k is an integer, and indicates the amount of relative shift between images.","The calculation result of Expression (1) is as shown in FIG.","4A, and the correlation amount C(k) is smallest at a shift amount where correlation between a pair of data series is high (the degree of correlation is higher when the correlation amount is smaller).","Subsequently, three-point interpolation by Expressions (2) to (5) is used to obtain a shift amount x that gives a minimum value C(x) for successive correlation amounts.","x=kj+D/SLOP (2) C(x)=C(kj)−|D| (3) D={C(kj−1)−C(kj+1)}/2 (4) SLOP=MAX{C(kj+1)−C(kj),C(kj−1)−C(kj)} (5) The shift amount x obtained by Expression (2) can be used to obtain a defocus amount DEF with respect to an expected image forming plane of an object image plane by Expression (6).","DEF=KX·PY·x (6) In Expression (6), PY represents the pixel pitch of the image pickup element (the distance between pixels that constitute the image pickup element), and KX represents a conversion coefficient that is determined based on the magnitude of the divergence angle at the barycenter of luminous fluxes that pass through a pair of distance measurement pupils.","The unit of the conversion coefficient is mm/pix.","The magnitude of the divergence angle at the barycenter of luminous fluxes that pass through a pair of distance measurement pupils varies depending on the size of the diaphragm opening (F-value) of the lens, and is therefore determined based on lens information.","The details of this relation are described with reference to FIG.","6.FIG.","6 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between the defocus amount with respect to the expected image forming plane, the F-value, and the image deviation amount.","Illustrated in FIG.","6 are an object plane 601 of an image pickup object, a lens 602, an expected image forming plane 603 of the image pickup element, and an image plane 604, which is located at a position of defocus by a defocus amount 605 from the expected image forming plane 603.Image deviation amounts 607 and 608, which are in relation to the F-value, are also illustrated in FIG.","6.Specifically, the image deviation amount 607 is observed when the F-value is small (the diaphragm opening is wide), and the image deviation amount 608 is observed when the F-value is large (the diaphragm opening is narrow).","It is understood from FIG.","6 that the image deviation amount with respect to the image plane at a defocused position is larger when the diaphragm opening is wider and smaller when the diaphragm opening is narrower.","In other words, the image deviation amount varies depending on the F-value even at the same defocus amount.","This is why the image deviation amount is multiplied by KX, which is a gain that is in relation to the F-value, when the defocus amount is calculated from the image deviation amount.","Whether or not the calculated defocus amount DEF is reliable is determined as follows.","When the degree of correlation between a pair of data series is low, the minimum value C(x) of the interpolated correlation amount is large as shown in FIG.","4B.","The reliability is therefore determined as low when C(x) is equal to or more than a prescribed value.","Alternatively, the reliability is determined as low when a value that is obtained by normalizing C(x) with the contrast of data is equal to or more than a prescribed value.","The normalization is accomplished by dividing C(x) by an SLOP value that is in proportion to the contrast.","In the case where an SLOP value that is in proportion to the contrast is equal to or less than a prescribed value, it is determined that the object is low in contrast and the reliability of the calculated defocus amount DEF is low.","When the degree of correlation between a pair of data series is low and the correlation amount C(k) does not drop in a prescribed shift range of from k min to k max as shown in FIG.","4C, the minimum value C(x) cannot be obtained.","In such cases, it is determined that the image deviation amount cannot be detected.","In the case where the image deviation amount can be detected, the defocus amount is calculated by Expression (6).","The sum of absolute differences (SAD) between pixels is used for the correlation function in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2008-15754.However, this embodiment is not limited thereto.","For example, the sum of squared differences (SSD) or normalized cross correlation (NCC) between pixels may be used.","The NCC value is larger when the degree of correlation is higher, whereas the SAD value and the SSD value are smaller when the degree of correlation is higher.","Other than SAD and NCC, any correlation operation expression that calculates the degree of match between a pair of object images can be used.","As illustrated in FIG.","3, the defocus amount 304 output from the defocus amount calculation unit 301 is input to the gradation conversion unit 309.When the defocus amount 304 is output, the gradation conversion unit 309 performs data conversion suitable for where the defocus amount 304 is output to, or for a standard that is used.","The gradation conversion unit 309 outputs a defocus amount 310 on which gradation conversion has been performed (the output is referred to as “defocus map output”).","The gradation conversion is described with reference to FIGS.","5A to 5D on the premise that an interface to the defocus amount output destination uses 8-bit (0 to 255) gradation in this embodiment.","FIGS.","5A to 5D are graphs for showing the characteristics of conversion from the defocus amount to the defocus map in the gradation conversion unit 309.The axis of abscissa represents the defocus amount and the axis of ordinate represents the defocus map in each of the graphs.","An object for which a defocus amount of 0 [mm] is detected is a focused object.","A positive defocus amount indicates an object that is in front of the focused object, and the distance from the focused object toward the near side grows when the defocus amount increases in the positive direction.","A negative defocus amount indicates an object that is behind the focused object, and the distance from the focused object toward the far side grows when the defocus amount increases in the negative direction.","In conversion characteristics 501 of FIG.","5A, linear gradation conversion is performed on the defocus amount 304.In conversion characteristics 502 of FIG.","5B, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion is performed on the defocus amount 304 so that more bits are allocated to a defocus amount around 0 [mm], which is near an in-focus region, than in other regions.","In the case where the output destination of the defocus amount is an application that requires a wide distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-243529, linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 501 or the like is performed to allocate bits equally to any defocus amount.","In the case where the output destination of the defocus amount is an application that requires distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2010-45457, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 502 or the like is performed to allocate more bits to a defocus amount near the in-focus region than in other regions.","The non-linear characteristics of the conversion characteristics 502 is merely an example, and the gradation conversion may have non-linear characteristics that are asymmetrical with respect to a defocus amount of 0 [mm], such as conversion characteristics 503 of FIG.","5C (more bits are allocated to an object that is behind the focused object than to an object that is in front of the focused object).","Conversion characteristics 504 of FIG.","5D or the like may also be used in the case of an application that needs the defocus amount of a specific object (for example, an object specified by a user).","These candidates for gradation conversion characteristics to be employed by the gradation conversion unit 309 may be stored in advance in the ROM 102 as table data that holds an output destination or a standard and gradation conversion characteristics in association with them.","Alternatively, the gradation conversion characteristics candidates may be received from an external apparatus that is the output destination of the defocus amount, such as a PC, a printer, or a mobile device, while the digital camera 100 is connected to the external apparatus, or from a server while the digital camera 100 is connected to the server.","In the case where a standard is selected, gradation conversion characteristics candidates that are associated with different standards may be stored in the ROM 102 in advance.","The gradation conversion characteristics that are employed by the gradation conversion unit 309 may be generated each time gradation conversion is performed, based on information about object detection, about the output destination of the defocus amount, or about the standard that is used.","An output destination or a standard to which the gradation conversion characteristics are to be adapted is selected from a plurality of output destination candidates stored in advance in the ROM 102, or is determined based on information about the external apparatus given above, or about a server connected to the digital camera 100, such as an output bit count or a standard that is associated with the external apparatus or the server, by obtaining the information from the external apparatus or the server while the digital camera 100 is connected to the external apparatus or the server.","As described in the description of Expression (6), the image deviation amount is multiplied by the gain KX, which is in relation to the F-value, when the defocus amount is calculated from the image deviation amount.","The gradation characteristics can therefore be varied depending on the F-value.","This adjustment is described with reference to FIG.","8.FIG.","8 is a graph for showing the characteristics of conversion from the defocus amount to the defocus map as FIGS.","5A to 5D are.","The conversion characteristics of FIG.","8 are linear gradation conversion characteristics that are adjusted based on the F-value.","Shown in FIG.","8 are gradation characteristics 801 at an F-value of 1.8, gradation characteristics 802 at an F-value of 3.5, and gradation characteristics 803 at an F-value of 5.6.Image deviation that is generated at the same defocus amount is larger in amount when the F-value is smaller, and a smaller F-value therefore means a wider distance measurement range.","Accordingly, the gradation characteristics 801 (F=1.8) are close to linear characteristics and, when the conversion characteristics are close to the gradation characteristics 802 (F=3.5) and the gradation characteristics 803 (F=5.6), fewer bits are allocated to a larger defocus amount.","The F-value is not the only cause of fluctuations in distance measurement range, and the base length at the time images are obtained is another factor for the fluctuations.","A longer base length means greater parallax and a wider distance measurement range, and the gradation characteristics can therefore be varied depending on the base length.","In the case where the distance measurement range or the distance measurement resolution varies depending on a photographing condition such as the ISO sensitivity of the image pickup element, gradation characteristics associated with the photographing condition may be used.","The image pickup unit (sensor) 105 of the image pickup apparatus configured to acquire image signals having parallax is not limited to the pixel arrangement of FIG.","2, and may have a pixel arrangement structure illustrated in FIG.","11.In FIG.","11, each pixel 1106 includes a micro lens 1105 and two pairs of photoelectric converters, 1101 and 1104, and 1102 and 1103.The pixels 1106 are arranged two-dimensionally and orderly in the image pickup unit 105.The photoelectric converter 1101 picks up an image A.","The photoelectric converter 1102 picks up an image B.","The photoelectric converter 1103 picks up an image C. The photoelectric converter 1104 picks up an image D. An image and a defocus map are generated from the image A, the image B, the image C, and the image D as in FIG.","3.While an example of using a pupil division image pickup element is used for the defocus amount calculation has been described here, the defocus amount calculation is not limited thereto.","The defocus amount may be calculated with the use of images that are acquired from a compound-eye camera in which lenses and an image pickup element are arranged in stereo.","DFD described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-253964 and related art may be used instead of calculating the defocus amount from the image deviation amount of an image.","In DFD, the defocus amount is calculated from a blurring evaluation value, which is based on the powers of a plurality of images different from one another in blurring.","According to this embodiment, it is therefore possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of, when a defocus amount is output, outputting a defocus amount that has gradation characteristics suited to the output destination of the defocus amount.","According to this embodiment, the defocus amount output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the defocus amount is output to.","Second Embodiment A digital camera as an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.","The configuration and the image pickup element of the digital camera as an example of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.","1 and 2, and a description thereof is omitted here unless it is necessary.","The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that output information of the gradation conversion unit is the object distance (object plane distance).","FIG.","7 is a diagram for illustrating an image generation unit, a defocus amount calculation unit, an object distance calculation unit, and a gradation conversion unit in the image processing unit 107 of the digital camera 100 to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.","The image generation unit 705 adds together a plurality of object images formed from luminous fluxes that arrive from different regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system, and generates a single object image that is generated from luminous fluxes arriving from all regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system.","An image A that is denoted by 706 and an image B that is denoted by 707 are input to the image generation unit 705, and the image generation unit 705 outputs an image 708.The image 708 generated by the image generation unit 705 receives further processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering.","The processed image is recorded on the recording medium 108 of FIG.","1 as a recorded image.","The defocus amount calculation unit 701 is configured to calculate a defocus amount at a target pixel position.","The image A that is denoted by 702 and the image B that is denoted by 703 are input to the defocus amount calculation unit 701, and the defocus amount calculation unit 701 outputs a defocus amount 704.The defocus amount calculation unit 701 calculates the defocus amount by calculating a correlation function of correlation between the image A and the image B, or by other methods.","The defocus amount is calculated through the same processing that has been described above.","The defocus amount 704 calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit 701 is input to the object distance calculation unit 709.The object distance calculation unit 709 is configured to convert the defocus amount 704 into an object distance 710, and is described with reference to FIG.","9.FIG.","9 is a diagram for illustrating conversion from the image pickup plane distance to the object plane distance.","Illustrated in FIG.","9 are a focused object plane 901, a lens 902, an image pickup plane 903, and an image pickup plane position 904 at which the image is defocused by a defocus amount 905.An in-focus object distance OBJ (0), an image pick up plane distance S(0) relative to a focused object, and an object distance OBJ (def), which is measured, are also illustrated in FIG.","9.Based on the lens equation, the following expressions are established respectively for the in-focus object distance OBJ (0) and the object distance OBJ (def), which is measured.","1 OBJ ( 0 ) + 1 S ( 0 ) = 1 f ( 7 ) 1 OBJ ( def ) + 1 S ( 0 ) + def = 1 f ( 8 ) Based on Expressions (7) and (8), transformation in which OBJ(def) constitutes the left side member is performed to obtain the following expression.","OBJ ( def ) = ( S ( 0 ) + def ) * f ( S ( 0 ) + def ) - f ( 9 ) Expression (9) can be used in the conversion from the defocus amount to the object distance.","When the object distance 710 is output, the gradation conversion unit 711 performs data conversion suitable for where the object distance 710 is output to.","The gradation conversion unit 711 outputs an object distance 712 on which gradation conversion has been performed (the output is referred to as “distance map output”).","The gradation conversion is described with reference to FIG.","10 on the premise that an interface to the object distance output destination uses 8-bit (0 to 255) gradation in this embodiment.","FIG.","10 is a graph for showing an example of the conversion characteristics of conversion from the object distance to the distance map in the gradation conversion unit 711.In the example, the graph has an axis of abscissa that represents the object distance and an axis of ordinate that represents the distance map, and the distance to the focused object is 5,000 [mm].","In conversion characteristics 1001, linear gradation conversion is performed on the object distance 710.In conversion characteristics 1002, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion is performed on the object distance 710 so that more bits are allocated to an object distance around 5,000 [mm], which is near an in-focus region, than in other regions.","In the case where the output destination of the object distance is an application that requires a wide distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-243529, linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 1001 or the like is performed to allocate bits equally to any object distance.","In the case where the output destination of the object distance is an application that requires distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2010-45457, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 1002 or the like is performed to allocate more bits to an object distance near the in-focus region than in other regions.","According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of, when an object distance is output based on a defocus amount, outputting an object distance that has gradation characteristics suited to the output destination of the object distance.","According to this embodiment, the object distance output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the object distance is output to.","Third Embodiment A digital camera as an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.","The configuration and the image pickup element of the digital camera as an example of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.","1 and 2, and a description thereof is omitted here unless it is necessary.","The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of defocus map output destinations are provided.","FIG.","12 is a diagram for illustrating an image generation unit, a defocus amount calculation unit, and a gradation conversion unit in the image processing unit 107 of the digital camera 100 to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.","In FIG.","12, the image generation unit 1205 adds together a plurality of object images formed from luminous fluxes that arrive from different regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system, and generates a single object image that is generated from luminous fluxes arriving from all regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system.","An image A that is denoted by 1206 and an image B that is denoted by 1207 are input to the image generation unit 1205, and the image generation unit 1205 outputs an image 1208.The image 1208 generated by the image generation unit 1205 receives further processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering.","The processed image is recorded on the recording medium 108 of FIG.","1 as a recorded image.","The defocus amount calculation unit 1201 is configured to calculate a defocus amount at a target pixel position.","The image A that is denoted by 1202 and the image B that is denoted by 1203 are input to the defocus amount calculation unit 1201, and the defocus amount calculation unit 1201 outputs a defocus amount 1204.The defocus amount calculation unit 1201 calculates the defocus amount by calculating a correlation function of correlation between the image A and the image B, or by other methods.","The defocus amount is calculated through the same processing that has been described in the first embodiment.","The defocus amount 1204 calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit 1201 is input to the gradation conversion units 1209 and 1211, respectively.","When the defocus amount 1204 is output, the gradation conversion units 1209 and 1211 perform data conversion suitable to where the defocus amount 1204 is output to, by using different gradation characteristics from each other.","The gradation conversion units 1209 and 1211 respectively output defocus maps 1210 and 1212 on which gradation conversion has been performed.","The gradation conversion is described with reference to FIGS.","5A to 5D on the premise that an interface to each defocus map output destination uses 8-bit (0 to 255) gradation in this embodiment, and that the image processing unit 107 is connected to two output destinations.","In the case where the output destination of the defocus map 1210 is an application that requires a wide distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2013-243529, the gradation conversion unit 1209 performs linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 501 or the like to allocate bits equally to any defocus amount.","In the case where the output destination of the defocus map 1212 is an application that requires distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.","2010-45457, on the other hand, the gradation conversion unit 1211 performs non-linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 502 or the like to allocate more bits to a defocus amount near the in-focus region than in other regions.","While this embodiment gives an example in which two output units, specifically, two gradation conversion units, 1209 and 1211, are provided, the same processing can be performed also when more than two output units are provided.","The gradation conversion characteristics are not limited to the conversion characteristics 501 of FIG.","5A and the conversion characteristics 502 of FIG.","5B, and may be suited to an application that is the output destination of the defocus amount as described in the first embodiment.","The output units of the third embodiment may output the object distance, instead of the defocus amount, as described in the second embodiment.","In an alternative mode, one of the output units outputs the defocus amount and the other output unit outputs the object distance.","According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of, when a defocus amount and an object distance are output to a plurality of output destinations, outputting a defocus amount and an object distance that each have gradation characteristics suited to the output destination.","According to this embodiment, the defocus amount output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the defocus amount or the like is output to.","Fourth Embodiment A digital camera as an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.","This embodiment gives an example in which distance information is output to an image processing application, the image processing application generates a processing parameter based on the distance information on which gradation conversion has been performed, and the image processing application performs processing of generating a virtual viewpoint image in which the background region of a photographed image is enlarged.","The digital camera as the image pickup apparatus to which the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.","The configuration of the digital camera as an example of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.","1 and 2, and a description thereof is omitted here unless it is necessary.","The system configuration and processing of the digital camera as the image pickup apparatus to which the image processing apparatus of this embodiment is applied are described with reference to FIGS.","13A to 14E.","As illustrated in FIG.","13A, the image processing unit 107 is provided with an image generation unit 1305, an object distance calculation unit 1301, a gradation conversion unit 1309, an image deformation parameter calculation unit 1311, and an image deformation unit 1313.Object distance information 1310 output from the gradation conversion unit 1309 is used to divide an object into regions in the image deformation unit 1313, and is used to calculate the magnification ratio of each object in the image deformation parameter calculation unit 1311.The transmission path word length of the object distance information 1310 is 8 bits (0 to 255).","As illustrated in FIG.","13B, the image deformation unit 1313 includes a region dividing unit 1321, a region-specific deformation unit 1322, and an image synthesis unit 1323.FIGS.","14A to 14E are diagrams for illustrating the processing configuration of the image pickup apparatus to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.","Each step of the processing is described with reference to FIGS.","14A to 14E.","FIG.","14A is a diagram of a photographed image 1401.The region dividing unit 1321 uses the object distance information 1310 to divide the photographed image 1401 illustrated in FIG.","14A, and generates an image 1411 (see FIG.","14B) of a region that is at the same distance as the in-focus distance (hereinafter referred to as “focused object region”), and an image 1421 (see FIG.","14C) of a plurality of background regions.","Next, the regional deformation unit (deformation processing unit) 1322 calculates a magnification ratio for each background object based on the object distance information 1310, and generates a background enlarged image 1431 (see FIG.","14D).","Lastly, the image synthesis unit 1323 combines the background enlarged image 1431 and the focused object image 1411 to generate an image 1441.Image deformation parameters are described with reference to FIG.","16.For a simpler description, FIG.","16 takes as an example a case where a focused object and two objects in the background are photographed.","Symbols in FIG.","16 represent the following.","y1: the size of the focused object y2: the size of a background object fw: focal distance at the time of photographing yw1, yw2: the size on the image plane at the time of photographing Sw1, Sw2: the distance to an object at the time of photographing fT: focal distance from a virtual viewpoint yT1, yT2: the size on the image plane of an object photographed from the virtual viewpoint ST1, ST2: object distance from the virtual viewpoint t3: the amount of camera movement from a camera position at the time of photographing to a camera position at the virtual viewpoint To generate an image in which a background object is enlarged whereas the size of the focused object remains the same, the size yT1 on the image plane of the focused object y1 photographed from the virtual viewpoint is equal to the size yw1 on the image plane of the focused object y1 at the time of photographing.","Therefore, based on the scaling relation between triangles and the lens equation, Expression (10) is established as an expression of the magnification ratio of a background.","y T 2 y W 2 = f T f W 1 s W 1 s W 2 ( f T f W - 1 ) + 1 ( 10 ) The magnification ratio of a background is defined as N=yT2/Yw2, and the background magnification ratio N is calculated from the focal distance fw at the time of photographing, the pieces of object distance information Sw1 and Sw2, and the virtual viewpoint focal distance fT.","This relation is described with reference to FIGS.","15A to 15D.","FIGS.","15A, 15C, and 15D are graphs in each of which the axis of abscissa represents the background object distance, and the axis of ordinate represents the background magnification ratio.","FIG.","15B is a diagram for illustrating an association relation between the photographed image 1401 of FIG.","14A and a variable magnification curve 1501 of FIG.","15A.","The variable magnification curve 1501 of FIG.","15A is a graph that is plotted by taking the background object distance along the axis of abscissa and the background magnification ratio along the axis of ordinate.","The variable magnification curve 1501 indicates that the value of the background magnification ratio converges when the distance grows to a certain level or more.","Background objects that are farther than a prescribed distance can therefore be processed by magnification that uses the same magnification ratio.","When the prescribed distance as a threshold for using the same magnification ratio for background objects that are located at the certain distance or more is defined as an upper limit distance Sm, the upper limit distance Sm varies depending on the focal distance at the time of photographing, the virtual focal distance, and the object distance, and cannot be determined uniquely.","The amount of change in magnification ratio is therefore used to determine the upper limit distance Sm, and a concrete description thereof is given with reference to FIG.","15C.","A variable magnification curve 1510 of FIG.","15C is the same as the variable magnification curve 1501 of FIG.","15A.","In FIG.","15C, the amount of change of the magnification ratio N with respect to a certain distance ΔSw2 is calculated, a distance at which the change amount is smaller than a prescribed value is searched for, and the found distance is determined as the upper limit distance Sm.","A change amount 1513 is smaller than the prescribed value, whereas a change amount 1512 is larger than the prescribed value.","A distance associated with the change amount 1513 is accordingly determined as the upper limit distance Sm.","The prescribed value here is set in advance to a value that makes the difference in the amount of magnification ratio change visually noticeable.","Gradation conversion that is performed when the object distance information 1310 is output to the image deformation parameter calculation unit 1311 is described with reference to FIGS.","15A and 15D.","FIG.","15D is a graph that has the object distance on the axis of abscissa and the distance map on the axis of ordinate.","A variable magnification curve 1531 indicates gradation conversion in which the distance resolution is higher for an object that is in proximity to the image pickup apparatus and is accordingly large in the amount of magnification ratio change with respect to the object distance.","In this gradation conversion, the distance resolution decreases gradually as the distance from the image pickup apparatus grows because the amount of magnification ratio change with respect to the object distance is smaller when the distance from the image pickup apparatus is greater.","At an object distance that exceeds the upper limit distance Sm, a distance map value is output as the maximum value.","According to this embodiment, it is therefore possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of outputting distance information that has gradation characteristics optimum for processing in which the distance information is used.","According to this embodiment, the distance information or the like output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the information is output to.","OTHER EMBODIMENTS Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s).","The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.","The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.","The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.","While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.","The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.","This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.","2014-167479, filed Aug. 20, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD\",\n \"An image processing apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.An image processing apparatus, comprising: an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION \"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of an embodiment, an image processing apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion.\",\n \"Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a divisional of application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/821,091, filed Aug. 7, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus control method, an image pickup apparatus, and an image pickup apparatus control method.\",\n \"Description of the Related Art There has been known a type of image pickup apparatus that uses a pupil division-type phase difference detecting method or a plurality of images different from one another in blurring to detect a defocus amount (the difference between a light receiving plane and an image forming plane of a lens).\",\n \"A method of calculating the defocus amount from the image deviation amount (parallax amount) of an image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2008-15754.An image is divided into minute blocks, a correlation value is calculated by deviating data relative to a pair of pieces of pixel data in one of the minute blocks, and a deviation amount at which the correlation is highest is obtained as the parallax amount.\",\n \"From the calculated deviation amount and a conversion efficient, which is determined based on an image pickup element's pixel pitch and a lens that are used, the defocus amount is calculated with respect to an expected image forming plane of an object image plane.\",\n \"A method of calculating the defocus amount by Depth from Defocus (DFD) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-253964.In DFD, a photographing parameter of an image pickup optical system is controlled so as to obtain a plurality of images different from one another in blurring, and the amount of correlation in blurring between a measurement target pixel and its surrounding pixels in the plurality of obtained images is calculated to calculate the defocus amount.\",\n \"The defocus amount calculated by these methods is a distance on the image plane, and object distance information can therefore be calculated further by converting the image plane distance into an object plane distance with the use of the lens equation.\",\n \"Technologies of applying the defocus amount and the object distance that are calculated by these methods to various types of image processing have been disclosed as well.\",\n \"In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2010-45457, face brightness correction includes performing processing in which a correction gain is changed in relation to the defocus amount so that the face in focus has an appropriate brightness.\",\n \"Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-243529 includes performing processing in which an image pickup apparatus uses the object distance to pick up an image of an object when the object is within a prescribed distance from the image pickup apparatus.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of an embodiment, an image processing apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image signal of a plurality of images obtained by picking up an object image that is formed by a photographing optical system; a determining unit configured to determine a defocus amount of the object image by using the image signal of the plurality of images; and a conversion unit configured to perform, on the defocus amount, gradation conversion that has at least one conversion characteristic out of a plurality of different conversion characteristics, and to output information that is based on the defocus amount converted by the gradation conversion.\",\n \"Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a diagram for illustrating the system configuration of an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram for schematically illustrating a pixel arrangement of an image pickup element in the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"4A, 4B, and 4C are graphs for showing image deviation amount detection that uses an image having parallax.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are graphs for showing examples of gradation conversion characteristics in the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between an F-value, an image deviation amount, and a defocus amount.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a graph for showing another example of the gradation conversion characteristics in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between an image pickup plane distance and an object plane distance.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a graph for showing an example of gradation conversion characteristics in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a diagram for illustrating another example of the pixel arrangement of the image pickup element.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"13A and 13B are block diagrams of an image processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E are diagrams for illustrating image generation in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are graphs for showing the relation between an object distance and a distance map in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between the object distance and a background magnification ratio in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS When the calculated defocus amount and object distance are output to the outside of an image pickup apparatus, or output to another module or application within the image pickup apparatus, the distance information needs to be converted before being output, depending on where the distance information is output to.\",\n \"For instance, some need a distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2010-45457, and others need the distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-243529.The distance information also needs to be kept under the limit word length of a transmission path that connects to the output destination of the distance information.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.\",\n \"The following embodiments describe examples of applying an image processing apparatus of the present invention to a digital camera, which is an example of an image pickup apparatus.\",\n \"First Embodiment FIG.\",\n \"1 is a block diagram for illustrating the function configuration of a digital camera as an example of an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"1, a control unit 101 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of blocks that are included in a digital camera 100 by reading the blocks' respective operation programs out of a ROM 102, and deploying the operation programs on a RAM 103 to perform the operation programs.\",\n \"The ROM 102 is a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores, in addition to the operation programs of the blocks included in the digital camera 100, parameters and other types of information necessary for the operation of the blocks.\",\n \"The RAM 103 is a rewritable volatile memory, and is used as a temporary storage area for data that is output through the operation of the blocks included in the digital camera 100.A photographing optical system 104 forms an image of an object in an image pickup unit 105.The image pickup unit 105 includes an image pickup element such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor, and outputs, to an A/D conversion unit 106, an analog image signal, which is obtained through photoelectric conversion of an optical image formed in the image pickup element by the photographing optical system 104.The A/D conversion unit 106 performs A/D conversion processing on the input analog image signal, and outputs the resultant digital image data to the RAM 103, where the digital image data is stored.\",\n \"An image processing unit 107 performs various image processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering on image data stored in the RAM 103.A recording medium 108 is a detachable memory card or the like.\",\n \"Images stored in the RAM 103, including an image that has been processed by the image processing unit 107 and an image that has been subjected to A/D conversion by the A/D conversion unit 106, are recorded on the recording medium 108 as recorded images.\",\n \"The image processing unit 107 and the recording medium 108 also handle the generation and recording of a defocus amount and an object distance, which are described later.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a diagram for schematically illustrating the pixel arrangement configuration of the image pickup unit 105 that is included in the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment.\",\n \"The pixel arrangement configuration of FIG.\",\n \"2 is the same as that of the image pickup element disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2008-15754.In FIG.\",\n \"2, each unit pixel 202 includes a micro lens 201 and a pair of photoelectric converters 203 and 204.The photoelectric converters (divided pixels) 203 and 204 receive luminous fluxes via the micro lens (pupil dividing unit) 201 from different pupil regions of an exit pupil of the photographing optical system 104.In the image pickup unit 105 of FIG.\",\n \"1 where the unit pixels 202 are arranged two-dimensionally and orderly, an image signal of an image is generated from a luminous flux that has passed through a pupil division region associated with, for example, the divided pixel 203 by collecting the photoelectric conversion output of the divided pixel 203 from each unit pixel 202.Similarly, an image signal of an image is generated from a luminous flux that has passed through another pupil division region, which is associated with the other divided pixel 204, by collecting the photoelectric conversion output of the divided pixel 204.The image pickup unit 105 can acquire a pair of image signals having parallax in this manner.\",\n \"In this embodiment, an image picked up by the photoelectric converter 203 is referred to as image A and an image picked up by the photoelectric converter 204 is referred to as image B.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a diagram for illustrating an image generation unit, a defocus amount calculation unit, and a gradation conversion unit in the image processing unit 107 of the digital camera to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.\",\n \"The image generation unit 305 adds together a plurality of object images formed from luminous fluxes that arrive from different regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system 104 (the image A and the image B in this embodiment), and generates an image corresponding to a single object image that is generated from luminous fluxes arriving from all regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system 104.The image A that is denoted by 306 and the image B that is denoted by 307 are input to the image generation unit 305, and the image generation unit 305 outputs an image 308.The image 308 generated by the image generation unit 305 receives further image processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering, and the processed image is recorded on the recording medium 108 of FIG.\",\n \"1 as a recorded image.\",\n \"The defocus amount calculation unit, which is denoted by 301, is configured to calculate a defocus amount at a target pixel position.\",\n \"The image A that is denoted by 302 and the image B that is denoted by 303 are input to the defocus amount calculation unit 301, and the defocus amount calculation unit 301 outputs a defocus amount 304.The defocus amount calculation unit 301 calculates the defocus amount by calculating a correlation function of correlation between the image A and the image B, or by other methods.\",\n \"Processing of calculating the correlation function is described.\",\n \"The processing of calculating the defocus amount from the correlation function can use a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2008-15754.Concrete processing of the calculation is described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"4A to 4C.\",\n \"In each of FIGS.\",\n \"4A to 4C, the axis of abscissa represents the image deviation amount and the axis of ordinate represents the amount of correlation between images that is expressed by Expression (1).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4A is an example in which the degree of correlation is high.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"4B and 4C are examples in which the degree of correlation is low.\",\n \"According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2008-15754, a pair of pieces of pixel data in one minute block are expressed in a generalized form as (E(1) to E(m)) and (F(1) to F(m)) (m represents the number of data pieces).\",\n \"The data series (F(1) to F(m)) is deviated relative to the data series (E(1) to E(m)) to calculate, by Expression (1), a correlation amount C(k) between the two data series at an image deviation amount k. C(k)=Σ|E(n)−F(n+k)| (1) In Expression (1), Σ operation is calculated for n. Values that n and n+k can take in this operation are limited to a range of 1 to m. The image deviation amount k is an integer, and indicates the amount of relative shift between images.\",\n \"The calculation result of Expression (1) is as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4A, and the correlation amount C(k) is smallest at a shift amount where correlation between a pair of data series is high (the degree of correlation is higher when the correlation amount is smaller).\",\n \"Subsequently, three-point interpolation by Expressions (2) to (5) is used to obtain a shift amount x that gives a minimum value C(x) for successive correlation amounts.\",\n \"x=kj+D/SLOP (2) C(x)=C(kj)−|D| (3) D={C(kj−1)−C(kj+1)}/2 (4) SLOP=MAX{C(kj+1)−C(kj),C(kj−1)−C(kj)} (5) The shift amount x obtained by Expression (2) can be used to obtain a defocus amount DEF with respect to an expected image forming plane of an object image plane by Expression (6).\",\n \"DEF=KX·PY·x (6) In Expression (6), PY represents the pixel pitch of the image pickup element (the distance between pixels that constitute the image pickup element), and KX represents a conversion coefficient that is determined based on the magnitude of the divergence angle at the barycenter of luminous fluxes that pass through a pair of distance measurement pupils.\",\n \"The unit of the conversion coefficient is mm/pix.\",\n \"The magnitude of the divergence angle at the barycenter of luminous fluxes that pass through a pair of distance measurement pupils varies depending on the size of the diaphragm opening (F-value) of the lens, and is therefore determined based on lens information.\",\n \"The details of this relation are described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"6.FIG.\",\n \"6 is a diagram for illustrating the relation between the defocus amount with respect to the expected image forming plane, the F-value, and the image deviation amount.\",\n \"Illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6 are an object plane 601 of an image pickup object, a lens 602, an expected image forming plane 603 of the image pickup element, and an image plane 604, which is located at a position of defocus by a defocus amount 605 from the expected image forming plane 603.Image deviation amounts 607 and 608, which are in relation to the F-value, are also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"6.Specifically, the image deviation amount 607 is observed when the F-value is small (the diaphragm opening is wide), and the image deviation amount 608 is observed when the F-value is large (the diaphragm opening is narrow).\",\n \"It is understood from FIG.\",\n \"6 that the image deviation amount with respect to the image plane at a defocused position is larger when the diaphragm opening is wider and smaller when the diaphragm opening is narrower.\",\n \"In other words, the image deviation amount varies depending on the F-value even at the same defocus amount.\",\n \"This is why the image deviation amount is multiplied by KX, which is a gain that is in relation to the F-value, when the defocus amount is calculated from the image deviation amount.\",\n \"Whether or not the calculated defocus amount DEF is reliable is determined as follows.\",\n \"When the degree of correlation between a pair of data series is low, the minimum value C(x) of the interpolated correlation amount is large as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4B.\",\n \"The reliability is therefore determined as low when C(x) is equal to or more than a prescribed value.\",\n \"Alternatively, the reliability is determined as low when a value that is obtained by normalizing C(x) with the contrast of data is equal to or more than a prescribed value.\",\n \"The normalization is accomplished by dividing C(x) by an SLOP value that is in proportion to the contrast.\",\n \"In the case where an SLOP value that is in proportion to the contrast is equal to or less than a prescribed value, it is determined that the object is low in contrast and the reliability of the calculated defocus amount DEF is low.\",\n \"When the degree of correlation between a pair of data series is low and the correlation amount C(k) does not drop in a prescribed shift range of from k min to k max as shown in FIG.\",\n \"4C, the minimum value C(x) cannot be obtained.\",\n \"In such cases, it is determined that the image deviation amount cannot be detected.\",\n \"In the case where the image deviation amount can be detected, the defocus amount is calculated by Expression (6).\",\n \"The sum of absolute differences (SAD) between pixels is used for the correlation function in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2008-15754.However, this embodiment is not limited thereto.\",\n \"For example, the sum of squared differences (SSD) or normalized cross correlation (NCC) between pixels may be used.\",\n \"The NCC value is larger when the degree of correlation is higher, whereas the SAD value and the SSD value are smaller when the degree of correlation is higher.\",\n \"Other than SAD and NCC, any correlation operation expression that calculates the degree of match between a pair of object images can be used.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"3, the defocus amount 304 output from the defocus amount calculation unit 301 is input to the gradation conversion unit 309.When the defocus amount 304 is output, the gradation conversion unit 309 performs data conversion suitable for where the defocus amount 304 is output to, or for a standard that is used.\",\n \"The gradation conversion unit 309 outputs a defocus amount 310 on which gradation conversion has been performed (the output is referred to as “defocus map output”).\",\n \"The gradation conversion is described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"5A to 5D on the premise that an interface to the defocus amount output destination uses 8-bit (0 to 255) gradation in this embodiment.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"5A to 5D are graphs for showing the characteristics of conversion from the defocus amount to the defocus map in the gradation conversion unit 309.The axis of abscissa represents the defocus amount and the axis of ordinate represents the defocus map in each of the graphs.\",\n \"An object for which a defocus amount of 0 [mm] is detected is a focused object.\",\n \"A positive defocus amount indicates an object that is in front of the focused object, and the distance from the focused object toward the near side grows when the defocus amount increases in the positive direction.\",\n \"A negative defocus amount indicates an object that is behind the focused object, and the distance from the focused object toward the far side grows when the defocus amount increases in the negative direction.\",\n \"In conversion characteristics 501 of FIG.\",\n \"5A, linear gradation conversion is performed on the defocus amount 304.In conversion characteristics 502 of FIG.\",\n \"5B, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion is performed on the defocus amount 304 so that more bits are allocated to a defocus amount around 0 [mm], which is near an in-focus region, than in other regions.\",\n \"In the case where the output destination of the defocus amount is an application that requires a wide distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-243529, linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 501 or the like is performed to allocate bits equally to any defocus amount.\",\n \"In the case where the output destination of the defocus amount is an application that requires distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2010-45457, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 502 or the like is performed to allocate more bits to a defocus amount near the in-focus region than in other regions.\",\n \"The non-linear characteristics of the conversion characteristics 502 is merely an example, and the gradation conversion may have non-linear characteristics that are asymmetrical with respect to a defocus amount of 0 [mm], such as conversion characteristics 503 of FIG.\",\n \"5C (more bits are allocated to an object that is behind the focused object than to an object that is in front of the focused object).\",\n \"Conversion characteristics 504 of FIG.\",\n \"5D or the like may also be used in the case of an application that needs the defocus amount of a specific object (for example, an object specified by a user).\",\n \"These candidates for gradation conversion characteristics to be employed by the gradation conversion unit 309 may be stored in advance in the ROM 102 as table data that holds an output destination or a standard and gradation conversion characteristics in association with them.\",\n \"Alternatively, the gradation conversion characteristics candidates may be received from an external apparatus that is the output destination of the defocus amount, such as a PC, a printer, or a mobile device, while the digital camera 100 is connected to the external apparatus, or from a server while the digital camera 100 is connected to the server.\",\n \"In the case where a standard is selected, gradation conversion characteristics candidates that are associated with different standards may be stored in the ROM 102 in advance.\",\n \"The gradation conversion characteristics that are employed by the gradation conversion unit 309 may be generated each time gradation conversion is performed, based on information about object detection, about the output destination of the defocus amount, or about the standard that is used.\",\n \"An output destination or a standard to which the gradation conversion characteristics are to be adapted is selected from a plurality of output destination candidates stored in advance in the ROM 102, or is determined based on information about the external apparatus given above, or about a server connected to the digital camera 100, such as an output bit count or a standard that is associated with the external apparatus or the server, by obtaining the information from the external apparatus or the server while the digital camera 100 is connected to the external apparatus or the server.\",\n \"As described in the description of Expression (6), the image deviation amount is multiplied by the gain KX, which is in relation to the F-value, when the defocus amount is calculated from the image deviation amount.\",\n \"The gradation characteristics can therefore be varied depending on the F-value.\",\n \"This adjustment is described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8.FIG.\",\n \"8 is a graph for showing the characteristics of conversion from the defocus amount to the defocus map as FIGS.\",\n \"5A to 5D are.\",\n \"The conversion characteristics of FIG.\",\n \"8 are linear gradation conversion characteristics that are adjusted based on the F-value.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"8 are gradation characteristics 801 at an F-value of 1.8, gradation characteristics 802 at an F-value of 3.5, and gradation characteristics 803 at an F-value of 5.6.Image deviation that is generated at the same defocus amount is larger in amount when the F-value is smaller, and a smaller F-value therefore means a wider distance measurement range.\",\n \"Accordingly, the gradation characteristics 801 (F=1.8) are close to linear characteristics and, when the conversion characteristics are close to the gradation characteristics 802 (F=3.5) and the gradation characteristics 803 (F=5.6), fewer bits are allocated to a larger defocus amount.\",\n \"The F-value is not the only cause of fluctuations in distance measurement range, and the base length at the time images are obtained is another factor for the fluctuations.\",\n \"A longer base length means greater parallax and a wider distance measurement range, and the gradation characteristics can therefore be varied depending on the base length.\",\n \"In the case where the distance measurement range or the distance measurement resolution varies depending on a photographing condition such as the ISO sensitivity of the image pickup element, gradation characteristics associated with the photographing condition may be used.\",\n \"The image pickup unit (sensor) 105 of the image pickup apparatus configured to acquire image signals having parallax is not limited to the pixel arrangement of FIG.\",\n \"2, and may have a pixel arrangement structure illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11.In FIG.\",\n \"11, each pixel 1106 includes a micro lens 1105 and two pairs of photoelectric converters, 1101 and 1104, and 1102 and 1103.The pixels 1106 are arranged two-dimensionally and orderly in the image pickup unit 105.The photoelectric converter 1101 picks up an image A.\",\n \"The photoelectric converter 1102 picks up an image B.\",\n \"The photoelectric converter 1103 picks up an image C. The photoelectric converter 1104 picks up an image D. An image and a defocus map are generated from the image A, the image B, the image C, and the image D as in FIG.\",\n \"3.While an example of using a pupil division image pickup element is used for the defocus amount calculation has been described here, the defocus amount calculation is not limited thereto.\",\n \"The defocus amount may be calculated with the use of images that are acquired from a compound-eye camera in which lenses and an image pickup element are arranged in stereo.\",\n \"DFD described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-253964 and related art may be used instead of calculating the defocus amount from the image deviation amount of an image.\",\n \"In DFD, the defocus amount is calculated from a blurring evaluation value, which is based on the powers of a plurality of images different from one another in blurring.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, it is therefore possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of, when a defocus amount is output, outputting a defocus amount that has gradation characteristics suited to the output destination of the defocus amount.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, the defocus amount output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the defocus amount is output to.\",\n \"Second Embodiment A digital camera as an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.\",\n \"The configuration and the image pickup element of the digital camera as an example of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2, and a description thereof is omitted here unless it is necessary.\",\n \"The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that output information of the gradation conversion unit is the object distance (object plane distance).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a diagram for illustrating an image generation unit, a defocus amount calculation unit, an object distance calculation unit, and a gradation conversion unit in the image processing unit 107 of the digital camera 100 to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.\",\n \"The image generation unit 705 adds together a plurality of object images formed from luminous fluxes that arrive from different regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system, and generates a single object image that is generated from luminous fluxes arriving from all regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system.\",\n \"An image A that is denoted by 706 and an image B that is denoted by 707 are input to the image generation unit 705, and the image generation unit 705 outputs an image 708.The image 708 generated by the image generation unit 705 receives further processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering.\",\n \"The processed image is recorded on the recording medium 108 of FIG.\",\n \"1 as a recorded image.\",\n \"The defocus amount calculation unit 701 is configured to calculate a defocus amount at a target pixel position.\",\n \"The image A that is denoted by 702 and the image B that is denoted by 703 are input to the defocus amount calculation unit 701, and the defocus amount calculation unit 701 outputs a defocus amount 704.The defocus amount calculation unit 701 calculates the defocus amount by calculating a correlation function of correlation between the image A and the image B, or by other methods.\",\n \"The defocus amount is calculated through the same processing that has been described above.\",\n \"The defocus amount 704 calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit 701 is input to the object distance calculation unit 709.The object distance calculation unit 709 is configured to convert the defocus amount 704 into an object distance 710, and is described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"9.FIG.\",\n \"9 is a diagram for illustrating conversion from the image pickup plane distance to the object plane distance.\",\n \"Illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"9 are a focused object plane 901, a lens 902, an image pickup plane 903, and an image pickup plane position 904 at which the image is defocused by a defocus amount 905.An in-focus object distance OBJ (0), an image pick up plane distance S(0) relative to a focused object, and an object distance OBJ (def), which is measured, are also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"9.Based on the lens equation, the following expressions are established respectively for the in-focus object distance OBJ (0) and the object distance OBJ (def), which is measured.\",\n \"1 OBJ ( 0 ) + 1 S ( 0 ) = 1 f ( 7 ) 1 OBJ ( def ) + 1 S ( 0 ) + def = 1 f ( 8 ) Based on Expressions (7) and (8), transformation in which OBJ(def) constitutes the left side member is performed to obtain the following expression.\",\n \"OBJ ( def ) = ( S ( 0 ) + def ) * f ( S ( 0 ) + def ) - f ( 9 ) Expression (9) can be used in the conversion from the defocus amount to the object distance.\",\n \"When the object distance 710 is output, the gradation conversion unit 711 performs data conversion suitable for where the object distance 710 is output to.\",\n \"The gradation conversion unit 711 outputs an object distance 712 on which gradation conversion has been performed (the output is referred to as “distance map output”).\",\n \"The gradation conversion is described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"10 on the premise that an interface to the object distance output destination uses 8-bit (0 to 255) gradation in this embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a graph for showing an example of the conversion characteristics of conversion from the object distance to the distance map in the gradation conversion unit 711.In the example, the graph has an axis of abscissa that represents the object distance and an axis of ordinate that represents the distance map, and the distance to the focused object is 5,000 [mm].\",\n \"In conversion characteristics 1001, linear gradation conversion is performed on the object distance 710.In conversion characteristics 1002, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion is performed on the object distance 710 so that more bits are allocated to an object distance around 5,000 [mm], which is near an in-focus region, than in other regions.\",\n \"In the case where the output destination of the object distance is an application that requires a wide distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-243529, linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 1001 or the like is performed to allocate bits equally to any object distance.\",\n \"In the case where the output destination of the object distance is an application that requires distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2010-45457, on the other hand, non-linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 1002 or the like is performed to allocate more bits to an object distance near the in-focus region than in other regions.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of, when an object distance is output based on a defocus amount, outputting an object distance that has gradation characteristics suited to the output destination of the object distance.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, the object distance output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the object distance is output to.\",\n \"Third Embodiment A digital camera as an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.\",\n \"The configuration and the image pickup element of the digital camera as an example of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2, and a description thereof is omitted here unless it is necessary.\",\n \"The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of defocus map output destinations are provided.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a diagram for illustrating an image generation unit, a defocus amount calculation unit, and a gradation conversion unit in the image processing unit 107 of the digital camera 100 to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"12, the image generation unit 1205 adds together a plurality of object images formed from luminous fluxes that arrive from different regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system, and generates a single object image that is generated from luminous fluxes arriving from all regions of the pupil of the photographing optical system.\",\n \"An image A that is denoted by 1206 and an image B that is denoted by 1207 are input to the image generation unit 1205, and the image generation unit 1205 outputs an image 1208.The image 1208 generated by the image generation unit 1205 receives further processing such as white balance adjustment, color interpolation, reduction/enlargement, and filtering.\",\n \"The processed image is recorded on the recording medium 108 of FIG.\",\n \"1 as a recorded image.\",\n \"The defocus amount calculation unit 1201 is configured to calculate a defocus amount at a target pixel position.\",\n \"The image A that is denoted by 1202 and the image B that is denoted by 1203 are input to the defocus amount calculation unit 1201, and the defocus amount calculation unit 1201 outputs a defocus amount 1204.The defocus amount calculation unit 1201 calculates the defocus amount by calculating a correlation function of correlation between the image A and the image B, or by other methods.\",\n \"The defocus amount is calculated through the same processing that has been described in the first embodiment.\",\n \"The defocus amount 1204 calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit 1201 is input to the gradation conversion units 1209 and 1211, respectively.\",\n \"When the defocus amount 1204 is output, the gradation conversion units 1209 and 1211 perform data conversion suitable to where the defocus amount 1204 is output to, by using different gradation characteristics from each other.\",\n \"The gradation conversion units 1209 and 1211 respectively output defocus maps 1210 and 1212 on which gradation conversion has been performed.\",\n \"The gradation conversion is described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"5A to 5D on the premise that an interface to each defocus map output destination uses 8-bit (0 to 255) gradation in this embodiment, and that the image processing unit 107 is connected to two output destinations.\",\n \"In the case where the output destination of the defocus map 1210 is an application that requires a wide distance measurement range as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2013-243529, the gradation conversion unit 1209 performs linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 501 or the like to allocate bits equally to any defocus amount.\",\n \"In the case where the output destination of the defocus map 1212 is an application that requires distance resolution near the in-focus region as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.\",\n \"2010-45457, on the other hand, the gradation conversion unit 1211 performs non-linear gradation conversion having the conversion characteristics 502 or the like to allocate more bits to a defocus amount near the in-focus region than in other regions.\",\n \"While this embodiment gives an example in which two output units, specifically, two gradation conversion units, 1209 and 1211, are provided, the same processing can be performed also when more than two output units are provided.\",\n \"The gradation conversion characteristics are not limited to the conversion characteristics 501 of FIG.\",\n \"5A and the conversion characteristics 502 of FIG.\",\n \"5B, and may be suited to an application that is the output destination of the defocus amount as described in the first embodiment.\",\n \"The output units of the third embodiment may output the object distance, instead of the defocus amount, as described in the second embodiment.\",\n \"In an alternative mode, one of the output units outputs the defocus amount and the other output unit outputs the object distance.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of, when a defocus amount and an object distance are output to a plurality of output destinations, outputting a defocus amount and an object distance that each have gradation characteristics suited to the output destination.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, the defocus amount output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the defocus amount or the like is output to.\",\n \"Fourth Embodiment A digital camera as an image pickup apparatus to which an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.\",\n \"This embodiment gives an example in which distance information is output to an image processing application, the image processing application generates a processing parameter based on the distance information on which gradation conversion has been performed, and the image processing application performs processing of generating a virtual viewpoint image in which the background region of a photographed image is enlarged.\",\n \"The digital camera as the image pickup apparatus to which the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied is described below.\",\n \"The configuration of the digital camera as an example of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2, and a description thereof is omitted here unless it is necessary.\",\n \"The system configuration and processing of the digital camera as the image pickup apparatus to which the image processing apparatus of this embodiment is applied are described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"13A to 14E.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13A, the image processing unit 107 is provided with an image generation unit 1305, an object distance calculation unit 1301, a gradation conversion unit 1309, an image deformation parameter calculation unit 1311, and an image deformation unit 1313.Object distance information 1310 output from the gradation conversion unit 1309 is used to divide an object into regions in the image deformation unit 1313, and is used to calculate the magnification ratio of each object in the image deformation parameter calculation unit 1311.The transmission path word length of the object distance information 1310 is 8 bits (0 to 255).\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13B, the image deformation unit 1313 includes a region dividing unit 1321, a region-specific deformation unit 1322, and an image synthesis unit 1323.FIGS.\",\n \"14A to 14E are diagrams for illustrating the processing configuration of the image pickup apparatus to which the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied.\",\n \"Each step of the processing is described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"14A to 14E.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14A is a diagram of a photographed image 1401.The region dividing unit 1321 uses the object distance information 1310 to divide the photographed image 1401 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14A, and generates an image 1411 (see FIG.\",\n \"14B) of a region that is at the same distance as the in-focus distance (hereinafter referred to as “focused object region”), and an image 1421 (see FIG.\",\n \"14C) of a plurality of background regions.\",\n \"Next, the regional deformation unit (deformation processing unit) 1322 calculates a magnification ratio for each background object based on the object distance information 1310, and generates a background enlarged image 1431 (see FIG.\",\n \"14D).\",\n \"Lastly, the image synthesis unit 1323 combines the background enlarged image 1431 and the focused object image 1411 to generate an image 1441.Image deformation parameters are described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"16.For a simpler description, FIG.\",\n \"16 takes as an example a case where a focused object and two objects in the background are photographed.\",\n \"Symbols in FIG.\",\n \"16 represent the following.\",\n \"y1: the size of the focused object y2: the size of a background object fw: focal distance at the time of photographing yw1, yw2: the size on the image plane at the time of photographing Sw1, Sw2: the distance to an object at the time of photographing fT: focal distance from a virtual viewpoint yT1, yT2: the size on the image plane of an object photographed from the virtual viewpoint ST1, ST2: object distance from the virtual viewpoint t3: the amount of camera movement from a camera position at the time of photographing to a camera position at the virtual viewpoint To generate an image in which a background object is enlarged whereas the size of the focused object remains the same, the size yT1 on the image plane of the focused object y1 photographed from the virtual viewpoint is equal to the size yw1 on the image plane of the focused object y1 at the time of photographing.\",\n \"Therefore, based on the scaling relation between triangles and the lens equation, Expression (10) is established as an expression of the magnification ratio of a background.\",\n \"y T 2 y W 2 = f T f W 1 s W 1 s W 2 ( f T f W - 1 ) + 1 ( 10 ) The magnification ratio of a background is defined as N=yT2/Yw2, and the background magnification ratio N is calculated from the focal distance fw at the time of photographing, the pieces of object distance information Sw1 and Sw2, and the virtual viewpoint focal distance fT.\",\n \"This relation is described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"15A to 15D.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"15A, 15C, and 15D are graphs in each of which the axis of abscissa represents the background object distance, and the axis of ordinate represents the background magnification ratio.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15B is a diagram for illustrating an association relation between the photographed image 1401 of FIG.\",\n \"14A and a variable magnification curve 1501 of FIG.\",\n \"15A.\",\n \"The variable magnification curve 1501 of FIG.\",\n \"15A is a graph that is plotted by taking the background object distance along the axis of abscissa and the background magnification ratio along the axis of ordinate.\",\n \"The variable magnification curve 1501 indicates that the value of the background magnification ratio converges when the distance grows to a certain level or more.\",\n \"Background objects that are farther than a prescribed distance can therefore be processed by magnification that uses the same magnification ratio.\",\n \"When the prescribed distance as a threshold for using the same magnification ratio for background objects that are located at the certain distance or more is defined as an upper limit distance Sm, the upper limit distance Sm varies depending on the focal distance at the time of photographing, the virtual focal distance, and the object distance, and cannot be determined uniquely.\",\n \"The amount of change in magnification ratio is therefore used to determine the upper limit distance Sm, and a concrete description thereof is given with reference to FIG.\",\n \"15C.\",\n \"A variable magnification curve 1510 of FIG.\",\n \"15C is the same as the variable magnification curve 1501 of FIG.\",\n \"15A.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"15C, the amount of change of the magnification ratio N with respect to a certain distance ΔSw2 is calculated, a distance at which the change amount is smaller than a prescribed value is searched for, and the found distance is determined as the upper limit distance Sm.\",\n \"A change amount 1513 is smaller than the prescribed value, whereas a change amount 1512 is larger than the prescribed value.\",\n \"A distance associated with the change amount 1513 is accordingly determined as the upper limit distance Sm.\",\n \"The prescribed value here is set in advance to a value that makes the difference in the amount of magnification ratio change visually noticeable.\",\n \"Gradation conversion that is performed when the object distance information 1310 is output to the image deformation parameter calculation unit 1311 is described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"15A and 15D.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15D is a graph that has the object distance on the axis of abscissa and the distance map on the axis of ordinate.\",\n \"A variable magnification curve 1531 indicates gradation conversion in which the distance resolution is higher for an object that is in proximity to the image pickup apparatus and is accordingly large in the amount of magnification ratio change with respect to the object distance.\",\n \"In this gradation conversion, the distance resolution decreases gradually as the distance from the image pickup apparatus grows because the amount of magnification ratio change with respect to the object distance is smaller when the distance from the image pickup apparatus is greater.\",\n \"At an object distance that exceeds the upper limit distance Sm, a distance map value is output as the maximum value.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, it is therefore possible to provide the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus capable of outputting distance information that has gradation characteristics optimum for processing in which the distance information is used.\",\n \"According to this embodiment, the distance information or the like output by the image processing apparatus and the image pickup apparatus can therefore be used favorably where the information is output to.\",\n \"OTHER EMBODIMENTS Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s).\",\n \"The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.\",\n \"The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.\",\n \"The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.\",\n \"While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.\",\n \"This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.\",\n \"2014-167479, filed Aug. 20, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872465"}}},{"rowIdx":4494083,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["PORTABLE BAG HAVING IMPROVED HANDLING FEATURES AND IMPROVED VOLUMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ASSEMBLY FOR USE THEREWITH","A portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment, the surfaces including a front and rear surface connected by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of side surfaces, and at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions.","An associated assembly is also provided, including the portable bag further comprising a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces and the assembly further comprising a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets."],["1.A portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, said plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of planar side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of planar side surfaces, each of said at least two handling extensions bisecting a respective area defined by each of said pair of planar side surfaces; at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions; and at least one side crease bisecting each of said pair of planar side surfaces, each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned and extending along a length of said at least one side crease on each of said pair of planar side surfaces of said portable bag.","2.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said at least two handling openings consist of two handling openings; and a single one of the two handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.","3.The portable bag of claim 2, wherein each of said single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of said at least two handling extensions.","4.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.","5.The portable bag of claim 4, wherein each of said pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of at least two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of said pair of handling openings being positioned opposite said horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within said pair.","6.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; and each of said at least two handling extensions is hemmed along the length of said at least one side crease on each of said side surfaces of said portable bag.","7.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein said at least two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond said length of said at least one side crease on each of said side surfaces of said portable bag.","8.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and each of said at least two handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of a height of said portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of said side surfaces adjacent said top surface and an edge of said side surfaces adjacent said bottom surface.","9.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein: said at least two handling openings comprise two handling openings; and a single one of the two handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.","10.The portable bag of claim 9, wherein each of said single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of said at least two handling extensions.","11.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein: said at least two handling openings consist of four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.","12.The portable bag of claim 11, wherein each of said pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of said two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of said pair of handling openings being positioned opposite said horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within said pair.","13.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein said bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, said interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","14.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; said top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, said closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of said top surface; and said closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","15.The portable bag of claim 14, wherein: said top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and said closure mechanism is positioned intermediate said first and second top portions, said closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate said first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening there-between, said opening being configured for receipt of said articles to be held in the portable bag.","16.The portable bag of claim 15, wherein: said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; and said closure mechanism is configured such that said first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","17.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface; said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; said portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; said plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of said pair of side surfaces, said at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and said single bottom crease is defined on said bottom surface of said portable bag.","18.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; said portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; said plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of said pair of side surfaces, said at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and said single front crease is defined on a lower portion of said front surface of said portable bag, said lower portion being nearer said bottom surface of said portable bag than said top surface.","19.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; said portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of said portable bags; and said at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer said top surface than said bottom surface of said portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of said portable bag relative to said assembly.","20.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein the at least two handling extensions are each positioned substantially perpendicular to the respective one of said pair of side surfaces.","21.A portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, said plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of planar side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of planar side surfaces, each of said at least two handling extensions bisecting a respective area defined by each of said pair of planar side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions, wherein the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration."],[" BACKGROUND "],[" BRIEF SUMMARY Therefore, the object of various embodiments of the present invention is to provide portable bags having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics to facilitate more efficient and effective transport of small packages therein.","Associated systems for use with the same are also provided Various embodiments of the present invention achieve the aforementioned and other objects via a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.","The assembly comprises at least one portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","Each portable bag comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","According to still further embodiments of the present invention, another portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In still further embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the four handling extensions.","In another embodiment, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions.","In certain embodiments, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise eight handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the four handling extensions.","In these and other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In at least one of such embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In another embodiment, each of the two handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.","In yet another embodiment, the at least two handling openings comprise two handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one of these embodiments, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions.","In certain other embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the two handling extensions.","In other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.","In still further embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","In another embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","In certain other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface In yet another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.","The assembly comprises a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","The portable bag in at least these embodiments comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","The assembly in certain embodiments further comprises a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In still other embodiments of the assembly, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","In still other embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In these and still other embodiments, the at least one handle may comprise two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.","In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein, and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handles comprise four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.","Still further, in certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces, and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In these and still other embodiments the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","In at least one embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface, and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In certain variations of at least this embodiment, the top surface may also comprise a first top portion and a second top portion, and the closure mechanism may be positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces, and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","In still another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","According to other various embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","According to still other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","According to certain other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to various embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","In at least one of these embodiments, the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.","In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In at least one embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In any of these and still other embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","According to still additional various embodiments, an assembly is provided for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles.","The assembly in at least these embodiments may comprise a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","The portable bag may comprise: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In these and still other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In certain embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.","In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In another embodiment, on the portable bag each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In various embodiments of the assembly also the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In various of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","According to still further embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In these and other embodiments, the at least one handle comprises two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.","In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In other embodiments, the at least two handles comprises four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In at least one embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","In certain further embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In these and other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In at least this embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","In yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In these and other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the at least one elongate flap extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.","Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In certain of these embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering of the portable bag comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle of the portable bag comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","According to still further various embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In certain embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","In at least one of these embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.","In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In another embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","According to yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the pair of side surfaces of the portable bag.","In one such embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In this and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In yet another embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In other embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","According to yet still further various embodiments, there is provided yet another assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","According to various embodiments of at least this assembly, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In other embodiments, on the portable bag: the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","According to various embodiments of at least this assembly the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to still further embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one such embodiment, on the portable bag: the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In another embodiment, on the portable bag, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In yet other embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In one such embodiment, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser.","No.","15/333,815, filed Oct. 25, 2016, which nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser.","No.","15/014,396, filed Feb. 3, 2016 and now granted U.S. Pat.","No.","9,505,526, which nonprovisional application further claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","62/114,408, filed Feb. 10, 2015, the contents of all of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","BACKGROUND Technical Field The present invention is generally related to provision of a portable bag having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics.","Related Art Traditionally, portable bags have been used for the transport of small packages by common carriers within a variety of transportation networks.","Such portable bags permit consolidation of small packages based upon various considerations, such as a common destination or recipient.","At the same time, efficiencies of scale are realized, as the handling for the small packages is significantly reduced.","Conventional portable bags have been typically of a “pillow-case” type configuration, whereby two facing surfaces are stitched together relative to one another in a fashion so as to leave a single opening.","In this manner, a substantially “V-shaped” pocket is created for insertion therein of one or more small packages.","So as to facilitate at least semi-automated handling of such conventional portable bags, no peripheral accessories are typically incorporated therein.","In certain scenarios, the substantially “V-shaped” pocket created with the conventional portable bag configuration results in less than efficient utilization of the space therein.","This is especially problematic where different sized and square or rectangular-shaped packages need to be placed within the portable bag for consolidated transport.","Not only are oftentimes packages difficult to load within such a space, but the loading thereof can also result in a significant degree of unused or under-utilized space.","Still further, upon loading of the small packages within the conventional portable bags, handling thereof is, in certain scenarios, less than optimal.","Thus, a need exists for portable bags having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics to facilitate more efficient and effective transport of small packages therein.","BRIEF SUMMARY Therefore, the object of various embodiments of the present invention is to provide portable bags having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics to facilitate more efficient and effective transport of small packages therein.","Associated systems for use with the same are also provided Various embodiments of the present invention achieve the aforementioned and other objects via a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.","The assembly comprises at least one portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","Each portable bag comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","According to still further embodiments of the present invention, another portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In still further embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the four handling extensions.","In another embodiment, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions.","In certain embodiments, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise eight handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the four handling extensions.","In these and other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In at least one of such embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In another embodiment, each of the two handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.","In yet another embodiment, the at least two handling openings comprise two handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one of these embodiments, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions.","In certain other embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the two handling extensions.","In other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.","In still further embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","In another embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","In certain other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface In yet another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.","The assembly comprises a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","The portable bag in at least these embodiments comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","The assembly in certain embodiments further comprises a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In still other embodiments of the assembly, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","In still other embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In these and still other embodiments, the at least one handle may comprise two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.","In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein, and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handles comprise four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.","Still further, in certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces, and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In these and still other embodiments the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","In at least one embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface, and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In certain variations of at least this embodiment, the top surface may also comprise a first top portion and a second top portion, and the closure mechanism may be positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces, and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","In still another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","According to other various embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","According to still other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","According to certain other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to various embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","In at least one of these embodiments, the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.","In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In at least one embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In any of these and still other embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","According to still additional various embodiments, an assembly is provided for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles.","The assembly in at least these embodiments may comprise a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","The portable bag may comprise: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In these and still other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In certain embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.","In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In another embodiment, on the portable bag each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In various embodiments of the assembly also the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In various of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","According to still further embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In these and other embodiments, the at least one handle comprises two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.","In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In other embodiments, the at least two handles comprises four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In at least one embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","In certain further embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In these and other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In at least this embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.","In yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In these and other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the at least one elongate flap extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.","Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In certain of these embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering of the portable bag comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle of the portable bag comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","According to still further various embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In certain embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.","In at least one of these embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.","In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In another embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","According to yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the pair of side surfaces of the portable bag.","In one such embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In this and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In yet another embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In other embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","According to yet still further various embodiments, there is provided yet another assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.","In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.","In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.","In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.","According to various embodiments of at least this assembly, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.","In other embodiments, on the portable bag: the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.","According to various embodiments of at least this assembly the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.","In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.","In another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.","In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.","According to still further embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.","In at least one such embodiment, on the portable bag: the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In another embodiment, on the portable bag, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.","In yet other embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In at least one embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.","In other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In one such embodiment, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.","In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.","In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.","1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable bag 1 having integrated handling openings according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","2 is a front view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating a front surface 10 thereof; FIG.","3 is a rear of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating a rear surface 11 thereof, the rear surface being substantially identical to the front surface of FIG.","2; FIG.","4 is a first side view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating a first side surface 12 thereof; FIG.","5 is a second side view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating a second side surface 13 thereof, the second side surface being substantially identical to the first side surface of FIG.","4; FIG.","6 is a top view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating a top surface portions 14a, 14b and a closure mechanism 4 thereof; FIG.","7 is a bottom view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating a bottom surface 15 thereof; FIG.","8 is another perspective view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating the portable bag in a first folded configuration 20a according to various embodiments; FIG.","9 is yet another perspective view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating the portable bag in a second folded configuration 20b according to various embodiments, oriented for use with a wire rack assembly 22; FIG.","10 is yet another perspective view of the portable bag of FIG.","1, illustrating the portable bag in an unfolded configuration 30 according to various embodiments, as likewise oriented for use with the wire rack assembly 22; FIG.","11 is a front view of a portable bag 101 having integrated handling openings according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","12 is a front view of a portable bag 201 having integrated handling openings according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","13 is a perspective view of a portable bag 301 having integrated handling openings according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","14 is a perspective view of a portable bag 401 having integrated handling openings according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","15 is a perspective view of a portable bag 501 having integrated handling openings according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","16 is a perspective view of a portable bag 601 having integrated handling openings according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","17A is a top view of a portable bag 701 having integrated handling openings according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","17B is a top view of a portable bag 801 having integrated handling openings according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","17C is a top view of a portable bag 901 having integrated handling openings according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","17D is a top view of a portable bag 1001 having integrated handling openings according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","18 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1101 having integrated handling openings according to a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","19 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1201 having integrated handling openings according to a thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","20 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1301 having integrated handling openings according to a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","21 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1401 having integrated handling openings according to a fifteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","22 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1500 having integrated handling openings according to a sixteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","23 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1600 having integrated handling openings according to a seventeenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","24 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1700 having integrated handling openings according to an eighteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.","25 is an illustration of a first exemplary assembly configured for use with the portable bags according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and FIG.","26 is an illustration of a second exemplary assembly configured for use with the portable bags according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown.","Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.","Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.","Portable Bag 1 FIG.","1 illustrates a portable bag 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention.","The portable bag 1 comprises a plurality of external surfaces including a front surface 10 (see FIG.","2), a rear surface 11 (see FIG.","3), a first side surface 12 (see FIG.","4), a second side surface (see FIG.","5), and one or more top surface portions 14a, 14b (see FIG.","6).","Each of these surfaces may be, in certain embodiments, secured relative to one another in a stitched or hemmed configuration so as to define a set of edge hems 2 and corner hems 8 (see FIGS.","2-7), as such are commonly known or understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.","In other embodiments, the surfaces may be formed by one or more creases in an otherwise seamless material, as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications, and as may be comparable to the side creases 7a-c (see FIGS.","4-5) and the bottom crease (see FIG.","7) described further below.","With reference to FIGS.","2 and 3, it may be understood therefrom that the front surface 10 and the back surface 11 of the portable bag 1 may be in certain embodiments substantially identical relative to one another.","For example, each contain a pair of eyelets 5a, 5b configured to receive there-through portions of a wire rack or rack assembly 22, as will be described in further detail below, with reference to at least FIGS.","9-10.Still further, each of the front and back surfaces 10, 11 contain in certain embodiments a pair of handling openings 6a, 6b positioned substantially along a horizontal midpoint line M thereof (see FIG.","1).","Of course, in other embodiments, the front and back surfaces 10, 11 may have one or more different elements, for example, the portable bag 1 may have only handling openings 6a or handling openings 6b, such that the handling openings exist on only one or the other of the front and back surfaces 10, 11.In still other embodiments, as will be described elsewhere herein, the positioning of the handling openings 6a, 6b may also differ as between the front and back surfaces 10, 11, and/or further still relative to the pattern and/or number thereof contained on any one surface, whether the front or back surface 10, 11.With reference to FIGS.","4 and 5, it may be understood therefrom that the first side surface 12 and the second side surface 13 of the portable bag 1 may be in certain embodiments substantially identical relative to one another.","For example, each may contain a set of creases 7a-c formed thereon, so as to facilitate folding of the portable bag 1 between an open or unfolded configuration 30 (see FIG.","10) and a first or second folded configuration 20a, 20b (see FIGS.","8 and 9), all as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein.","In at least the illustrated embodiment, a configuration of three creases 7a-c are provided in each side surface 12, 13, namely a primary and substantially vertical crease 7a and two secondary and substantially diagonal creases 7b, 7c—each branching off from the primary crease and extending from an end thereof to respective corner hems 8 of the portable bag 1.In other embodiments, alternative numbers of creases and/or alternative crease configurations may exist, provided such likewise facilitate folding of the portable bag 1 into a substantially flat and folded configuration, such as that illustrated in FIGS.","8 and 9.With reference to FIG.","6, it may be understood therefrom that the top surface may in certain embodiments, as illustrated, contain two surface portions 14a, 14b.","In at least the illustrated embodiment, each surface portion 14a, 14b comprises approximately one half of the totality of the top surface of the portable bag 1.Each may also have in certain embodiments a closure mechanism 4 attached to a portion thereof intermediate each surface portion 14a, 14b.","Such closure mechanism 4 is configured, according to these and still other embodiments, to facilitate secure sealing of the portable bag 1 upon filling thereof with a plurality of packages (e.g., small packages for transport by a common carrier server).","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may extend along an entirety of a length or width of the top surface; in other embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may be centrally or otherwise located within a periphery of the top surface, as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein with reference to at least FIGS.","17A-D.","Turning now to FIG.","7, it may be understood therefrom that the bottom surface 15 of the portable bag 1 may much like the side surfaces 12, 13 contain thereon at least one crease 15a.","Such is, according to certain embodiments, configured to facilitate folding of the portable bag 1 into a substantially flat and folded configuration, such as that illustrated in FIGS.","8 and 9.Such combinations of creases, so as to facilitate folding may take alternative forms.","For example, a crease may instead appear on one of the front or rear surfaces 10, 11—with no crease thus necessary or formed upon the bottom surface 15 in at least such embodiments.","With continued reference to FIGS.","1-7 generally, it should be understood that according to various embodiments, the front surface 10, back or rear surface 11, and first and second side surfaces 12, 13 of the portable bag 1 may be substantially rectangular in shape.","In those and other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces 14a, 14b, 15 may each be substantially square-shaped when viewed in their entirety.","In those embodiments where the top surfaces 14a, 14b each form approximately one half of the total top surface (see FIG.","6), each of such surfaces may also be substantially rectangular in shape, but smaller in size relative to the front, back, and side surfaces 10-13.Of course, in still other embodiments, the surfaces 10-15 may be otherwise shaped, whether square, rectangular, triangular, a combination thereof, or otherwise, however as may be desirable for particular applications.","Returning to FIG.","1, it may be seen that the top surface portions 14a, 14b are, in certain embodiments, selectively secured relative to one another via a closure mechanism 4.In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism 4 is a zipper, as may be seen likewise in FIG.","6.In other embodiments, the closure mechanism may comprise any of a variety of closure mechanisms commonly known or understood in the art as useful for selectively securing two separate components or items relative to one another, including but not limited to the non-limiting examples of magnetic strips, magnetic dots, adhesive bonding material, a spring-loaded or otherwise biased assembly, Velcro®, interlacing and/or interlocking components, or the like.","According to various embodiments, the portable bag 1 of FIGS.","1-7 is equipped with an internal liner 3 configured to encompass substantially an entirety of the internal volume of the portable bag.","In this manner, in certain embodiments, the internal liner 3 defines the cavity filled by the plurality of packages placed within the portable bag 1.As a result, so as to maximize the volume available for the plurality of packages, the liner 3 is, in these and other embodiments, hemmed to internal edges or seams of the surfaces 10-15 of the portable bag, as such have been described previously herein.","In still other embodiments, the internal liner 3 may be otherwise adhered or affixed to an internal surface of the portable bag 1, whether via a bonding procedure or any of a variety of procedures as commonly known and understood in the art and configured for retaining and/or otherwise securing two components relative to one another.","With reference now to FIGS.","2-3, it may be seen that the interior liner 3 may be configured so as to substantially adhere to the edges 2 (whether hemmed or not) of the portable bag 1.This is the case in certain embodiments relative to a majority of the interior liner 3.In particular embodiments, however, such as that illustrated in FIGS.","1-7, at least a portion of the interior liner 3 is not adhered directly to the surfaces 10-15 of the portable bag 1.This may be understood with reference to FIGS.","4-5, wherein a cavity or pocket 9 is illustrated, such that all around the circumference thereof the interior liner 3 remains adhered or otherwise secured relative to the portable bag 1.The cavity or pocket 9 substantially aligns with the handling opening(s) 6a, as illustrated in FIG.","2, so as to enable a user to place his/her hands through the handling openings to hold or otherwise transport or move the portable bag 1 without at the same time passing his/her hands through the interior liner 3.In addition to not only preventing user access to the plurality of packages stored within the portable bag 1, this cavity or pocket 9 containing liner 3 configuration ensures that no packages can inadvertently pass through the handling openings and out of the portable bag 1.With continued reference to FIGS.","4-5, with incorporation further of FIGS.","1-3, it should be understood that multiple cavities or pockets 9 may be present, for example, one associated with each of the handling openings 6a, 6b, adjacent both the front and the rear surfaces of the portable bag 1.Of course, in still other embodiments, the interior liner 3 may be configured and secured relative to the portable bag 1 such that no cavities or pockets 9 are formed therebetween, as may be advantageous or otherwise desirable in configurations such as that of portable bag 301 (see FIG.","13), wherein no integrated handling openings are provided on a surface of the portable bag.","According to various embodiments, the interior liner 3 may be constructed of any of a variety of materials, comparable and including the non-limiting examples of materials set forth previously herein with respect to the surfaces 10-15 of the portable bag 1 itself.","In other embodiments, the interior liner 3 may be otherwise constructed, however, as may be desirable.","Returning now to FIGS.","1-3, illustrated therein are a set of handling openings 6a located on the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1.Corresponding handling openings 6b appear, in at least the illustrated embodiment, upon the opposing and rear or back surface 11 of the portable bag 1.In other embodiments, it should be understood that only one or the other of openings 6a, 6b may be provided, as may be desirable, for example, where only openings upon a front surface may be useful for a particular application.","Still further, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-3, the handling openings 6a, 6b may be, each as a set, substantially aligned along a horizontal midpoint line M of the front surface 10.Of course, in other embodiments, as will be described in detail further below, differing placement configurations may be provided, along with differing total numbers of handling openings (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or more).","As may also be understood from FIGS.","1-3, the handling openings 6a, 6b are according to various embodiments defined at least in part by a grommet, as such are commonly known or understood in the art.","Such may be provided, as a non-limiting example, so as to provide improved durability of the handling openings 6a, 6b.","Details regarding the shape, size, color, and even material of such grommets are described in detail further below.","Remaining now with FIG.","1, in particular, it should be understood therefrom further that such involves a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment; in other embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b, formed as orifices or holes in the surfaces 10, 11 of the portable bag 12 may simply be hemmed around a periphery thereof, likewise so as to provide a desired degree of durability thereof for reuse over time.","In still other embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b may be formed, defined, or otherwise strengthened for durability and the like by one or more mechanisms other than grommets, stitching, hemming, or the like.","As illustrated in FIGS.","1-3, the handling openings 6a, 6b are according to various embodiments substantially circular in shape.","In certain embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b are shaped in this fashion so as to facilitate and other enable passage of a user's hand there-through.","In these and other embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b are likewise appropriately sized so as to permit passage of a typically sized user's hand therethrough.","Also illustrated in FIGS.","1-3 are a set of eyelets 5a located upon at least the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1.According to various embodiments, corresponding eyelets 5b are provided on the rear surface 11 of the portable bag 1, so as to amongst other benefits, facilitate sliding of the portable bag (through and via the eyelets) onto a storage or packing or transport rack (see e.g., rack 22 of FIGS.","9 and 10).","As may be understood from FIGS.","1-3, in certain embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b are positioned substantially adjacent a top edge of the front and rear surfaces 10, 11, so as to permit the remainder of the bag 1 to “hang” therebelow, for example upon hanging of the bag upon a rack (see again FIGS.","9 and 10).","In these and other embodiments, the eyelets are substantially smaller in size that the handling openings 6a, 6b described previously herein.","Of course, in still other embodiments, the size of the eyelets and the handling openings may be substantially the same or otherwise, as may be desirable.","Remaining further with FIGS.","1-3, it should also be understood therefrom that the eyelets 5a, 5b are according to various embodiments defined at least in part by a grommet, as such are commonly known or understood in the art.","Such may be provided, as a non-limiting example, so as to provide improved durability of the eyelets 5a, 5b.","Details regarding the shape, size, color, and even material of such grommets are described in detail further below.","Remaining now with Figure, in particular, it should be understood therefrom further that such involves a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment; in other embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b, formed as orifices or holes in the surfaces 10, 11 of the portable bag 12 may simply be hemmed around a periphery thereof, likewise so as to provide a desired degree of durability thereof for reuse over time.","In still other embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b may be formed, defined, or otherwise strengthened for durability and the like by one or more mechanisms other than grommets, stitching, hemming, or the like.","As illustrated in FIGS.","1-3, the eyelets 5a, 5b are according to various embodiments substantially circular in shape.","In certain embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b are shaped in this fashion so as to facilitate and other enable passage of one or more prongs of an associated rack therethrough, as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein with reference to at least FIGS.","9 and 10.Turning now to FIGS.","4 and 5, illustrated thereon are exemplary creases 7a-c, as may be formed in the side surfaces 12, 13 of the portable bag 1 according to various embodiments thereof.","The primary crease 7a is oriented substantially vertically, extending from a location upon the side surfaces 12, 13 substantially adjacent the top surfaces 14a, 14b (see FIG.","6) of the portable bag 1.The primary crease 7a according to certain embodiments does not extend an entire length of the side surfaces 12, 13, but merely approximately ⅔ of the distance thereof, at which point, the primary crease 7a is joined by the secondary creases 7b, 7c.","As may be understood from FIGS.","4 and 5, at this intersection of the creases 7a-c, the secondary creases 7b, 7c extend diagonally outward and downward, toward and extending to respective corner hems 8 of the portable bag 1.In at least the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.","4-5, the creases 7a-c are oriented inwardly, so as permit folding of the portable bag 1 in a fashion such that the side surfaces 12, 13 fold inwardly, as illustrated, for example in FIG.","8.Such a folded and creased configuration facilitates ease of handling of the portable bag 1 (e.g., via an automated process or the like) while maintaining a minimal degree of risk that any portions of the portable bag 1 will be caught or otherwise tangled or twisted in one or more components external to the bag.","This is particularly of importance, when considered in comparison to the conventional “pillow-type” bags, which did not have an expanded lower side surface or any sort of base surface.","Of course, in other embodiments, the creases 7a-c may be otherwise oriented, as may be desirable for particular scenarios; although in any of such and still other embodiments, the creases will generally be pressed inward, so as to avoid the side surfaces 12, 13 of the back extending outward relative to the front or rear surfaces 10, 11 of the portable bag, upon folding thereof as in FIG.","8 or 9.Still further, although three creases 7a-c are illustrated, still other embodiments may have differently oriented or a different number of creases, provided the same folding capabilities are provided thereby.","Turning with particular focus to FIG.","7, a crease 15a is provided in the bottom surface 15 of the portable bag 1 in certain embodiments, and such operates in conjunction with the above described creases 7a-c, so as to facilitate folding of the portable bag (see e.g., FIGS.","8 and 9).","As may be understood from FIGS.","8 and 9, the bottom crease 15a, like the creases 7a-c is configured according to various embodiments so as to fold inwardly when the portable bag is folded or otherwise collapsed into a substantially flat configuration.","In this manner, the bottom surface 15 is likewise shielded behind and between the front and rear surfaces 10, 11, so as to minimize the risk of catching, tangling, or twisting thereof in one or more handling or processing components external to the bag.","Of course, in other embodiments, alternative crease 15a configurations may be provided; in at least one embodiment, no crease 15a may be provided, with a crease (not illustrated) being instead formed upon one of the front or rear surfaces 10, 11, so as to facilitate folding of the bag in a manner analogous to the folding of a conventional brown paper bag.","Turning now with attention upon FIGS.","8-10, illustrated therein are a first folded configuration 20a, a second folded configuration 20b, and an unfolded configuration 30.In certain embodiments, the folded configurations 20a, 20b are substantially the same, but for that when an external component, such as the wire rack 22 and its associated first and second prongs (or tusks) 23a, 23b are passed through the eyelets 5a, 5b of the portable bag 1, the closure mechanism 4 does not further fold inward and downward, as seen, for example in FIG.","8.Instead, as illustrated in FIG.","9, the closure mechanism 4 and the remaining portions of the top surfaces 14a, 14b may fold inward and downward, but only to an extent such that the top surfaces 14a, 14b remain relatively positioned above the eyelets 5a, 5b.","In this manner, the prongs 23a, 23b may nevertheless pass through the eyelets 5a, 5b, even in the folded configuration 20b.","Additional details of such a rack 22 or external processing component and any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.","25 and 26, which illustrated respective exemplary assemblies 2000 and 2100, which may be used in conjunction with the portable bag 1 (and with any of the portable bag embodiments described herein).","With reference to FIG.","25, it may be seen therein a frame 2001 that may be configured to support rack (or tusk) 22 mounting supports 2002.These supports 2002 may further support slides 2003 (or tubes or the like) configured for a plurality of packages to travel thereupon.","A continuous angle may be provided, such that the supports 2002 and the slides 2003 are configured to align substantially with the rack 22, which may be mounted in certain embodiments to the supports 2002 as illustrated (or otherwise).","In certain embodiments, the racks 22 may extend outwardly from the supports, defining a shape thereof as in FIG.","10 (for example); in other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG.","25, the racks 22 may be configured to provide not only for a bag hanging portion to receive bag 1, but also a bag storage area 2004, where additional bags may be retained, for example in a closed configuration (as described elsewhere herein) until such may be retrieved and clipped as illustrated in FIG.","25 (and FIG.","10) adjacent the ends or tips of the rack 22.Of course, alternative configurations of external processing components and/or assemblies for use with the portable bag 1 (or those bags of other embodiments described herein) may be envisioned.","An additional exemplary assembly 2100 is illustrated in FIG.","26, configured similarly but with differently oriented supports and a dual slide/rack configuration, as compared to the single rack configuration illustrated in FIG.","25.With reference now again to FIG.","10, illustrated therein is an open or unfolded configuration 30 according to various embodiments of the portable bag 1.As may be seen, the open or unfolded configuration 30 may be provided likewise in conjunction with an external component, such as a rack of dispensing unit 22, such having at least two prongs 23a, 23b, sized and oriented so as to extend through the eyelets 5a, 5b, as described previously herein.","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may be biased so as to further define a top opening 35 when in the open or unfolded configuration 30.Such may be provided, for example, via a spring-loaded assembly or via any of the variety of closure mechanisms, as are described in further detail elsewhere herein.","In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may be biased in a fashion so that the portable bag is naturally closed; in other embodiments, the closure mechanism may be instead oppositely biased so that the portable bag is naturally open, as in FIG.","10.In at least one embodiment, upon removal of the portable bag 1 from the wire rack 22 or dispensing assembly, the closure mechanism 4 may be further configured to automatically close.","In this manner, upon filling of the portable bag 1 with a plurality of packages (e.g., while on the rack 22 and in an unfolded configuration 30 with the top surface(s) biased so as to define a top opening 35), the dispensing or removal thereof from the rack 22 or another comparable external component may automatically or otherwise in a near real-time fashion close or seal the closure mechanism and thus the portable bag 1.With reference generally to FIGS.","8-9 and the descriptions of such as provided immediately above, it should be understood by analogy that the same configurations 20a, 20b, 30; the same external components including a rack 22 and prongs 23a, 23b; and a biased top opening 35 may be provided in conjunction with any of the various portable bags 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001—all as described in detail further below.","In other embodiments, of course, any one or a combination of such folding features or external components may be substantially different with respect to such other embodiments of the portable bags however as may be desirable for a particular application.","Portable Bag 101 While the embodiment of the portable bag 1 illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 comprises a single pair of handling openings 6a on the front surface 10 thereof (see FIGS.","1 and 2 particularly) and a corresponding single pair of handling openings 6b on the rear surface 11 thereof (see FIGS.","1 and 3 particularly), it should be appreciated that in still other embodiments, any number or positioning of the handling openings 6a, 6b may be provided, however as may be desirable for specific scenarios or applications.","As a non-limiting example, a portable bag 101, as shown in FIG.","11, may include a set of two pairs of handling openings 106a, 106b, all positioned on a front surface 110 of the portable bag.","As illustrated, and with reference by comparison to FIG.","2, it may be seen that the handling openings 106a, 106b on the front surface 110 of the portable bag 101 shown in FIG.","11 are each offset relative to a midpoint along a height of the front surface.","In other words, rather than being positioned substantially at a midpoint of the height of the front surface, as in FIG.","2 where a set of two pair of handling openings 6a, 6b is provided, such are oriented on opposing sides of the midpoint.","In certain embodiments, the offset of each of the two pair of handling openings 6a, 6b may be equal relative to the midpoint.","In other embodiments, it should be understood that the offset of each of the two pairs may differ relative to the midpoint of the height of the front surface 110.Still further, although the offsets illustrated are equal for each of the first pair of handling openings 106a and the second pair of handling openings 106b, the offsets for each may differ relative to one another.","The offset of the openings 106a, 106b relative to a side hem/edge of the front surface 110 (versus relative to a horizontal midpoint thereof as described above) may also be substantially the same as that of the openings 6a, 6b, as described previously herein in certain embodiments, although in other embodiments, the offset relative to the side hem/edge may be substantially different, provided the offset is less than that of the eyelets relative to the side hem/edge.","Returning now to FIG.","11, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a front surface 110 of the portable bag 101, the portable bag 101 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as that illustrated in FIG.","1, but for the location and placement of alternative handling openings 106a, 106b.","Thus, it should be understood in this regard that corresponding handling openings are present on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag 101, in much the same corresponding fashion as described above with respect to the portable bag 1.Of course, in other embodiments, the handling openings 106a, 106b may be limited to only the front surface 110 of the portable bag 101, with no corresponding handling openings on a rear surface thereof, as may be desirable.","Still further, although each of the handling openings 106a, 106b are illustrated in FIG.","11 as being the same size and shape; one or more of such may in other embodiments differ in size and/or shape relative to the remaining handling openings.","For example, the handling openings may be, as non-limiting examples, substantially circular, elliptical, rectangular, or square-shaped, however as may be desirable.","The handling openings 106a, 106b may also be formed in conjunction with a grommet that defines the opening.","Such grommet (illustrated in FIG.","11, but not numbered) may be made of a variety of materials, including the non-limiting examples of plastic, ceramic, or metal.","The grommet may include a first side portion and/or a second side portion, each of which as may be different colors and/or different materials.","In certain embodiments, the grommet may be selectively removable from the portable bag 101, in which case the handling openings 106a, 106b may be further hemmed.","In still other embodiments, the handling openings may be hemmed and defined without the use of a grommet.","So as to facilitate automated (or near automated) dispensing of the portable bag 101, much like that of portable bag 1, as described previously herein with reference to FIGS.","8-10, the portable bag 101 should be understood to include corresponding eyelets 105a on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag, as described and present on portable bag 1.With this configuration, placement of the portable bag 101 upon a wire rack assembly such as assembly 22 illustrated in FIGS.","9-10 remains possible.","With reference again to FIG.","11, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the remaining structural features of the portable bag 101 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 102, the interior liner 103, the eyelets 105a, and the hem corner(s) 108, may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the interior liner 3, the eyelets 5a, and the hem corner(s) 8 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 and described previously herein.","For example, although not expressly illustrated in FIG.","11, the interior liner 103 may be configured so as to define a hollow or space around each of the handling openings 106a, 106b, much like the interior liner 3, so as to not only prevent access to the packages located inside the bag by a user's hands or fingers, but also to prevent inadvertent passage of any relatively small packages through the handling openings.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","11 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-10 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bag 1, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those not illustrated in FIG.","11, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-10 may include, in a non-limiting fashion, closure mechanisms, side creases, liner cavities, top surface portions, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.","Portable Bag 201 While the embodiment of the portable bag 101 illustrated in FIG.","11 comprises a set of two pair of handling openings 106a, 106b on the front surface 110 thereof, it should be appreciated that in still other embodiments, any number or positioning of such handling openings may be provided, however as may be desirable for specific scenarios or applications.","As a non-limiting example, a portable bag 201, as shown in FIG.","12, may include a set of three mutually offset handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c, all positioned on a front surface 210 of the portable bag.","In certain embodiments, corresponding offset handling openings exist in the rear surface (not shown) of the portable bag 201.In these embodiments, the positioning pattern thereof may substantially match that on the front surface 210; in other embodiments, however, the positioning pattern may differ on the respective front and rear surfaces of the portable bag 201.As illustrated, and with reference by comparison to FIGS.","11 (portable bag 101), it may be seen that the handling openings 206b, 206c on the front surface 210 of the portable bag 201 shown in FIG.","12 are each offset relative to a midpoint along a height of the front surface.","In other words, rather than being positioned substantially at a midpoint of the height of the front surface (as in FIG.","2), these handling openings 206b, 206c are provided such that they are oriented on opposing sides of the midpoint.","In certain embodiments, the offset of each of the handling openings 206b, 206c may be equal relative to the midpoint.","In other embodiments, it should be understood that the offset of each may differ relative to the midpoint of the height of the front surface 210.Still further, although the offsets illustrated are equal for each of the handling openings 106b, 106c, the offsets for each may differ relative to one another and the midpoint, particularly so in the embodiment of the portable bag 201 illustrated in FIG.","12.Remaining with FIG.","12, it may be seen that a third and separately positioned handling opening 206a may also be provided in this embodiment, such that a combination of the embodiments of the portable bag 1 and the portable bag 101 (both described previously herein) is provided.","Such may be beneficial where alternative manners of handling such bags may be desirable or necessary depending upon the size, shape, and/or weight of the contents packaged therein.","In at least the illustrated embodiment, the third handling opening 206a is positioned substantially on the midpoint of the height of the front surface 210.The offset of the openings 206a, 206b, 206c relative to a side hem/edge of the front surface 210 may also be substantially the same as that of the openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, as described previously herein in certain embodiments, although in other embodiments, the offset relative to the side hem/edge may be substantially different for one or more of the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c, provided the offset is less than that of the eyelets relative to the side hem/edge.","Still further, although each of the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c are illustrated in FIG.","12 as being the same size and shape; one or more of such may in other embodiments differ in size and/or shape relative to the remaining handling openings.","For example, the handling openings may be, as non-limiting examples, substantially circular, elliptical, rectangular, or square-shaped, however as may be desirable.","The handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c may also be formed in conjunction with a grommet that defines the opening.","Such grommet (illustrated in FIG.","12, but not numbered) may be made of a variety of materials, including the non-limiting examples of plastic, ceramic, or metal.","The grommet may include a first side portion and/or a second side portion, each of which as may be different colors and/or different materials.","In certain embodiments, the grommet may be selectively removable from the portable bag 201, in which case the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c may be further hemmed.","In still other embodiments, the handling openings may be hemmed and defined without the use of a grommet.","Returning now to FIG.","12, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a front surface 210 of the portable bag 201, the portable bag 201 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as that illustrated in FIGS.","1 and 11, but for the location and placement of alternative handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c.","Thus, it should be understood in this regard that corresponding handling openings are present on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag 201, in much the same corresponding fashion as described above with respect to the portable bags 1, 101.Of course, in other embodiments, the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c may be limited to only the front surface 210 of the portable bag 201, with no corresponding handling openings on a rear surface thereof, as may be desirable.","In still other embodiments, the handling openings on a rear surface of the portable bag 201 may differ from those on the front surface 210 of the portable bag.","As a non-limiting example, the handling openings on the rear surface of the portable bag 201 may be disposed differently than those on the front surface thereof, such that the rear surface of the portable bag 201 may be configured substantially the same as the rear surface 11 of the portable bag 1 (see FIG.","3).","So as to facilitate automated (or near automated) dispensing of the portable bag 201, much like that of portable bags 1 and 101, as described previously herein with reference to FIGS.","8-11, the portable bag 201 should be understood to include corresponding eyelets 205a on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag, as described and present on at least portable bag 1.With this configuration, placement of the portable bag 201 upon a wire rack assembly such as assembly 22 illustrated in FIGS.","9-10 remains possible.","With reference again to FIG.","12, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the remaining structural features of the portable bag 201 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 202, the interior liner 203, the eyelets 205a, and the hem corner(s) 208, may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the interior liner 3, the eyelets 5a, and the hem corner(s) 8 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 and described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","12 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-10 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bag 1, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","12, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-10 may include, in a non-limiting manner, closure mechanisms, side creases, liner cavities, top surface portions, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.","Portable Bag 301 While the embodiments of the portable bag 1 illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 and the portable bags 101, 201 illustrated in FIGS.","11-12 comprise various configurations of handling openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c that are integrally formed upon front and/or rear surfaces of such bags, it should be appreciated that in still other embodiments, no such handling openings may be formed upon the front and/or rear surfaces of the portable bag.","Instead, for example, as illustrated in FIG.","13, one or more extension members 32 may be provided, such extension members including one or more sets of handling openings 324, 326 defined thereon.","With continued reference to FIG.","13, it may be understood that the one or more extension members 322 may be configured in certain embodiments as extensions of the hemmed edges 302 of the portable bag 301, such that the extension members 322 extend outwardly relative to and are at least in part formed by the hems sewn along such hemmed edges.","In this manner, according to various embodiments, the extension members 322 may be flexibly movable relative to the remainder (i.e., the various central surface portions) of the portable bag 301.According to various embodiments, as also illustrated in FIG.","13, four extension members 322 may be provided, such that one is provided along an intersection hem between each of the respective sides and front and back surfaces of the portable bag 301.In certain embodiments, only two extension members 322 may be provided, for example upon opposite and diagonally oriented corner hems.","In other embodiments, two extension members 322 may be provided, both adjacent the front surface 310 of the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, any of one, two, three, four, or still another quantity of extension members 322 may be provided, with such oriented vertically as illustrated in FIG.","13, or even horizontally (i.e., parallel to a top surface portion 314a, 314b of the portable bag 301.According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG.","13, the extension members 322 may be configured to extend an entirety of the height of the portable bag 301.In other embodiments, however, the extension members may have a length less than that of the height of the portable bag 301.In such embodiments, the extension members may be centered about a midpoint of the front surface of the portable bag 301.In still other embodiments, the extension members 322 may be offset relative to one another, for example, where two extension members are provided on opposing and diagonal corner hems of the portable bag, one may be positioned adjacent the top surface and extend only partly toward the bottom surface, whereas the other may be positioned adjacent the bottom surface and extend only partly toward the top surface.","In this manner, a counter-acting balance may be provided when handling the portable bag 301 via such extension members 322.As also illustrated in FIG.","13, each of the extension members 322 may include a pair of handling openings 324, 326.These handling openings 324, 326 in certain embodiments are configured to pass through an entirety of the extension members 322, so as to provide a user of the portable bag 301 an opening for a hand-hold when handling or otherwise transporting the bag.","As may be understood from FIG.","13, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the handling openings 324, 326 may be positioned relative to a midpoint of the front surface 310 of the portable bag 301 in substantially the same manner as the handling openings 106a, 106b of the portable bag 101, illustrated in FIG.","11 and described previously herein.","In other words, as a non-limiting example, the handling openings 324, 326 may be each offset relative to the horizontal midpoint (see, by analogy, midpoint line M of FIG.","1) of the front surface 310, as illustrated in FIG.","13.In other embodiments, the offset of the handling opening 324 may differ from that of the handling opening 326.In still other embodiments, the handling openings 324, 326 may be replaced with instead a single handling opening on each extension member 322, analogous to the manner in which a single handling opening 6a is adjacent each side of the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIG.","2 and described previously herein.","Remaining further with FIG.","13, according to the embodiment illustrated therein, the extension members 322 may be substantially rectangular in shape or otherwise mirror the shape of the portable bag 301 in its entirety.","In other embodiments, however, it should be understood that the extension members 322 may be otherwise shaped, provided they are configured in such a manner so as to provide at least one handling opening in each thereof.","As non-limiting examples, the extension members 322 could be substantially semi-circularly shaped, truncated triangularly shaped, or even rectangular or square-shaped with rounded or otherwise truncated corner regions.","In these and still other embodiments, it should be understood that any rounding, truncation, curvature, and flexibility (as referenced previously) of the extension members 322 is desirable so as to minimize the likelihood of the members being caught, tangled, or otherwise “hung-up” upon external components during an automated or semi-automated bag handling or transport process.","As may also be understood from FIG.","13, the extension members 322 may be two-sided, such that in those embodiments, as illustrated, where the members are formed from hem extensions, such may be a folded member that provides an extension of, for example, front surface 310 and side surface 312 of the portable bag 301.In this manner, once so folded, the extension member 322 and (again for example) the front and side surfaces 310, 312 may be hemmed along hem line 302, so as to define an interface between such surfaces and the member.","With continued reference to FIG.","13, via the cut-out provided therein, a portion of the interior liner 303 thereof is visible adjacent the front surface 310.It should be noted that, with no integrally formed handling openings in certain embodiments of the portable bag 301, the need to define a cavity or to otherwise inset a portion of the liner 303 relative to one or more surfaces of the bag is not necessary.","Such may be best understood with reference by analogy to at least FIGS.","2 and 4, illustrating portable bag 1 with its integrally formed handling openings 6a and the manner in which its liner 3 is configured so as to define a cavity or space 9 between surfaces of the bag and the liner adjacent the openings.","In this manner, as previously described herein with reference to portable bag 1, the hands of a user thereof, when placed through the handling openings do not pass further through the liner.","This also prevents inadvertent passage of a relative small package through the handling openings, also as described in detail previously herein.","Remaining with FIG.","13, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 301, the portable bag 301 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as that illustrated in FIGS.","1-12, but for the interchanging of the integrally formed handling openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c described previously herein with alternative handling openings 324, 326 located upon distinctive extension members 322.Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","13, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 301 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 302, the eyelets 305a, 305b, the side crease lines 307a-c, the front surface 310, the side surface 312, the top surface portions 314a, 314b, and the closure mechanism 304 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, the top surface portions 14a, 14b, and the closure mechanism 4 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 and described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","13 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-10 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bag 1, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","13, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-10 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.","Portable Bag 401 Turning now to FIG.","14, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 401.As should be readily understood, various features and components of portable bag 401 may be according to various embodiments substantially the same as those of portable bag 301, as described above, with the exception only of the location, placement, and number of the pair of crease extensions 422, as compared to the plurality of hem extensions 322 of portable bag 301 (see also, by comparison, FIG.","13).","In this regard, in certain embodiments the pair of crease extensions 422 are positioned substantially along the length of a side crease 407a located on the side surface 412 of the portable bag 401.In at least the illustrated embodiment, the pair of crease extensions 422 further extend to a bottom edge of the side surface 412, namely substantially adjacent a bottom surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag 401.In other embodiments, however, so as to facilitate folding of the portable bag 401 into a folded configuration (see, by analogy, FIG.","8 and a folded configuration of portable bag 1), the crease extensions 422 may be configured to run only the length of crease 407a.","In still other embodiments, the crease extensions 422 may extend along the length of crease 407a and then still further along at least one of the creases 407b, 407c.","In such an embodiment, as compared to that illustrated in FIG.","14, where the crease extension 422 extends further along both creases 407b, 407c, three extension openings may be provided, as compared to the two extension openings 424, 426 described below.","With reference now to the extension openings 424, 426 of FIG.","14, each may be configured in certain embodiments to pass through an entirety of the extension members 422, so as to provide a user of the portable bag 401 an opening for a hand-hold when handling or otherwise transporting the bag.","As may be understood from FIG.","14, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the handling openings 424, 426 may be positioned relative to a midpoint of the front surface 410 of the portable bag 401 in substantially the same manner as the handling openings 324, 326 of the portable bag 301, illustrated in FIG.","13 and described previously herein.","In other words, as a non-limiting example, the handling openings 424, 426 may be each offset relative to a horizontal midpoint of the front surface 410, as illustrated in FIG.","14.In other embodiments, the offset of the handling opening 424 may differ from that of the handling opening 426.In still other embodiments, the handling openings 424, 426 may be replaced with instead a single handling opening on each extension member 422, analogous to the manner in which a single handling opening 6a is adjacent each side of the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIG.","2 and described previously herein.","Remaining further with FIG.","14, according to the embodiment illustrated therein, the extension members 422 may be substantially rectangular in shape or otherwise mirror the shape of the portable bag 401 in its entirety.","In other embodiments, however, it should be understood that the extension members 422 may be otherwise shaped, provided they are configured in such a manner so as to provide at least one handling opening in each thereof.","As non-limiting examples, the extension members 422 could be substantially semi-circularly shaped, truncated triangularly shaped, or even rectangular or square-shaped with rounded or otherwise truncated corner regions.","In these and still other embodiments, it should be understood that any rounding, truncation, curvature, and flexibility (as referenced previously) of the extension members 422 is desirable so as to minimize the likelihood of the members being caught, tangled, or otherwise “hung-up” upon external components during an automated or semi-automated bag handling or transport process.","As described previously herein, one or more of the extension members 422 may not extend an entirety of a length or height of the portable bag 401; however, so as to facilitate folding thereof, the extension members in many embodiments follow (or are otherwise positioned upon and along) at least one crease line (e.g., 407a-c) formed on the side surface 412 of the portable bag.","As may also be understood from FIG.","14, the extension members 422 may be two-sided, such that in those embodiments, as illustrated, where the members are formed from hem extensions, such may be a folded member that provides an extension of at least the crease line 407a, which may itself in certain embodiments also be hemmed.","In this manner, once so folded, the extension member 422 and (again for example) the crease line 407a may be hemmed or otherwise secured relative to one another so as to define an interface between the same.","With continued reference to FIG.","14, via the cut-out provided therein, a portion of the interior liner 403 thereof is visible adjacent the front surface 410.It should be noted that, with no integrally formed handling openings in certain embodiments of the portable bag 401, the need to define a cavity or to otherwise inset a portion of the liner 403 relative to one or more surfaces of the bag is not necessary.","Such may be best understood with reference by analogy to at least FIGS.","2 and 4, illustrating portable bag 1 with its integrally formed handling openings 6a and the manner in which its liner 3 is configured so as to define a cavity or space 9 between surfaces of the bag and the liner adjacent the openings.","Such should also be understood with reference by analogy to FIG.","13, wherein the liner 303 of the portable bag 301 illustrated therein likewise has no need for any liner-defined cavities or openings.","Remaining with FIG.","14, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 401 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 401 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-13, but for the interchanging of the integrally formed handling openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c described previously herein and the hem extension handling openings 324, 326 with alternative crease extension handling openings 424, 426 located upon distinctive extension members 422.Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","14, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 401 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 402, the eyelets 405a, 405b, the side crease lines 407a-c, the front surface 410, the side surface 412, the top surface portions 414a, 414b, and the closure mechanism 404 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, the top surface portions 14a, 14b, and the closure mechanism 4 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 (or comparable features as illustrated in any of FIGS.","11-13), all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","14 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-13 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","14, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-13 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.","Portable Bag 501 Turning now to FIG.","15, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 501.Two primary differences exist between this embodiment of portable bag 501, as compared to the bags 1, 101, 201, 301, and 401 described previously herein.","First, instead of a zipper-containing closure mechanism, the closure mechanism 504 of portable bag 501 is magnetically based.","In at least the illustrated embodiment, two magnetic strips are included, one attached relative to a portion of each of the top surfaces 514a, 514b, essentially in place of the zipper-containing closure mechanism.","In other embodiments, magnetic dots, spaced periodically along a length of the illustrated closure mechanism 504 may be provided instead of a strip extending along the entirety of the length thereof.","It should be understood in such embodiments that the magnetic dots will be spaced such that none of the small packages placed within the portable bag 501 and upon closure thereof can inadvertently pass through any opening formed by the spacing between the magnetic dots.","Although illustrated as a centrally positioned magnetic strip containing closure mechanism 504, it should also be understood that the strip may be otherwise oriented on the top surfaces 514a, 514b of the portable bag 501.In at least one embodiment, a side or overlapping flap configuration may be provided with a magnetic closure mechanism, as for example illustrated in FIGS.","17C-D and as will be described in further detail below.","The second distinguishing feature of the portable bag 501, as compared to the previously described bags 1, 101, 201, 301, and 401, is the replacement of integrally formed handling openings 6a, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c and extension members 322, 422 with a flap covering 520 and a set of handles 524, 526 instead of handle openings.","The flap covering 520 may, in certain embodiments have a flap opening 522 or slit formed therein, such that upon opening thereof, the set of handles 524, 526 may be accessed by a user or person handling the portable bag 501.At other times, the flap covering 520 is configured in these and other embodiments to cover or otherwise substantially overlay the handles, so as to substantially reduce the likelihood of the handles 524, 526 getting caught on any automated machinery components configured to process, load, or otherwise handle the portable bag 501.In certain embodiments, the set of handles 524, 526 may be made of a plastic or rigid material; in other embodiments, the handles may be made of rope or any of a variety of alternative materials having some degree of strength and as commonly known and understood in the art.","In other embodiments, the handles 524, 526 may be retractable when not in use, much like the handle atop a computer monitor box, as a non-limiting example.","And while in the illustrated embodiment, a set of two handles 524, 526 are illustrated, in yet other embodiments, a single handle, or three, or four, or more handles may be provided, as may be desirable.","For example, four handles could be provided, with the two (as illustrated) extending along the crease 507a, along with two additional handles positioned one along each of the creases 507b, 507c.","In such embodiments, the additional handles may likewise be covered by the flap covering 520 or by separately formed flap coverings, each having respective flap openings 522 formed therein.","Remaining with FIG.","15, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 501 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 501 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-14, but for the incorporation of a flap covering 520 and handles 524, 526 (instead of handling openings or extension members) and a magnetic-based closure mechanism 504 (instead of the zipper of, for example, FIG.","1).","In certain embodiments, however, the portable bag 501 may only include one of these two features, such that, as a non-limiting example, a bag may be provided having the flap covering and associated handles, but with a zipper (or otherwise based) closure mechanisms.","Any of a variety of combinations are indeed possible, with further reference to FIGS.","17A-D, as will be described further below.","Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","15, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 501 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 502, the liner 503, the eyelets 505a, 505b, the side crease lines 507a-c, the front surface 510, the side surface 512, and the top surface portions 514a, 514b may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, and the top surface portions 14a, 14b of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 (or comparable features as illustrated in any of the bag embodiments of FIGS.","11-14), all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","15 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-14 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","15, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-14 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s) therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 601 Turning now to FIG.","16, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 601.The primary difference between this embodiment of portable bag 601, as compared to the portable bag 501 described previously herein is the absence herein of any sort of flap covering, leaving instead an exposed handle 626.A magnetic-based closure mechanism 604 is also provided in the illustrated embodiment; although in other embodiments any of the various closure mechanisms described elsewhere herein may be substituted therewith.","As illustrated in FIG.","16, handle 626 may be positioned substantially along crease 607.In this manner, when the portable bag 601 is folded (see, by analogy, folded configuration of FIG.","8), the handle 626 is recessed relative to an outer periphery or edge of the folded configuration, such that the risk of the handle being caught or otherwise hung-up with or tangled in external components such as automated machinery for handling the portable bag 601 is substantially reduced or otherwise minimized.","Still further, although a single handle 626 is illustrated in FIG.","16, it should be understood that, as with embodiments 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501, that a corresponding handle may, in certain embodiments, be provided on the opposing side (not illustrated) of the bag.","Of course, in still other embodiments relative to any of the bags described elsewhere herein, a handle or handles may only be provided on a single side of the bag, as mentioned previously herein.","Additionally, on each side, two, three, or more handles may be provided, as opposed to the single handle of the illustrated embodiment of FIG.","16.As a non-limiting example, handles may be provided along each of the creases 607a-c, for a total of three handles on each side of the portable bag 601.Any of a variety of configurations are, in fact, possible in this regard without departing from the scope and nature of the present inventive concept.","Remaining with FIG.","16, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 601 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 601 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-14, but for the incorporation of an exposed handle 626 (instead of handling openings or extension members or a handle covered by a flap) and a magnetic-based closure mechanism 604 (instead of the zipper of, for example, FIG.","1).","In certain embodiments, however, the portable bag 601 may only include one of these two features, such that, as a non-limiting example, a bag may be provided having the flap covering and associated handles, but with a zipper (or otherwise based) closure mechanisms.","Any of a variety of combinations are indeed possible, with further reference to FIGS.","17A-D, as will be described further below.","Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","16, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 601 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 602, the liner 603, the eyelets 605a, 605b, the side crease lines 607a-c, the front surface 610, the side surface 612, and the top surface portions 614a, 614b may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, and the top surface portions 14a, 14b of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.","1-10 (or comparable features as illustrated in any of the bag embodiments of FIGS.","11-15), all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","16 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-15 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","16, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-15 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s) therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 701 Illustrated in FIG.","17A is an alternative top surface 714 of a portable bag 701.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 701 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, as described previously herein.","In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 701 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, however, as may be desirable for a particular application.","Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.","In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 701 that are not illustrated in FIG.","17A may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, also as may be desirable.","Remaining with FIG.","17A, it may be seen therein that instead of a zipper-based closure mechanism, as described previously herein with respect to at least the embodiment of portable bag 1, a selectively rope-tied closure mechanism 715 may be provided.","This mechanism 715 may a rope or string element 720, a channel defining seam or hem 725, and an opening 730, defined substantially by the mechanism 715.Such “draw-string” type closure mechanisms are commonly known and understood in the art, but illustrated here for purposes of an alternative possible closure mechanism.","In certain embodiments, the opening 730 may be shaped other than circular, for example, in an oval, square, oblong, triangular, or other shape, however as may be desirable.","It should be understood, however, that in all of these and still other embodiments, the size of the opening 730 should be at least equal to the distance of spacing between the eyelets provided in the portable bag 701, as such eyelets are described further below in a general fashion.","Portable Bag 801 Illustrated in FIG.","17B is an alternative top surface 814a, 814b of a portable bag 801.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 801 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, as described previously herein.","In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 801 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, however as may be desirable for a particular application.","Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.","In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 801 that are not illustrated in FIG.","17B may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, also as may be desirable.","In FIG.","17B, the closure mechanism 804 comprises a set of magnetic strips 804a, 804b, as have been described previously herein with reference to FIGS.","15-16 and portable bags 501, 601.As described, the magnetic strips 804a, 804b may comprise two opposing strips that are configured to mate with one another so as to hold the top surfaces 814a, 814b securely closed relative to each other.","Still further, as described previously herein, the magnetic strips 804a, 804b may be substantially continuous along a length of the top surfaces 814a, 814b, particularly at an intersection thereof; in other embodiments, as also described previously herein, the magnetic strips may be replaced with a plurality of spaced apart magnetic dots or a series of magnetic fibers (e.g., fibers made from a magnetic material).","In any of these and still other embodiments, the top surfaces 814a, 814b may be further biased into a closed orientation, until the portable bag 801 is placed upon an associated rack (see e.g., wire rack 22) or the like, in which case the positioning thereof thereon may bias the top surfaces 814, 814b into an open orientation (see, by analogy, FIG.","10).","Additional details of such a rack 22 or external processing component and any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.","25 and 26, which illustrated respective exemplary assemblies 2000 and 2100, which may be used in conjunction with the portable bag 801 (and with any of the portable bag embodiments described herein).","With reference to FIG.","25, it may be seen therein a frame 2001 that may be configured to support rack (or tusk) 22 mounting supports 2002.These supports 2002 may further support slides 2003 (or tubes or the like) configured for a plurality of packages to travel thereupon.","A continuous angle may be provided, such that the supports 2002 and the slides 2003 are configured to align substantially with the rack 22, which may be mounted in certain embodiments to the supports 2002 as illustrated (or otherwise).","In certain embodiments, the racks 22 may extend outwardly from the supports, defining a shape thereof as in FIG.","10 (for example); in other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG.","25, the racks 22 may be configured to provide not only for a bag hanging portion to receive bag 801, but also a bag storage area 2004, where additional bags may be retained, for example in a closed configuration (as described elsewhere herein) until such may be retrieved and clipped as illustrated in FIG.","25 (and FIG.","10) adjacent the ends or tips of the rack 22.Of course, alternative configurations of external processing components and/or assemblies for use with the portable bag 801 (or those bags of other embodiments described herein) may be envisioned.","An additional exemplary assembly 2100 is illustrated in FIG.","26, configured similarly but with differently oriented supports and a dual slide/rack configuration, as compared to the single rack configuration illustrated in FIG.","25.Portable Bag 901 Illustrated in FIG.","17C is an alternative top surface 914a, 914b of a portable bag 901.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 901 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, as described previously herein.","In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 901 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 however, as may be desirable for a particular application.","Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.","In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 901 that are not illustrated in FIG.","17C may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, also as may be desirable.","In FIG.","17C in particular, it may be seen that instead of two “half-lid” type portions of the top surface (see, by analogy, the top surface of portable bag 1), such may instead have two or more overlapping portions of the top surface, namely 914a, 914b.","Neither may extend, as illustrated, an entirety of a width or depth of the portable bag 901 in certain embodiments; in other embodiments, each may extend an entirety of a width or depth of the bag, as may be desirable, depending upon a degree of certain of closure desired.","Although not illustrated in FIG.","17C, it should also be understood that the overlapping surfaces 914a, 914b may be secured relative to one another in certain embodiments in an adhesive manner with bonding glue, Velcro®, snaps, or the like.","In other embodiments, the overlapping surfaces 914a, 914b may be secured relative to one another in any of the variety of fashions of closure mechanisms, as previously discussed herein (e.g., zippers, magnets, draw-string-type closures, a spring-biased mechanism, or the like).","In certain of these and still other embodiments, as mentioned, the overlapping surfaces 914a, 914b may be biased into either an open or closed configuration, however as may be desirable.","In at least one embodiment, such bias may be created at least in part by a spring-loaded mechanism and/or configuration (not illustrated).","As illustrated in FIG.","17C, a machine-readable barcode 920 may also be provided on the top surface portion 914b.","Such a feature may be provided further on any of the remaining portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 1001, as described elsewhere herein.","Portable Bag 1001 Illustrated in FIG.","17D is an alternative top surface 1014a, 1014b of a portable bag 1001.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 1001 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, as described previously herein.","In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 1001 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, however, as may be desirable for a particular application.","Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.","In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 1001 that are not illustrated in FIG.","17D may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, also as may be desirable.","With focus upon FIG.","17D, it may be understood with comparison to FIG.","17C that herein, in contrast with the two overlapping portions found there, the configuration of the portable bag 1001 according to various embodiments may contain a single top surface 1014.The top surface 1014 may in certain embodiments have two portions, namely a top portion 1014b that solely restricted to within a perimeter defined by the top surface 1014 of the portable bag 1001, and a side portion 1014a that represents an overlaying of the top surface 1014 over and around at least one edge of the portable bag 1001.In this manner, at least a portion of the surface 1014 extends down and over at least one side (or front or back) of the portable bag 1001.In other embodiments, an underlying top portion (not illustrated or numbered) may lay under the top portions 1014a, 1014b, so as to provide a dual coverage and thus substantially reduce the likelihood of one or more packages inadvertently falling out of the portable bag 1001 upon filling and closing of the same.","Also illustrated in FIG.","17D is an exemplary shipping label 1020, as may be placed on the top surface 1014 of the portable bag 1001.Such may contain shipping address data, along with tracking and still other carrier transport-related data, as such is commonly known and understood to involve in the art.","The shipping label 1020 may be alternatively placed on any surface of the portable bag 1001, as opposed to the illustrated top surface 1014 placement.","Still further, the shipping label 1020 illustrated with reference to portable bag 1001 may likewise be applied to any of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, as may be desirable.","Portable Bag 1101 Turning now to FIG.","18, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1101.The primary difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1101, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a closure mechanism 1104 (as illustrated, a zipper) that is substantially U-shaped and extending along at least three edges of a top surface 1114 of the portable bag.","Although illustrated as a zipper in FIG.","18, it should be understood that the closure mechanism 1104 may in other embodiments be magnetically or otherwise based, as previously described herein, and nevertheless U-shaped, as presently illustrated.","In still other embodiments, the closure mechanism 1104 may be otherwise shaped, for example L-shaped, in which the closure mechanism would extend along only two edges of the top surface 1114 of the portable bag 1101.According to various embodiments, where a U-shaped closure mechanism 1104 is provided, such may extend substantially along an entirety of each of the corresponding three edges of the top surface 1114 of the portable bag 1101.In other embodiments, the closure mechanism 1104 may extend along an entirety of at least one of the three edges and only partially along a length of the two remaining edges, as may be desirable.","In still other embodiments, the closure mechanism 1104 may be partially inset relative to all three edges of the top surface 1114, such that the mechanism only extends partially along a length of all three edges, for example, as illustrated and described elsewhere herein with respect to at least FIG.","24.Remaining with FIG.","18, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1101 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1101 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-16, but for the incorporation of a U-shaped closure mechanism 1104.Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","18, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1101 including, but not limited to, the illustrated eyelets 1105a, the side crease lines 1107, the handling openings 1106a, and the shipping indicia 1120 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-16, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","18 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-16 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","18, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-16 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 1201 Turning now to FIG.","19, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1201.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1201, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a closure mechanism 1204 (as illustrated, a zipper) that extends not only across a top surface 1214 of the portable bag but that also extends at least partially onto at least one side surface of the portable bag.","Another non-limiting difference is the provision in this embodiment of the portable bag 1201 of at least one side pocket 1250 or flap, into which the elongated closure mechanism 1204 extends.","Still another non-limiting difference lies in the provision of one or more eyelet hem extensions 1222 along an edge or edges of the top surface 1214 of the portable bag 1201.As may be understood with reference to FIG.","19, the side pocket 1250 or flap may extend substantially along an entirety of a width of at least one side surface of the portable bag, such that the closure mechanism 1204 (as illustrated, a zipper) may be securely tucked or otherwise retained within the side pocket upon closure of the bag.","In this manner, automated handling of the portable bag 1201 may be optimized, in that the likelihood of catching or tangling of the closure mechanism 1204 with external components is reduced.","In other embodiments, as may be desirable, the side pocket 1250 or flap may extend only along a portion of the width of at least one side surface.","In still other embodiments, the side pocket 1250 or flap is provided on both side surfaces of the portable bag.","In any of these and still other embodiments, it should be understood that the side pocket 1250 or flap is provided so as to minimize the existence of loose or dangling portions of the closure mechanism; as such, the side pocket 1250 or flap may be alternatively configured, provided such objective remains sufficiently satisfied.","With continued reference to FIG.","19, it may be seen that, as compared to the various embodiments of portable bags described previously herein, the eyelets 1205a, 1205b thereof are provided on top surface hem extensions 1222 that extend substantially along an entirety of two respective edges of the top surface 1214 of the portable bag.","These hem extensions 1222 may be configured substantially in the same fashion as those described previously herein and configured for containing handling openings thereon; in other embodiments, as a non-limiting example, the hem extensions 1222 may formed from a single sided piece of material.","In certain embodiments, as illustrated, the hem extensions 1222 may be placed on the outside of the bag; in other embodiments, the hem extensions may be internally configured, such that they are accessible after opening of the closure mechanism (e.g., after unzipping of the zipper), such that the hem extensions 1222 may thus be folded upward to engage the tusks or prongs of an associated wire rack or dispensing component.","In this manner, upon subsequent closure of the portable bag 1201 upon packing thereof, the hem extensions 1222 would be returned internal to the bag and thus substantially reduce any likelihood of tangling thereof with external processing components.","In still other embodiments, the hem extensions 1222 may extend only a portion of the respective edges of the top surface 1214, as may be desirable.","For example, where four eyelets 1205a, 1205b are provided, four hem extensions 1222 may be provided, as compared to the two presently illustrated.","As another non-limiting example, one or more edges of the hem extensions 1222 may be rounded or otherwise curved so as to substantially reduce the likelihood of any sharp corners or edges becoming tangled or otherwise caught in processing components external to the portable bag 1201.Indeed, any of a variety of configurations are possible, provided the eyelets 1205a, 1205b are configured for receipt of prongs or tusks of an associated wire rack, as has been described previously herein with respect to other embodiments.","Additional details of such a rack or external processing components or the like and/or any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.","25-26, as described elsewhere herein, but also applicable for use with the portable bags 1201 of the present embodiment.","Remaining with FIG.","19, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1201 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1201 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-16 and 18, but for the incorporation of an extended closure mechanism 1204, at least one side pocket 1250 configured to retain and secure ends of the closure mechanism, and two or more eyelet hem extensions 1222.It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.","Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","19, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1201 including, but not limited to, the illustrated eyelets 1205a, 1205b themselves, the side crease lines 1207, the handling openings 1206a, and the shipping indicia 1220 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-18, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","19 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-18 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","19, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-18 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 1301 Turning now to FIG.","20, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1301.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1301, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a closure mechanism 1304 (as illustrated, a zipper; although other types of closure mechanisms may be substituted therefor) that extends not only across a top surface 1314 of the portable bag but that also extends at least partially onto at least one side surface of the portable bag.","This feature may also be understood with reference to the portable bag 1201 embodiment, as described immediately above.","Another non-limiting difference is the provision in this embodiment of the portable bag 1301 of a plurality of eyelets 1305a, 1305b adjacent opposing edges of the top surfaces 1314a, 1314b of the portable bag.","Such may be understood in contrast with the respective front and rear surface positioned eyelets of the embodiments of at least FIGS.","1-16, all as described previously herein.","In the embodiment of portable bag 1301, however, the eyelets 1305a, 1305b are provided in the respective top surface portions 1314a, 1314b of the portable bag, such that when the bag is placed upon a wire rack (or a comparable dispensing component) that includes prongs or tusks thereon, the bag in this embodiment is in an open configuration upon the rack.","In other words, when on the rack or dispenser, the top surface portions 1314a, 1314b are necessarily folded upward for engagement with the tucks or prongs of the wire rack or dispensing component.","Remaining with FIG.","20, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1301 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1301 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-19, but for the incorporation of an extended closure mechanism 1304, and placement of eyelets 1305a, 1305b upon respective top surface portions 1314a, 1314b (as compared to on respective front and rear surfaces of the bag).","It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.","1-19) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.","Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","20, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1301 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets 1305a, 1305b themselves, the side crease lines 1307, the handling openings 1306a, and the shipping indicia 1320 (e.g., a barcode, a shipping label, or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-19, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","20 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-19 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","20, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-19 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 1401 Turning now to FIG.","21, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1401.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1401, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a rounded top surface 1414 that instead of being substantially planar and parallel with a corresponding bottom surface (not illustrated) of the bag, extends upwardly and outwardly, thus still further increasing the volume capacity of the bag.","In at least the illustrated embodiment of FIG.","21, a closure mechanism 1404 is also illustrated that extends not only along a length of the top surface 1414 but also extends onto at least one (and in certain embodiments both) of the respective side surfaces 1412 of the portable bag 1401.Although not illustrated, in other embodiments, a pocket or flap, as provided in the embodiment of FIG.","19 may also be provided on the portable bag 1401, so as to similarly protect and retain ends and/or edges of the closure mechanism (as illustrated, a zipper).","Remaining with FIG.","21, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1401 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1401 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-20, but for the incorporation of an extended closure mechanism 1404, and provision of a rounded and/or otherwise upwardly extending top surface 1404.It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.","1-20) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.","Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","21, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1401 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets 1405a, 1405b themselves, the side crease lines 1407, the handling openings 1406a, and the shipping indicia 1420 (e.g., a shipping label (as illustrated), a barcode, or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-20, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","21 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-20 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","21, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-20 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 1500 Turning now to FIG.","22, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1500.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1500, as compared to any of those previously described herein is the provision of respective side hem extensions or flaps extending between corresponding eyelet hem extensions, which may be understood by analogy with reference to FIG.","19 and the embodiment of portable bag 1201, as described previously herein.","In the embodiment of FIG.","22, the side hem extensions or flaps provide increased stability as compared to the configuration of FIG.","19.In certain embodiments, such as that illustrated, the side hem extensions or flaps may extend substantially along a length of each of the respective side surfaces of the portable bag, such that the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions are further hemmed relative to one another so as to provide a continuous extension surface atop the top surface of the portable bag.","In other embodiments, the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions may be provided internal to the top surface edges, such that they are accessible only upon opening of the top surface, as also described previously herein with reference to FIG.","19.In any of these and still other embodiments, the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions provide straight line edge surfaces thereof.","It may also be understood with reference to FIG.","22 that the embodiment therein of portable bag 1500 provides a combination of the embodiments of FIGS.","18 and 19, namely in that in conjunction with the eyelet hem extensions (and still further the side hem extensions extending therebetween), the embodiment of portable bag 1500 in certain embodiments further includes a substantially U-shaped closure mechanism, as in portable bag 1101.Of course, any of a variety of closure mechanisms may be utilized in conjunction with portable bag 1500, as may be desirable.","Remaining with FIG.","22, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1500 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1500 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-21, but for the incorporation of respective side surface hem extensions, and the provision of a U-shaped closure mechanism in combination therewith.","It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.","1-21) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.","Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","22, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1500 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets themselves, the side crease lines, the handling openings, and the shipping indicia (e.g., a barcode (as illustrated), a shipping label (as illustrated), or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-21, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","22 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-21 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","22, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-21 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 1600 Turning now to FIG.","23, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1600.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1600, as compared to any of those previously described herein is the provision of respective side hem extensions or flaps extending between corresponding eyelet hem extensions, which may be understood by analogy with reference to FIG.","22, as described immediately above.","In contrast with the embodiment of FIG.","22, the portable bag 1600 includes side hem extensions that are scalloped between the eyelet hem extensions.","In this manner, the side hem extensions provide a combination of flexibility and stability for the portable bag.","In addition, with the reduced profile of the side hem extensions, the likelihood of such becoming entangled in or on external processing components is reduced.","In certain embodiments, such as that illustrated, the side hem extensions or flaps may extend substantially along a length of each of the respective side surfaces of the portable bag, such that the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions are further hemmed relative to one another so as to provide a continuous extension surface atop the top surface of the portable bag.","In other embodiments, the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions may be provided internal to the top surface edges, such that they are accessible only upon opening of the top surface, as also described previously herein with reference to FIG.","19.It may also be understood with reference to FIG.","23 that the embodiment therein of portable bag 1600 provides a combination of the embodiments of FIGS.","18 and 19, namely in that in conjunction with the eyelet hem extensions (and still further the side hem extensions extending therebetween), the embodiment of portable bag 1600 in certain embodiments further includes a substantially U-shaped closure mechanism, as in portable bag 1101.Of course, any of a variety of closure mechanisms may be utilized in conjunction with portable bag 1600, as may be desirable.","Remaining with FIG.","23, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1600 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1600 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-22, but for the incorporation of respective side surface hem extensions, and the provision of a U-shaped closure mechanism in combination therewith.","It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.","1-22) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.","Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","23, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1500 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets themselves, the side crease lines, the handling openings, and the shipping indicia (e.g., a barcode (as illustrated), a shipping label (as illustrated), or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-22, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","23 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-22 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","23, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-22 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Portable Bag 1700 Turning now to FIG.","24, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1700.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1700, as compared to any of those previously described herein is the provision of an inset U-shaped closure mechanism (e.g., a zipper) in conjunction with eyelets provided on a top surface of the portable bag.","This embodiment was previously referenced herein, but illustrated and described here for purposes of a comprehensive disclosure.","As may be seen with reference to FIG.","24, the U-shaped closure mechanism is inset relative to each of the respective three edges of the top surface, so as to provide sufficient surface space for the associated eyelets adjacent at least two of the edges of the top surface.","Still further, as may be understood from FIG.","24, in certain embodiments, such as herewith portable bag 1700, respective sets of two (for a total of eight) eyelets may be provided, as compared to the set of four in the various embodiments described previously herein.","Of course, any of a variety of combinations and configurations of eyelets may be provided, so long as such is particularly and specifically configured so as to facilitate engagement of the portable bag with tusks or prongs of an associated wire rack or dispensing component.","Additional details of such a rack or external processing components or the like and/or any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.","25-26, as described elsewhere herein, but also applicable for use with the portable bags 1700 of the present embodiment.","FIG.","24 also illustrates additional configurations for the eyelets and handling openings, as compared to those that are substantially oval or circular in the embodiments of FIGS.","1-23.Although various shapes and even sizes of the eyelets and handling openings have been described elsewhere herein, as illustrated in FIG.","24, the eyelets may be significantly smaller relative to the handling openings.","Still further, the handling openings may be at least partially elongated in shape, so as to define an oblong opening that conforms to the shape of a user's fingers and/or palm, as may extend there-through during use or handling of the portable bag.","Also illustrated in FIG.","24 is an additional type of shipping indicia, which may include a pocket for placement of a shipping label and/or a shipping manifest within.","In other embodiments, a reusable surface may be provided, for placement upon of a shipping label or other shipping indicia, as such are commonly known and understood in the art, and as have been described elsewhere herein.","FIG.","24 also illustrates an additional and optional barcode, as may be unique and reusable, such that the barcode may be associated with the specific bag upon which it is placed, providing a consolidated tracking identifier for any small packages shipped or otherwise transported therein.","The barcode may be further linked to the printed shipping label, so as to provide improved read rates through the automation process.","Still further, the barcodes and/or shipping indicia may be placed on two or more (i.e., multiple) sides of the bag so as to still further improve read rates during automated processing, handling, and/or transport of the bags from one destination to another.","Remaining with FIG.","24, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1700 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1700 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.","1-23, but for the incorporation of the features described immediately above.","It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.","1-23) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.","Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.","24, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1600 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets themselves, the side crease lines, the handling openings, and the shipping indicia (e.g., a barcode (as illustrated), a shipping label (also as illustrated), or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.","1-23, all as described previously herein.","Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.","24 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.","1-23 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.","Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.","24, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.","1-23 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.","Exemplary Materials and Additional Features In various embodiments, the portable bags (e.g.","bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001, or the like, as described elsewhere herein) may be constructed of a fabric or otherwise woven material.","The fabric material may include, but is not limited to, polyester, rayon, burlap, canvas, or any combination of the same.","In other embodiments, the portable bags may be constructed of one or more of a variety of non-fabric materials, such as flexible materials including but not limited to, a wire mesh material, an interlaced mesh material, a steel wire and/or steel mesh material, a Kevlar® incorporating material, and the like.","It should be understood generally that the material of the portable bags may be any of a variety of materials, as known and understood in the art, provided such are sufficiently strong, resilient, and durable to withstand long-term and repetitious handling of multiple small packages within the portable bags, ranging in weight up to approximately 150 pounds.","As previously described elsewhere herein, according to certain embodiments, a grommet may be included as part of the eyelets (see e.g., eyelets 5a) and/or the handling openings (see e.g., openings 6a).","The grommet may be incorporated according to these embodiments with respect to any of the various portable bag embodiments described previously herein (see e.g., bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, and/or 1001).","The grommet may define the eyelet and/or handling openings and may be made of, as non-limiting examples, plastic, ceramic, or metal.","The grommet may in some embodiments include a first side portion and a second side portion; in other embodiments the grommet may be only one sided.","Where two sided, still further, the first and second side portions may be different colors and/or different materials.","The grommet may be selectively removable from and selectively attachable to the portable bag, as may be desirable.","In such embodiments and still further those where no grommet may be provided, the edges of the eyelets and/or handling openings may be hemmed in a fashion similar to the hemming of the respective surface edges of the portable bags.","In these and still other embodiments, the grommet, where such is incorporated within the eyelets and/or handling openings may be shaped substantially the same as such, whether that shape be substantially square, rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical, or any other shape as known or understood in the arts, such that the eyelets and/or handling openings remain functional for the purposes described elsewhere herein.","In this regard, it may be understood from reference to any of FIGS.","1-17 that the intersections of any respective surfaces (see e.g., surfaces 310, 312, 314a—as illustrated particularly in FIG.","13) may be hemmed or otherwise stitched relative to one another.","In this manner, according to various embodiments, the respective surfaces are secured in a fixed, but flexible manner relative to one another.","In certain embodiments, the hem or stitching may be provided in a sewn fashion, as commonly known and understood in the art.","In other embodiments, a specialty hem or stitching may be used, so as to provide further strength characteristics to the portable bag.","In still other embodiments, the hem or stitching may be an inherent characteristic of the material of the portable bag, for example when such is constructed of a mesh-like material that includes one or more layers of interwoven or interlaced fibers or components, as also described previously herein.","According to various embodiments, stiffeners (e.g., rigid inserts) may be strategically placed along various surfaces, edges, or extensions of the various portable bags described herein with reference to FIGS.","1-24.As non-limiting examples, the stiffeners may be placed along the sides, along the edges of the top, bottom, at corners, on the front and rear surfaces adjacent the eyelets and/or handling openings, and the like, however as may be desirable and/or beneficial for assisting the bag with retaining its shape when in use.","According to various embodiments, a hemmed extension or section may be further provided so as to overlay the various closure mechanisms described herein.","In the case of a zipper-based closure mechanism, the hemmed extension may be configured so as to overlay and protect the zipper in a fashion similar to that of the flap that covers a zipper located on a pair of pants or jeans.","In this manner, the likelihood of the closure mechanism or zipper becoming entangled or otherwise caught in external processing components is reduced.","Conclusion Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.","Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.","Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"PORTABLE BAG HAVING IMPROVED HANDLING FEATURES AND IMPROVED VOLUMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ASSEMBLY FOR USE THEREWITH\",\n \"A portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment, the surfaces including a front and rear surface connected by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of side surfaces, and at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"An associated assembly is also provided, including the portable bag further comprising a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces and the assembly further comprising a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, said plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of planar side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of planar side surfaces, each of said at least two handling extensions bisecting a respective area defined by each of said pair of planar side surfaces; at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions; and at least one side crease bisecting each of said pair of planar side surfaces, each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned and extending along a length of said at least one side crease on each of said pair of planar side surfaces of said portable bag.\",\n \"2.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said at least two handling openings consist of two handling openings; and a single one of the two handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"3.The portable bag of claim 2, wherein each of said single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"4.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"5.The portable bag of claim 4, wherein each of said pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of at least two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of said pair of handling openings being positioned opposite said horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within said pair.\",\n \"6.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; and each of said at least two handling extensions is hemmed along the length of said at least one side crease on each of said side surfaces of said portable bag.\",\n \"7.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein said at least two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond said length of said at least one side crease on each of said side surfaces of said portable bag.\",\n \"8.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and each of said at least two handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of a height of said portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of said side surfaces adjacent said top surface and an edge of said side surfaces adjacent said bottom surface.\",\n \"9.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein: said at least two handling openings comprise two handling openings; and a single one of the two handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"10.The portable bag of claim 9, wherein each of said single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"11.The portable bag of claim 6, wherein: said at least two handling openings consist of four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of said at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"12.The portable bag of claim 11, wherein each of said pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of said two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of said pair of handling openings being positioned opposite said horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within said pair.\",\n \"13.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein said bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, said interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"14.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; said top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, said closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of said top surface; and said closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"15.The portable bag of claim 14, wherein: said top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and said closure mechanism is positioned intermediate said first and second top portions, said closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate said first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening there-between, said opening being configured for receipt of said articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"16.The portable bag of claim 15, wherein: said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; and said closure mechanism is configured such that said first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"17.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface; said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; said portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; said plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of said pair of side surfaces, said at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and said single bottom crease is defined on said bottom surface of said portable bag.\",\n \"18.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; said plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; said portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; said plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of said pair of side surfaces, said at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and said single front crease is defined on a lower portion of said front surface of said portable bag, said lower portion being nearer said bottom surface of said portable bag than said top surface.\",\n \"19.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; said portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of said portable bags; and said at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer said top surface than said bottom surface of said portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of said portable bag relative to said assembly.\",\n \"20.The portable bag of claim 1, wherein the at least two handling extensions are each positioned substantially perpendicular to the respective one of said pair of side surfaces.\",\n \"21.A portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, said plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of planar side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of planar side surfaces, each of said at least two handling extensions bisecting a respective area defined by each of said pair of planar side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions, wherein the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND \"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY Therefore, the object of various embodiments of the present invention is to provide portable bags having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics to facilitate more efficient and effective transport of small packages therein.\",\n \"Associated systems for use with the same are also provided Various embodiments of the present invention achieve the aforementioned and other objects via a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.\",\n \"The assembly comprises at least one portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"Each portable bag comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of the present invention, another portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In still further embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the four handling extensions.\",\n \"In another embodiment, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise eight handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the four handling extensions.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one of such embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In another embodiment, each of the two handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the at least two handling openings comprise two handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one of these embodiments, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the two handling extensions.\",\n \"In other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.\",\n \"In still further embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface In yet another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.\",\n \"The assembly comprises a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"The portable bag in at least these embodiments comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"The assembly in certain embodiments further comprises a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In still other embodiments of the assembly, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the at least one handle may comprise two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein, and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handles comprise four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.\",\n \"Still further, in certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces, and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface, and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In certain variations of at least this embodiment, the top surface may also comprise a first top portion and a second top portion, and the closure mechanism may be positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces, and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"In still another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"According to other various embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"According to still other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to certain other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"In at least one of these embodiments, the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In any of these and still other embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"According to still additional various embodiments, an assembly is provided for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles.\",\n \"The assembly in at least these embodiments may comprise a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"The portable bag may comprise: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.\",\n \"In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In another embodiment, on the portable bag each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In various embodiments of the assembly also the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In various of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the at least one handle comprises two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the at least two handles comprises four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain further embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least this embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the at least one elongate flap extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.\",\n \"Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain of these embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering of the portable bag comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle of the portable bag comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"According to still further various embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"In at least one of these embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In another embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"According to yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the pair of side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In one such embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In this and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In other embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"According to yet still further various embodiments, there is provided yet another assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of at least this assembly, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In other embodiments, on the portable bag: the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of at least this assembly the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one such embodiment, on the portable bag: the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In another embodiment, on the portable bag, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In one such embodiment, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/333,815, filed Oct. 25, 2016, which nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/014,396, filed Feb. 3, 2016 and now granted U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,505,526, which nonprovisional application further claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"62/114,408, filed Feb. 10, 2015, the contents of all of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Technical Field The present invention is generally related to provision of a portable bag having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics.\",\n \"Related Art Traditionally, portable bags have been used for the transport of small packages by common carriers within a variety of transportation networks.\",\n \"Such portable bags permit consolidation of small packages based upon various considerations, such as a common destination or recipient.\",\n \"At the same time, efficiencies of scale are realized, as the handling for the small packages is significantly reduced.\",\n \"Conventional portable bags have been typically of a “pillow-case” type configuration, whereby two facing surfaces are stitched together relative to one another in a fashion so as to leave a single opening.\",\n \"In this manner, a substantially “V-shaped” pocket is created for insertion therein of one or more small packages.\",\n \"So as to facilitate at least semi-automated handling of such conventional portable bags, no peripheral accessories are typically incorporated therein.\",\n \"In certain scenarios, the substantially “V-shaped” pocket created with the conventional portable bag configuration results in less than efficient utilization of the space therein.\",\n \"This is especially problematic where different sized and square or rectangular-shaped packages need to be placed within the portable bag for consolidated transport.\",\n \"Not only are oftentimes packages difficult to load within such a space, but the loading thereof can also result in a significant degree of unused or under-utilized space.\",\n \"Still further, upon loading of the small packages within the conventional portable bags, handling thereof is, in certain scenarios, less than optimal.\",\n \"Thus, a need exists for portable bags having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics to facilitate more efficient and effective transport of small packages therein.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY Therefore, the object of various embodiments of the present invention is to provide portable bags having integrated handling openings and improved volumetric characteristics to facilitate more efficient and effective transport of small packages therein.\",\n \"Associated systems for use with the same are also provided Various embodiments of the present invention achieve the aforementioned and other objects via a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.\",\n \"The assembly comprises at least one portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"Each portable bag comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of the present invention, another portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In still further embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the four handling extensions.\",\n \"In another embodiment, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise eight handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the four handling extensions.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the four handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one of such embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In another embodiment, each of the two handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the at least two handling openings comprise two handling openings; and a single handling opening is located on each of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one of these embodiments, each of the single handling openings is aligned with a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, the at least two handling openings comprise four handling openings; and a pair of handling openings is located on each of the two handling extensions.\",\n \"In other embodiments, each of the pair of handling openings is offset a distance relative to a horizontal midpoint line of a corresponding one of the two handling extensions, each of the handling openings within each of the pair of handling openings being positioned opposite the horizontal midpoint line relative to the other handling opening within the pair.\",\n \"In still further embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In certain other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface In yet another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles is provided.\",\n \"The assembly comprises a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"The portable bag in at least these embodiments comprises: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"The assembly in certain embodiments further comprises a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In still other embodiments of the assembly, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the at least one handle may comprise two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein, and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handles comprise four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.\",\n \"Still further, in certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces, and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface, and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In certain variations of at least this embodiment, the top surface may also comprise a first top portion and a second top portion, and the closure mechanism may be positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces, and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"In still another embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"According to other various embodiments, a portable bag is provided comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"According to still other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to certain other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"In at least one of these embodiments, the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the portable bag may further comprise at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In any of these and still other embodiments, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"According to still additional various embodiments, an assembly is provided for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles.\",\n \"The assembly in at least these embodiments may comprise a portable bag and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"The portable bag may comprise: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces being constructed of a foldable material and comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments of the assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.\",\n \"In certain of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In another embodiment, on the portable bag each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"According to various embodiments associated with this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In various embodiments of the assembly also the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In various of these and still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the at least one handle comprises two handles located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the at least two handles comprises four handles, two of the four handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain further embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface further comprises a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism being operable to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface; and the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least this embodiment, the closure mechanism is configured such that the first and second top portions are biased toward each other such that the portable bag is, in its natural orientation, in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material; the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the at least one elongate flap extends an entirety of a height of the portable bag, extending substantially between an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the top surface and an edge of the side surfaces adjacent the bottom surface.\",\n \"Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain of these embodiments, the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"In certain of these and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering of the portable bag comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle of the portable bag comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"According to still further various embodiments, there is provided a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises at least one set of eyelets configured to accept therethrough at least a portion of an assembly configured to hold or support a plurality of the portable bags; and the at least one set of eyelets is positioned nearer the top surface than the bottom surface of the portable bag, so as to enable a hanging configuration of the portable bag relative to the assembly.\",\n \"In at least one of these embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the at least one set of eyelets comprises two sets of eyelets; a first set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the front surface of the portable bag; and a second set of the two sets of eyelets is located on the rear surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, at least one of the plurality of surfaces further includes at least one of a shipping label or a machine-readable barcode symbol.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In another embodiment, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"According to yet other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces are constructed of a foldable material and further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the pair of side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In one such embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In this and other embodiments, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"Also provided according to various embodiments is an assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a closure mechanism associated with the top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In other embodiments, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"According to yet still further various embodiments, there is provided yet another assembly for facilitating consolidated transport of a plurality of articles, the assembly comprising: a portable bag comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment for holding articles, the plurality of surfaces comprising at least a front surface and a rear surface connected relative to each other by a pair of side surfaces; and a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces; and a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"In certain embodiments of this assembly, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the plurality of surfaces further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and the portable bag further comprises a closure mechanism associated with a top surface of the portable bag, the closure mechanism being configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the top surface so as to selective create an opening therein for receipt of the articles for holding in the portable bag, the closure mechanism being operatively biased such that the top surface of the portable bag is naturally in a closed configuration.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the at least two portions of the portable bag dispenser include two elongate prongs, the elongate prongs being configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets of the portable bag; and the portable bag is selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.\",\n \"In another embodiment, in the unfolded configuration, the portable bag may be further positioned in an open configuration, counter the naturally-closed bias, so as to facilitate loading of a plurality of articles within the portable bag; and upon removal of the portable bag from the two elongate prongs, the closure mechanism is configured to return automatically to the naturally-closed bias orientation.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of at least this assembly, the closure mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a magnetic strip assembly, a spring-loaded assembly, or a draw-string assembly.\",\n \"In other embodiments, on the portable bag: the top surface comprises a first top portion and a second top portion; and the closure mechanism is positioned intermediate the first and second top portions, the closure mechanism being further operable to selectively separate the first and second top portions relative to one another, so as to define an opening therebetween, the opening being configured for receipt of the articles to be held in the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments of at least this assembly the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the at least two handling openings being positioned substantially adjacent opposing sides of the at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces, so as to define a respective cavities therebetween, the respective cavities being substantially aligned with and inset relative to the at least two handling openings.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the portable bag further comprises: one or more creases on at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and the one or more creases are configured to facilitate an inwardly folding configuration of the portable bag.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single bottom crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single bottom crease is defined on the bottom surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the plurality of surfaces are constructed from a foldable material and further comprise a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface; the one or more creases comprise a plurality of side creases and a single front crease; the plurality of side creases comprise at least three side creases defined on each of the pair of side surfaces, the at least three side creases each being oriented differently relative to one another; and the single front crease is defined on a lower portion of the front surface of the portable bag, the lower portion being nearer the bottom surface of the portable bag than the top surface.\",\n \"According to still further embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises: at least two handling extensions, a respective each of the at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent and substantially perpendicular to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of the pair of side surfaces; and at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the at least two handling extensions.\",\n \"In at least one such embodiment, on the portable bag: the at least two handling extensions comprise four handling extensions; and each of the four handling extensions is positioned along a hemmed edge defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In another embodiment, on the portable bag, each of the four handling extensions is elongate and extends an entirety of the hemmed edges defined between the front surface, the pair of side surfaces, and the rear surface.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments of at least this assembly, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; the at least two handling extensions comprise two handling extensions; and each of the two handling extensions is positioned and extends substantially along a length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, the two handling extensions extend at least in part beyond the length of the at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises: at least one elongate flap covering overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the pair of side surfaces, the at least one flap covering comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and at least one handle, the at least one handle being located on at least one of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least one handle being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In one such embodiment, the at least one elongate flap covering comprises two elongate flap coverings, each of the two elongate flap coverings overlaying at least a portion of a respective one of the pair of side surfaces, each of the two flap coverings comprising at least one elongate flap opening formed therein; and the at least one handle comprises at least two handles, one of the at least two handles being located on each of the pair of side surfaces and within the at least one elongate flap covering, the at least two handles being accessible only via the at least one elongate flap opening formed in the at least one flap covering.\",\n \"In another such embodiment, the portable bag further comprises at least one side crease on each of the side surfaces; and each of the two elongate flap coverings overlays at least a portion of the at least one side crease.\",\n \"In yet other embodiments, the portable bag further comprises an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable bag 1 having integrated handling openings according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a front view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating a front surface 10 thereof; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a rear of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating a rear surface 11 thereof, the rear surface being substantially identical to the front surface of FIG.\",\n \"2; FIG.\",\n \"4 is a first side view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating a first side surface 12 thereof; FIG.\",\n \"5 is a second side view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating a second side surface 13 thereof, the second side surface being substantially identical to the first side surface of FIG.\",\n \"4; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a top view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating a top surface portions 14a, 14b and a closure mechanism 4 thereof; FIG.\",\n \"7 is a bottom view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating a bottom surface 15 thereof; FIG.\",\n \"8 is another perspective view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating the portable bag in a first folded configuration 20a according to various embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"9 is yet another perspective view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating the portable bag in a second folded configuration 20b according to various embodiments, oriented for use with a wire rack assembly 22; FIG.\",\n \"10 is yet another perspective view of the portable bag of FIG.\",\n \"1, illustrating the portable bag in an unfolded configuration 30 according to various embodiments, as likewise oriented for use with the wire rack assembly 22; FIG.\",\n \"11 is a front view of a portable bag 101 having integrated handling openings according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"12 is a front view of a portable bag 201 having integrated handling openings according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"13 is a perspective view of a portable bag 301 having integrated handling openings according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"14 is a perspective view of a portable bag 401 having integrated handling openings according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"15 is a perspective view of a portable bag 501 having integrated handling openings according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a perspective view of a portable bag 601 having integrated handling openings according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"17A is a top view of a portable bag 701 having integrated handling openings according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"17B is a top view of a portable bag 801 having integrated handling openings according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"17C is a top view of a portable bag 901 having integrated handling openings according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"17D is a top view of a portable bag 1001 having integrated handling openings according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"18 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1101 having integrated handling openings according to a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"19 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1201 having integrated handling openings according to a thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"20 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1301 having integrated handling openings according to a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"21 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1401 having integrated handling openings according to a fifteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"22 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1500 having integrated handling openings according to a sixteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"23 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1600 having integrated handling openings according to a seventeenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"24 is a perspective view of a portable bag 1700 having integrated handling openings according to an eighteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG.\",\n \"25 is an illustration of a first exemplary assembly configured for use with the portable bags according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and FIG.\",\n \"26 is an illustration of a second exemplary assembly configured for use with the portable bags according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown.\",\n \"Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.\",\n \"Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1 FIG.\",\n \"1 illustrates a portable bag 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention.\",\n \"The portable bag 1 comprises a plurality of external surfaces including a front surface 10 (see FIG.\",\n \"2), a rear surface 11 (see FIG.\",\n \"3), a first side surface 12 (see FIG.\",\n \"4), a second side surface (see FIG.\",\n \"5), and one or more top surface portions 14a, 14b (see FIG.\",\n \"6).\",\n \"Each of these surfaces may be, in certain embodiments, secured relative to one another in a stitched or hemmed configuration so as to define a set of edge hems 2 and corner hems 8 (see FIGS.\",\n \"2-7), as such are commonly known or understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the surfaces may be formed by one or more creases in an otherwise seamless material, as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications, and as may be comparable to the side creases 7a-c (see FIGS.\",\n \"4-5) and the bottom crease (see FIG.\",\n \"7) described further below.\",\n \"With reference to FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 3, it may be understood therefrom that the front surface 10 and the back surface 11 of the portable bag 1 may be in certain embodiments substantially identical relative to one another.\",\n \"For example, each contain a pair of eyelets 5a, 5b configured to receive there-through portions of a wire rack or rack assembly 22, as will be described in further detail below, with reference to at least FIGS.\",\n \"9-10.Still further, each of the front and back surfaces 10, 11 contain in certain embodiments a pair of handling openings 6a, 6b positioned substantially along a horizontal midpoint line M thereof (see FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"Of course, in other embodiments, the front and back surfaces 10, 11 may have one or more different elements, for example, the portable bag 1 may have only handling openings 6a or handling openings 6b, such that the handling openings exist on only one or the other of the front and back surfaces 10, 11.In still other embodiments, as will be described elsewhere herein, the positioning of the handling openings 6a, 6b may also differ as between the front and back surfaces 10, 11, and/or further still relative to the pattern and/or number thereof contained on any one surface, whether the front or back surface 10, 11.With reference to FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5, it may be understood therefrom that the first side surface 12 and the second side surface 13 of the portable bag 1 may be in certain embodiments substantially identical relative to one another.\",\n \"For example, each may contain a set of creases 7a-c formed thereon, so as to facilitate folding of the portable bag 1 between an open or unfolded configuration 30 (see FIG.\",\n \"10) and a first or second folded configuration 20a, 20b (see FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9), all as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein.\",\n \"In at least the illustrated embodiment, a configuration of three creases 7a-c are provided in each side surface 12, 13, namely a primary and substantially vertical crease 7a and two secondary and substantially diagonal creases 7b, 7c—each branching off from the primary crease and extending from an end thereof to respective corner hems 8 of the portable bag 1.In other embodiments, alternative numbers of creases and/or alternative crease configurations may exist, provided such likewise facilitate folding of the portable bag 1 into a substantially flat and folded configuration, such as that illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9.With reference to FIG.\",\n \"6, it may be understood therefrom that the top surface may in certain embodiments, as illustrated, contain two surface portions 14a, 14b.\",\n \"In at least the illustrated embodiment, each surface portion 14a, 14b comprises approximately one half of the totality of the top surface of the portable bag 1.Each may also have in certain embodiments a closure mechanism 4 attached to a portion thereof intermediate each surface portion 14a, 14b.\",\n \"Such closure mechanism 4 is configured, according to these and still other embodiments, to facilitate secure sealing of the portable bag 1 upon filling thereof with a plurality of packages (e.g., small packages for transport by a common carrier server).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may extend along an entirety of a length or width of the top surface; in other embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may be centrally or otherwise located within a periphery of the top surface, as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein with reference to at least FIGS.\",\n \"17A-D.\",\n \"Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"7, it may be understood therefrom that the bottom surface 15 of the portable bag 1 may much like the side surfaces 12, 13 contain thereon at least one crease 15a.\",\n \"Such is, according to certain embodiments, configured to facilitate folding of the portable bag 1 into a substantially flat and folded configuration, such as that illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9.Such combinations of creases, so as to facilitate folding may take alternative forms.\",\n \"For example, a crease may instead appear on one of the front or rear surfaces 10, 11—with no crease thus necessary or formed upon the bottom surface 15 in at least such embodiments.\",\n \"With continued reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1-7 generally, it should be understood that according to various embodiments, the front surface 10, back or rear surface 11, and first and second side surfaces 12, 13 of the portable bag 1 may be substantially rectangular in shape.\",\n \"In those and other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces 14a, 14b, 15 may each be substantially square-shaped when viewed in their entirety.\",\n \"In those embodiments where the top surfaces 14a, 14b each form approximately one half of the total top surface (see FIG.\",\n \"6), each of such surfaces may also be substantially rectangular in shape, but smaller in size relative to the front, back, and side surfaces 10-13.Of course, in still other embodiments, the surfaces 10-15 may be otherwise shaped, whether square, rectangular, triangular, a combination thereof, or otherwise, however as may be desirable for particular applications.\",\n \"Returning to FIG.\",\n \"1, it may be seen that the top surface portions 14a, 14b are, in certain embodiments, selectively secured relative to one another via a closure mechanism 4.In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism 4 is a zipper, as may be seen likewise in FIG.\",\n \"6.In other embodiments, the closure mechanism may comprise any of a variety of closure mechanisms commonly known or understood in the art as useful for selectively securing two separate components or items relative to one another, including but not limited to the non-limiting examples of magnetic strips, magnetic dots, adhesive bonding material, a spring-loaded or otherwise biased assembly, Velcro®, interlacing and/or interlocking components, or the like.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the portable bag 1 of FIGS.\",\n \"1-7 is equipped with an internal liner 3 configured to encompass substantially an entirety of the internal volume of the portable bag.\",\n \"In this manner, in certain embodiments, the internal liner 3 defines the cavity filled by the plurality of packages placed within the portable bag 1.As a result, so as to maximize the volume available for the plurality of packages, the liner 3 is, in these and other embodiments, hemmed to internal edges or seams of the surfaces 10-15 of the portable bag, as such have been described previously herein.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the internal liner 3 may be otherwise adhered or affixed to an internal surface of the portable bag 1, whether via a bonding procedure or any of a variety of procedures as commonly known and understood in the art and configured for retaining and/or otherwise securing two components relative to one another.\",\n \"With reference now to FIGS.\",\n \"2-3, it may be seen that the interior liner 3 may be configured so as to substantially adhere to the edges 2 (whether hemmed or not) of the portable bag 1.This is the case in certain embodiments relative to a majority of the interior liner 3.In particular embodiments, however, such as that illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-7, at least a portion of the interior liner 3 is not adhered directly to the surfaces 10-15 of the portable bag 1.This may be understood with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"4-5, wherein a cavity or pocket 9 is illustrated, such that all around the circumference thereof the interior liner 3 remains adhered or otherwise secured relative to the portable bag 1.The cavity or pocket 9 substantially aligns with the handling opening(s) 6a, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2, so as to enable a user to place his/her hands through the handling openings to hold or otherwise transport or move the portable bag 1 without at the same time passing his/her hands through the interior liner 3.In addition to not only preventing user access to the plurality of packages stored within the portable bag 1, this cavity or pocket 9 containing liner 3 configuration ensures that no packages can inadvertently pass through the handling openings and out of the portable bag 1.With continued reference to FIGS.\",\n \"4-5, with incorporation further of FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, it should be understood that multiple cavities or pockets 9 may be present, for example, one associated with each of the handling openings 6a, 6b, adjacent both the front and the rear surfaces of the portable bag 1.Of course, in still other embodiments, the interior liner 3 may be configured and secured relative to the portable bag 1 such that no cavities or pockets 9 are formed therebetween, as may be advantageous or otherwise desirable in configurations such as that of portable bag 301 (see FIG.\",\n \"13), wherein no integrated handling openings are provided on a surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, the interior liner 3 may be constructed of any of a variety of materials, comparable and including the non-limiting examples of materials set forth previously herein with respect to the surfaces 10-15 of the portable bag 1 itself.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the interior liner 3 may be otherwise constructed, however, as may be desirable.\",\n \"Returning now to FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, illustrated therein are a set of handling openings 6a located on the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1.Corresponding handling openings 6b appear, in at least the illustrated embodiment, upon the opposing and rear or back surface 11 of the portable bag 1.In other embodiments, it should be understood that only one or the other of openings 6a, 6b may be provided, as may be desirable, for example, where only openings upon a front surface may be useful for a particular application.\",\n \"Still further, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, the handling openings 6a, 6b may be, each as a set, substantially aligned along a horizontal midpoint line M of the front surface 10.Of course, in other embodiments, as will be described in detail further below, differing placement configurations may be provided, along with differing total numbers of handling openings (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or more).\",\n \"As may also be understood from FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, the handling openings 6a, 6b are according to various embodiments defined at least in part by a grommet, as such are commonly known or understood in the art.\",\n \"Such may be provided, as a non-limiting example, so as to provide improved durability of the handling openings 6a, 6b.\",\n \"Details regarding the shape, size, color, and even material of such grommets are described in detail further below.\",\n \"Remaining now with FIG.\",\n \"1, in particular, it should be understood therefrom further that such involves a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment; in other embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b, formed as orifices or holes in the surfaces 10, 11 of the portable bag 12 may simply be hemmed around a periphery thereof, likewise so as to provide a desired degree of durability thereof for reuse over time.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b may be formed, defined, or otherwise strengthened for durability and the like by one or more mechanisms other than grommets, stitching, hemming, or the like.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, the handling openings 6a, 6b are according to various embodiments substantially circular in shape.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b are shaped in this fashion so as to facilitate and other enable passage of a user's hand there-through.\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the handling openings 6a, 6b are likewise appropriately sized so as to permit passage of a typically sized user's hand therethrough.\",\n \"Also illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3 are a set of eyelets 5a located upon at least the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1.According to various embodiments, corresponding eyelets 5b are provided on the rear surface 11 of the portable bag 1, so as to amongst other benefits, facilitate sliding of the portable bag (through and via the eyelets) onto a storage or packing or transport rack (see e.g., rack 22 of FIGS.\",\n \"9 and 10).\",\n \"As may be understood from FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, in certain embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b are positioned substantially adjacent a top edge of the front and rear surfaces 10, 11, so as to permit the remainder of the bag 1 to “hang” therebelow, for example upon hanging of the bag upon a rack (see again FIGS.\",\n \"9 and 10).\",\n \"In these and other embodiments, the eyelets are substantially smaller in size that the handling openings 6a, 6b described previously herein.\",\n \"Of course, in still other embodiments, the size of the eyelets and the handling openings may be substantially the same or otherwise, as may be desirable.\",\n \"Remaining further with FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, it should also be understood therefrom that the eyelets 5a, 5b are according to various embodiments defined at least in part by a grommet, as such are commonly known or understood in the art.\",\n \"Such may be provided, as a non-limiting example, so as to provide improved durability of the eyelets 5a, 5b.\",\n \"Details regarding the shape, size, color, and even material of such grommets are described in detail further below.\",\n \"Remaining now with Figure, in particular, it should be understood therefrom further that such involves a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment; in other embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b, formed as orifices or holes in the surfaces 10, 11 of the portable bag 12 may simply be hemmed around a periphery thereof, likewise so as to provide a desired degree of durability thereof for reuse over time.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b may be formed, defined, or otherwise strengthened for durability and the like by one or more mechanisms other than grommets, stitching, hemming, or the like.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-3, the eyelets 5a, 5b are according to various embodiments substantially circular in shape.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the eyelets 5a, 5b are shaped in this fashion so as to facilitate and other enable passage of one or more prongs of an associated rack therethrough, as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein with reference to at least FIGS.\",\n \"9 and 10.Turning now to FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5, illustrated thereon are exemplary creases 7a-c, as may be formed in the side surfaces 12, 13 of the portable bag 1 according to various embodiments thereof.\",\n \"The primary crease 7a is oriented substantially vertically, extending from a location upon the side surfaces 12, 13 substantially adjacent the top surfaces 14a, 14b (see FIG.\",\n \"6) of the portable bag 1.The primary crease 7a according to certain embodiments does not extend an entire length of the side surfaces 12, 13, but merely approximately ⅔ of the distance thereof, at which point, the primary crease 7a is joined by the secondary creases 7b, 7c.\",\n \"As may be understood from FIGS.\",\n \"4 and 5, at this intersection of the creases 7a-c, the secondary creases 7b, 7c extend diagonally outward and downward, toward and extending to respective corner hems 8 of the portable bag 1.In at least the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.\",\n \"4-5, the creases 7a-c are oriented inwardly, so as permit folding of the portable bag 1 in a fashion such that the side surfaces 12, 13 fold inwardly, as illustrated, for example in FIG.\",\n \"8.Such a folded and creased configuration facilitates ease of handling of the portable bag 1 (e.g., via an automated process or the like) while maintaining a minimal degree of risk that any portions of the portable bag 1 will be caught or otherwise tangled or twisted in one or more components external to the bag.\",\n \"This is particularly of importance, when considered in comparison to the conventional “pillow-type” bags, which did not have an expanded lower side surface or any sort of base surface.\",\n \"Of course, in other embodiments, the creases 7a-c may be otherwise oriented, as may be desirable for particular scenarios; although in any of such and still other embodiments, the creases will generally be pressed inward, so as to avoid the side surfaces 12, 13 of the back extending outward relative to the front or rear surfaces 10, 11 of the portable bag, upon folding thereof as in FIG.\",\n \"8 or 9.Still further, although three creases 7a-c are illustrated, still other embodiments may have differently oriented or a different number of creases, provided the same folding capabilities are provided thereby.\",\n \"Turning with particular focus to FIG.\",\n \"7, a crease 15a is provided in the bottom surface 15 of the portable bag 1 in certain embodiments, and such operates in conjunction with the above described creases 7a-c, so as to facilitate folding of the portable bag (see e.g., FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9).\",\n \"As may be understood from FIGS.\",\n \"8 and 9, the bottom crease 15a, like the creases 7a-c is configured according to various embodiments so as to fold inwardly when the portable bag is folded or otherwise collapsed into a substantially flat configuration.\",\n \"In this manner, the bottom surface 15 is likewise shielded behind and between the front and rear surfaces 10, 11, so as to minimize the risk of catching, tangling, or twisting thereof in one or more handling or processing components external to the bag.\",\n \"Of course, in other embodiments, alternative crease 15a configurations may be provided; in at least one embodiment, no crease 15a may be provided, with a crease (not illustrated) being instead formed upon one of the front or rear surfaces 10, 11, so as to facilitate folding of the bag in a manner analogous to the folding of a conventional brown paper bag.\",\n \"Turning now with attention upon FIGS.\",\n \"8-10, illustrated therein are a first folded configuration 20a, a second folded configuration 20b, and an unfolded configuration 30.In certain embodiments, the folded configurations 20a, 20b are substantially the same, but for that when an external component, such as the wire rack 22 and its associated first and second prongs (or tusks) 23a, 23b are passed through the eyelets 5a, 5b of the portable bag 1, the closure mechanism 4 does not further fold inward and downward, as seen, for example in FIG.\",\n \"8.Instead, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"9, the closure mechanism 4 and the remaining portions of the top surfaces 14a, 14b may fold inward and downward, but only to an extent such that the top surfaces 14a, 14b remain relatively positioned above the eyelets 5a, 5b.\",\n \"In this manner, the prongs 23a, 23b may nevertheless pass through the eyelets 5a, 5b, even in the folded configuration 20b.\",\n \"Additional details of such a rack 22 or external processing component and any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"25 and 26, which illustrated respective exemplary assemblies 2000 and 2100, which may be used in conjunction with the portable bag 1 (and with any of the portable bag embodiments described herein).\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"25, it may be seen therein a frame 2001 that may be configured to support rack (or tusk) 22 mounting supports 2002.These supports 2002 may further support slides 2003 (or tubes or the like) configured for a plurality of packages to travel thereupon.\",\n \"A continuous angle may be provided, such that the supports 2002 and the slides 2003 are configured to align substantially with the rack 22, which may be mounted in certain embodiments to the supports 2002 as illustrated (or otherwise).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the racks 22 may extend outwardly from the supports, defining a shape thereof as in FIG.\",\n \"10 (for example); in other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25, the racks 22 may be configured to provide not only for a bag hanging portion to receive bag 1, but also a bag storage area 2004, where additional bags may be retained, for example in a closed configuration (as described elsewhere herein) until such may be retrieved and clipped as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25 (and FIG.\",\n \"10) adjacent the ends or tips of the rack 22.Of course, alternative configurations of external processing components and/or assemblies for use with the portable bag 1 (or those bags of other embodiments described herein) may be envisioned.\",\n \"An additional exemplary assembly 2100 is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"26, configured similarly but with differently oriented supports and a dual slide/rack configuration, as compared to the single rack configuration illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25.With reference now again to FIG.\",\n \"10, illustrated therein is an open or unfolded configuration 30 according to various embodiments of the portable bag 1.As may be seen, the open or unfolded configuration 30 may be provided likewise in conjunction with an external component, such as a rack of dispensing unit 22, such having at least two prongs 23a, 23b, sized and oriented so as to extend through the eyelets 5a, 5b, as described previously herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may be biased so as to further define a top opening 35 when in the open or unfolded configuration 30.Such may be provided, for example, via a spring-loaded assembly or via any of the variety of closure mechanisms, as are described in further detail elsewhere herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the closure mechanism 4 may be biased in a fashion so that the portable bag is naturally closed; in other embodiments, the closure mechanism may be instead oppositely biased so that the portable bag is naturally open, as in FIG.\",\n \"10.In at least one embodiment, upon removal of the portable bag 1 from the wire rack 22 or dispensing assembly, the closure mechanism 4 may be further configured to automatically close.\",\n \"In this manner, upon filling of the portable bag 1 with a plurality of packages (e.g., while on the rack 22 and in an unfolded configuration 30 with the top surface(s) biased so as to define a top opening 35), the dispensing or removal thereof from the rack 22 or another comparable external component may automatically or otherwise in a near real-time fashion close or seal the closure mechanism and thus the portable bag 1.With reference generally to FIGS.\",\n \"8-9 and the descriptions of such as provided immediately above, it should be understood by analogy that the same configurations 20a, 20b, 30; the same external components including a rack 22 and prongs 23a, 23b; and a biased top opening 35 may be provided in conjunction with any of the various portable bags 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001—all as described in detail further below.\",\n \"In other embodiments, of course, any one or a combination of such folding features or external components may be substantially different with respect to such other embodiments of the portable bags however as may be desirable for a particular application.\",\n \"Portable Bag 101 While the embodiment of the portable bag 1 illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 comprises a single pair of handling openings 6a on the front surface 10 thereof (see FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2 particularly) and a corresponding single pair of handling openings 6b on the rear surface 11 thereof (see FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 3 particularly), it should be appreciated that in still other embodiments, any number or positioning of the handling openings 6a, 6b may be provided, however as may be desirable for specific scenarios or applications.\",\n \"As a non-limiting example, a portable bag 101, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"11, may include a set of two pairs of handling openings 106a, 106b, all positioned on a front surface 110 of the portable bag.\",\n \"As illustrated, and with reference by comparison to FIG.\",\n \"2, it may be seen that the handling openings 106a, 106b on the front surface 110 of the portable bag 101 shown in FIG.\",\n \"11 are each offset relative to a midpoint along a height of the front surface.\",\n \"In other words, rather than being positioned substantially at a midpoint of the height of the front surface, as in FIG.\",\n \"2 where a set of two pair of handling openings 6a, 6b is provided, such are oriented on opposing sides of the midpoint.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset of each of the two pair of handling openings 6a, 6b may be equal relative to the midpoint.\",\n \"In other embodiments, it should be understood that the offset of each of the two pairs may differ relative to the midpoint of the height of the front surface 110.Still further, although the offsets illustrated are equal for each of the first pair of handling openings 106a and the second pair of handling openings 106b, the offsets for each may differ relative to one another.\",\n \"The offset of the openings 106a, 106b relative to a side hem/edge of the front surface 110 (versus relative to a horizontal midpoint thereof as described above) may also be substantially the same as that of the openings 6a, 6b, as described previously herein in certain embodiments, although in other embodiments, the offset relative to the side hem/edge may be substantially different, provided the offset is less than that of the eyelets relative to the side hem/edge.\",\n \"Returning now to FIG.\",\n \"11, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a front surface 110 of the portable bag 101, the portable bag 101 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as that illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1, but for the location and placement of alternative handling openings 106a, 106b.\",\n \"Thus, it should be understood in this regard that corresponding handling openings are present on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag 101, in much the same corresponding fashion as described above with respect to the portable bag 1.Of course, in other embodiments, the handling openings 106a, 106b may be limited to only the front surface 110 of the portable bag 101, with no corresponding handling openings on a rear surface thereof, as may be desirable.\",\n \"Still further, although each of the handling openings 106a, 106b are illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11 as being the same size and shape; one or more of such may in other embodiments differ in size and/or shape relative to the remaining handling openings.\",\n \"For example, the handling openings may be, as non-limiting examples, substantially circular, elliptical, rectangular, or square-shaped, however as may be desirable.\",\n \"The handling openings 106a, 106b may also be formed in conjunction with a grommet that defines the opening.\",\n \"Such grommet (illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11, but not numbered) may be made of a variety of materials, including the non-limiting examples of plastic, ceramic, or metal.\",\n \"The grommet may include a first side portion and/or a second side portion, each of which as may be different colors and/or different materials.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the grommet may be selectively removable from the portable bag 101, in which case the handling openings 106a, 106b may be further hemmed.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the handling openings may be hemmed and defined without the use of a grommet.\",\n \"So as to facilitate automated (or near automated) dispensing of the portable bag 101, much like that of portable bag 1, as described previously herein with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"8-10, the portable bag 101 should be understood to include corresponding eyelets 105a on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag, as described and present on portable bag 1.With this configuration, placement of the portable bag 101 upon a wire rack assembly such as assembly 22 illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"9-10 remains possible.\",\n \"With reference again to FIG.\",\n \"11, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the remaining structural features of the portable bag 101 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 102, the interior liner 103, the eyelets 105a, and the hem corner(s) 108, may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the interior liner 3, the eyelets 5a, and the hem corner(s) 8 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 and described previously herein.\",\n \"For example, although not expressly illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11, the interior liner 103 may be configured so as to define a hollow or space around each of the handling openings 106a, 106b, much like the interior liner 3, so as to not only prevent access to the packages located inside the bag by a user's hands or fingers, but also to prevent inadvertent passage of any relatively small packages through the handling openings.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bag 1, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 may include, in a non-limiting fashion, closure mechanisms, side creases, liner cavities, top surface portions, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 201 While the embodiment of the portable bag 101 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11 comprises a set of two pair of handling openings 106a, 106b on the front surface 110 thereof, it should be appreciated that in still other embodiments, any number or positioning of such handling openings may be provided, however as may be desirable for specific scenarios or applications.\",\n \"As a non-limiting example, a portable bag 201, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"12, may include a set of three mutually offset handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c, all positioned on a front surface 210 of the portable bag.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, corresponding offset handling openings exist in the rear surface (not shown) of the portable bag 201.In these embodiments, the positioning pattern thereof may substantially match that on the front surface 210; in other embodiments, however, the positioning pattern may differ on the respective front and rear surfaces of the portable bag 201.As illustrated, and with reference by comparison to FIGS.\",\n \"11 (portable bag 101), it may be seen that the handling openings 206b, 206c on the front surface 210 of the portable bag 201 shown in FIG.\",\n \"12 are each offset relative to a midpoint along a height of the front surface.\",\n \"In other words, rather than being positioned substantially at a midpoint of the height of the front surface (as in FIG.\",\n \"2), these handling openings 206b, 206c are provided such that they are oriented on opposing sides of the midpoint.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the offset of each of the handling openings 206b, 206c may be equal relative to the midpoint.\",\n \"In other embodiments, it should be understood that the offset of each may differ relative to the midpoint of the height of the front surface 210.Still further, although the offsets illustrated are equal for each of the handling openings 106b, 106c, the offsets for each may differ relative to one another and the midpoint, particularly so in the embodiment of the portable bag 201 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12.Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"12, it may be seen that a third and separately positioned handling opening 206a may also be provided in this embodiment, such that a combination of the embodiments of the portable bag 1 and the portable bag 101 (both described previously herein) is provided.\",\n \"Such may be beneficial where alternative manners of handling such bags may be desirable or necessary depending upon the size, shape, and/or weight of the contents packaged therein.\",\n \"In at least the illustrated embodiment, the third handling opening 206a is positioned substantially on the midpoint of the height of the front surface 210.The offset of the openings 206a, 206b, 206c relative to a side hem/edge of the front surface 210 may also be substantially the same as that of the openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, as described previously herein in certain embodiments, although in other embodiments, the offset relative to the side hem/edge may be substantially different for one or more of the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c, provided the offset is less than that of the eyelets relative to the side hem/edge.\",\n \"Still further, although each of the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c are illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12 as being the same size and shape; one or more of such may in other embodiments differ in size and/or shape relative to the remaining handling openings.\",\n \"For example, the handling openings may be, as non-limiting examples, substantially circular, elliptical, rectangular, or square-shaped, however as may be desirable.\",\n \"The handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c may also be formed in conjunction with a grommet that defines the opening.\",\n \"Such grommet (illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12, but not numbered) may be made of a variety of materials, including the non-limiting examples of plastic, ceramic, or metal.\",\n \"The grommet may include a first side portion and/or a second side portion, each of which as may be different colors and/or different materials.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the grommet may be selectively removable from the portable bag 201, in which case the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c may be further hemmed.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the handling openings may be hemmed and defined without the use of a grommet.\",\n \"Returning now to FIG.\",\n \"12, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a front surface 210 of the portable bag 201, the portable bag 201 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as that illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 11, but for the location and placement of alternative handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c.\",\n \"Thus, it should be understood in this regard that corresponding handling openings are present on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag 201, in much the same corresponding fashion as described above with respect to the portable bags 1, 101.Of course, in other embodiments, the handling openings 206a, 206b, 206c may be limited to only the front surface 210 of the portable bag 201, with no corresponding handling openings on a rear surface thereof, as may be desirable.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the handling openings on a rear surface of the portable bag 201 may differ from those on the front surface 210 of the portable bag.\",\n \"As a non-limiting example, the handling openings on the rear surface of the portable bag 201 may be disposed differently than those on the front surface thereof, such that the rear surface of the portable bag 201 may be configured substantially the same as the rear surface 11 of the portable bag 1 (see FIG.\",\n \"3).\",\n \"So as to facilitate automated (or near automated) dispensing of the portable bag 201, much like that of portable bags 1 and 101, as described previously herein with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"8-11, the portable bag 201 should be understood to include corresponding eyelets 205a on a rear surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag, as described and present on at least portable bag 1.With this configuration, placement of the portable bag 201 upon a wire rack assembly such as assembly 22 illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"9-10 remains possible.\",\n \"With reference again to FIG.\",\n \"12, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the remaining structural features of the portable bag 201 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 202, the interior liner 203, the eyelets 205a, and the hem corner(s) 208, may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the interior liner 3, the eyelets 5a, and the hem corner(s) 8 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 and described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bag 1, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"12, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 may include, in a non-limiting manner, closure mechanisms, side creases, liner cavities, top surface portions, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 301 While the embodiments of the portable bag 1 illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 and the portable bags 101, 201 illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"11-12 comprise various configurations of handling openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c that are integrally formed upon front and/or rear surfaces of such bags, it should be appreciated that in still other embodiments, no such handling openings may be formed upon the front and/or rear surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"Instead, for example, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13, one or more extension members 32 may be provided, such extension members including one or more sets of handling openings 324, 326 defined thereon.\",\n \"With continued reference to FIG.\",\n \"13, it may be understood that the one or more extension members 322 may be configured in certain embodiments as extensions of the hemmed edges 302 of the portable bag 301, such that the extension members 322 extend outwardly relative to and are at least in part formed by the hems sewn along such hemmed edges.\",\n \"In this manner, according to various embodiments, the extension members 322 may be flexibly movable relative to the remainder (i.e., the various central surface portions) of the portable bag 301.According to various embodiments, as also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13, four extension members 322 may be provided, such that one is provided along an intersection hem between each of the respective sides and front and back surfaces of the portable bag 301.In certain embodiments, only two extension members 322 may be provided, for example upon opposite and diagonally oriented corner hems.\",\n \"In other embodiments, two extension members 322 may be provided, both adjacent the front surface 310 of the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, any of one, two, three, four, or still another quantity of extension members 322 may be provided, with such oriented vertically as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13, or even horizontally (i.e., parallel to a top surface portion 314a, 314b of the portable bag 301.According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13, the extension members 322 may be configured to extend an entirety of the height of the portable bag 301.In other embodiments, however, the extension members may have a length less than that of the height of the portable bag 301.In such embodiments, the extension members may be centered about a midpoint of the front surface of the portable bag 301.In still other embodiments, the extension members 322 may be offset relative to one another, for example, where two extension members are provided on opposing and diagonal corner hems of the portable bag, one may be positioned adjacent the top surface and extend only partly toward the bottom surface, whereas the other may be positioned adjacent the bottom surface and extend only partly toward the top surface.\",\n \"In this manner, a counter-acting balance may be provided when handling the portable bag 301 via such extension members 322.As also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13, each of the extension members 322 may include a pair of handling openings 324, 326.These handling openings 324, 326 in certain embodiments are configured to pass through an entirety of the extension members 322, so as to provide a user of the portable bag 301 an opening for a hand-hold when handling or otherwise transporting the bag.\",\n \"As may be understood from FIG.\",\n \"13, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the handling openings 324, 326 may be positioned relative to a midpoint of the front surface 310 of the portable bag 301 in substantially the same manner as the handling openings 106a, 106b of the portable bag 101, illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"11 and described previously herein.\",\n \"In other words, as a non-limiting example, the handling openings 324, 326 may be each offset relative to the horizontal midpoint (see, by analogy, midpoint line M of FIG.\",\n \"1) of the front surface 310, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13.In other embodiments, the offset of the handling opening 324 may differ from that of the handling opening 326.In still other embodiments, the handling openings 324, 326 may be replaced with instead a single handling opening on each extension member 322, analogous to the manner in which a single handling opening 6a is adjacent each side of the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2 and described previously herein.\",\n \"Remaining further with FIG.\",\n \"13, according to the embodiment illustrated therein, the extension members 322 may be substantially rectangular in shape or otherwise mirror the shape of the portable bag 301 in its entirety.\",\n \"In other embodiments, however, it should be understood that the extension members 322 may be otherwise shaped, provided they are configured in such a manner so as to provide at least one handling opening in each thereof.\",\n \"As non-limiting examples, the extension members 322 could be substantially semi-circularly shaped, truncated triangularly shaped, or even rectangular or square-shaped with rounded or otherwise truncated corner regions.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, it should be understood that any rounding, truncation, curvature, and flexibility (as referenced previously) of the extension members 322 is desirable so as to minimize the likelihood of the members being caught, tangled, or otherwise “hung-up” upon external components during an automated or semi-automated bag handling or transport process.\",\n \"As may also be understood from FIG.\",\n \"13, the extension members 322 may be two-sided, such that in those embodiments, as illustrated, where the members are formed from hem extensions, such may be a folded member that provides an extension of, for example, front surface 310 and side surface 312 of the portable bag 301.In this manner, once so folded, the extension member 322 and (again for example) the front and side surfaces 310, 312 may be hemmed along hem line 302, so as to define an interface between such surfaces and the member.\",\n \"With continued reference to FIG.\",\n \"13, via the cut-out provided therein, a portion of the interior liner 303 thereof is visible adjacent the front surface 310.It should be noted that, with no integrally formed handling openings in certain embodiments of the portable bag 301, the need to define a cavity or to otherwise inset a portion of the liner 303 relative to one or more surfaces of the bag is not necessary.\",\n \"Such may be best understood with reference by analogy to at least FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 4, illustrating portable bag 1 with its integrally formed handling openings 6a and the manner in which its liner 3 is configured so as to define a cavity or space 9 between surfaces of the bag and the liner adjacent the openings.\",\n \"In this manner, as previously described herein with reference to portable bag 1, the hands of a user thereof, when placed through the handling openings do not pass further through the liner.\",\n \"This also prevents inadvertent passage of a relative small package through the handling openings, also as described in detail previously herein.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"13, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 301, the portable bag 301 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as that illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-12, but for the interchanging of the integrally formed handling openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c described previously herein with alternative handling openings 324, 326 located upon distinctive extension members 322.Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"13, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 301 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 302, the eyelets 305a, 305b, the side crease lines 307a-c, the front surface 310, the side surface 312, the top surface portions 314a, 314b, and the closure mechanism 304 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, the top surface portions 14a, 14b, and the closure mechanism 4 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 and described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bag 1, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 401 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"14, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 401.As should be readily understood, various features and components of portable bag 401 may be according to various embodiments substantially the same as those of portable bag 301, as described above, with the exception only of the location, placement, and number of the pair of crease extensions 422, as compared to the plurality of hem extensions 322 of portable bag 301 (see also, by comparison, FIG.\",\n \"13).\",\n \"In this regard, in certain embodiments the pair of crease extensions 422 are positioned substantially along the length of a side crease 407a located on the side surface 412 of the portable bag 401.In at least the illustrated embodiment, the pair of crease extensions 422 further extend to a bottom edge of the side surface 412, namely substantially adjacent a bottom surface (not illustrated) of the portable bag 401.In other embodiments, however, so as to facilitate folding of the portable bag 401 into a folded configuration (see, by analogy, FIG.\",\n \"8 and a folded configuration of portable bag 1), the crease extensions 422 may be configured to run only the length of crease 407a.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the crease extensions 422 may extend along the length of crease 407a and then still further along at least one of the creases 407b, 407c.\",\n \"In such an embodiment, as compared to that illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14, where the crease extension 422 extends further along both creases 407b, 407c, three extension openings may be provided, as compared to the two extension openings 424, 426 described below.\",\n \"With reference now to the extension openings 424, 426 of FIG.\",\n \"14, each may be configured in certain embodiments to pass through an entirety of the extension members 422, so as to provide a user of the portable bag 401 an opening for a hand-hold when handling or otherwise transporting the bag.\",\n \"As may be understood from FIG.\",\n \"14, in the embodiment illustrated therein, the handling openings 424, 426 may be positioned relative to a midpoint of the front surface 410 of the portable bag 401 in substantially the same manner as the handling openings 324, 326 of the portable bag 301, illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"13 and described previously herein.\",\n \"In other words, as a non-limiting example, the handling openings 424, 426 may be each offset relative to a horizontal midpoint of the front surface 410, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14.In other embodiments, the offset of the handling opening 424 may differ from that of the handling opening 426.In still other embodiments, the handling openings 424, 426 may be replaced with instead a single handling opening on each extension member 422, analogous to the manner in which a single handling opening 6a is adjacent each side of the front surface 10 of the portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2 and described previously herein.\",\n \"Remaining further with FIG.\",\n \"14, according to the embodiment illustrated therein, the extension members 422 may be substantially rectangular in shape or otherwise mirror the shape of the portable bag 401 in its entirety.\",\n \"In other embodiments, however, it should be understood that the extension members 422 may be otherwise shaped, provided they are configured in such a manner so as to provide at least one handling opening in each thereof.\",\n \"As non-limiting examples, the extension members 422 could be substantially semi-circularly shaped, truncated triangularly shaped, or even rectangular or square-shaped with rounded or otherwise truncated corner regions.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, it should be understood that any rounding, truncation, curvature, and flexibility (as referenced previously) of the extension members 422 is desirable so as to minimize the likelihood of the members being caught, tangled, or otherwise “hung-up” upon external components during an automated or semi-automated bag handling or transport process.\",\n \"As described previously herein, one or more of the extension members 422 may not extend an entirety of a length or height of the portable bag 401; however, so as to facilitate folding thereof, the extension members in many embodiments follow (or are otherwise positioned upon and along) at least one crease line (e.g., 407a-c) formed on the side surface 412 of the portable bag.\",\n \"As may also be understood from FIG.\",\n \"14, the extension members 422 may be two-sided, such that in those embodiments, as illustrated, where the members are formed from hem extensions, such may be a folded member that provides an extension of at least the crease line 407a, which may itself in certain embodiments also be hemmed.\",\n \"In this manner, once so folded, the extension member 422 and (again for example) the crease line 407a may be hemmed or otherwise secured relative to one another so as to define an interface between the same.\",\n \"With continued reference to FIG.\",\n \"14, via the cut-out provided therein, a portion of the interior liner 403 thereof is visible adjacent the front surface 410.It should be noted that, with no integrally formed handling openings in certain embodiments of the portable bag 401, the need to define a cavity or to otherwise inset a portion of the liner 403 relative to one or more surfaces of the bag is not necessary.\",\n \"Such may be best understood with reference by analogy to at least FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 4, illustrating portable bag 1 with its integrally formed handling openings 6a and the manner in which its liner 3 is configured so as to define a cavity or space 9 between surfaces of the bag and the liner adjacent the openings.\",\n \"Such should also be understood with reference by analogy to FIG.\",\n \"13, wherein the liner 303 of the portable bag 301 illustrated therein likewise has no need for any liner-defined cavities or openings.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"14, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 401 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 401 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-13, but for the interchanging of the integrally formed handling openings 6a, 6b, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c described previously herein and the hem extension handling openings 324, 326 with alternative crease extension handling openings 424, 426 located upon distinctive extension members 422.Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"14, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 401 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 402, the eyelets 405a, 405b, the side crease lines 407a-c, the front surface 410, the side surface 412, the top surface portions 414a, 414b, and the closure mechanism 404 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, the top surface portions 14a, 14b, and the closure mechanism 4 of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 (or comparable features as illustrated in any of FIGS.\",\n \"11-13), all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-13 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"14, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-13 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s), and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 501 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"15, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 501.Two primary differences exist between this embodiment of portable bag 501, as compared to the bags 1, 101, 201, 301, and 401 described previously herein.\",\n \"First, instead of a zipper-containing closure mechanism, the closure mechanism 504 of portable bag 501 is magnetically based.\",\n \"In at least the illustrated embodiment, two magnetic strips are included, one attached relative to a portion of each of the top surfaces 514a, 514b, essentially in place of the zipper-containing closure mechanism.\",\n \"In other embodiments, magnetic dots, spaced periodically along a length of the illustrated closure mechanism 504 may be provided instead of a strip extending along the entirety of the length thereof.\",\n \"It should be understood in such embodiments that the magnetic dots will be spaced such that none of the small packages placed within the portable bag 501 and upon closure thereof can inadvertently pass through any opening formed by the spacing between the magnetic dots.\",\n \"Although illustrated as a centrally positioned magnetic strip containing closure mechanism 504, it should also be understood that the strip may be otherwise oriented on the top surfaces 514a, 514b of the portable bag 501.In at least one embodiment, a side or overlapping flap configuration may be provided with a magnetic closure mechanism, as for example illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"17C-D and as will be described in further detail below.\",\n \"The second distinguishing feature of the portable bag 501, as compared to the previously described bags 1, 101, 201, 301, and 401, is the replacement of integrally formed handling openings 6a, 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b, 206c and extension members 322, 422 with a flap covering 520 and a set of handles 524, 526 instead of handle openings.\",\n \"The flap covering 520 may, in certain embodiments have a flap opening 522 or slit formed therein, such that upon opening thereof, the set of handles 524, 526 may be accessed by a user or person handling the portable bag 501.At other times, the flap covering 520 is configured in these and other embodiments to cover or otherwise substantially overlay the handles, so as to substantially reduce the likelihood of the handles 524, 526 getting caught on any automated machinery components configured to process, load, or otherwise handle the portable bag 501.In certain embodiments, the set of handles 524, 526 may be made of a plastic or rigid material; in other embodiments, the handles may be made of rope or any of a variety of alternative materials having some degree of strength and as commonly known and understood in the art.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the handles 524, 526 may be retractable when not in use, much like the handle atop a computer monitor box, as a non-limiting example.\",\n \"And while in the illustrated embodiment, a set of two handles 524, 526 are illustrated, in yet other embodiments, a single handle, or three, or four, or more handles may be provided, as may be desirable.\",\n \"For example, four handles could be provided, with the two (as illustrated) extending along the crease 507a, along with two additional handles positioned one along each of the creases 507b, 507c.\",\n \"In such embodiments, the additional handles may likewise be covered by the flap covering 520 or by separately formed flap coverings, each having respective flap openings 522 formed therein.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"15, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 501 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 501 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-14, but for the incorporation of a flap covering 520 and handles 524, 526 (instead of handling openings or extension members) and a magnetic-based closure mechanism 504 (instead of the zipper of, for example, FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, however, the portable bag 501 may only include one of these two features, such that, as a non-limiting example, a bag may be provided having the flap covering and associated handles, but with a zipper (or otherwise based) closure mechanisms.\",\n \"Any of a variety of combinations are indeed possible, with further reference to FIGS.\",\n \"17A-D, as will be described further below.\",\n \"Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"15, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 501 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 502, the liner 503, the eyelets 505a, 505b, the side crease lines 507a-c, the front surface 510, the side surface 512, and the top surface portions 514a, 514b may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, and the top surface portions 14a, 14b of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 (or comparable features as illustrated in any of the bag embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"11-14), all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"15, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-14 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s) therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 601 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"16, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 601.The primary difference between this embodiment of portable bag 601, as compared to the portable bag 501 described previously herein is the absence herein of any sort of flap covering, leaving instead an exposed handle 626.A magnetic-based closure mechanism 604 is also provided in the illustrated embodiment; although in other embodiments any of the various closure mechanisms described elsewhere herein may be substituted therewith.\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16, handle 626 may be positioned substantially along crease 607.In this manner, when the portable bag 601 is folded (see, by analogy, folded configuration of FIG.\",\n \"8), the handle 626 is recessed relative to an outer periphery or edge of the folded configuration, such that the risk of the handle being caught or otherwise hung-up with or tangled in external components such as automated machinery for handling the portable bag 601 is substantially reduced or otherwise minimized.\",\n \"Still further, although a single handle 626 is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16, it should be understood that, as with embodiments 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501, that a corresponding handle may, in certain embodiments, be provided on the opposing side (not illustrated) of the bag.\",\n \"Of course, in still other embodiments relative to any of the bags described elsewhere herein, a handle or handles may only be provided on a single side of the bag, as mentioned previously herein.\",\n \"Additionally, on each side, two, three, or more handles may be provided, as opposed to the single handle of the illustrated embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"16.As a non-limiting example, handles may be provided along each of the creases 607a-c, for a total of three handles on each side of the portable bag 601.Any of a variety of configurations are, in fact, possible in this regard without departing from the scope and nature of the present inventive concept.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"16, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 601 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 601 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-14, but for the incorporation of an exposed handle 626 (instead of handling openings or extension members or a handle covered by a flap) and a magnetic-based closure mechanism 604 (instead of the zipper of, for example, FIG.\",\n \"1).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, however, the portable bag 601 may only include one of these two features, such that, as a non-limiting example, a bag may be provided having the flap covering and associated handles, but with a zipper (or otherwise based) closure mechanisms.\",\n \"Any of a variety of combinations are indeed possible, with further reference to FIGS.\",\n \"17A-D, as will be described further below.\",\n \"Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"16, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 601 including, but not limited to, the hemmed edges 602, the liner 603, the eyelets 605a, 605b, the side crease lines 607a-c, the front surface 610, the side surface 612, and the top surface portions 614a, 614b may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the hemmed edges 2, the eyelets 5a, 5b, the side crease lines 7a-c, the front surface 10, the side surface 12, and the top surface portions 14a, 14b of portable bag 1, as illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-10 (or comparable features as illustrated in any of the bag embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"11-15), all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-15 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"16, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-15 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and crease(s) therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 701 Illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17A is an alternative top surface 714 of a portable bag 701.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 701 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, as described previously herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 701 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, however, as may be desirable for a particular application.\",\n \"Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 701 that are not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17A may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, also as may be desirable.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"17A, it may be seen therein that instead of a zipper-based closure mechanism, as described previously herein with respect to at least the embodiment of portable bag 1, a selectively rope-tied closure mechanism 715 may be provided.\",\n \"This mechanism 715 may a rope or string element 720, a channel defining seam or hem 725, and an opening 730, defined substantially by the mechanism 715.Such “draw-string” type closure mechanisms are commonly known and understood in the art, but illustrated here for purposes of an alternative possible closure mechanism.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the opening 730 may be shaped other than circular, for example, in an oval, square, oblong, triangular, or other shape, however as may be desirable.\",\n \"It should be understood, however, that in all of these and still other embodiments, the size of the opening 730 should be at least equal to the distance of spacing between the eyelets provided in the portable bag 701, as such eyelets are described further below in a general fashion.\",\n \"Portable Bag 801 Illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17B is an alternative top surface 814a, 814b of a portable bag 801.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 801 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, as described previously herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 801 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, however as may be desirable for a particular application.\",\n \"Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 801 that are not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17B may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, also as may be desirable.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"17B, the closure mechanism 804 comprises a set of magnetic strips 804a, 804b, as have been described previously herein with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"15-16 and portable bags 501, 601.As described, the magnetic strips 804a, 804b may comprise two opposing strips that are configured to mate with one another so as to hold the top surfaces 814a, 814b securely closed relative to each other.\",\n \"Still further, as described previously herein, the magnetic strips 804a, 804b may be substantially continuous along a length of the top surfaces 814a, 814b, particularly at an intersection thereof; in other embodiments, as also described previously herein, the magnetic strips may be replaced with a plurality of spaced apart magnetic dots or a series of magnetic fibers (e.g., fibers made from a magnetic material).\",\n \"In any of these and still other embodiments, the top surfaces 814a, 814b may be further biased into a closed orientation, until the portable bag 801 is placed upon an associated rack (see e.g., wire rack 22) or the like, in which case the positioning thereof thereon may bias the top surfaces 814, 814b into an open orientation (see, by analogy, FIG.\",\n \"10).\",\n \"Additional details of such a rack 22 or external processing component and any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"25 and 26, which illustrated respective exemplary assemblies 2000 and 2100, which may be used in conjunction with the portable bag 801 (and with any of the portable bag embodiments described herein).\",\n \"With reference to FIG.\",\n \"25, it may be seen therein a frame 2001 that may be configured to support rack (or tusk) 22 mounting supports 2002.These supports 2002 may further support slides 2003 (or tubes or the like) configured for a plurality of packages to travel thereupon.\",\n \"A continuous angle may be provided, such that the supports 2002 and the slides 2003 are configured to align substantially with the rack 22, which may be mounted in certain embodiments to the supports 2002 as illustrated (or otherwise).\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the racks 22 may extend outwardly from the supports, defining a shape thereof as in FIG.\",\n \"10 (for example); in other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25, the racks 22 may be configured to provide not only for a bag hanging portion to receive bag 801, but also a bag storage area 2004, where additional bags may be retained, for example in a closed configuration (as described elsewhere herein) until such may be retrieved and clipped as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25 (and FIG.\",\n \"10) adjacent the ends or tips of the rack 22.Of course, alternative configurations of external processing components and/or assemblies for use with the portable bag 801 (or those bags of other embodiments described herein) may be envisioned.\",\n \"An additional exemplary assembly 2100 is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"26, configured similarly but with differently oriented supports and a dual slide/rack configuration, as compared to the single rack configuration illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"25.Portable Bag 901 Illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17C is an alternative top surface 914a, 914b of a portable bag 901.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 901 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, as described previously herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 901 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 however, as may be desirable for a particular application.\",\n \"Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 901 that are not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17C may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, also as may be desirable.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"17C in particular, it may be seen that instead of two “half-lid” type portions of the top surface (see, by analogy, the top surface of portable bag 1), such may instead have two or more overlapping portions of the top surface, namely 914a, 914b.\",\n \"Neither may extend, as illustrated, an entirety of a width or depth of the portable bag 901 in certain embodiments; in other embodiments, each may extend an entirety of a width or depth of the bag, as may be desirable, depending upon a degree of certain of closure desired.\",\n \"Although not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17C, it should also be understood that the overlapping surfaces 914a, 914b may be secured relative to one another in certain embodiments in an adhesive manner with bonding glue, Velcro®, snaps, or the like.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the overlapping surfaces 914a, 914b may be secured relative to one another in any of the variety of fashions of closure mechanisms, as previously discussed herein (e.g., zippers, magnets, draw-string-type closures, a spring-biased mechanism, or the like).\",\n \"In certain of these and still other embodiments, as mentioned, the overlapping surfaces 914a, 914b may be biased into either an open or closed configuration, however as may be desirable.\",\n \"In at least one embodiment, such bias may be created at least in part by a spring-loaded mechanism and/or configuration (not illustrated).\",\n \"As illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17C, a machine-readable barcode 920 may also be provided on the top surface portion 914b.\",\n \"Such a feature may be provided further on any of the remaining portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 1001, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1001 Illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17D is an alternative top surface 1014a, 1014b of a portable bag 1001.But for the alternative features described here with reference to this figure, it should be understood that all of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 1001 may be substantially the same as those of any of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, as described previously herein.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 1001 may include a combination or selected mixture of various features of the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, however, as may be desirable for a particular application.\",\n \"Such should not be considered a departure from the scope and nature of the inventive concept described herein throughout.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, of course, one or more of the remaining structural features and characteristics of the portable bag 1001 that are not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17D may be substantially different from those corresponding features of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, also as may be desirable.\",\n \"With focus upon FIG.\",\n \"17D, it may be understood with comparison to FIG.\",\n \"17C that herein, in contrast with the two overlapping portions found there, the configuration of the portable bag 1001 according to various embodiments may contain a single top surface 1014.The top surface 1014 may in certain embodiments have two portions, namely a top portion 1014b that solely restricted to within a perimeter defined by the top surface 1014 of the portable bag 1001, and a side portion 1014a that represents an overlaying of the top surface 1014 over and around at least one edge of the portable bag 1001.In this manner, at least a portion of the surface 1014 extends down and over at least one side (or front or back) of the portable bag 1001.In other embodiments, an underlying top portion (not illustrated or numbered) may lay under the top portions 1014a, 1014b, so as to provide a dual coverage and thus substantially reduce the likelihood of one or more packages inadvertently falling out of the portable bag 1001 upon filling and closing of the same.\",\n \"Also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"17D is an exemplary shipping label 1020, as may be placed on the top surface 1014 of the portable bag 1001.Such may contain shipping address data, along with tracking and still other carrier transport-related data, as such is commonly known and understood to involve in the art.\",\n \"The shipping label 1020 may be alternatively placed on any surface of the portable bag 1001, as opposed to the illustrated top surface 1014 placement.\",\n \"Still further, the shipping label 1020 illustrated with reference to portable bag 1001 may likewise be applied to any of portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, as may be desirable.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1101 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"18, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1101.The primary difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1101, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a closure mechanism 1104 (as illustrated, a zipper) that is substantially U-shaped and extending along at least three edges of a top surface 1114 of the portable bag.\",\n \"Although illustrated as a zipper in FIG.\",\n \"18, it should be understood that the closure mechanism 1104 may in other embodiments be magnetically or otherwise based, as previously described herein, and nevertheless U-shaped, as presently illustrated.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the closure mechanism 1104 may be otherwise shaped, for example L-shaped, in which the closure mechanism would extend along only two edges of the top surface 1114 of the portable bag 1101.According to various embodiments, where a U-shaped closure mechanism 1104 is provided, such may extend substantially along an entirety of each of the corresponding three edges of the top surface 1114 of the portable bag 1101.In other embodiments, the closure mechanism 1104 may extend along an entirety of at least one of the three edges and only partially along a length of the two remaining edges, as may be desirable.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the closure mechanism 1104 may be partially inset relative to all three edges of the top surface 1114, such that the mechanism only extends partially along a length of all three edges, for example, as illustrated and described elsewhere herein with respect to at least FIG.\",\n \"24.Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"18, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1101 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1101 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-16, but for the incorporation of a U-shaped closure mechanism 1104.Thus, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"18, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1101 including, but not limited to, the illustrated eyelets 1105a, the side crease lines 1107, the handling openings 1106a, and the shipping indicia 1120 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-16, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"18 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-16 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"18, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-16 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1201 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"19, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1201.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1201, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a closure mechanism 1204 (as illustrated, a zipper) that extends not only across a top surface 1214 of the portable bag but that also extends at least partially onto at least one side surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"Another non-limiting difference is the provision in this embodiment of the portable bag 1201 of at least one side pocket 1250 or flap, into which the elongated closure mechanism 1204 extends.\",\n \"Still another non-limiting difference lies in the provision of one or more eyelet hem extensions 1222 along an edge or edges of the top surface 1214 of the portable bag 1201.As may be understood with reference to FIG.\",\n \"19, the side pocket 1250 or flap may extend substantially along an entirety of a width of at least one side surface of the portable bag, such that the closure mechanism 1204 (as illustrated, a zipper) may be securely tucked or otherwise retained within the side pocket upon closure of the bag.\",\n \"In this manner, automated handling of the portable bag 1201 may be optimized, in that the likelihood of catching or tangling of the closure mechanism 1204 with external components is reduced.\",\n \"In other embodiments, as may be desirable, the side pocket 1250 or flap may extend only along a portion of the width of at least one side surface.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the side pocket 1250 or flap is provided on both side surfaces of the portable bag.\",\n \"In any of these and still other embodiments, it should be understood that the side pocket 1250 or flap is provided so as to minimize the existence of loose or dangling portions of the closure mechanism; as such, the side pocket 1250 or flap may be alternatively configured, provided such objective remains sufficiently satisfied.\",\n \"With continued reference to FIG.\",\n \"19, it may be seen that, as compared to the various embodiments of portable bags described previously herein, the eyelets 1205a, 1205b thereof are provided on top surface hem extensions 1222 that extend substantially along an entirety of two respective edges of the top surface 1214 of the portable bag.\",\n \"These hem extensions 1222 may be configured substantially in the same fashion as those described previously herein and configured for containing handling openings thereon; in other embodiments, as a non-limiting example, the hem extensions 1222 may formed from a single sided piece of material.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, as illustrated, the hem extensions 1222 may be placed on the outside of the bag; in other embodiments, the hem extensions may be internally configured, such that they are accessible after opening of the closure mechanism (e.g., after unzipping of the zipper), such that the hem extensions 1222 may thus be folded upward to engage the tusks or prongs of an associated wire rack or dispensing component.\",\n \"In this manner, upon subsequent closure of the portable bag 1201 upon packing thereof, the hem extensions 1222 would be returned internal to the bag and thus substantially reduce any likelihood of tangling thereof with external processing components.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the hem extensions 1222 may extend only a portion of the respective edges of the top surface 1214, as may be desirable.\",\n \"For example, where four eyelets 1205a, 1205b are provided, four hem extensions 1222 may be provided, as compared to the two presently illustrated.\",\n \"As another non-limiting example, one or more edges of the hem extensions 1222 may be rounded or otherwise curved so as to substantially reduce the likelihood of any sharp corners or edges becoming tangled or otherwise caught in processing components external to the portable bag 1201.Indeed, any of a variety of configurations are possible, provided the eyelets 1205a, 1205b are configured for receipt of prongs or tusks of an associated wire rack, as has been described previously herein with respect to other embodiments.\",\n \"Additional details of such a rack or external processing components or the like and/or any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"25-26, as described elsewhere herein, but also applicable for use with the portable bags 1201 of the present embodiment.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"19, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1201 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1201 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-16 and 18, but for the incorporation of an extended closure mechanism 1204, at least one side pocket 1250 configured to retain and secure ends of the closure mechanism, and two or more eyelet hem extensions 1222.It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.\",\n \"Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"19, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1201 including, but not limited to, the illustrated eyelets 1205a, 1205b themselves, the side crease lines 1207, the handling openings 1206a, and the shipping indicia 1220 may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-18, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"19 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-18 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"19, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-18 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1301 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"20, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1301.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1301, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a closure mechanism 1304 (as illustrated, a zipper; although other types of closure mechanisms may be substituted therefor) that extends not only across a top surface 1314 of the portable bag but that also extends at least partially onto at least one side surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"This feature may also be understood with reference to the portable bag 1201 embodiment, as described immediately above.\",\n \"Another non-limiting difference is the provision in this embodiment of the portable bag 1301 of a plurality of eyelets 1305a, 1305b adjacent opposing edges of the top surfaces 1314a, 1314b of the portable bag.\",\n \"Such may be understood in contrast with the respective front and rear surface positioned eyelets of the embodiments of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-16, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"In the embodiment of portable bag 1301, however, the eyelets 1305a, 1305b are provided in the respective top surface portions 1314a, 1314b of the portable bag, such that when the bag is placed upon a wire rack (or a comparable dispensing component) that includes prongs or tusks thereon, the bag in this embodiment is in an open configuration upon the rack.\",\n \"In other words, when on the rack or dispenser, the top surface portions 1314a, 1314b are necessarily folded upward for engagement with the tucks or prongs of the wire rack or dispensing component.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"20, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1301 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1301 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-19, but for the incorporation of an extended closure mechanism 1304, and placement of eyelets 1305a, 1305b upon respective top surface portions 1314a, 1314b (as compared to on respective front and rear surfaces of the bag).\",\n \"It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"1-19) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.\",\n \"Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"20, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1301 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets 1305a, 1305b themselves, the side crease lines 1307, the handling openings 1306a, and the shipping indicia 1320 (e.g., a barcode, a shipping label, or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-19, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"20 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-19 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"20, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-19 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1401 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"21, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1401.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1401, as compared to any of those previously described herein is a rounded top surface 1414 that instead of being substantially planar and parallel with a corresponding bottom surface (not illustrated) of the bag, extends upwardly and outwardly, thus still further increasing the volume capacity of the bag.\",\n \"In at least the illustrated embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"21, a closure mechanism 1404 is also illustrated that extends not only along a length of the top surface 1414 but also extends onto at least one (and in certain embodiments both) of the respective side surfaces 1412 of the portable bag 1401.Although not illustrated, in other embodiments, a pocket or flap, as provided in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"19 may also be provided on the portable bag 1401, so as to similarly protect and retain ends and/or edges of the closure mechanism (as illustrated, a zipper).\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"21, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1401 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1401 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-20, but for the incorporation of an extended closure mechanism 1404, and provision of a rounded and/or otherwise upwardly extending top surface 1404.It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"1-20) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.\",\n \"Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"21, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1401 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets 1405a, 1405b themselves, the side crease lines 1407, the handling openings 1406a, and the shipping indicia 1420 (e.g., a shipping label (as illustrated), a barcode, or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-20, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"21 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-20 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"21, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-20 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1500 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"22, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1500.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1500, as compared to any of those previously described herein is the provision of respective side hem extensions or flaps extending between corresponding eyelet hem extensions, which may be understood by analogy with reference to FIG.\",\n \"19 and the embodiment of portable bag 1201, as described previously herein.\",\n \"In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"22, the side hem extensions or flaps provide increased stability as compared to the configuration of FIG.\",\n \"19.In certain embodiments, such as that illustrated, the side hem extensions or flaps may extend substantially along a length of each of the respective side surfaces of the portable bag, such that the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions are further hemmed relative to one another so as to provide a continuous extension surface atop the top surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions may be provided internal to the top surface edges, such that they are accessible only upon opening of the top surface, as also described previously herein with reference to FIG.\",\n \"19.In any of these and still other embodiments, the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions provide straight line edge surfaces thereof.\",\n \"It may also be understood with reference to FIG.\",\n \"22 that the embodiment therein of portable bag 1500 provides a combination of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"18 and 19, namely in that in conjunction with the eyelet hem extensions (and still further the side hem extensions extending therebetween), the embodiment of portable bag 1500 in certain embodiments further includes a substantially U-shaped closure mechanism, as in portable bag 1101.Of course, any of a variety of closure mechanisms may be utilized in conjunction with portable bag 1500, as may be desirable.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"22, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1500 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1500 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-21, but for the incorporation of respective side surface hem extensions, and the provision of a U-shaped closure mechanism in combination therewith.\",\n \"It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"1-21) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.\",\n \"Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"22, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1500 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets themselves, the side crease lines, the handling openings, and the shipping indicia (e.g., a barcode (as illustrated), a shipping label (as illustrated), or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-21, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"22 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-21 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"22, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-21 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1600 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"23, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1600.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1600, as compared to any of those previously described herein is the provision of respective side hem extensions or flaps extending between corresponding eyelet hem extensions, which may be understood by analogy with reference to FIG.\",\n \"22, as described immediately above.\",\n \"In contrast with the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"22, the portable bag 1600 includes side hem extensions that are scalloped between the eyelet hem extensions.\",\n \"In this manner, the side hem extensions provide a combination of flexibility and stability for the portable bag.\",\n \"In addition, with the reduced profile of the side hem extensions, the likelihood of such becoming entangled in or on external processing components is reduced.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, such as that illustrated, the side hem extensions or flaps may extend substantially along a length of each of the respective side surfaces of the portable bag, such that the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions are further hemmed relative to one another so as to provide a continuous extension surface atop the top surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the side hem extensions and the eyelet hem extensions may be provided internal to the top surface edges, such that they are accessible only upon opening of the top surface, as also described previously herein with reference to FIG.\",\n \"19.It may also be understood with reference to FIG.\",\n \"23 that the embodiment therein of portable bag 1600 provides a combination of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"18 and 19, namely in that in conjunction with the eyelet hem extensions (and still further the side hem extensions extending therebetween), the embodiment of portable bag 1600 in certain embodiments further includes a substantially U-shaped closure mechanism, as in portable bag 1101.Of course, any of a variety of closure mechanisms may be utilized in conjunction with portable bag 1600, as may be desirable.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"23, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1600 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1600 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-22, but for the incorporation of respective side surface hem extensions, and the provision of a U-shaped closure mechanism in combination therewith.\",\n \"It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"1-22) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.\",\n \"Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"23, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1500 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets themselves, the side crease lines, the handling openings, and the shipping indicia (e.g., a barcode (as illustrated), a shipping label (as illustrated), or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-22, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"23 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-22 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"23, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-22 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Portable Bag 1700 Turning now to FIG.\",\n \"24, illustrated therein is another exemplary embodiment of a portable bag 1700.One non-limiting difference between this embodiment of the portable bag 1700, as compared to any of those previously described herein is the provision of an inset U-shaped closure mechanism (e.g., a zipper) in conjunction with eyelets provided on a top surface of the portable bag.\",\n \"This embodiment was previously referenced herein, but illustrated and described here for purposes of a comprehensive disclosure.\",\n \"As may be seen with reference to FIG.\",\n \"24, the U-shaped closure mechanism is inset relative to each of the respective three edges of the top surface, so as to provide sufficient surface space for the associated eyelets adjacent at least two of the edges of the top surface.\",\n \"Still further, as may be understood from FIG.\",\n \"24, in certain embodiments, such as herewith portable bag 1700, respective sets of two (for a total of eight) eyelets may be provided, as compared to the set of four in the various embodiments described previously herein.\",\n \"Of course, any of a variety of combinations and configurations of eyelets may be provided, so long as such is particularly and specifically configured so as to facilitate engagement of the portable bag with tusks or prongs of an associated wire rack or dispensing component.\",\n \"Additional details of such a rack or external processing components or the like and/or any prongs or tusks associated therewith may be understood with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"25-26, as described elsewhere herein, but also applicable for use with the portable bags 1700 of the present embodiment.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 also illustrates additional configurations for the eyelets and handling openings, as compared to those that are substantially oval or circular in the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"1-23.Although various shapes and even sizes of the eyelets and handling openings have been described elsewhere herein, as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24, the eyelets may be significantly smaller relative to the handling openings.\",\n \"Still further, the handling openings may be at least partially elongated in shape, so as to define an oblong opening that conforms to the shape of a user's fingers and/or palm, as may extend there-through during use or handling of the portable bag.\",\n \"Also illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 is an additional type of shipping indicia, which may include a pocket for placement of a shipping label and/or a shipping manifest within.\",\n \"In other embodiments, a reusable surface may be provided, for placement upon of a shipping label or other shipping indicia, as such are commonly known and understood in the art, and as have been described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 also illustrates an additional and optional barcode, as may be unique and reusable, such that the barcode may be associated with the specific bag upon which it is placed, providing a consolidated tracking identifier for any small packages shipped or otherwise transported therein.\",\n \"The barcode may be further linked to the printed shipping label, so as to provide improved read rates through the automation process.\",\n \"Still further, the barcodes and/or shipping indicia may be placed on two or more (i.e., multiple) sides of the bag so as to still further improve read rates during automated processing, handling, and/or transport of the bags from one destination to another.\",\n \"Remaining with FIG.\",\n \"24, it should be understood with reference thereto that although such illustrates only a perspective view of the portable bag 1700 and certain features thereof, the portable bag 1700 is configured according to various embodiments in substantially the same fashion as those illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-23, but for the incorporation of the features described immediately above.\",\n \"It should be understood, of course, that in still other embodiments, any combination of these features (and/or still others as previously described elsewhere herein with respect to any of the embodiments of FIGS.\",\n \"1-23) may be provided, meaning that the provision of any one is independent relative to the provision of the others.\",\n \"Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that, in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"24, any remaining structural features of the portable bag 1600 including, but not limited to, the size and shape of the illustrated eyelets themselves, the side crease lines, the handling openings, and the shipping indicia (e.g., a barcode (as illustrated), a shipping label (also as illustrated), or the like) may be substantially the same in structure, shape, and/or configuration to the corresponding features illustrated in any of at least FIGS.\",\n \"1-23, all as described previously herein.\",\n \"Alternatively, any combination of these structural features and still others not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24 but understood to be present by analogy to FIGS.\",\n \"1-23 can be substantially different in structure, shape, and/or configuration from those present in the portable bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, etc., however as may be desirable for particular scenarios or applications.\",\n \"Those structural features not illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"24, but which may be either substantially the same or substantially different from those corresponding structures in FIGS.\",\n \"1-23 may include, in a non-limiting manner, rear surfaces, bottom surfaces and any crease(s) contained therein/thereon, and the like.\",\n \"Exemplary Materials and Additional Features In various embodiments, the portable bags (e.g.\",\n \"bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001, or the like, as described elsewhere herein) may be constructed of a fabric or otherwise woven material.\",\n \"The fabric material may include, but is not limited to, polyester, rayon, burlap, canvas, or any combination of the same.\",\n \"In other embodiments, the portable bags may be constructed of one or more of a variety of non-fabric materials, such as flexible materials including but not limited to, a wire mesh material, an interlaced mesh material, a steel wire and/or steel mesh material, a Kevlar® incorporating material, and the like.\",\n \"It should be understood generally that the material of the portable bags may be any of a variety of materials, as known and understood in the art, provided such are sufficiently strong, resilient, and durable to withstand long-term and repetitious handling of multiple small packages within the portable bags, ranging in weight up to approximately 150 pounds.\",\n \"As previously described elsewhere herein, according to certain embodiments, a grommet may be included as part of the eyelets (see e.g., eyelets 5a) and/or the handling openings (see e.g., openings 6a).\",\n \"The grommet may be incorporated according to these embodiments with respect to any of the various portable bag embodiments described previously herein (see e.g., bags 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, and/or 1001).\",\n \"The grommet may define the eyelet and/or handling openings and may be made of, as non-limiting examples, plastic, ceramic, or metal.\",\n \"The grommet may in some embodiments include a first side portion and a second side portion; in other embodiments the grommet may be only one sided.\",\n \"Where two sided, still further, the first and second side portions may be different colors and/or different materials.\",\n \"The grommet may be selectively removable from and selectively attachable to the portable bag, as may be desirable.\",\n \"In such embodiments and still further those where no grommet may be provided, the edges of the eyelets and/or handling openings may be hemmed in a fashion similar to the hemming of the respective surface edges of the portable bags.\",\n \"In these and still other embodiments, the grommet, where such is incorporated within the eyelets and/or handling openings may be shaped substantially the same as such, whether that shape be substantially square, rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical, or any other shape as known or understood in the arts, such that the eyelets and/or handling openings remain functional for the purposes described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"In this regard, it may be understood from reference to any of FIGS.\",\n \"1-17 that the intersections of any respective surfaces (see e.g., surfaces 310, 312, 314a—as illustrated particularly in FIG.\",\n \"13) may be hemmed or otherwise stitched relative to one another.\",\n \"In this manner, according to various embodiments, the respective surfaces are secured in a fixed, but flexible manner relative to one another.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the hem or stitching may be provided in a sewn fashion, as commonly known and understood in the art.\",\n \"In other embodiments, a specialty hem or stitching may be used, so as to provide further strength characteristics to the portable bag.\",\n \"In still other embodiments, the hem or stitching may be an inherent characteristic of the material of the portable bag, for example when such is constructed of a mesh-like material that includes one or more layers of interwoven or interlaced fibers or components, as also described previously herein.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, stiffeners (e.g., rigid inserts) may be strategically placed along various surfaces, edges, or extensions of the various portable bags described herein with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1-24.As non-limiting examples, the stiffeners may be placed along the sides, along the edges of the top, bottom, at corners, on the front and rear surfaces adjacent the eyelets and/or handling openings, and the like, however as may be desirable and/or beneficial for assisting the bag with retaining its shape when in use.\",\n \"According to various embodiments, a hemmed extension or section may be further provided so as to overlay the various closure mechanisms described herein.\",\n \"In the case of a zipper-based closure mechanism, the hemmed extension may be configured so as to overlay and protect the zipper in a fashion similar to that of the flap that covers a zipper located on a pair of pants or jeans.\",\n \"In this manner, the likelihood of the closure mechanism or zipper becoming entangled or otherwise caught in external processing components is reduced.\",\n \"Conclusion Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.\",\n \"Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.\",\n \"Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872477"}}},{"rowIdx":4494084,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHOD FOR CONROLLING ON TIME OF POWER SWITCH IN POWER CONVERTER","A method for controlling a power switch of a power converter includes: detecting whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal."],["1.A method for controlling a power switch (113) of a flyback power converter (100), the flyback power converter (100) comprising a primary side coil (107), a secondary side coil (109), and an inductive coil (111), wherein the primary side coil (107) is coupled between an input voltage signal (Vin) and the power switch (113), the secondary side coil (109) is configured to operably provide an output voltage signal (Vout) and an output current signal (Iout), the inductive coil (111) is configured to operably sense the primary side coil (107) to generate an inductive signal (SS), and the power switch (113) is coupled between the primary side coil (107) and a fixed-voltage terminal, the method comprising: detecting the inductive signal (SS) to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal (COMP) corresponding to the output voltage signal (Vout) or the output current signal (Iout) according to a reference signal (Vref); generating an ramp signal (RAMP) having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal (RAMP) with the error signal (COMP); turning on the power switch (113) when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP), turning off the power switch (113) and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP).","2.The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of generating the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: generating an adjusted voltage (Vset2) less than a setting voltage (Vset) by multiplying the setting voltage (Vset) by the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle; performing a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage (Vset2) to generate a filtered signal (VF); providing a transconductance amplifier (350) configured to operably convert the filtered signal (VF) into a ramp signal (RAMP); and providing a capacitor (360) configured to be coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350).","3.The method of claim 2, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is directly proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitor (360) and a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), but is inversely proportional to a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2) and a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).","4.The method of claim 3, wherein the on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is determined by the following formula: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] wherein Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle, Cramp denotes a capacitance value of the capacitor (360), Vcomp denotes a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), Vset2 denotes a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2), and Gm denotes a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).","5.The method of claim 3, wherein the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle is directly proportional to a duty ratio of a control signal (CTL) utilized for controlling the power switch (113).","6.The method of claim 3, wherein the operation of generating the adjusted voltage (Vset2) comprises: providing a first switch (310) configured to be coupled between a setting signal input terminal (302) and a node (304), wherein the setting signal input terminal (302) is utilized for receiving the setting voltage (Vset); providing a second switch (320) configured to be coupled between the node (304) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and switching the first switch (310) and the second switch (320) alternatively to render the node (304) to provide the adjusted voltage (Vset2).","7.The method of claim 3, wherein the operation of rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: providing a third switch (370) configured to be coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and turning on the third switch (370) when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP).","8.A method for controlling a power switch (113) of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400), the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400) comprising a first coil (407), an inductive coil (411), and a diode (415), wherein the first coil (407) is coupled between an input voltage signal (Vin) and the power switch (113), the inductive coil (411) is configured to operably sense the first coil (407) to provide an inductive signal (SS), the power switch (113) is coupled between the first coil (407) and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the diode (415) is coupled between the first coil (407) and a load (119) of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400), the method comprising: detecting the inductive signal (SS) to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal (COMP) corresponding to an output voltage signal (Vout) or an output current signal (Iout) of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400) according to a reference signal (Vref); generating an ramp signal (RAMP) having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal (RAMP) with the error signal (COMP); turning on the power switch (113) when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP), turning off the power switch (113) and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP).","9.The method of claim 8, wherein the operation of generating the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: generating an adjusted voltage (Vset2) less than a setting voltage (Vset) by multiplying the setting voltage (Vset) by the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle; performing a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage (Vset2) to generate a filtered signal (VF); providing a transconductance amplifier (350) configured to operably convert the filtered signal (VF) into a ramp signal (RAMP); and providing a capacitor (360) configured to be coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350).","10.The method of claim 9, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is directly proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitor (360) and a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), but is inversely proportional to a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2) and a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).","11.The method of claim 10, wherein the on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is determined by the following formula: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] wherein Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle, Cramp denotes a capacitance value of the capacitor (360), Vcomp denotes a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), Vset2 denotes a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2), and Gm denotes a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).","12.The method of claim 10, wherein the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle is directly proportional to a duty ratio of a control signal (CTL) utilized for controlling the power switch (113).","13.The method of claim 10, wherein the operation of generating the adjusted voltage (Vset2) comprises: providing a first switch (310) configured to be coupled between a setting signal input terminal (302) and a node (304), wherein the setting signal input terminal (302) is utilized for receiving the setting voltage (Vset); providing a second switch (320) configured to be coupled between the node (304) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and switching the first switch (310) and the second switch (320) alternatively to render the node (304) to provide the adjusted voltage (Vset2).","14.The method of claim 10, wherein the operation of rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: providing a third switch (370) configured to be coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and turning on the third switch (370) when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP).","15.A method for controlling a power switch (113) of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500), the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500) comprising a first coil (407), an inductive coil (411), and a second power switch (515), wherein the first coil (407) is coupled between an input voltage signal (Vin) and the power switch (113), the inductive coil (411) is configured to operably sense the first coil (407) to provide an inductive signal (SS), the first power switch (113) is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil (407) and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the second power switch (515) is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil (407) and a load (119) of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500), the method comprising: detecting the inductive signal (SS) to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal (COMP) corresponding to an output voltage signal (Vout) or an output current signal (Iout) of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500) according to a reference signal (Vref); generating an ramp signal (RAMP) having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal (RAMP) with the error signal (COMP); turning on the power switch (113) when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP), turning off the power switch (113) and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP).","16.The method of claim 15, wherein the operation of generating the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: generating an adjusted voltage (Vset2) less than a setting voltage (Vset) by multiplying the setting voltage (Vset) by the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle; performing a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage (Vset2) to generate a filtered signal (VF); providing a transconductance amplifier (350) configured to operably convert the filtered signal (VF) into a ramp signal (RAMP); and providing a capacitor (360) configured to be coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350).","17.The method of claim 16, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is directly proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitor (360) and a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), but is inversely proportional to a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2) and a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).","18.The method of claim 17, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is determined by the following formula: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] wherein Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle, Cramp denotes a capacitance value of the capacitor (360), Vcomp denotes a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), Vset2 denotes a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2), and Gm denotes a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).","19.The method of claim 17, wherein the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle is directly proportional to a duty ratio of a control signal (CTL) utilized for controlling the power switch (113).","20.The method of claim 17, wherein the operation of generating the adjusted voltage (Vset2) comprises: providing a first switch (310) configured to be coupled between a setting signal input terminal (302) and a node (304), wherein the setting signal input terminal (302) is utilized for receiving the setting voltage (Vset); providing a second switch (320) configured to be coupled between the node (304) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and switching the first switch (310) and the second switch (320) alternatively to render the node (304) to provide the adjusted voltage (Vset2).","21.The method of claim 17, wherein the operation of rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: providing a third switch (370) configured to be coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and turning on the third switch (370) when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP)."],[" BACKGROUND The disclosure generally relates to a power factor correction circuit and, more particularly, to a power factor correction circuit of a power converter.","The power utilization efficiency of electronic devices has become more and more important as the energy shortage problem deteriorates.","The traditional power converter is typically realized by using diode rectifiers.","Although such structure is simple and low cost, serious non-linear distortion occurs at an input current to greatly increase the low frequency harmonics, thereby decreasing the power factor.","The power factor is defined as a ratio of the working power to the apparent power, and is an indicator for measuring the power utilization efficiency.","Electronic devices with low power factor not only waste energy, but also generate enormous harmonics to adversely affect the stability of the power system and thus cause problems to the power generator, thereby seriously affecting the quality of power supply.","In general, the power factor of the power converter may be improved by adding a power factor correction (PFC) circuit to the power converter.","However, the newly developed electronic devices are required to meet more severe total harmonic distortion (THD) requirement, and the structure of traditional PFC circuit is difficult to satisfy the specification requirements of the newly developed electronic devices."],[" SUMMARY An example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of a flyback power converter is disclosed.","The flyback power converter comprises a primary side coil, a secondary side coil, and an inductive coil, wherein the primary side coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the secondary side coil is configured to operably provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the primary side coil to generate an inductive signal, and the power switch is coupled between the primary side coil and a fixed-voltage terminal.","The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to the output voltage signal or the output current signal according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.","Another example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.","The asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a diode, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the power switch is coupled between the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the diode is coupled between the first coil and a load of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter.","The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.","Another example embodiment of a power switch of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.","The synchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a second power switch, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the first power switch is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the second power switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil and a load of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter.","The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.","Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/586,976, filed on May 4, 2017, which is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/547,870, filed on Nov. 19, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority to Patent Application No.","102144716, filed in Taiwan on Dec. 5, 2013; the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.","BACKGROUND The disclosure generally relates to a power factor correction circuit and, more particularly, to a power factor correction circuit of a power converter.","The power utilization efficiency of electronic devices has become more and more important as the energy shortage problem deteriorates.","The traditional power converter is typically realized by using diode rectifiers.","Although such structure is simple and low cost, serious non-linear distortion occurs at an input current to greatly increase the low frequency harmonics, thereby decreasing the power factor.","The power factor is defined as a ratio of the working power to the apparent power, and is an indicator for measuring the power utilization efficiency.","Electronic devices with low power factor not only waste energy, but also generate enormous harmonics to adversely affect the stability of the power system and thus cause problems to the power generator, thereby seriously affecting the quality of power supply.","In general, the power factor of the power converter may be improved by adding a power factor correction (PFC) circuit to the power converter.","However, the newly developed electronic devices are required to meet more severe total harmonic distortion (THD) requirement, and the structure of traditional PFC circuit is difficult to satisfy the specification requirements of the newly developed electronic devices.","SUMMARY An example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of a flyback power converter is disclosed.","The flyback power converter comprises a primary side coil, a secondary side coil, and an inductive coil, wherein the primary side coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the secondary side coil is configured to operably provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the primary side coil to generate an inductive signal, and the power switch is coupled between the primary side coil and a fixed-voltage terminal.","The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to the output voltage signal or the output current signal according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.","Another example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.","The asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a diode, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the power switch is coupled between the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the diode is coupled between the first coil and a load of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter.","The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.","Another example embodiment of a power switch of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.","The synchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a second power switch, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the first power switch is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the second power switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil and a load of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter.","The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.","Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a flyback power converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the relationship between an input voltage signal and an input current signal of the flyback power converter of FIG.","1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","3 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a power factor correction (PFC) circuit in FIG.","1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","4 shows a simplified functional block diagram of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","5 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is made in detail to embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.","The same reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, components, or operations.","FIG.","1 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a flyback power converter 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","The power converter 100 is utilized for converting an AC voltage signal Vac provided by an AC power source 101 into a DC output voltage signal Vout, so that the output voltage signal Vout can be utilized by a load 119 in the subsequent stage.","In this embodiment, the power converter 100 comprises a rectifier 103, an input capacitor 105, a primary side coil 107, a secondary side coil 109, an inductive coil 111, a power switch 113, a diode 115, an output capacitor 117, a power factor correction (PFC) circuit 120, a resistance device 130, and a feedback circuit 140.The rectifier 103 is configured to operably rectify the AC voltage signal Vac provided from the AC power source 101 into an input voltage signal Vin having m-shape waveform.","The input capacitor 105 is coupled with an output terminal of the rectifier 103 and configured to operably reduce the noise in the input voltage signal Vin.","A first terminal of the primary side coil 107 is coupled with the input voltage signal Vin.","A first terminal of the secondary side coil 109 is utilized for providing the output voltage signal Vout.","The inductive coil 111 is configured to operably sense the primary side coil 107 to provide an inductive signal SS.","The power switch 113 is coupled between a second terminal of the primary side coil 107 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).","An input terminal of the diode 115 is coupled with the first terminal of the secondary side coil 109, and an output terminal of the diode 115 is coupled with the load 119 of the power converter 100.The output capacitor 117 is coupled with the output terminal of the diode 115 and configured to operably reduce the noise in the output voltage signal Vout.","The PFC circuit 120 is configured to operably control the switching operations of the power switch 113 to adjust a current IL flowing through the primary side coil 107 to thereby change the magnitude of a current Ido flowing through the diode 115 so as to adjust the output voltage signal Vout.","The resistance device 130 may conduct a voltage-dividing operation on the inductive signal SS.","The feedback circuit 140 is configured to operably generate a corresponding feedback signal FB according to the output voltage signal Vout or the output current signal Iout of the power converter 100.As shown in FIG.","1, the PFC circuit 120 comprises a zero current detection (ZCD) circuit 121, an error detection circuit 123, a ramp signal generating circuit 125, a comparison circuit 127, and a trigger circuit 129.In the embodiment of FIG.","1, the zero current detection circuit 121 is configured to operably detect the inductive signal SS when coupling with the inductive coil 111 to generate a detection signal DS.","The error detection circuit 123 is configured to operably generate an error signal COMP corresponding to the output voltage signal Vout according to a reference signal Vref.","The ramp signal generating circuit 125 is configured to operably generate a ramp signal RAMP.","The comparison circuit 127 is coupled with the error detection circuit 123 and the ramp signal generating circuit 125, and configured to operably compare the ramp signal RAMP with the error signal COMP to generate a comparison signal VC.","The trigger circuit 129 is coupled with the zero current detection circuit 121, the ramp signal generating circuit 125, and the comparison circuit 127.The trigger circuit 129 is configured to operably generate a control signal CTL for controlling the power switch 113 according to the detection signal DS and the comparison signal VC, and also configured to operably control the ramp signal generating circuit 125 to adjust a slope of the ramp signal RAMP.","In practice, the zero current detection circuit 121 may detect a voltage-divided generated by the resistance device 130 to generate the aforementioned detection signal DS.","The error detection circuit 123 may generate the error signal COMP corresponding to the output voltage signal Vout according to the feedback signal FB generated by the feedback circuit 140 and the reference signal Vref.","FIG.","2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the relationship between the input voltage signal Vin and the input current signal Iin of the flyback power converter 100 of FIG.","1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","For the purpose of explanatory convenience in the following description, it is assumed herein that the control signal CTL in the embodiment of FIG.","2 is an active high signal.","That is, the power switch 113 would be turned on when the PFC circuit 120 configures the control signal CTL to an active level.","In FIG.","2, IL_pk denotes an envelope of peak values of the current flowing through the primary side coil 107, Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch 113 is turned on in each switching cycle, Toff denotes the off time at which the power switch 113 is turned off in each switching cycle, Ts denotes a total time length of the on time Ton and the off time Toff of the power switch 113.That is, Ts represents the time length of each switching cycle of the power switch 113, and is also equivalent to the period length of the control signal CTL.","When the power switch 113 is turned on, the current flows to the power switch 113 through the primary side coil 107, so that the energy of the input voltage signal Vin received by the primary side coil 107 is passed to the secondary side coil 109 through the inductive effect to generate the current Ido flowing through the diode 115 when the power switch 113 is turned off.","In this situation, the current Ido charges the output capacitor 117 to rise up the output voltage signal Vout.","The PFC circuit 120 controls the magnitude of the current IL by switching the power switch 113 at a high frequency, and the high frequency component in the current IL is filtered out by the input capacitor 105, so that the magnitude of the input current signal Iin becomes the average of the current IL.","Accordingly, the PFC circuit 120 makes the waveform of the input current signal Iin to follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin by controlling the magnitude of the current IL, so that the waveform of the input current signal Iin approaches to the sine waveform to thereby increase the power factor while effectively reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD).","FIG.","3 shows a simplified functional block diagram of the PFC circuit 120 in FIG.","1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","As shown in FIG.","3, the ramp signal generating circuit 125 of the PFC circuit 120 comprises a first switch 310, a second switch 320, a control circuit 330, a low-pass filter 340, a transconductance amplifier 350, a capacitor 360, and a third switch 370.The first switch 310 is coupled between a setting signal input terminal 302 and a node 304, wherein the setting signal input terminal 302 is utilized for receiving a setting voltage Vset.","The second switch 320 is coupled between the node 304 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).","The control circuit 330 is coupled with a control terminal of the first switch 310 and a control terminal of the second switch 320.The control circuit 330 is configured to operably switch the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 alternatively under control of the trigger circuit 129, so as to render the node 304 to provide an adjusted voltage Vset2 less than the setting voltage Vset.","The low-pass filter 340 comprises a resistor 342 and a capacitor 344, and is coupled with the node 304.The low-pass filter 340 is configured to operably perform a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage Vset2 to generate a filtered signal VF.","The transconductance amplifier 350 is coupled with the low-pass filter 340 and configured to operably convert the filtered signal VF into the ramp signal RAMP.","The capacitor 360 is coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier 350.The third switch 370 is coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier 350 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal), and a control terminal of the third switch 370 is coupled with an output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.In practice, the trigger circuit 129 may be realized with a variety of flip-flop structures.","In the embodiment of FIG.","3, for example, the trigger circuit 129 of the PFC circuit 120 is realized with a RS flip-flop.","As shown in FIG.","3, the RS flip-flop comprises a set terminal, a reset terminal, a non-inverted output terminal, and an inverted output terminal.","The set terminal is coupled with the zero current detection circuit 121.The reset terminal is coupled with the comparison circuit 127.The non-inverted output terminal is utilized for providing the control signal CTL.","The inverted output terminal is coupled with the third switch 370 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125.In this embodiment, the non-inverted output terminal of the RS flip-flop is further coupled with the control circuit 330 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125.Each time the zero current detection circuit 121 has detected that a zero current event occurs, e.g., when the inductive signal SS is less than a predetermined threshold, the zero current detection circuit 121 switches the detection signal DS to an active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment) to configure the set terminal of the trigger circuit 129, so that the trigger circuit 129 configures the control signal CTL to the active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment) to turn on the power switch 113.Meanwhile, the trigger circuit 129 configures the inverted signal CTLB outputted at the inverted output terminal to an inactive level (e.g., the low level in this embodiment), so as to turn off the third switch 370 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125.Each time the power switch 113 is turned on, the current IL gradually rises up from zero.","Meanwhile, the level of the ramp signal RAMP generated by the ramp signal generating circuit 125 also gradually rises up with a predetermined slope.","When the comparison circuit 127 detects that the ramp signal RAMP is greater than or equal to the error signal COMP, the comparison circuit 127 configures the reset terminal of the trigger circuit 129 to the active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment), so as to transit the control signal CTL to the inactive level (e.g., the low level in this embodiment) to thereby turn off the power switch 113.Meanwhile, the inverted signal CTLB outputted at the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 transits to the active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment) to turn on the third switch 370 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125, so that the level of the ramp signal RAMP drops down rapidly.","When the zero current detection circuit 121 afterwards detects that another zero current event occurs, the trigger circuit 129 switches the control signal CTL to the active level to turn on the power switch 113 again.","According to the foregoing descriptions, the on time Ton of the power switch 113 is determined by the slope of the ramp signal RAMP, and could be represented as below: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] Formula (1) wherein Cramp denotes the capacitance value of the capacitor 360 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125, Vcomp denotes the voltage value of the error signal COMP generated by the error detection circuit 123, and Gm denotes the transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier 350.In the embodiment of FIG.","3, the control circuit 330 alternatively switches the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the control signal CTL, so that the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 are alternatively turned on to change the slope of the ramp signal RAMP outputted from the ramp signal generating circuit 125.Specifically, the control circuit 330 may turn on the first switch 310 and turn off the second switch 320 when the control signal CTL is at the active level, the control circuit 330 may turn off the first switch 310 and turn on the second switch 320 when the control signal CTL is at the inactive level.","Accordingly, the magnitude of the adjusted voltage Vset2 on the node 304 could be represented as below: Vset2=Vset*(Ton/Ts) Formula (2) The following Formula (3) could be obtained by substituting the Formula (2) into the Formula (1): Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset*(Ton/Ts)*Gm] Formula (3) It is obvious that the Formula (3) is an iterative operation.","Accordingly, it is apparent that Ts of the item (Ton/Ts) corresponds to the time length of the previous switching cycle of the power switch 113 while Ton of the item (Ton/Ts) corresponds to the on time of the power switch 113 in the previous switching cycle.","In other words, the item (Ton/Ts) corresponds to the duty ratio of the control signal CTL of the power switch 113 in the previous switching cycle.","Since the values of Cramp, Vcomp, Vset, and Gm are substantially fixed, it can be appreciated from the Formula (3) that the on time Ton of the power switching 113 is proportional to the item (Ts/Ton).","In addition, assuming that the inductance value of the primary side coil 107 is L, then the average value of the input current signal Iin in each switching cycle of the power switch 113 could be represented as below: Iin=(½)*(Vin/L)*Ton*(Ton/Ts) Formula (4) Since L is substantially a fixed value and Ton is proportional to the item (Ts/Ton), it can be appreciated from the Formula (4) that the waveform of the input current signal Iin would completely follow the change of the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin, and thus there is no phase difference between the input current signal Iin and the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin.","In other words, the way that the trigger circuit 129 controls the ramp signal generating circuit 125 to adjust the slope of the ramp signal RAMP renders the waveform of the input current signal Iin of the power converter 100 to completely follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin.","Accordingly, with the operations of the disclosed PFC circuit 120, the input current signal Iin and the input voltage signal Vin are enabled to have the same phase, and the input current signal Iin is enabled to have a waveform approaching to the sine waveform.","As a result, the total harmonic distortion can be effectively reduced while improving the power factor of the power converter 100.In the previous embodiments, the feedback circuit 140 generates the feedback signal FB directly based on the output voltage signal Vout or the output current signal Iout of the power converter 100.But this is merely an exemplary embodiment, rather than a restriction to the practical implementations.","In practice, the feedback circuit 140 may be instead designed to generate the feedback signal FB corresponding to the output current signal lout of the power converter 100 according to the detection signal DS outputted from the zero current detection circuit 121 or the current flowing through the power switch 113.In previous embodiments, the control circuit 330 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125 controls the switching operations of the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the signal outputted from the non-inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.But this is merely an exemplary embodiment, rather than a restriction to the practical implementations.","In practice, the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.","3 may be instead coupled with the control circuit 330 and the logic combinations inside the control circuit 330 may be adjusted, so as to render the control circuit 330 to change the slope of the ramp signal RAMP outputted from the ramp signal generating circuit 125 by controlling the switching operations of the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.For example, the control circuit 330 may be instead designed to turn on the first switch 310 and turn off the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the inactive level, and instead designed to turn off the first switch 310 and turn on the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the active level.","In addition, when the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125 are instead realized with switch components of opposing control logics, the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.","3 may be instead coupled with the control circuit 330, so that the control circuit 330 controls the switching operations of the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.In this situation, the control circuit 330 may be instead designed to turn on the first switch 310 and turn off the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the active level, and instead designed to turn off the first switch 310 and turn on the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the inactive level.","Similarly, when the third switch 370 in the ramp signal generating circuit 125 is instead realized with a switch component of opposing control logic, the non-inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.","3 may be instead coupled with the control terminal of the third switch 370, so that the third switch 370 switches according to the control signal CTL outputted from the non-inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.Similarly, when the power switch 113 is instead realized with a switch component of opposing control logic, the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.","3 may be instead coupled with the control terminal of the power switch 113, and the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the inverted output terminal may be instead employed as the control signal for controlling the power switch 113.Different functional blocks in the power converter 100 may be respectively realized with different circuits, or may be integrated into a single circuit chip.","For example, all functional blocks in the PFC circuit 120 may be integrated in a single controller IC.","The power switch 113 may be further integrated into the PFC circuit 120 to form a single controller IC.","In addition, the resistance device 130 and/or the feedback circuit 140 may be further integrated into the PFC circuit 120.In practical applications, the structure of the disclosed PFC circuit 120 is also applicable to other power converters having different structures.","For example, FIG.","4 shows a simplified functional block diagram of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter 400 adopting the aforementioned PFC circuit 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","FIG.","5 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter 500 adopting the aforementioned PFC circuit 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.","As shown in FIG.","4, the power converter 400 comprises the rectifier 103, the input capacitor 105, a first coil 407, an inductive coil 411, the power switch 113, a diode 415, an output capacitor 417, the PFC circuit 120, a resistance device 430, and a feedback circuit 140.A first terminal of the first coil 407 is coupled with the input voltage signal Vin.","The power switch 113 is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil 407 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).","The diode 415 is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil 407 and the load 119 of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter 400.The inductive coil 411 is configured to operably sense the first coil 407 to provide an inductive signal SS.","The output capacitor 117 is coupled between the output terminal of the diode 115 and the first terminal of the first coil 407, and configured to operably reduce the noise in the output voltage signal Vout.","In the embodiment of FIG.","4, the zero current detection circuit 121 of the PFC circuit 120 is configured to operable detect the inductive signal SS when coupling with the inductive coil 411 to generate the detection signal DS.","The PFC circuit 120 may control the magnitude of the current IL flowing through the first coil 407 by controlling the switching operations of the power switch 113 with the manner described previously to render the waveform of the input current signal Iin to follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin, so that the waveform of the input current signal Iin approaches to the sine waveform to thereby increase the power factor while effectively reducing the total harmonic distortion.","The descriptions regarding the operations, implementations, varieties, and related advantages of other corresponding functional blocks in the foregoing FIG.","1 and FIG.","3 are also applicable to the embodiment of FIG.","4.For the sake of brevity, those descriptions will not be repeated here.","In the embodiment of FIG.","4, the feedback circuit 140, the diode 415, and/or the resistance device 430 may be instead integrated into the PFC circuit 120.As shown in FIG.","5, the power converter 500 comprises the rectifier 103, the input capacitor 105, the first coil 407, the first power switch 113, a second power switch 515, the output capacitor 417, the PFC circuit 120, the resistance device 430, and the feedback circuit 140.A first terminal of the first coil 407 is coupled with the input voltage signal Vin.","The first power switch 113 is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil 407 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).","The second power switch 515 is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil 407 and the load 119 of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter 500.In the embodiment of FIG.","5, the PFC circuit 120 may also utilize the control signal CTL outputted from the trigger circuit 129 as a first control signal for controlling one of the first power switch 113 and the second power switch 515, while utilize the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the trigger circuit 129 as a second control signal for controlling another power switch.","The PFC circuit 120 may control the magnitude of the current IL flowing through the first coil 407 by controlling the switching operations of the first power switch 113 and the second power switch 515 with the manner described previously to render the waveform of the input current signal Iin to follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin, so that the waveform of the input current signal Iin approaches to the sine waveform to thereby increase the power factor while effectively reducing the total harmonic distortion.","The descriptions regarding the operations, implementations, varieties, and related advantages of other corresponding functional blocks in the foregoing FIG.","1, FIG.","3, and FIG.","4 are also applicable to the embodiment of FIG.","5.For the sake of brevity, those descriptions will not be repeated here.","In the embodiment of FIG.","5, the first power switch 113, the second power switch 515, the feedback circuit 140, and/or the resistance device 430 may be integrated into the PFC circuit 120.As can be appreciated from the foregoing elaborations that the disclosed PFC circuit 120 effectively reduces the total harmonic distortion and increases the power factor.","Furthermore, the proposed PFC circuit 120 has a very compact circuitry structure and could be applied in many power converters of different structures, so the PFC circuit 120 has high application flexibility and a very wide application scope.","Certain terms are used throughout the description and the claims to refer to particular components.","One skilled in the art appreciates that a component may be referred to as different names.","This disclosure does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not in function.","In the description and in the claims, the term “comprise” is used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “include, but not limited to.” The phrases “be coupled with,” “couples with,” and “coupling with” are intended to compass any indirect or direct connection.","Accordingly, if this disclosure mentioned that a first device is coupled with a second device, it means that the first device may be directly or indirectly connected to the second device through electrical connections, wireless communications, optical communications, or other signal connections with/without other intermediate devices or connection means.","The term “and/or” may comprise any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.","In addition, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” herein are intended to comprise the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.","The term “voltage signal” used throughout the description and the claims may be expressed in the format of a current in implementations, and the term “current signal” used throughout the description and the claims may be expressed in the format of a voltage in implementations.","Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.","It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHOD FOR CONROLLING ON TIME OF POWER SWITCH IN POWER CONVERTER\",\n \"A method for controlling a power switch of a power converter includes: detecting whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method for controlling a power switch (113) of a flyback power converter (100), the flyback power converter (100) comprising a primary side coil (107), a secondary side coil (109), and an inductive coil (111), wherein the primary side coil (107) is coupled between an input voltage signal (Vin) and the power switch (113), the secondary side coil (109) is configured to operably provide an output voltage signal (Vout) and an output current signal (Iout), the inductive coil (111) is configured to operably sense the primary side coil (107) to generate an inductive signal (SS), and the power switch (113) is coupled between the primary side coil (107) and a fixed-voltage terminal, the method comprising: detecting the inductive signal (SS) to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal (COMP) corresponding to the output voltage signal (Vout) or the output current signal (Iout) according to a reference signal (Vref); generating an ramp signal (RAMP) having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal (RAMP) with the error signal (COMP); turning on the power switch (113) when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP), turning off the power switch (113) and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP).\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of generating the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: generating an adjusted voltage (Vset2) less than a setting voltage (Vset) by multiplying the setting voltage (Vset) by the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle; performing a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage (Vset2) to generate a filtered signal (VF); providing a transconductance amplifier (350) configured to operably convert the filtered signal (VF) into a ramp signal (RAMP); and providing a capacitor (360) configured to be coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"3.The method of claim 2, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is directly proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitor (360) and a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), but is inversely proportional to a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2) and a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"4.The method of claim 3, wherein the on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is determined by the following formula: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] wherein Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle, Cramp denotes a capacitance value of the capacitor (360), Vcomp denotes a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), Vset2 denotes a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2), and Gm denotes a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"5.The method of claim 3, wherein the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle is directly proportional to a duty ratio of a control signal (CTL) utilized for controlling the power switch (113).\",\n \"6.The method of claim 3, wherein the operation of generating the adjusted voltage (Vset2) comprises: providing a first switch (310) configured to be coupled between a setting signal input terminal (302) and a node (304), wherein the setting signal input terminal (302) is utilized for receiving the setting voltage (Vset); providing a second switch (320) configured to be coupled between the node (304) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and switching the first switch (310) and the second switch (320) alternatively to render the node (304) to provide the adjusted voltage (Vset2).\",\n \"7.The method of claim 3, wherein the operation of rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: providing a third switch (370) configured to be coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and turning on the third switch (370) when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP).\",\n \"8.A method for controlling a power switch (113) of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400), the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400) comprising a first coil (407), an inductive coil (411), and a diode (415), wherein the first coil (407) is coupled between an input voltage signal (Vin) and the power switch (113), the inductive coil (411) is configured to operably sense the first coil (407) to provide an inductive signal (SS), the power switch (113) is coupled between the first coil (407) and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the diode (415) is coupled between the first coil (407) and a load (119) of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400), the method comprising: detecting the inductive signal (SS) to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal (COMP) corresponding to an output voltage signal (Vout) or an output current signal (Iout) of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter (400) according to a reference signal (Vref); generating an ramp signal (RAMP) having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal (RAMP) with the error signal (COMP); turning on the power switch (113) when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP), turning off the power switch (113) and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP).\",\n \"9.The method of claim 8, wherein the operation of generating the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: generating an adjusted voltage (Vset2) less than a setting voltage (Vset) by multiplying the setting voltage (Vset) by the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle; performing a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage (Vset2) to generate a filtered signal (VF); providing a transconductance amplifier (350) configured to operably convert the filtered signal (VF) into a ramp signal (RAMP); and providing a capacitor (360) configured to be coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"10.The method of claim 9, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is directly proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitor (360) and a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), but is inversely proportional to a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2) and a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"11.The method of claim 10, wherein the on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is determined by the following formula: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] wherein Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle, Cramp denotes a capacitance value of the capacitor (360), Vcomp denotes a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), Vset2 denotes a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2), and Gm denotes a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"12.The method of claim 10, wherein the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle is directly proportional to a duty ratio of a control signal (CTL) utilized for controlling the power switch (113).\",\n \"13.The method of claim 10, wherein the operation of generating the adjusted voltage (Vset2) comprises: providing a first switch (310) configured to be coupled between a setting signal input terminal (302) and a node (304), wherein the setting signal input terminal (302) is utilized for receiving the setting voltage (Vset); providing a second switch (320) configured to be coupled between the node (304) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and switching the first switch (310) and the second switch (320) alternatively to render the node (304) to provide the adjusted voltage (Vset2).\",\n \"14.The method of claim 10, wherein the operation of rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: providing a third switch (370) configured to be coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and turning on the third switch (370) when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP).\",\n \"15.A method for controlling a power switch (113) of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500), the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500) comprising a first coil (407), an inductive coil (411), and a second power switch (515), wherein the first coil (407) is coupled between an input voltage signal (Vin) and the power switch (113), the inductive coil (411) is configured to operably sense the first coil (407) to provide an inductive signal (SS), the first power switch (113) is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil (407) and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the second power switch (515) is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil (407) and a load (119) of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500), the method comprising: detecting the inductive signal (SS) to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal (COMP) corresponding to an output voltage signal (Vout) or an output current signal (Iout) of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter (500) according to a reference signal (Vref); generating an ramp signal (RAMP) having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal (RAMP) with the error signal (COMP); turning on the power switch (113) when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP), turning off the power switch (113) and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP).\",\n \"16.The method of claim 15, wherein the operation of generating the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: generating an adjusted voltage (Vset2) less than a setting voltage (Vset) by multiplying the setting voltage (Vset) by the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle; performing a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage (Vset2) to generate a filtered signal (VF); providing a transconductance amplifier (350) configured to operably convert the filtered signal (VF) into a ramp signal (RAMP); and providing a capacitor (360) configured to be coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"17.The method of claim 16, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is directly proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitor (360) and a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), but is inversely proportional to a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2) and a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"18.The method of claim 17, wherein an on time (Ton) during which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle is determined by the following formula: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] wherein Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch (113) is turned on in each switching cycle, Cramp denotes a capacitance value of the capacitor (360), Vcomp denotes a voltage value of the error signal (COMP), Vset2 denotes a voltage value of the adjusted voltage (Vset2), and Gm denotes a transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier (350).\",\n \"19.The method of claim 17, wherein the ratio of the on time during which of the power switch (113) is turned on in the previous switching cycle to the time length of the previous switching cycle is directly proportional to a duty ratio of a control signal (CTL) utilized for controlling the power switch (113).\",\n \"20.The method of claim 17, wherein the operation of generating the adjusted voltage (Vset2) comprises: providing a first switch (310) configured to be coupled between a setting signal input terminal (302) and a node (304), wherein the setting signal input terminal (302) is utilized for receiving the setting voltage (Vset); providing a second switch (320) configured to be coupled between the node (304) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and switching the first switch (310) and the second switch (320) alternatively to render the node (304) to provide the adjusted voltage (Vset2).\",\n \"21.The method of claim 17, wherein the operation of rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal (RAMP) comprises: providing a third switch (370) configured to be coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier (350) and a fixed-voltage terminal; and turning on the third switch (370) when the ramp signal (RAMP) is greater than or equal to the error signal (COMP).\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND The disclosure generally relates to a power factor correction circuit and, more particularly, to a power factor correction circuit of a power converter.\",\n \"The power utilization efficiency of electronic devices has become more and more important as the energy shortage problem deteriorates.\",\n \"The traditional power converter is typically realized by using diode rectifiers.\",\n \"Although such structure is simple and low cost, serious non-linear distortion occurs at an input current to greatly increase the low frequency harmonics, thereby decreasing the power factor.\",\n \"The power factor is defined as a ratio of the working power to the apparent power, and is an indicator for measuring the power utilization efficiency.\",\n \"Electronic devices with low power factor not only waste energy, but also generate enormous harmonics to adversely affect the stability of the power system and thus cause problems to the power generator, thereby seriously affecting the quality of power supply.\",\n \"In general, the power factor of the power converter may be improved by adding a power factor correction (PFC) circuit to the power converter.\",\n \"However, the newly developed electronic devices are required to meet more severe total harmonic distortion (THD) requirement, and the structure of traditional PFC circuit is difficult to satisfy the specification requirements of the newly developed electronic devices.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY An example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of a flyback power converter is disclosed.\",\n \"The flyback power converter comprises a primary side coil, a secondary side coil, and an inductive coil, wherein the primary side coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the secondary side coil is configured to operably provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the primary side coil to generate an inductive signal, and the power switch is coupled between the primary side coil and a fixed-voltage terminal.\",\n \"The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to the output voltage signal or the output current signal according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.\",\n \"Another example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.\",\n \"The asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a diode, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the power switch is coupled between the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the diode is coupled between the first coil and a load of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter.\",\n \"The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.\",\n \"Another example embodiment of a power switch of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.\",\n \"The synchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a second power switch, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the first power switch is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the second power switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil and a load of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter.\",\n \"The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.\",\n \"Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/586,976, filed on May 4, 2017, which is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/547,870, filed on Nov. 19, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority to Patent Application No.\",\n \"102144716, filed in Taiwan on Dec. 5, 2013; the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.\",\n \"BACKGROUND The disclosure generally relates to a power factor correction circuit and, more particularly, to a power factor correction circuit of a power converter.\",\n \"The power utilization efficiency of electronic devices has become more and more important as the energy shortage problem deteriorates.\",\n \"The traditional power converter is typically realized by using diode rectifiers.\",\n \"Although such structure is simple and low cost, serious non-linear distortion occurs at an input current to greatly increase the low frequency harmonics, thereby decreasing the power factor.\",\n \"The power factor is defined as a ratio of the working power to the apparent power, and is an indicator for measuring the power utilization efficiency.\",\n \"Electronic devices with low power factor not only waste energy, but also generate enormous harmonics to adversely affect the stability of the power system and thus cause problems to the power generator, thereby seriously affecting the quality of power supply.\",\n \"In general, the power factor of the power converter may be improved by adding a power factor correction (PFC) circuit to the power converter.\",\n \"However, the newly developed electronic devices are required to meet more severe total harmonic distortion (THD) requirement, and the structure of traditional PFC circuit is difficult to satisfy the specification requirements of the newly developed electronic devices.\",\n \"SUMMARY An example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of a flyback power converter is disclosed.\",\n \"The flyback power converter comprises a primary side coil, a secondary side coil, and an inductive coil, wherein the primary side coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the secondary side coil is configured to operably provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the primary side coil to generate an inductive signal, and the power switch is coupled between the primary side coil and a fixed-voltage terminal.\",\n \"The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to the output voltage signal or the output current signal according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.\",\n \"Another example embodiment of a method for controlling a power switch of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.\",\n \"The asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a diode, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the power switch is coupled between the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the diode is coupled between the first coil and a load of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter.\",\n \"The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.\",\n \"Another example embodiment of a power switch of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter is disclosed.\",\n \"The synchronous-type buck-boost power converter comprises a first coil, an inductive coil, and a second power switch, wherein the first coil is coupled between an input voltage signal and the power switch, the inductive coil is configured to operably sense the first coil to provide an inductive signal, the first power switch is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil and a fixed-voltage terminal, and the second power switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil and a load of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter.\",\n \"The method comprises: detecting the inductive signal to determine whether a zero current event occurs; generating an error signal corresponding to an output voltage signal or an output current signal of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to a reference signal; generating an ramp signal having a slope proportional to a ratio of an on time during which of the power switch is turned on in a previous switching cycle to a time length of the previous switching cycle; comparing the ramp signal with the error signal; turning on the power switch when the zero current event occurs; and when the ramp signal is greater than or equal to the error signal, turning off the power switch and rapidly lowering the level of the ramp signal.\",\n \"Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a flyback power converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the relationship between an input voltage signal and an input current signal of the flyback power converter of FIG.\",\n \"1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a power factor correction (PFC) circuit in FIG.\",\n \"1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 shows a simplified functional block diagram of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is made in detail to embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"The same reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, components, or operations.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a flyback power converter 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The power converter 100 is utilized for converting an AC voltage signal Vac provided by an AC power source 101 into a DC output voltage signal Vout, so that the output voltage signal Vout can be utilized by a load 119 in the subsequent stage.\",\n \"In this embodiment, the power converter 100 comprises a rectifier 103, an input capacitor 105, a primary side coil 107, a secondary side coil 109, an inductive coil 111, a power switch 113, a diode 115, an output capacitor 117, a power factor correction (PFC) circuit 120, a resistance device 130, and a feedback circuit 140.The rectifier 103 is configured to operably rectify the AC voltage signal Vac provided from the AC power source 101 into an input voltage signal Vin having m-shape waveform.\",\n \"The input capacitor 105 is coupled with an output terminal of the rectifier 103 and configured to operably reduce the noise in the input voltage signal Vin.\",\n \"A first terminal of the primary side coil 107 is coupled with the input voltage signal Vin.\",\n \"A first terminal of the secondary side coil 109 is utilized for providing the output voltage signal Vout.\",\n \"The inductive coil 111 is configured to operably sense the primary side coil 107 to provide an inductive signal SS.\",\n \"The power switch 113 is coupled between a second terminal of the primary side coil 107 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).\",\n \"An input terminal of the diode 115 is coupled with the first terminal of the secondary side coil 109, and an output terminal of the diode 115 is coupled with the load 119 of the power converter 100.The output capacitor 117 is coupled with the output terminal of the diode 115 and configured to operably reduce the noise in the output voltage signal Vout.\",\n \"The PFC circuit 120 is configured to operably control the switching operations of the power switch 113 to adjust a current IL flowing through the primary side coil 107 to thereby change the magnitude of a current Ido flowing through the diode 115 so as to adjust the output voltage signal Vout.\",\n \"The resistance device 130 may conduct a voltage-dividing operation on the inductive signal SS.\",\n \"The feedback circuit 140 is configured to operably generate a corresponding feedback signal FB according to the output voltage signal Vout or the output current signal Iout of the power converter 100.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"1, the PFC circuit 120 comprises a zero current detection (ZCD) circuit 121, an error detection circuit 123, a ramp signal generating circuit 125, a comparison circuit 127, and a trigger circuit 129.In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"1, the zero current detection circuit 121 is configured to operably detect the inductive signal SS when coupling with the inductive coil 111 to generate a detection signal DS.\",\n \"The error detection circuit 123 is configured to operably generate an error signal COMP corresponding to the output voltage signal Vout according to a reference signal Vref.\",\n \"The ramp signal generating circuit 125 is configured to operably generate a ramp signal RAMP.\",\n \"The comparison circuit 127 is coupled with the error detection circuit 123 and the ramp signal generating circuit 125, and configured to operably compare the ramp signal RAMP with the error signal COMP to generate a comparison signal VC.\",\n \"The trigger circuit 129 is coupled with the zero current detection circuit 121, the ramp signal generating circuit 125, and the comparison circuit 127.The trigger circuit 129 is configured to operably generate a control signal CTL for controlling the power switch 113 according to the detection signal DS and the comparison signal VC, and also configured to operably control the ramp signal generating circuit 125 to adjust a slope of the ramp signal RAMP.\",\n \"In practice, the zero current detection circuit 121 may detect a voltage-divided generated by the resistance device 130 to generate the aforementioned detection signal DS.\",\n \"The error detection circuit 123 may generate the error signal COMP corresponding to the output voltage signal Vout according to the feedback signal FB generated by the feedback circuit 140 and the reference signal Vref.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the relationship between the input voltage signal Vin and the input current signal Iin of the flyback power converter 100 of FIG.\",\n \"1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"For the purpose of explanatory convenience in the following description, it is assumed herein that the control signal CTL in the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"2 is an active high signal.\",\n \"That is, the power switch 113 would be turned on when the PFC circuit 120 configures the control signal CTL to an active level.\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"2, IL_pk denotes an envelope of peak values of the current flowing through the primary side coil 107, Ton denotes the on time at which the power switch 113 is turned on in each switching cycle, Toff denotes the off time at which the power switch 113 is turned off in each switching cycle, Ts denotes a total time length of the on time Ton and the off time Toff of the power switch 113.That is, Ts represents the time length of each switching cycle of the power switch 113, and is also equivalent to the period length of the control signal CTL.\",\n \"When the power switch 113 is turned on, the current flows to the power switch 113 through the primary side coil 107, so that the energy of the input voltage signal Vin received by the primary side coil 107 is passed to the secondary side coil 109 through the inductive effect to generate the current Ido flowing through the diode 115 when the power switch 113 is turned off.\",\n \"In this situation, the current Ido charges the output capacitor 117 to rise up the output voltage signal Vout.\",\n \"The PFC circuit 120 controls the magnitude of the current IL by switching the power switch 113 at a high frequency, and the high frequency component in the current IL is filtered out by the input capacitor 105, so that the magnitude of the input current signal Iin becomes the average of the current IL.\",\n \"Accordingly, the PFC circuit 120 makes the waveform of the input current signal Iin to follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin by controlling the magnitude of the current IL, so that the waveform of the input current signal Iin approaches to the sine waveform to thereby increase the power factor while effectively reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a simplified functional block diagram of the PFC circuit 120 in FIG.\",\n \"1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"3, the ramp signal generating circuit 125 of the PFC circuit 120 comprises a first switch 310, a second switch 320, a control circuit 330, a low-pass filter 340, a transconductance amplifier 350, a capacitor 360, and a third switch 370.The first switch 310 is coupled between a setting signal input terminal 302 and a node 304, wherein the setting signal input terminal 302 is utilized for receiving a setting voltage Vset.\",\n \"The second switch 320 is coupled between the node 304 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).\",\n \"The control circuit 330 is coupled with a control terminal of the first switch 310 and a control terminal of the second switch 320.The control circuit 330 is configured to operably switch the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 alternatively under control of the trigger circuit 129, so as to render the node 304 to provide an adjusted voltage Vset2 less than the setting voltage Vset.\",\n \"The low-pass filter 340 comprises a resistor 342 and a capacitor 344, and is coupled with the node 304.The low-pass filter 340 is configured to operably perform a low-pass filtering operation on the adjusted voltage Vset2 to generate a filtered signal VF.\",\n \"The transconductance amplifier 350 is coupled with the low-pass filter 340 and configured to operably convert the filtered signal VF into the ramp signal RAMP.\",\n \"The capacitor 360 is coupled with an output terminal of the transconductance amplifier 350.The third switch 370 is coupled between the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier 350 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal), and a control terminal of the third switch 370 is coupled with an output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.In practice, the trigger circuit 129 may be realized with a variety of flip-flop structures.\",\n \"In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"3, for example, the trigger circuit 129 of the PFC circuit 120 is realized with a RS flip-flop.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"3, the RS flip-flop comprises a set terminal, a reset terminal, a non-inverted output terminal, and an inverted output terminal.\",\n \"The set terminal is coupled with the zero current detection circuit 121.The reset terminal is coupled with the comparison circuit 127.The non-inverted output terminal is utilized for providing the control signal CTL.\",\n \"The inverted output terminal is coupled with the third switch 370 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125.In this embodiment, the non-inverted output terminal of the RS flip-flop is further coupled with the control circuit 330 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125.Each time the zero current detection circuit 121 has detected that a zero current event occurs, e.g., when the inductive signal SS is less than a predetermined threshold, the zero current detection circuit 121 switches the detection signal DS to an active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment) to configure the set terminal of the trigger circuit 129, so that the trigger circuit 129 configures the control signal CTL to the active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment) to turn on the power switch 113.Meanwhile, the trigger circuit 129 configures the inverted signal CTLB outputted at the inverted output terminal to an inactive level (e.g., the low level in this embodiment), so as to turn off the third switch 370 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125.Each time the power switch 113 is turned on, the current IL gradually rises up from zero.\",\n \"Meanwhile, the level of the ramp signal RAMP generated by the ramp signal generating circuit 125 also gradually rises up with a predetermined slope.\",\n \"When the comparison circuit 127 detects that the ramp signal RAMP is greater than or equal to the error signal COMP, the comparison circuit 127 configures the reset terminal of the trigger circuit 129 to the active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment), so as to transit the control signal CTL to the inactive level (e.g., the low level in this embodiment) to thereby turn off the power switch 113.Meanwhile, the inverted signal CTLB outputted at the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 transits to the active level (e.g., the high level in this embodiment) to turn on the third switch 370 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125, so that the level of the ramp signal RAMP drops down rapidly.\",\n \"When the zero current detection circuit 121 afterwards detects that another zero current event occurs, the trigger circuit 129 switches the control signal CTL to the active level to turn on the power switch 113 again.\",\n \"According to the foregoing descriptions, the on time Ton of the power switch 113 is determined by the slope of the ramp signal RAMP, and could be represented as below: Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset2*Gm] Formula (1) wherein Cramp denotes the capacitance value of the capacitor 360 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125, Vcomp denotes the voltage value of the error signal COMP generated by the error detection circuit 123, and Gm denotes the transconductance value of the transconductance amplifier 350.In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"3, the control circuit 330 alternatively switches the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the control signal CTL, so that the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 are alternatively turned on to change the slope of the ramp signal RAMP outputted from the ramp signal generating circuit 125.Specifically, the control circuit 330 may turn on the first switch 310 and turn off the second switch 320 when the control signal CTL is at the active level, the control circuit 330 may turn off the first switch 310 and turn on the second switch 320 when the control signal CTL is at the inactive level.\",\n \"Accordingly, the magnitude of the adjusted voltage Vset2 on the node 304 could be represented as below: Vset2=Vset*(Ton/Ts) Formula (2) The following Formula (3) could be obtained by substituting the Formula (2) into the Formula (1): Ton=(Cramp*Vcomp)/[Vset*(Ton/Ts)*Gm] Formula (3) It is obvious that the Formula (3) is an iterative operation.\",\n \"Accordingly, it is apparent that Ts of the item (Ton/Ts) corresponds to the time length of the previous switching cycle of the power switch 113 while Ton of the item (Ton/Ts) corresponds to the on time of the power switch 113 in the previous switching cycle.\",\n \"In other words, the item (Ton/Ts) corresponds to the duty ratio of the control signal CTL of the power switch 113 in the previous switching cycle.\",\n \"Since the values of Cramp, Vcomp, Vset, and Gm are substantially fixed, it can be appreciated from the Formula (3) that the on time Ton of the power switching 113 is proportional to the item (Ts/Ton).\",\n \"In addition, assuming that the inductance value of the primary side coil 107 is L, then the average value of the input current signal Iin in each switching cycle of the power switch 113 could be represented as below: Iin=(½)*(Vin/L)*Ton*(Ton/Ts) Formula (4) Since L is substantially a fixed value and Ton is proportional to the item (Ts/Ton), it can be appreciated from the Formula (4) that the waveform of the input current signal Iin would completely follow the change of the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin, and thus there is no phase difference between the input current signal Iin and the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin.\",\n \"In other words, the way that the trigger circuit 129 controls the ramp signal generating circuit 125 to adjust the slope of the ramp signal RAMP renders the waveform of the input current signal Iin of the power converter 100 to completely follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin.\",\n \"Accordingly, with the operations of the disclosed PFC circuit 120, the input current signal Iin and the input voltage signal Vin are enabled to have the same phase, and the input current signal Iin is enabled to have a waveform approaching to the sine waveform.\",\n \"As a result, the total harmonic distortion can be effectively reduced while improving the power factor of the power converter 100.In the previous embodiments, the feedback circuit 140 generates the feedback signal FB directly based on the output voltage signal Vout or the output current signal Iout of the power converter 100.But this is merely an exemplary embodiment, rather than a restriction to the practical implementations.\",\n \"In practice, the feedback circuit 140 may be instead designed to generate the feedback signal FB corresponding to the output current signal lout of the power converter 100 according to the detection signal DS outputted from the zero current detection circuit 121 or the current flowing through the power switch 113.In previous embodiments, the control circuit 330 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125 controls the switching operations of the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the signal outputted from the non-inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.But this is merely an exemplary embodiment, rather than a restriction to the practical implementations.\",\n \"In practice, the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.\",\n \"3 may be instead coupled with the control circuit 330 and the logic combinations inside the control circuit 330 may be adjusted, so as to render the control circuit 330 to change the slope of the ramp signal RAMP outputted from the ramp signal generating circuit 125 by controlling the switching operations of the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.For example, the control circuit 330 may be instead designed to turn on the first switch 310 and turn off the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the inactive level, and instead designed to turn off the first switch 310 and turn on the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the active level.\",\n \"In addition, when the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 of the ramp signal generating circuit 125 are instead realized with switch components of opposing control logics, the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.\",\n \"3 may be instead coupled with the control circuit 330, so that the control circuit 330 controls the switching operations of the first switch 310 and the second switch 320 according to the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.In this situation, the control circuit 330 may be instead designed to turn on the first switch 310 and turn off the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the active level, and instead designed to turn off the first switch 310 and turn on the second switch 320 when the inverted signal CTLB is at the inactive level.\",\n \"Similarly, when the third switch 370 in the ramp signal generating circuit 125 is instead realized with a switch component of opposing control logic, the non-inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.\",\n \"3 may be instead coupled with the control terminal of the third switch 370, so that the third switch 370 switches according to the control signal CTL outputted from the non-inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129.Similarly, when the power switch 113 is instead realized with a switch component of opposing control logic, the inverted output terminal of the trigger circuit 129 in FIG.\",\n \"3 may be instead coupled with the control terminal of the power switch 113, and the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the inverted output terminal may be instead employed as the control signal for controlling the power switch 113.Different functional blocks in the power converter 100 may be respectively realized with different circuits, or may be integrated into a single circuit chip.\",\n \"For example, all functional blocks in the PFC circuit 120 may be integrated in a single controller IC.\",\n \"The power switch 113 may be further integrated into the PFC circuit 120 to form a single controller IC.\",\n \"In addition, the resistance device 130 and/or the feedback circuit 140 may be further integrated into the PFC circuit 120.In practical applications, the structure of the disclosed PFC circuit 120 is also applicable to other power converters having different structures.\",\n \"For example, FIG.\",\n \"4 shows a simplified functional block diagram of an asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter 400 adopting the aforementioned PFC circuit 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 shows a simplified functional block diagram of a synchronous-type buck-boost power converter 500 adopting the aforementioned PFC circuit 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4, the power converter 400 comprises the rectifier 103, the input capacitor 105, a first coil 407, an inductive coil 411, the power switch 113, a diode 415, an output capacitor 417, the PFC circuit 120, a resistance device 430, and a feedback circuit 140.A first terminal of the first coil 407 is coupled with the input voltage signal Vin.\",\n \"The power switch 113 is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil 407 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).\",\n \"The diode 415 is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil 407 and the load 119 of the asynchronous-type buck-boost power converter 400.The inductive coil 411 is configured to operably sense the first coil 407 to provide an inductive signal SS.\",\n \"The output capacitor 117 is coupled between the output terminal of the diode 115 and the first terminal of the first coil 407, and configured to operably reduce the noise in the output voltage signal Vout.\",\n \"In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"4, the zero current detection circuit 121 of the PFC circuit 120 is configured to operable detect the inductive signal SS when coupling with the inductive coil 411 to generate the detection signal DS.\",\n \"The PFC circuit 120 may control the magnitude of the current IL flowing through the first coil 407 by controlling the switching operations of the power switch 113 with the manner described previously to render the waveform of the input current signal Iin to follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin, so that the waveform of the input current signal Iin approaches to the sine waveform to thereby increase the power factor while effectively reducing the total harmonic distortion.\",\n \"The descriptions regarding the operations, implementations, varieties, and related advantages of other corresponding functional blocks in the foregoing FIG.\",\n \"1 and FIG.\",\n \"3 are also applicable to the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"4.For the sake of brevity, those descriptions will not be repeated here.\",\n \"In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"4, the feedback circuit 140, the diode 415, and/or the resistance device 430 may be instead integrated into the PFC circuit 120.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, the power converter 500 comprises the rectifier 103, the input capacitor 105, the first coil 407, the first power switch 113, a second power switch 515, the output capacitor 417, the PFC circuit 120, the resistance device 430, and the feedback circuit 140.A first terminal of the first coil 407 is coupled with the input voltage signal Vin.\",\n \"The first power switch 113 is coupled between a second terminal of the first coil 407 and a fixed-voltage terminal (such as a ground terminal).\",\n \"The second power switch 515 is coupled between the second terminal of the first coil 407 and the load 119 of the synchronous-type buck-boost power converter 500.In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"5, the PFC circuit 120 may also utilize the control signal CTL outputted from the trigger circuit 129 as a first control signal for controlling one of the first power switch 113 and the second power switch 515, while utilize the inverted signal CTLB outputted from the trigger circuit 129 as a second control signal for controlling another power switch.\",\n \"The PFC circuit 120 may control the magnitude of the current IL flowing through the first coil 407 by controlling the switching operations of the first power switch 113 and the second power switch 515 with the manner described previously to render the waveform of the input current signal Iin to follow the waveform of the input voltage signal Vin, so that the waveform of the input current signal Iin approaches to the sine waveform to thereby increase the power factor while effectively reducing the total harmonic distortion.\",\n \"The descriptions regarding the operations, implementations, varieties, and related advantages of other corresponding functional blocks in the foregoing FIG.\",\n \"1, FIG.\",\n \"3, and FIG.\",\n \"4 are also applicable to the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"5.For the sake of brevity, those descriptions will not be repeated here.\",\n \"In the embodiment of FIG.\",\n \"5, the first power switch 113, the second power switch 515, the feedback circuit 140, and/or the resistance device 430 may be integrated into the PFC circuit 120.As can be appreciated from the foregoing elaborations that the disclosed PFC circuit 120 effectively reduces the total harmonic distortion and increases the power factor.\",\n \"Furthermore, the proposed PFC circuit 120 has a very compact circuitry structure and could be applied in many power converters of different structures, so the PFC circuit 120 has high application flexibility and a very wide application scope.\",\n \"Certain terms are used throughout the description and the claims to refer to particular components.\",\n \"One skilled in the art appreciates that a component may be referred to as different names.\",\n \"This disclosure does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not in function.\",\n \"In the description and in the claims, the term “comprise” is used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “include, but not limited to.” The phrases “be coupled with,” “couples with,” and “coupling with” are intended to compass any indirect or direct connection.\",\n \"Accordingly, if this disclosure mentioned that a first device is coupled with a second device, it means that the first device may be directly or indirectly connected to the second device through electrical connections, wireless communications, optical communications, or other signal connections with/without other intermediate devices or connection means.\",\n \"The term “and/or” may comprise any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.\",\n \"In addition, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” herein are intended to comprise the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.\",\n \"The term “voltage signal” used throughout the description and the claims may be expressed in the format of a current in implementations, and the term “current signal” used throughout the description and the claims may be expressed in the format of a voltage in implementations.\",\n \"Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.\",\n \"It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872481"}}},{"rowIdx":4494085,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Methods, Systems, and Products for Emergency Services","Methods, systems, and products provide emergency services during emergency situations.","When an emergency situation is determined, activation commands are sent to activate cameras and/or microphones within a geographic vicinity of the emergency situation.","Mobile devices and traffic cameras, for example, are thus instructed to capture image and audio data during the emergency situation."],["1.A method, comprising: receiving, at a server of a network, an indication of a first location to be monitored; querying for devices connected to the network that have an unobstructed view of the first location; based on the querying, identifying a nearby mobile device located at a second location; determining that a distance between the first location and the second location is within a radius of the first location; and if the nearby mobile device is within the distance, causing the nearby mobile device to capture image data from a camera associated with the nearby mobile device.","2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a camera resolution of the camera; and defining the radius as a function of the camera resolution.","3.The method of claim 1, wherein determining the first location comprises querying a home location register for the first location.","4.The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a vector indicative of a relative location of the nearby mobile device to the first location.","5.The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an activation command to the nearby mobile device, the activation command based on the vector.","6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the querying, receiving a list of nearby devices, the list indicative of nearby device locations associated with the nearby devices, wherein the nearby devices comprise the nearby mobile device.","7.The method of claim 6, wherein the list is further indicative of camera resolutions associated with the nearby devices, the method further comprising: filtering, from the list, a first subset of the nearby devices based on the camera resolutions associated with the first subset of the nearby devices not meeting a threshold resolution.","8.A method, comprising: receiving, at a server of a network, an indication to capture data at a first location; querying for devices connected to the network that are within a predefined distance of the first location; based on the querying, identifying a nearby mobile device located at a second location; determining that the nearby mobile device has an unobstructed view of the first location; and based on the unobstructed view, causing the nearby mobile device to capture image data from a camera associated with the nearby mobile device.","9.The method of claim 8, further comprising: in response to the querying, receiving a list of nearby devices, the list indicative of nearby device locations associated with the nearby devices, wherein the nearby devices comprise the nearby mobile device.","10.The method of claim 9, wherein the list is further indicative of camera resolutions associated with the nearby devices, the method further comprising: filtering, from the list, a first subset of the nearby devices based on the camera resolutions associated with each of the first subset of the nearby devices not meeting a threshold resolution.","11.The method of claim 8, wherein the predefined distance is based on camera resolutions of the devices.","12.The method of claim 8, further comprising determining a vector indicative of a relative location of the nearby mobile device to the first location.","13.The method claim 12, further comprising communicating, to the nearby mobile device, an instruction to orient the nearby mobile based on the vector.","14.The method of claim 8, further comprising sending an activation command to the nearby mobile device.","15.A system, comprising: a connection for communicating with a network; a processor in communication with the connection; and memory storing instructions that cause the processor to effectuate operations, the operations comprising: receiving an indication that an emergency notification was sent from a communications device; determining a first location of the communications device; querying for devices connected to the network that have an unobstructed view of the first location; based on the querying, identifying a nearby mobile device located at a second location; determining that a distance between the first location and the second location is within a predefined distance; and if the nearby mobile device is within the predefined distance, causing the nearby mobile device to capture image data from a camera associated with the nearby mobile device.","16.The system of claim 15, the operations further comprising: in response to the querying, receiving a list of nearby devices, the list indicative of nearby device locations associated with the nearby devices, wherein the nearby devices comprise the nearby mobile device.","17.The system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: determining that a first nearby device of the nearby devices has an obstructed view of the first location; and based the first nearby device having the obstructed view, excluding the first nearby device from the list.","18.The system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: determining that a first nearby device of the nearby devices has a first camera resolution value; and based on the first camera resolution value not meeting a minimum requirement, excluding the first nearby device from the list.","19.The system of claim 18, wherein the first camera resolution value not meeting the minimum requirement is based on a relative distance between the first nearby device and the first location.","20.The system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: determining that a first nearby device of the nearby devices has defective camera; and based on the defective camera, excluding the first nearby device from the list."],[" BACKGROUND Personal safety is of concern to us all.","We all desire improvements that increase our personal safety."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG.","1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; FIG.","2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; FIG.","3 is a schematic illustrating an emergency mode of operation, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","4-10 are schematics illustrating an emergency service, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","11-13 are schematics illustrating exclusion of a nearby device, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","14-20 are schematics illustrating vectorizations, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","21-23 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm for emergency services, according to exemplary embodiments; and FIGS.","24-26 depict still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser.","No.","13/684,500, filed Nov. 24, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection.","The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.","BACKGROUND Personal safety is of concern to us all.","We all desire improvements that increase our personal safety.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG.","1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; FIG.","2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; FIG.","3 is a schematic illustrating an emergency mode of operation, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","4-10 are schematics illustrating an emergency service, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","11-13 are schematics illustrating exclusion of a nearby device, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","14-20 are schematics illustrating vectorizations, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.","21-23 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm for emergency services, according to exemplary embodiments; and FIGS.","24-26 depict still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.","The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.","These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art.","Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.","Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).","Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments.","The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software.","Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer.","As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise.","It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” 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.","It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.","Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled.","As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.","It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.","may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.","These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.","For example, a first device could be termed a second device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a first device without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.","FIG.","1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented.","An emergency server 20 communicates with a client device 22 via a communications network 24.The client device 22 is illustrated as an end user's mobile smart phone 26, but the client device 22 may be any computer, tablet, or any other processor-controlled device.","The emergency server 20 provides one or more emergency services 28 to the client device 22.That is, should the client device 22 signal any emergency situation, the emergency server 20 provides the emergency service 28.The emergency service 28 may document the emergency situation.","For example, the client device 22 may call an emergency number 30 (such as dialing “911”).","When the emergency number 30 is detected, the emergency server 20 may instruct the client device 22 to automatically activate a local camera 32 and/or a microphone 34.The client device 22 may thus itself capture audio and/or video data 36 of the emergency situation.","The emergency server 20 may then broker or route the audio and/or video data 36 to any destination, such as police and family.","Nearby devices 38 may also be instructed to document the emergency situation.","The emergency server 20 may obtain a current location 40 of the client device 22.The emergency server 20 may then determine what other nearby devices 38 are in the vicinity 42 of the client device 22.The emergency server 20 may then instruct those nearby devices 38 to also automatically activate their respective local camera 32 and/or microphone 34.For example, nearby pedestrians and bystanders may have their mobile phones automatically instructed to capture audio and/or video data of the emergency situation.","Traffic cameras, as another example, may be instructed to train their lenses to the same emergency situation.","Whatever the nearby device 38, additional audio and/or video data may be obtained of the emergency situation.","Exemplary embodiments thus provide the emergency service 28.When the client device 22 signals any emergency situation, exemplary embodiments locate and command the nearby devices 38 to activate their respective data capture capabilities.","Whatever the emergency situation, the proximate nearby devices 38 document the emergency situation.","Exemplary embodiments may thus co-opt or appropriate the nearby devices 38 and generate cumulative surveillance audio and/or image data of the emergency situation.","Any citizen's mobile smart phone 26, in other words, becomes a proxy for good Samaritan assistance to someone in need.","Any nearby device 38 may thus support law enforcement efforts and crime reduction initiatives.","FIG.","2 is a more detailed schematic illustrating an operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments.","The emergency server 20 and the client device 22 cooperate to determine any emergency situation.","The client device 22 may have a processor 50 (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes a client-side emergency algorithm 52 stored in a local memory 54.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may cause the processor 50 to produce a graphical user interface (“GUI”) 56 on a display device 58, yet the graphical user interface 56 may also have audio features.","The emergency server 20 may also have a processor 60 (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes a server-side emergency algorithm 62 stored in a memory 64.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 and the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus be instructions, code, and/or programs that cooperate to provide the emergency service 28 to the client device 22.An emergency situation may first be determined.","The client device 22 may have any feature for activating the emergency service 28.FIG.","2, for example, illustrates an emergency button 62.The emergency button 62 may be a graphical control 64 displayed by or in the graphical user interface 56.The emergency button 62, however, may also be any physical feature 66 (such as a physical button) protruding from the client device 22.Should an end user touch or depress the emergency button 62, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may enter an emergency mode 68 of operation.","The emergency button 62 may thus be a quick and simple way of signaling any emergency situation.","The emergency situation may also be inferred.","Sometimes the end user may make inputs or take actions that indicate an emergency situation.","The user, for example, may dial 9-1-1 or any other emergency number 30.When the client-side emergency algorithm 52 detects or recognizes a predetermined input, address, or digit(s), the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may infer an emergency situation.","The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus enter the emergency mode 68 of operation upon detection or recognition of predetermined actions.","Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networking environment.","The communications network 24 may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain.","The communications network 24, however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN).","The communications network 24 may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines.","The communications network 24 may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the IEEE 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band).","The communications network 24 may even include powerline portions, in which signals are communicated via electrical wiring.","The concepts described herein may be applied to any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s).","FIG.","3 is a schematic further illustrating the emergency mode 68 of operation, according to exemplary embodiments.","However the emergency mode 68 of operation is determined, the client device 22 may automatically document the emergency situation.","Once the client-side emergency algorithm 52 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 activates any data acquisition capability.","Exemplary embodiments, for example, may automatically activate the camera 32 to capture image data 70 of the emergency situation.","The image data 70 may be still photos or video, depending on the capability.","The microphone 34 may additionally or alternatively be activated to capture audio data 72 of the emergency situation.","The image data 70 and the audio data 72 may be locally stored in the memory 54 of the client device 22.Documentary data may also be shared.","The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may cause the client device 22 to copy or send the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72 to any remote destination.","FIG.","3, for simplicity, illustrates the client device 22 sending the image data 70 and the audio data 72 to the emergency server 20 (via the communications network 24 illustrated in FIGS.","1-2).","Exemplary embodiments, though, may copy or forward the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72 to any network destination, such as police, fire, and family.","The emergency server 20 may thus receive and store the documentary evidence that is automatically captured during the emergency situation.","FIGS.","4-10 are schematics illustrating the emergency service 28, according to exemplary embodiments.","FIG.","4 illustrates remote notification of the emergency mode 68 of operation.","When the client device 22 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may send an emergency notification 80 to the emergency server 20.The emergency notification 80 routes along the communications network (illustrated as reference numeral 24 in FIGS.","1-2) to the network address associated with the emergency server 20.The emergency notification 80 may include a device identifier 82.The device identifier 82 may be any alphanumeric combination that uniquely identifies the client device 22, such as an Internet protocol address, telephone number, serial number, or any other information.","When the emergency server 20 receives the emergency notification 80, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 initiates the emergency service 28 for the client device 22.Exemplary embodiments may obtain the current location 40 of the client device 22.The client device 22, for example, may send its current location 40 in the emergency notification 80.When the client device 22 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may activate or call a location application 84 that determines the current location 40.The client device 22, for example, may have a global positioning system (“GPS”) 86 that generates GPS coordinates 88.When the emergency notification 80 is sent, the emergency notification 80 may include information describing the current location 40, such as the GPS coordinates 88.FIG.","5 illustrates an optional location determination.","Here exemplary embodiments may query a location database 90.The location database 90 stores location information for any device.","A location server 92 stores and maintains the location database 90 at a network address in the communications network 24.The location database 90, for example, may be a home location register (“HLR”) that stores location information for devices communicating with the communications network 24.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may instruct the emergency server 20 to query the location database 90 for the device identifier 82 requesting the emergency service 28.The location database 90 performs query lookup and retrieves the current location 40 associated with the device identifier 82.The location server 92 sends the current location 40 in a query response to the network address associated with the emergency server 20.However the current location 40 is determined, FIG.","6 illustrates the nearby device 38.Once the emergency server 20 determines the current location 40 associated with the client device 22 (e.g., the device identifier 82), the emergency server 20 may identify the nearby device(s) 38 having the same or similar location 40.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may instruct the emergency server 20 to send a device query 94 to the location database 90.The device query 94 may specify the current location 40 and routes to the network address associated with the location server 92.The location server 92 queries the location database 90 for the current location 40 and retrieves a list 96 of devices having the same or similar location 40.That is, exemplary embodiments determine what nearby devices 38 are presently located within the geographic vicinity 42 of the current location 40 of the communications device.","The location server 92 sends the list 96 of devices in a query response that routes to the network address associated with the emergency server 20.While FIG.","6 only illustrates a single nearby device 38, in actual practice there may be many, or even hundreds, of nearby devices 38, especially in dense urban cities.","FIG.","7 illustrates the list 96 of devices.","When the emergency server 20 receives the list 96 of devices, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may at least temporarily store the list 96 of devices in the memory 64 of the emergency server 20.FIG.","7 illustrates the list 96 of devices as a table 100 that maps, relates, or otherwise associates each nearby device 38 to its corresponding network address 102.Each nearby device 38 may be formally identified with its corresponding device identifier 82.The emergency server 20 now knows that nearby devices 38 are in the vicinity 42 of the current location 40 associated with the client device 22.FIG.","8 illustrates an appropriation scheme.","The emergency service 28 may co-opt the nearby devices 38 to document the emergency situation.","Once the nearby devices 38 are known, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 instructs the emergency server 20 to appropriate any nearby device 38 in the list 96 of devices.","The server-side emergency algorithm 62, for example, causes the emergency server 20 to generate an activation command 110.The activation command 110 may be any instruction for activating any software or device capability that acquires any data from the nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 selects any or all of the nearby devices 38 in the list 96 of devices.","The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may then instruct the emergency server 20 to send the activation command 110 to any nearby device 38 specified in the list 96 of devices.","FIG.","8, for example, illustrates the activation command 110 routing along the communications network 24 to the network address 102 associated with the corresponding nearby device 38.FIG.","8 illustrates the nearby device 38 as a fellow pedestrian's nearby smart phone 112.FIG.","9 illustrates data capture.","When the nearby device 38 receives the activation command 110, the activation command 110 may at least partially take control of the nearby device 38.That is, the activation command 110 instructs the nearby device 38 to automatically activate its local camera 32, microphone 34, global positioning system 86, and/or any other software and hardware data acquisition capability.","As an example, FIG.","9 illustrates the nearby device 38 having its own corresponding processor 120 and memory 122 that stores and executes the client-side emergency algorithm 52.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus be a downloadable software application that recognizes and automatically executes the activation command 110.The activation command 110 may thus cause the nearby device 38 to enter the emergency mode 68 of operation.","The nearby device 38 thus automatically starts capturing and storing the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72 of the emergency situation.","FIG.","10 illustrates cumulative data acquisition.","When the nearby device 38 captures the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72, the nearby device 38 may upload the documentary data to any remote destination.","FIG.","10, again for simplicity, illustrates the nearby device 38 sending its image data 70 and its audio data 72 to the emergency server 20.The emergency server 20 thus receives and stores the documentary evidence that is automatically captured by the nearby device 38 during the emergency situation.","FIG.","11 is a schematic illustrating exclusion of a nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.","When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, exemplary embodiments may limit or exclude some nearby devices 38.Some nearby devices 38, for example, may be excluded based on hardware or software capability 130.A nearby device 38 that has an inoperative or unresponsive camera or microphone may be unable to document the emergency situation.","If a nearby device 38 lacks enough memory to store video data, that nearby device 38 may be excluded.","If any nearby device 38 lacks any capability that impairs data acquisition, that nearby device 38 may be excluded.","A nearby device 38 may also be excluded based on location.","When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, the list 96 of devices may include the nearby location 132 associated with each nearby device 38.Each nearby device 38 has its own nearby location 132, which may differ from the location 40 of the client device 22.Once the nearby location 132 is known, some nearby devices 38 may have an obstructed view of the emergency situation.","Some nearby devices 38, for example, may be located in a grove of trees, or behind a building, that obstructs the view of the emergency situation.","The emergency server 20 may thus exclude any nearby device 38 in the list 96 of devices based on an obstructed view of the emergency situation.","Exemplary embodiments may exclude based on distance 134.When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, the list 96 of devices may include the nearby location 132 associated with each nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus calculate the distance 134 between the current location 40 of the client device 22 (requesting the emergency service 28) and each nearby device 38 in the list 96 of devices.","The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may also be configured to exclude any nearby devices 38 lying outside a radius 136 from the current location 40 of the client device 22.If any distance 134 exceeds the radius 136, then the corresponding nearby device 38 may be excluded from the emergency service 28.Exemplary embodiments, in other words, may only appropriate those nearby devices 38 having the geographic vicinity 42 within the predetermined radius 136 of the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.FIG.","12 is another schematic illustrating exclusion of a nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.","Here exemplary embodiments may exclude based on resolution 140 of the camera 32.Even though a nearby device 38 may have a video/photo/image capability 130, the resolution 140 of the corresponding camera lens may be too low for quality image data 70.Law enforcement may especially only want image data 70 of high resolution 140 for evidentiary considerations.","When the emergency server 20 receives the list 96 of devices, each nearby device 38 may also include entries for its corresponding camera resolution 140.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus filter any entries having the resolution below a threshold resolution 142.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus only activate those nearby devices 38 having the requisite minimum threshold resolution 142.FIG.","13 is another schematic illustrating exclusion of a nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.","Here exemplary embodiments may exclude based on both the distance 134 and the resolution 140.A low resolution camera may be adequate at short distances, while a high resolution camera may be required from farther distances.","Exemplary embodiments may thus balance both the distance 134 and the resolution 140 when making exclusion decisions.","As FIG.","13 illustrates, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may calculate a selection value SV (illustrated as reference numeral 150) as SV=ƒ(distance, resolution), where the distance 134 and the resolution 140 may be mathematically and/or functionally combined.","The selection value SV may thus be compared to a threshold selection value 152.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus only send the activation command 110 to those nearby devices 38 having the requisite minimum selection value SV.","FIGS.","14-20 are schematics illustrating vectorizations, according to exemplary embodiments.","Here exemplary embodiments may determine a directional vector 160 to the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The directional vector 160 helps a nearby user of the nearby device 38 orient to the emergency situation.","When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, the location server 92 responds with the list 96 of devices.","As earlier paragraphs explained, the list 96 of devices may include the nearby location 132 of each nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus determine the directional vector 160 from each nearby device 38 to the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The vector 160 may be determined from the nearby location 132 of the nearby device 38 to the location 40 of the client device 22.As FIG.","15 illustrates, the vector 160 may plot or start from the coordinates of the corresponding nearby device 38 to the coordinates of the client device 22.The server-side emergency algorithm 62, for example, may compare longitudes and latitudes (e.g., perhaps the GPS coordinates 88 illustrated in FIG.","4) to determine the vector 160.As FIG.","16 illustrates, the vector 160 may be shared with the nearby device 38.Once the vector 160 is determined, the vector 160 may be sent to the nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may instruct the emergency server 20 to send the vector 160 to the nearby device 38.The vector 160 may be sent as two or three dimensional parameters or coordinates in a message to the network address associated with the nearby device 38.FIG.","17 illustrates orientation.","The nearby device 38 has received the activation command 110 and the vector 160.The activation command 110 causes the client-side emergency algorithm 52 to activate the local camera 32, microphone 34, global positioning system 86, and any other data acquisition capability.","The vector 160 allows these data acquisition capabilities to be oriented to the vector 160.The emergency service 28 enlists or appropriates the nearby device 38 for data acquisition.","Even though the nearby device 38 is chosen, the nearby device 38 needs to orient to the direction of the emergency situation.","Data acquisition will likely be unhelpful if the camera 32 and microphone 34 are oriented to the wrong direction.","When the client-side emergency algorithm 52 receives the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may execute an orientation 162.That is, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may align the camera 32 and microphone 34 to the vector 160.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 thus helps ensure the nearby device 38 orients to the direction of the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The client-side emergency algorithm 52, for example, may compare a focal direction 164 in which the camera 32 is pointed.","The client-side emergency algorithm 52 aligns the focal direction 164 to the vector 160 representing the direction to the client device 22.Indeed, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may a parallel or co-linear alignment to ensure the camera 32 points in the same direction as the vector 160.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may, likewise, align the microphone 34 to the vector 160 to capture the audio data 72 from the direction of the client device 22.FIG.","18 further illustrates the orientation 162.When the client-side emergency algorithm 52 performs the orientation 162 to the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may generate commands 166 to a motor mechanism 168 to move the camera 32 and/or microphone 34.However, many nearby devices 38 may be smart phones, tablets, and other mobile devices which lack mechanized alignment.","Many nearby devices 38, in other words, must be manually aligned to the vector 160.FIG.","19, then, illustrates the graphical user interface 56.When the nearby device 38 must be manually aligned to the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may generate and display an orientation aid 170.The orientation aid 170 may be any visual scheme that helps the nearby user to orient her nearby device 38 to the vector 160.FIG.","19, for example, illustrates a graphical arrow 172 that points to the direction of the vector 160.As the client-side emergency algorithm 52, for example, compares the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 to the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may determine a direction difference 174.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus generate and display the graphical arrow 172 to minimize the directional difference 174 between the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 and the vector 160.The nearby user may thus move or orient her nearby device 38 in the direction of the graphical arrow 172.As the user orients her nearby device 38, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may repeatedly compare the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 to the vector 160 and re-compute the direction difference 174.If the user correctly orients her nearby device 38, eventually the direction difference 174 will be a minimum value or even zero (0).","FIG.","20 illustrates a bulls eye 180.If the user correctly orients her nearby device 38, the direction difference 174 will be the minimum value (such as zero difference).","The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus generate and cause display of some visual indication that the orientation 162 is correct.","The graphical bulls eye 180 is thus one such visual indication that the camera 32 is pointed to the emergency situation.","The user thus holds or maintains the current position of her nearby device 38 as the image data 70 is acquired.","Should the user stray from the correct orientation 162, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may repeat the comparison of the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 to the vector 160 to reorient the nearby device 38.Should the vector 160 change, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 will also reorient the camera 32 to the vector 160.Exemplary embodiments may similarly orient the microphone 34.The microphone 34 may be a common Omni-directional microphone or a directional microphone.","Regardless, the microphone 34 may also be oriented to the vector 160.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus compare an audio direction 190 of the microphone 34 to the vector 160 and determine the direction difference 174.The graphical user interface 56 may displays the graphical arrow (illustrated as reference numeral 172 in FIG.","19) to help the user orient her nearby device 38.When the direction difference 174 is at least near the minimum value, the graphical user interface 56 may change to display the bulls eye 180.The microphone 34 is thus oriented to the emergency situation.","FIGS.","21-23 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm for emergency services, according to exemplary embodiments.","An emergency situation is determined (Block 200).","The emergency mode 68 of operation is entered (Block 202).","Any data acquisition capability is automatically activated (Block 204).","Documentary data may be locally stored in memory (Block 206) and sent to remote destination (Block 208).","The emergency notification 80 is sent (Block 210).","When emergency notification 80 is received (Block 212), the emergency service 28 is provided (Block 214).","The flowchart continues with FIG.","22.The current location 40 is obtained (Block 216), and a query is made for the nearby devices (Block 218).","The list 96 of devices is received in response (Block 220).","Some nearby devices may be excluded (Block 222).","One or more of the remaining nearby devices 38 may be appropriated for the emergency service 28 (Block 224).","The directional vector 160 is determined from the nearby device 38 to the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28 (Block 226).","The flowchart continues with FIG.","23.The activation command 110 (Block 228) and the directional vector 160 (Block 230) is/are sent to the nearby device 38.When the nearby device 38 receives the activation command 110 (Block 232), the nearby device 38 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation (Block 234) and automatically activates its camera, microphone, and any other data acquisition capability (Block 236).","The nearby device 38 executes the orientation 162 (Block 238) to aid a nearby user in orienting to the direction of the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The nearby device 38 captures documentary data (Block 240) and uploads the documentary data to any remote destination (Block 242).","FIG.","24 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.","FIG.","24 is a more detailed diagram illustrating a processor-controlled device 300.As earlier paragraphs explained, the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may operate in any processor-controlled device.","FIG.","24, then, illustrates the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62 stored in a memory subsystem of the processor-controlled device 300.One or more processors communicate with the memory subsystem and execute either or both applications.","Because the processor-controlled device 300 is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, no further explanation is needed.","FIG.","25 depicts still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.","FIG.","25 illustrates that the exemplary embodiments may alternatively or additionally operate within other processor-controlled devices 300.FIG.","25, for example, illustrates that the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may entirely or partially operate within a set-top box (“STB”) (302), a personal/digital video recorder (PVR/DVR) 304, personal digital assistant (PDA) 306, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device 308, an interactive television 310, an Internet Protocol (IP) phone 312, a pager 314, a cellular/satellite phone 316, or any computer system, communications device, or any processor-controlled device utilizing a digital signal processor (DP/DSP) 318.The processor-controlled device 300 may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, mobile/implantable medical devices, and other apparatuses and systems.","Because the architecture and operating principles of the various processor-controlled devices 300 are well known, the hardware and software componentry of the various processor-controlled devices 300 are not further shown and described.","FIG.","26 is a block diagram further illustrating the client device 22, and/or the nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.","Here either the client device 22 or the nearby device 38 may comprise a radio transceiver unit 452, an antenna 454, a digital baseband chipset 456, and a man/machine interface (MMI) 458.The transceiver unit 452 includes transmitter circuitry 460 and receiver circuitry 462 for receiving and transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals.","The transceiver unit 452 couples to the multiple input, multiple output (“MIMO”) system 58 for converting electrical current to and from electromagnetic waves.","The digital baseband chipset 456 may have a digital signal processor (DSP) 464 and performs signal processing functions for audio (voice) signals and RF signals.","As FIG.","26 shows, the digital baseband chipset 456 may also include an on-board microprocessor 466 that interacts with the man/machine interface (MMI) 458.The man/machine interface (MMI) 458 may comprise a display device 468, a keypad 470, and a subscriber identity module 400.The on-board microprocessor 466 may perform TDMA, CDMA, GSM or other protocol functions and control functions.","The on-board microprocessor 466 may also interface with the subscriber identity module 400 and with the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62.Exemplary embodiments may be applied to any signaling standard.","As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize, FIG.","26 may illustrate a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications device.","That is, the client device 22 and/or the nearby device 38 may utilize the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard.","Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, also recognize that exemplary embodiments are equally applicable to any communications device utilizing the Time Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the Code Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the “dual-mode” GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) signaling standard, or any variant of the GSM/CDMA/TDMA signaling standard.","Exemplary embodiments may also be applied to other standards, such as the I.E.E.E.","802 family of standards, the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band of the electromagnetic spectrum, BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI® , and any other.","Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable storage medium.","This computer-readable medium, for example, may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, optical disk, memory card, memory drive, and large-capacity disks.","This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees.","A computer program product comprises processor-executable instructions for providing emergency services, as the above paragraphs explained.","While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited.","Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Methods, Systems, and Products for Emergency Services\",\n \"Methods, systems, and products provide emergency services during emergency situations.\",\n \"When an emergency situation is determined, activation commands are sent to activate cameras and/or microphones within a geographic vicinity of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Mobile devices and traffic cameras, for example, are thus instructed to capture image and audio data during the emergency situation.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method, comprising: receiving, at a server of a network, an indication of a first location to be monitored; querying for devices connected to the network that have an unobstructed view of the first location; based on the querying, identifying a nearby mobile device located at a second location; determining that a distance between the first location and the second location is within a radius of the first location; and if the nearby mobile device is within the distance, causing the nearby mobile device to capture image data from a camera associated with the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a camera resolution of the camera; and defining the radius as a function of the camera resolution.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 1, wherein determining the first location comprises querying a home location register for the first location.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a vector indicative of a relative location of the nearby mobile device to the first location.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an activation command to the nearby mobile device, the activation command based on the vector.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the querying, receiving a list of nearby devices, the list indicative of nearby device locations associated with the nearby devices, wherein the nearby devices comprise the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 6, wherein the list is further indicative of camera resolutions associated with the nearby devices, the method further comprising: filtering, from the list, a first subset of the nearby devices based on the camera resolutions associated with the first subset of the nearby devices not meeting a threshold resolution.\",\n \"8.A method, comprising: receiving, at a server of a network, an indication to capture data at a first location; querying for devices connected to the network that are within a predefined distance of the first location; based on the querying, identifying a nearby mobile device located at a second location; determining that the nearby mobile device has an unobstructed view of the first location; and based on the unobstructed view, causing the nearby mobile device to capture image data from a camera associated with the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 8, further comprising: in response to the querying, receiving a list of nearby devices, the list indicative of nearby device locations associated with the nearby devices, wherein the nearby devices comprise the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 9, wherein the list is further indicative of camera resolutions associated with the nearby devices, the method further comprising: filtering, from the list, a first subset of the nearby devices based on the camera resolutions associated with each of the first subset of the nearby devices not meeting a threshold resolution.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 8, wherein the predefined distance is based on camera resolutions of the devices.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 8, further comprising determining a vector indicative of a relative location of the nearby mobile device to the first location.\",\n \"13.The method claim 12, further comprising communicating, to the nearby mobile device, an instruction to orient the nearby mobile based on the vector.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 8, further comprising sending an activation command to the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"15.A system, comprising: a connection for communicating with a network; a processor in communication with the connection; and memory storing instructions that cause the processor to effectuate operations, the operations comprising: receiving an indication that an emergency notification was sent from a communications device; determining a first location of the communications device; querying for devices connected to the network that have an unobstructed view of the first location; based on the querying, identifying a nearby mobile device located at a second location; determining that a distance between the first location and the second location is within a predefined distance; and if the nearby mobile device is within the predefined distance, causing the nearby mobile device to capture image data from a camera associated with the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"16.The system of claim 15, the operations further comprising: in response to the querying, receiving a list of nearby devices, the list indicative of nearby device locations associated with the nearby devices, wherein the nearby devices comprise the nearby mobile device.\",\n \"17.The system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: determining that a first nearby device of the nearby devices has an obstructed view of the first location; and based the first nearby device having the obstructed view, excluding the first nearby device from the list.\",\n \"18.The system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: determining that a first nearby device of the nearby devices has a first camera resolution value; and based on the first camera resolution value not meeting a minimum requirement, excluding the first nearby device from the list.\",\n \"19.The system of claim 18, wherein the first camera resolution value not meeting the minimum requirement is based on a relative distance between the first nearby device and the first location.\",\n \"20.The system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: determining that a first nearby device of the nearby devices has defective camera; and based on the defective camera, excluding the first nearby device from the list.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Personal safety is of concern to us all.\",\n \"We all desire improvements that increase our personal safety.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a schematic illustrating an emergency mode of operation, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"4-10 are schematics illustrating an emergency service, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"11-13 are schematics illustrating exclusion of a nearby device, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"14-20 are schematics illustrating vectorizations, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"21-23 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm for emergency services, according to exemplary embodiments; and FIGS.\",\n \"24-26 depict still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/684,500, filed Nov. 24, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection.\",\n \"The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Personal safety is of concern to us all.\",\n \"We all desire improvements that increase our personal safety.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG.\",\n \"1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a schematic illustrating an emergency mode of operation, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"4-10 are schematics illustrating an emergency service, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"11-13 are schematics illustrating exclusion of a nearby device, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"14-20 are schematics illustrating vectorizations, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS.\",\n \"21-23 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm for emergency services, according to exemplary embodiments; and FIGS.\",\n \"24-26 depict still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.\",\n \"These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.\",\n \"Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).\",\n \"Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software.\",\n \"Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer.\",\n \"As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise.\",\n \"It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” 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.\",\n \"It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.\",\n \"Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.\",\n \"It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.\",\n \"may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.\",\n \"These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.\",\n \"For example, a first device could be termed a second device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a first device without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented.\",\n \"An emergency server 20 communicates with a client device 22 via a communications network 24.The client device 22 is illustrated as an end user's mobile smart phone 26, but the client device 22 may be any computer, tablet, or any other processor-controlled device.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 provides one or more emergency services 28 to the client device 22.That is, should the client device 22 signal any emergency situation, the emergency server 20 provides the emergency service 28.The emergency service 28 may document the emergency situation.\",\n \"For example, the client device 22 may call an emergency number 30 (such as dialing “911”).\",\n \"When the emergency number 30 is detected, the emergency server 20 may instruct the client device 22 to automatically activate a local camera 32 and/or a microphone 34.The client device 22 may thus itself capture audio and/or video data 36 of the emergency situation.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 may then broker or route the audio and/or video data 36 to any destination, such as police and family.\",\n \"Nearby devices 38 may also be instructed to document the emergency situation.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 may obtain a current location 40 of the client device 22.The emergency server 20 may then determine what other nearby devices 38 are in the vicinity 42 of the client device 22.The emergency server 20 may then instruct those nearby devices 38 to also automatically activate their respective local camera 32 and/or microphone 34.For example, nearby pedestrians and bystanders may have their mobile phones automatically instructed to capture audio and/or video data of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Traffic cameras, as another example, may be instructed to train their lenses to the same emergency situation.\",\n \"Whatever the nearby device 38, additional audio and/or video data may be obtained of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments thus provide the emergency service 28.When the client device 22 signals any emergency situation, exemplary embodiments locate and command the nearby devices 38 to activate their respective data capture capabilities.\",\n \"Whatever the emergency situation, the proximate nearby devices 38 document the emergency situation.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments may thus co-opt or appropriate the nearby devices 38 and generate cumulative surveillance audio and/or image data of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Any citizen's mobile smart phone 26, in other words, becomes a proxy for good Samaritan assistance to someone in need.\",\n \"Any nearby device 38 may thus support law enforcement efforts and crime reduction initiatives.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a more detailed schematic illustrating an operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 and the client device 22 cooperate to determine any emergency situation.\",\n \"The client device 22 may have a processor 50 (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes a client-side emergency algorithm 52 stored in a local memory 54.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may cause the processor 50 to produce a graphical user interface (“GUI”) 56 on a display device 58, yet the graphical user interface 56 may also have audio features.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 may also have a processor 60 (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes a server-side emergency algorithm 62 stored in a memory 64.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 and the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus be instructions, code, and/or programs that cooperate to provide the emergency service 28 to the client device 22.An emergency situation may first be determined.\",\n \"The client device 22 may have any feature for activating the emergency service 28.FIG.\",\n \"2, for example, illustrates an emergency button 62.The emergency button 62 may be a graphical control 64 displayed by or in the graphical user interface 56.The emergency button 62, however, may also be any physical feature 66 (such as a physical button) protruding from the client device 22.Should an end user touch or depress the emergency button 62, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may enter an emergency mode 68 of operation.\",\n \"The emergency button 62 may thus be a quick and simple way of signaling any emergency situation.\",\n \"The emergency situation may also be inferred.\",\n \"Sometimes the end user may make inputs or take actions that indicate an emergency situation.\",\n \"The user, for example, may dial 9-1-1 or any other emergency number 30.When the client-side emergency algorithm 52 detects or recognizes a predetermined input, address, or digit(s), the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may infer an emergency situation.\",\n \"The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus enter the emergency mode 68 of operation upon detection or recognition of predetermined actions.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networking environment.\",\n \"The communications network 24 may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain.\",\n \"The communications network 24, however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN).\",\n \"The communications network 24 may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines.\",\n \"The communications network 24 may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the IEEE 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band).\",\n \"The communications network 24 may even include powerline portions, in which signals are communicated via electrical wiring.\",\n \"The concepts described herein may be applied to any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 is a schematic further illustrating the emergency mode 68 of operation, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"However the emergency mode 68 of operation is determined, the client device 22 may automatically document the emergency situation.\",\n \"Once the client-side emergency algorithm 52 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 activates any data acquisition capability.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments, for example, may automatically activate the camera 32 to capture image data 70 of the emergency situation.\",\n \"The image data 70 may be still photos or video, depending on the capability.\",\n \"The microphone 34 may additionally or alternatively be activated to capture audio data 72 of the emergency situation.\",\n \"The image data 70 and the audio data 72 may be locally stored in the memory 54 of the client device 22.Documentary data may also be shared.\",\n \"The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may cause the client device 22 to copy or send the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72 to any remote destination.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3, for simplicity, illustrates the client device 22 sending the image data 70 and the audio data 72 to the emergency server 20 (via the communications network 24 illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2).\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments, though, may copy or forward the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72 to any network destination, such as police, fire, and family.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 may thus receive and store the documentary evidence that is automatically captured during the emergency situation.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"4-10 are schematics illustrating the emergency service 28, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates remote notification of the emergency mode 68 of operation.\",\n \"When the client device 22 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may send an emergency notification 80 to the emergency server 20.The emergency notification 80 routes along the communications network (illustrated as reference numeral 24 in FIGS.\",\n \"1-2) to the network address associated with the emergency server 20.The emergency notification 80 may include a device identifier 82.The device identifier 82 may be any alphanumeric combination that uniquely identifies the client device 22, such as an Internet protocol address, telephone number, serial number, or any other information.\",\n \"When the emergency server 20 receives the emergency notification 80, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 initiates the emergency service 28 for the client device 22.Exemplary embodiments may obtain the current location 40 of the client device 22.The client device 22, for example, may send its current location 40 in the emergency notification 80.When the client device 22 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may activate or call a location application 84 that determines the current location 40.The client device 22, for example, may have a global positioning system (“GPS”) 86 that generates GPS coordinates 88.When the emergency notification 80 is sent, the emergency notification 80 may include information describing the current location 40, such as the GPS coordinates 88.FIG.\",\n \"5 illustrates an optional location determination.\",\n \"Here exemplary embodiments may query a location database 90.The location database 90 stores location information for any device.\",\n \"A location server 92 stores and maintains the location database 90 at a network address in the communications network 24.The location database 90, for example, may be a home location register (“HLR”) that stores location information for devices communicating with the communications network 24.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may instruct the emergency server 20 to query the location database 90 for the device identifier 82 requesting the emergency service 28.The location database 90 performs query lookup and retrieves the current location 40 associated with the device identifier 82.The location server 92 sends the current location 40 in a query response to the network address associated with the emergency server 20.However the current location 40 is determined, FIG.\",\n \"6 illustrates the nearby device 38.Once the emergency server 20 determines the current location 40 associated with the client device 22 (e.g., the device identifier 82), the emergency server 20 may identify the nearby device(s) 38 having the same or similar location 40.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may instruct the emergency server 20 to send a device query 94 to the location database 90.The device query 94 may specify the current location 40 and routes to the network address associated with the location server 92.The location server 92 queries the location database 90 for the current location 40 and retrieves a list 96 of devices having the same or similar location 40.That is, exemplary embodiments determine what nearby devices 38 are presently located within the geographic vicinity 42 of the current location 40 of the communications device.\",\n \"The location server 92 sends the list 96 of devices in a query response that routes to the network address associated with the emergency server 20.While FIG.\",\n \"6 only illustrates a single nearby device 38, in actual practice there may be many, or even hundreds, of nearby devices 38, especially in dense urban cities.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates the list 96 of devices.\",\n \"When the emergency server 20 receives the list 96 of devices, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may at least temporarily store the list 96 of devices in the memory 64 of the emergency server 20.FIG.\",\n \"7 illustrates the list 96 of devices as a table 100 that maps, relates, or otherwise associates each nearby device 38 to its corresponding network address 102.Each nearby device 38 may be formally identified with its corresponding device identifier 82.The emergency server 20 now knows that nearby devices 38 are in the vicinity 42 of the current location 40 associated with the client device 22.FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates an appropriation scheme.\",\n \"The emergency service 28 may co-opt the nearby devices 38 to document the emergency situation.\",\n \"Once the nearby devices 38 are known, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 instructs the emergency server 20 to appropriate any nearby device 38 in the list 96 of devices.\",\n \"The server-side emergency algorithm 62, for example, causes the emergency server 20 to generate an activation command 110.The activation command 110 may be any instruction for activating any software or device capability that acquires any data from the nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 selects any or all of the nearby devices 38 in the list 96 of devices.\",\n \"The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may then instruct the emergency server 20 to send the activation command 110 to any nearby device 38 specified in the list 96 of devices.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8, for example, illustrates the activation command 110 routing along the communications network 24 to the network address 102 associated with the corresponding nearby device 38.FIG.\",\n \"8 illustrates the nearby device 38 as a fellow pedestrian's nearby smart phone 112.FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates data capture.\",\n \"When the nearby device 38 receives the activation command 110, the activation command 110 may at least partially take control of the nearby device 38.That is, the activation command 110 instructs the nearby device 38 to automatically activate its local camera 32, microphone 34, global positioning system 86, and/or any other software and hardware data acquisition capability.\",\n \"As an example, FIG.\",\n \"9 illustrates the nearby device 38 having its own corresponding processor 120 and memory 122 that stores and executes the client-side emergency algorithm 52.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus be a downloadable software application that recognizes and automatically executes the activation command 110.The activation command 110 may thus cause the nearby device 38 to enter the emergency mode 68 of operation.\",\n \"The nearby device 38 thus automatically starts capturing and storing the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72 of the emergency situation.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 illustrates cumulative data acquisition.\",\n \"When the nearby device 38 captures the image data 70 and/or the audio data 72, the nearby device 38 may upload the documentary data to any remote destination.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10, again for simplicity, illustrates the nearby device 38 sending its image data 70 and its audio data 72 to the emergency server 20.The emergency server 20 thus receives and stores the documentary evidence that is automatically captured by the nearby device 38 during the emergency situation.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a schematic illustrating exclusion of a nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, exemplary embodiments may limit or exclude some nearby devices 38.Some nearby devices 38, for example, may be excluded based on hardware or software capability 130.A nearby device 38 that has an inoperative or unresponsive camera or microphone may be unable to document the emergency situation.\",\n \"If a nearby device 38 lacks enough memory to store video data, that nearby device 38 may be excluded.\",\n \"If any nearby device 38 lacks any capability that impairs data acquisition, that nearby device 38 may be excluded.\",\n \"A nearby device 38 may also be excluded based on location.\",\n \"When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, the list 96 of devices may include the nearby location 132 associated with each nearby device 38.Each nearby device 38 has its own nearby location 132, which may differ from the location 40 of the client device 22.Once the nearby location 132 is known, some nearby devices 38 may have an obstructed view of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Some nearby devices 38, for example, may be located in a grove of trees, or behind a building, that obstructs the view of the emergency situation.\",\n \"The emergency server 20 may thus exclude any nearby device 38 in the list 96 of devices based on an obstructed view of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments may exclude based on distance 134.When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, the list 96 of devices may include the nearby location 132 associated with each nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus calculate the distance 134 between the current location 40 of the client device 22 (requesting the emergency service 28) and each nearby device 38 in the list 96 of devices.\",\n \"The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may also be configured to exclude any nearby devices 38 lying outside a radius 136 from the current location 40 of the client device 22.If any distance 134 exceeds the radius 136, then the corresponding nearby device 38 may be excluded from the emergency service 28.Exemplary embodiments, in other words, may only appropriate those nearby devices 38 having the geographic vicinity 42 within the predetermined radius 136 of the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.FIG.\",\n \"12 is another schematic illustrating exclusion of a nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"Here exemplary embodiments may exclude based on resolution 140 of the camera 32.Even though a nearby device 38 may have a video/photo/image capability 130, the resolution 140 of the corresponding camera lens may be too low for quality image data 70.Law enforcement may especially only want image data 70 of high resolution 140 for evidentiary considerations.\",\n \"When the emergency server 20 receives the list 96 of devices, each nearby device 38 may also include entries for its corresponding camera resolution 140.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus filter any entries having the resolution below a threshold resolution 142.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus only activate those nearby devices 38 having the requisite minimum threshold resolution 142.FIG.\",\n \"13 is another schematic illustrating exclusion of a nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"Here exemplary embodiments may exclude based on both the distance 134 and the resolution 140.A low resolution camera may be adequate at short distances, while a high resolution camera may be required from farther distances.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments may thus balance both the distance 134 and the resolution 140 when making exclusion decisions.\",\n \"As FIG.\",\n \"13 illustrates, the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may calculate a selection value SV (illustrated as reference numeral 150) as SV=ƒ(distance, resolution), where the distance 134 and the resolution 140 may be mathematically and/or functionally combined.\",\n \"The selection value SV may thus be compared to a threshold selection value 152.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus only send the activation command 110 to those nearby devices 38 having the requisite minimum selection value SV.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"14-20 are schematics illustrating vectorizations, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"Here exemplary embodiments may determine a directional vector 160 to the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The directional vector 160 helps a nearby user of the nearby device 38 orient to the emergency situation.\",\n \"When the emergency server 20 queries for the nearby devices 38, the location server 92 responds with the list 96 of devices.\",\n \"As earlier paragraphs explained, the list 96 of devices may include the nearby location 132 of each nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may thus determine the directional vector 160 from each nearby device 38 to the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The vector 160 may be determined from the nearby location 132 of the nearby device 38 to the location 40 of the client device 22.As FIG.\",\n \"15 illustrates, the vector 160 may plot or start from the coordinates of the corresponding nearby device 38 to the coordinates of the client device 22.The server-side emergency algorithm 62, for example, may compare longitudes and latitudes (e.g., perhaps the GPS coordinates 88 illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4) to determine the vector 160.As FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrates, the vector 160 may be shared with the nearby device 38.Once the vector 160 is determined, the vector 160 may be sent to the nearby device 38.The server-side emergency algorithm 62 may instruct the emergency server 20 to send the vector 160 to the nearby device 38.The vector 160 may be sent as two or three dimensional parameters or coordinates in a message to the network address associated with the nearby device 38.FIG.\",\n \"17 illustrates orientation.\",\n \"The nearby device 38 has received the activation command 110 and the vector 160.The activation command 110 causes the client-side emergency algorithm 52 to activate the local camera 32, microphone 34, global positioning system 86, and any other data acquisition capability.\",\n \"The vector 160 allows these data acquisition capabilities to be oriented to the vector 160.The emergency service 28 enlists or appropriates the nearby device 38 for data acquisition.\",\n \"Even though the nearby device 38 is chosen, the nearby device 38 needs to orient to the direction of the emergency situation.\",\n \"Data acquisition will likely be unhelpful if the camera 32 and microphone 34 are oriented to the wrong direction.\",\n \"When the client-side emergency algorithm 52 receives the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may execute an orientation 162.That is, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may align the camera 32 and microphone 34 to the vector 160.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 thus helps ensure the nearby device 38 orients to the direction of the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The client-side emergency algorithm 52, for example, may compare a focal direction 164 in which the camera 32 is pointed.\",\n \"The client-side emergency algorithm 52 aligns the focal direction 164 to the vector 160 representing the direction to the client device 22.Indeed, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may a parallel or co-linear alignment to ensure the camera 32 points in the same direction as the vector 160.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may, likewise, align the microphone 34 to the vector 160 to capture the audio data 72 from the direction of the client device 22.FIG.\",\n \"18 further illustrates the orientation 162.When the client-side emergency algorithm 52 performs the orientation 162 to the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may generate commands 166 to a motor mechanism 168 to move the camera 32 and/or microphone 34.However, many nearby devices 38 may be smart phones, tablets, and other mobile devices which lack mechanized alignment.\",\n \"Many nearby devices 38, in other words, must be manually aligned to the vector 160.FIG.\",\n \"19, then, illustrates the graphical user interface 56.When the nearby device 38 must be manually aligned to the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may generate and display an orientation aid 170.The orientation aid 170 may be any visual scheme that helps the nearby user to orient her nearby device 38 to the vector 160.FIG.\",\n \"19, for example, illustrates a graphical arrow 172 that points to the direction of the vector 160.As the client-side emergency algorithm 52, for example, compares the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 to the vector 160, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may determine a direction difference 174.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus generate and display the graphical arrow 172 to minimize the directional difference 174 between the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 and the vector 160.The nearby user may thus move or orient her nearby device 38 in the direction of the graphical arrow 172.As the user orients her nearby device 38, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may repeatedly compare the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 to the vector 160 and re-compute the direction difference 174.If the user correctly orients her nearby device 38, eventually the direction difference 174 will be a minimum value or even zero (0).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 illustrates a bulls eye 180.If the user correctly orients her nearby device 38, the direction difference 174 will be the minimum value (such as zero difference).\",\n \"The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus generate and cause display of some visual indication that the orientation 162 is correct.\",\n \"The graphical bulls eye 180 is thus one such visual indication that the camera 32 is pointed to the emergency situation.\",\n \"The user thus holds or maintains the current position of her nearby device 38 as the image data 70 is acquired.\",\n \"Should the user stray from the correct orientation 162, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 may repeat the comparison of the focal direction 164 of the camera 32 to the vector 160 to reorient the nearby device 38.Should the vector 160 change, the client-side emergency algorithm 52 will also reorient the camera 32 to the vector 160.Exemplary embodiments may similarly orient the microphone 34.The microphone 34 may be a common Omni-directional microphone or a directional microphone.\",\n \"Regardless, the microphone 34 may also be oriented to the vector 160.The client-side emergency algorithm 52 may thus compare an audio direction 190 of the microphone 34 to the vector 160 and determine the direction difference 174.The graphical user interface 56 may displays the graphical arrow (illustrated as reference numeral 172 in FIG.\",\n \"19) to help the user orient her nearby device 38.When the direction difference 174 is at least near the minimum value, the graphical user interface 56 may change to display the bulls eye 180.The microphone 34 is thus oriented to the emergency situation.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"21-23 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm for emergency services, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"An emergency situation is determined (Block 200).\",\n \"The emergency mode 68 of operation is entered (Block 202).\",\n \"Any data acquisition capability is automatically activated (Block 204).\",\n \"Documentary data may be locally stored in memory (Block 206) and sent to remote destination (Block 208).\",\n \"The emergency notification 80 is sent (Block 210).\",\n \"When emergency notification 80 is received (Block 212), the emergency service 28 is provided (Block 214).\",\n \"The flowchart continues with FIG.\",\n \"22.The current location 40 is obtained (Block 216), and a query is made for the nearby devices (Block 218).\",\n \"The list 96 of devices is received in response (Block 220).\",\n \"Some nearby devices may be excluded (Block 222).\",\n \"One or more of the remaining nearby devices 38 may be appropriated for the emergency service 28 (Block 224).\",\n \"The directional vector 160 is determined from the nearby device 38 to the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28 (Block 226).\",\n \"The flowchart continues with FIG.\",\n \"23.The activation command 110 (Block 228) and the directional vector 160 (Block 230) is/are sent to the nearby device 38.When the nearby device 38 receives the activation command 110 (Block 232), the nearby device 38 enters the emergency mode 68 of operation (Block 234) and automatically activates its camera, microphone, and any other data acquisition capability (Block 236).\",\n \"The nearby device 38 executes the orientation 162 (Block 238) to aid a nearby user in orienting to the direction of the client device 22 requesting the emergency service 28.The nearby device 38 captures documentary data (Block 240) and uploads the documentary data to any remote destination (Block 242).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 is a more detailed diagram illustrating a processor-controlled device 300.As earlier paragraphs explained, the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may operate in any processor-controlled device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24, then, illustrates the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62 stored in a memory subsystem of the processor-controlled device 300.One or more processors communicate with the memory subsystem and execute either or both applications.\",\n \"Because the processor-controlled device 300 is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, no further explanation is needed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25 depicts still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"25 illustrates that the exemplary embodiments may alternatively or additionally operate within other processor-controlled devices 300.FIG.\",\n \"25, for example, illustrates that the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62 may entirely or partially operate within a set-top box (“STB”) (302), a personal/digital video recorder (PVR/DVR) 304, personal digital assistant (PDA) 306, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device 308, an interactive television 310, an Internet Protocol (IP) phone 312, a pager 314, a cellular/satellite phone 316, or any computer system, communications device, or any processor-controlled device utilizing a digital signal processor (DP/DSP) 318.The processor-controlled device 300 may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, mobile/implantable medical devices, and other apparatuses and systems.\",\n \"Because the architecture and operating principles of the various processor-controlled devices 300 are well known, the hardware and software componentry of the various processor-controlled devices 300 are not further shown and described.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"26 is a block diagram further illustrating the client device 22, and/or the nearby device 38, according to exemplary embodiments.\",\n \"Here either the client device 22 or the nearby device 38 may comprise a radio transceiver unit 452, an antenna 454, a digital baseband chipset 456, and a man/machine interface (MMI) 458.The transceiver unit 452 includes transmitter circuitry 460 and receiver circuitry 462 for receiving and transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals.\",\n \"The transceiver unit 452 couples to the multiple input, multiple output (“MIMO”) system 58 for converting electrical current to and from electromagnetic waves.\",\n \"The digital baseband chipset 456 may have a digital signal processor (DSP) 464 and performs signal processing functions for audio (voice) signals and RF signals.\",\n \"As FIG.\",\n \"26 shows, the digital baseband chipset 456 may also include an on-board microprocessor 466 that interacts with the man/machine interface (MMI) 458.The man/machine interface (MMI) 458 may comprise a display device 468, a keypad 470, and a subscriber identity module 400.The on-board microprocessor 466 may perform TDMA, CDMA, GSM or other protocol functions and control functions.\",\n \"The on-board microprocessor 466 may also interface with the subscriber identity module 400 and with the device-side emergency algorithm 52 and/or the server-side emergency algorithm 62.Exemplary embodiments may be applied to any signaling standard.\",\n \"As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize, FIG.\",\n \"26 may illustrate a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications device.\",\n \"That is, the client device 22 and/or the nearby device 38 may utilize the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard.\",\n \"Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, also recognize that exemplary embodiments are equally applicable to any communications device utilizing the Time Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the Code Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the “dual-mode” GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) signaling standard, or any variant of the GSM/CDMA/TDMA signaling standard.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments may also be applied to other standards, such as the I.E.E.E.\",\n \"802 family of standards, the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band of the electromagnetic spectrum, BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI® , and any other.\",\n \"Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable storage medium.\",\n \"This computer-readable medium, for example, may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, optical disk, memory card, memory drive, and large-capacity disks.\",\n \"This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees.\",\n \"A computer program product comprises processor-executable instructions for providing emergency services, as the above paragraphs explained.\",\n \"While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited.\",\n \"Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872482"}}},{"rowIdx":4494086,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["CORRUGATED MESH GUTTER LEAF PRECLUSION SYSTEM","Corrugated fine mesh material is configured to be located overlying a gutter.","The fine mesh material has an upper edge opposite a lower edge with the upper edge configured to fit beneath shingles on a roof adjacent the gutter.","The lower edge is configured to be held to a lip at a forward edge of the gutter.","The corrugations add strength to the material and collect water at troughs thereof where the collected water more readily forms droplets that fall down into the gutter.","A lower strip is preferably provided to hold the lower edge of the mesh to a lip of the gutter.","An upper strip is optionally provided which includes a tab, which can fit beneath shingles to the roof.","A barrier such as a bead of caulk can optionally be coupled to an underside of the corrugated mesh to further encourage water droplets to fall."],["1.A leaf preclusion system for a roof gutter, comprising in combination: a sheet of mesh material having an upper edge adapted to be located above a lower edge and with said sheet of mesh material overlying the roof gutter, wherein said sheet of mesh material is corrugated with ridges extending at least part of a way from said upper edge to said lower edge; and a barrier adjacent an underside of said sheet of mesh material and abutting valleys between said ridges in said sheet of mesh material, wherein said barrier extends substantially parallel with said upper edge and spaced from said upper edge and said lower edge.","2.The system of claim 1 wherein the barrier is a bead of caulk.","3.The system of claim 1 wherein said ridges of said sheet of mesh material extend substantially perpendicular to said upper edge of said sheet of mesh material.","4.The system of claim 1 wherein said upper edge and said lower edge of said sheet of mesh material are oriented substantially parallel with each other.","5.The system of claim 1 wherein a lower support is provided adjacent said lower edge of said sheet of mesh material, said lower support including a recess for receiving said lower edge of said sheet of mesh material therein, said lower support adapted to be coupled to a lip at a forward edge of the gutter.","6.The system of claim 5 wherein said lower support includes a stop, said stop oriented non-parallel with valleys in said sheet of mesh material located between said ridges.","7.The system of claim 6 wherein said lower support includes an upper plate, said upper plate coupled to said stop and oriented non-parallel with said stop, said upper plate configured to be located above and abutting the lip of the gutter to provide at least a portion of said coupling of said lower support to the lip of the gutter, said upper plate defining a portion of said recess, said recess also defined by a lower plate spaced below said upper plate by a distance substantially matching a thickness of said fine mesh material between said ridges and said valleys.","8.A method for keeping leaves and other debris out of a roof gutter while allowing water to pass thereinto, including the steps of: providing a sheet of mesh material, the sheet of mesh material having an upper edge adapted to be located above a lower edge, the sheet of mesh material being corrugated with ridges extending at least part of the way from the upper edge to the lower edge; providing a barrier adjacent an underside of said sheet of mesh material and abutting valleys between said ridges in said sheet of mesh material, and locating the sheet of fine mesh material over a gutter with ridges running toward a lip of the gutter.","9.The method of claim 8 wherein the barrier is formed in the shape of a bead.","10.The method of claim 8 wherein the barrier is extruded from a caulk container.","11.The method of claim 8 including the further step of angling the sheet of mesh material to slope downward as the ridges run toward the lip of the gutter.","12.The method of claim 11 including the further step of positioning the upper edge of the sheet of fine mesh material beneath shingles and over structural material forming the roof 13.The method of claim 8 including the further step of providing an upper support adapted to be coupled to the sheet of fine mesh material, the upper support including a tab extending away from the sheet of fine mesh material and substantially coplanar with the sheet of fine mesh material; and positioning the tab of the upper support beneath shingles on the roof and above structural material forming the roof 14.The method of claim 8 including the further steps of: providing a lower support, the lower support including a recess locating the lower edge of the sheet of fine mesh material within the recess; and positioning the lower support upon a lip at a front edge of the gutter.","15.The method of claim 14 wherein said providing a lower support step includes the step of providing the lower support with a stop plate, said stop plate oriented non-parallel with the ridges of the sheet of fine mesh material, said stop adapted to route water down into the gutter when water clinging to the sheet of fine mesh material impacts the stop adjacent the lower edge of the sheet of fine mesh material.","16.The method of claim 15 wherein said providing a lower support step includes configuring the lower support to include a clamp on a side of the stop opposite the sheet of fine mesh material, the clamp adapted to snap onto and off of the lip at the front edge of the gutter.","17.The method of claim 8 including the further step of locating a barrier adjacent an underside of the sheet of fine mesh material, the barrier tending to impede flow of water clinging to an underside of the sheet of fine mesh material and cause the water to release as drops from the barrier."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gutters are commonly used along eaves at a lower end of a sloping roof to catch water running off of the roof and channel that water into particular areas rather than allowing the water to merely fall from the roof.","Such gutters often become clogged, especially when trees are located nearby and shed leaves which can end up in the gutters.","Accordingly, leaf preclusion systems, often called “gutter guards,” are known in the prior art for attachment over the gutters.","Such gutter guards serve the basic purpose of allowing water to pass into the gutter but precluding leaves and other debris from passing into the gutter.","One type of gutter guard utilizes a filter layer which has small openings therein which allow water to pass through but which preclude leaves and other debris from passing therethrough.","One example of such a prior art mesh based leaf preclusion system is in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,310,912, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","The phenomena of water tension and molecular cohesion tend to cause water to not want to pass through such mesh layers, but rather to cling to the mesh.","These forces thus frustrate the ability of mesh based gutter guards to allow water to pass through the mesh while precluding debris from passing into the gutter.","With known prior art mesh based gutter guards, commonly an underlying support is provided beneath the mesh.","This underlying support serves two purposes.","First, it keeps the mesh generally planar overlying the gutter.","Second, it contacts an underside of the mesh providing a path along which water can flow while adhering to the underlying support.","Holes in the underlying support then allow water to drop through in larger drops where the weight of the drops is sufficient that the surface tension and adhesion forces cannot resist such dropping.","While effective, such mesh based gutter guards with underlying supports require a two part structure to operate effectively.","These two parts increase the cost to manufacture the separate parts as well as adding additional assembly steps to produce the final gutter guard product.","Many consumers benefit from having a simpler and potentially lower cost alternative which can still function effectively to preclude leaves and other debris from collecting within a gutter.","With this invention such a leaf preclusion system is provided with a simple single part construction which can still effectively filter leaves and other debris out while allowing water to pass into the gutter and have the structural support needed to maintain its position overlying the gutter."],[" SUMMARY With this invention, a leaf preclusion system is provided for a gutter which includes a filter layer, such as formed of stainless steel mesh, which filters out debris (e.g.","leaves) while allowing water to pass therethrough.","Uniquely, no underlying support is required beneath the filter member.","The filter member is itself imbued with properties of sufficient stiffness and the ability to overcome water droplet adhesion characteristics without requiring an underlying support.","Strength is provided to the filter member by providing a corrugated form of either an undulating sinusoidal nature or a zig-zag toothed nature, or other cross-section.","Such a cross-section for the mesh causes the mesh to have greater strength particularly in resisting bending.","These corrugations extend perpendicular to a long axis of the gutter and parallel with a direction that water is migrating off of the roof.","Thus, these corrugations greatly resist flexing along the gutter where the mesh would otherwise be most susceptible to bending.","When water runs off of the roof and lands on the corrugated mesh material, debris is kept from passing through the small openings in the mesh.","Water does tend to adhere to this mesh but is drawn by gravity down into the troughs between crests in the corrugated mesh material.","As the water is concentrated in these troughs, the water collects into drops sufficiently large that the weight of the water drops exceeds adhesion forces and surface tension forces so that the water drops.","To further enhance the channeling of the water down into the gutter, a lower strip is optionally provided which acts as a form of dam to stop the water if it migrates entirely to a lower end of each trough and diverts the water down into the gutter.","This front strip of material, typically formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as aluminum, or a hydrocarbon polymeric plastic material can also provide a surface which can be used to fasten to a front lip of the gutter.","In one form of the invention this strip can have a snapping clamp plate so that it can snap onto the front lip of the gutter so that fasteners are not required.","Beneficially, a bead of caulk material or other barrier can be bonded to the underside of the mesh along a line between (e.g.","midway) upper and lower edges of the mesh.","Such a barrier acts as an intermediate dam to cause water to collect and drop into the gutter.","An upper end of the filter material can merely be left bare and slip beneath shingles on the roof and above sheeting material underneath the shingles, and above any vapor barrier.","Alternatively, an upper strip of rigid material, such as aluminum can be attached to the upper edge of the fine mesh filter material with a tab extending beneath the roof shingles and above underlying sheeting to ensure that water does not go underneath the leaf preclusion system, but rather the water remains on top of the tab and then on top of the mesh material."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.","No.","15/096,126 filed Apr.","11, 2016 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/642,050, filed on Mar.","9, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.","No.","12/807,394, filed on Sep. 3, 2010, which is a non-provisional application conversion of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/277,441, filed on Sep. 23, 2009 and U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/275,943, filed on Sep. 4, 2009; and this application claims the benefit and priority to each of these applications, which are all incorporated in their respective entireties herein by reference.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The following invention relates to debris preclusion systems for roof gutters, often referred to as gutter guards.","More particularly, this invention relates to filter screen mesh type gutter guards which have a fine mesh of material to preclude leaves and other debris from falling into the gutter, while allowing water to filter through the mesh and into the gutter.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gutters are commonly used along eaves at a lower end of a sloping roof to catch water running off of the roof and channel that water into particular areas rather than allowing the water to merely fall from the roof.","Such gutters often become clogged, especially when trees are located nearby and shed leaves which can end up in the gutters.","Accordingly, leaf preclusion systems, often called “gutter guards,” are known in the prior art for attachment over the gutters.","Such gutter guards serve the basic purpose of allowing water to pass into the gutter but precluding leaves and other debris from passing into the gutter.","One type of gutter guard utilizes a filter layer which has small openings therein which allow water to pass through but which preclude leaves and other debris from passing therethrough.","One example of such a prior art mesh based leaf preclusion system is in U.S. Pat.","No.","7,310,912, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.","The phenomena of water tension and molecular cohesion tend to cause water to not want to pass through such mesh layers, but rather to cling to the mesh.","These forces thus frustrate the ability of mesh based gutter guards to allow water to pass through the mesh while precluding debris from passing into the gutter.","With known prior art mesh based gutter guards, commonly an underlying support is provided beneath the mesh.","This underlying support serves two purposes.","First, it keeps the mesh generally planar overlying the gutter.","Second, it contacts an underside of the mesh providing a path along which water can flow while adhering to the underlying support.","Holes in the underlying support then allow water to drop through in larger drops where the weight of the drops is sufficient that the surface tension and adhesion forces cannot resist such dropping.","While effective, such mesh based gutter guards with underlying supports require a two part structure to operate effectively.","These two parts increase the cost to manufacture the separate parts as well as adding additional assembly steps to produce the final gutter guard product.","Many consumers benefit from having a simpler and potentially lower cost alternative which can still function effectively to preclude leaves and other debris from collecting within a gutter.","With this invention such a leaf preclusion system is provided with a simple single part construction which can still effectively filter leaves and other debris out while allowing water to pass into the gutter and have the structural support needed to maintain its position overlying the gutter.","SUMMARY With this invention, a leaf preclusion system is provided for a gutter which includes a filter layer, such as formed of stainless steel mesh, which filters out debris (e.g.","leaves) while allowing water to pass therethrough.","Uniquely, no underlying support is required beneath the filter member.","The filter member is itself imbued with properties of sufficient stiffness and the ability to overcome water droplet adhesion characteristics without requiring an underlying support.","Strength is provided to the filter member by providing a corrugated form of either an undulating sinusoidal nature or a zig-zag toothed nature, or other cross-section.","Such a cross-section for the mesh causes the mesh to have greater strength particularly in resisting bending.","These corrugations extend perpendicular to a long axis of the gutter and parallel with a direction that water is migrating off of the roof.","Thus, these corrugations greatly resist flexing along the gutter where the mesh would otherwise be most susceptible to bending.","When water runs off of the roof and lands on the corrugated mesh material, debris is kept from passing through the small openings in the mesh.","Water does tend to adhere to this mesh but is drawn by gravity down into the troughs between crests in the corrugated mesh material.","As the water is concentrated in these troughs, the water collects into drops sufficiently large that the weight of the water drops exceeds adhesion forces and surface tension forces so that the water drops.","To further enhance the channeling of the water down into the gutter, a lower strip is optionally provided which acts as a form of dam to stop the water if it migrates entirely to a lower end of each trough and diverts the water down into the gutter.","This front strip of material, typically formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as aluminum, or a hydrocarbon polymeric plastic material can also provide a surface which can be used to fasten to a front lip of the gutter.","In one form of the invention this strip can have a snapping clamp plate so that it can snap onto the front lip of the gutter so that fasteners are not required.","Beneficially, a bead of caulk material or other barrier can be bonded to the underside of the mesh along a line between (e.g.","midway) upper and lower edges of the mesh.","Such a barrier acts as an intermediate dam to cause water to collect and drop into the gutter.","An upper end of the filter material can merely be left bare and slip beneath shingles on the roof and above sheeting material underneath the shingles, and above any vapor barrier.","Alternatively, an upper strip of rigid material, such as aluminum can be attached to the upper edge of the fine mesh filter material with a tab extending beneath the roof shingles and above underlying sheeting to ensure that water does not go underneath the leaf preclusion system, but rather the water remains on top of the tab and then on top of the mesh material.","OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a system for precluding debris from passing into a roof gutter while allowing water to pass into the roof gutter.","Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter debris preclusion system which is easy to attach to a gutter.","Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter debris preclusion system for a gutter which can accommodate gutters of different sizes and shapes as well as roof configurations of different materials, pitches and other geometric characteristics.","Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter debris preclusion system which has a small number of parts and simple form to keep costs thereof reduced, while still effectively precluding passage of debris into the gutter and while effectively drawing water down into the gutter.","Another object of the present invention is to provide a debris preclusion system for a rain gutter which is sufficiently rigid to prevent collapse when encountering loads such as debris loads thereon.","Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for precluding the passage of debris into a gutter.","Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is a perspective view of a section of a roof with a section of a gutter at a lower edge thereof and with the gutter debris preclusion system according to this invention mounted thereon, and with portions of shingles on the roof removed to reveal details of the system of this invention.","FIG.","2 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG.","1.FIG.","3 is an end elevation view of a lower strip acting as a lower support for the debris preclusion system of this invention.","FIG.","4 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG.","3.FIG.","5 is an end elevation view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIG.","3, featuring a clamp for securing portions of the system to a lip of a gutter.","FIG.","6 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG.","5.FIG.","7 is a sectional view of a portion of fine mesh material making up a portion of the system of this invention and revealing a preferred geometric configuration of the corrugated mesh material.","FIGS.","8-13 are alternative embodiments of the corrugated mesh material of FIG.","7 showing various different alternative embodiment corrugation configurations for the mesh material.","FIG.","14 is a perspective view similar to that which is shown in FIG.","1 but for an alternative embodiment debris preclusion system which also includes an upper strip with associated tab.","FIG.","15 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG.","14.FIG.","16 is a perspective view of the debris preclusion system shown in FIGS.","14 and 15, with the addition of a barrier, such as in the form of a bead of caulk bonded to a lower portion of the corrugated mesh of the debris preclusion system to encourage water dropping off of the corrugated mesh material at a intermediate location.","FIG.","17 is a sectional view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG.","16 illustrating further details of how the barrier can draw water off of the mesh material and cause it to fall down into the gutter.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral IO is directed to a debris preclusion system mountable overlying an opening on p.n upper portion of a gutter G and behind a lip L of the gutter G. The gutter G is typically attached to a facia F along a lower edge of a roof R to capture water running off of shingles S supported over a moisture barrier M which is located upon plywood P or other sheeting material forming a structural surface of a roof R. The water runs down off of the shingles S and then down onto the debris preclusion system 10 overlying the gutter G. The system 10 is primarily formed of a fine mesh material so that the water can fall therethrough.","The water will typically adhere to an underside of this corrugated mesh 20 (along arrow A of FIG.","2) and falling as a drop D of water down into the gutter G. In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS.","1 and 2, basic details of the debris preclusion system IO are described, according to a simplest preferred embodiment.","The system 10 includes the fine mesh material 20 which is corrugated to include a plurality of crests 22 (also referred to as ridges) opposite troughs 24 (also referred to as valleys).","This corrugated mesh 20 has an upper edge 26 opposite a lower edge 28.The upper edge 26 in this simplest embodiment is oriented directly beneath the shingles S. Preferably, the lower edge 28 is held within a recess 42 in a lower strip 40.The lower strip 40 acts as a substantially rigid support which can rest upon or be coupled to the lip L of the gutter G. In a simplest form, an alternative lower strip 140 is configured as depicted in FIGS.","3 and 4.Most preferably, the lower strip 40 is configured with a clamp plate 46 which allows the lower strip 40 to snap onto the lip L of the gutter G. A bead of caulk 50 (FIGS.","16 and 17) can be optionally provided beneath the corrugated mesh material 20 to encourage water to drop off of this barrier (along arrow C of FIG.","16), before reaching the lower strip 40.In an alternative embodiment, an upper strip 30 can be provided adjacent the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20.The upper strip 30 includes a tab 36 which can reside beneath the shingles S and the roof R structural support (FIGS.","14 and 15).","More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS.","1, 2 and 7-13, specific details of the corrugated fine mesh material 20 are described, according to a most preferred embodiment.","The corrugated mesh 20 provides the function of allowing water to pass into the gutter G while precluding debris from passing into the gutter G. This corrugated mesh 20 is preferably formed as a woven screen of stainless steel wire or other wire/thread of suitable material.","Important characteristics of the material forming the mesh include sufficiently high strength and inelasticity to function structurally, as well as resistance to corrosion in the gutter G environment.","Furthermore, it is advantageous that material forming the corrugated mesh 20 can be readily bent sufficient to cause the material to be readily corrugated into one of a variety of different cross-sections, such as those depicted in FIGS.","7-13 and hold that configuration after being so bent.","Most preferably, the wire forming the corrugated mesh 20 extends in a pattern with some threads extending parallel with the upper edge 26 of the overall corrugated mesh 20 and some of the wire/thread extending perpendicular to the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20.In such a configuration, the corrugation can occur to create the crests 20 and troughs 24 with only the threads which run parallel with the upper edge 26 needing to be bent.","In such a configuration the corrugating of the fine mesh material forming the corrugated mesh 20 can more readily occur and this material forming the corrugated mesh can more readily maintain this corrugated configuration during installation and use.","Hole size between adjacent wires/threads for ing the corrugated mesh 20 can be selected according to various different design considerations including the debris present in the environment where the system is to be installed.","Wire/thread diameter can also be adjusted to accommodate particular design characteristics desired for the overall system.","The corrugations in the corrugated mesh 20 preferably have an amplitude between crests 22 and troughs 24 between one-fourth and one-tenth of the length of the corrugated mesh 20 between the upper edge 26 and the lower edge 28 and similar to a width of the opening in the gutter G. This amplitude can be increased or decreased through experimentation or based on other design considerations to optimize performance of the system 10.Preferably, these corrugations 20 are in a repeating pattern.","This pattern is most preferably a zig-zag pattern, such as that depicted in FIG.","7.As an alternative, the pattern could be more sinusoidal with a curving crest 22 and curving trough 24.Other configurations can also be provided for the corrugated mesh 20 such as those depicted in FIGS.","8-13.Not only can these configurations be provided, but these configurations depicted in FIGS.","8-13 can be inverted and provided upside down.","Furthermore, other configurations could be utilized which combine those depicted therein or be variations thereon.","Selection of the corrugation pattern for the corrugated mesh 20 can be provided either to optimize function or to provide an aesthetic appearance that is desired by the user.","The amplitude of the corrugated mesh 20 is preferably constant throughout the corrugated mesh 20.Alternatively, it is conceivable that the corrugated mesh 20 could have its amplitude diminished or eliminated adjacent the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28.The upper edge 26 is preferably captured within a pocket 32 formed in the upper strip 30, if the upper strip 30 is provided.","The lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 is preferably captured within a recess 42 in the lower strip 40, if the lower strip 40 is provided.","The pocket 32 and recess 42 could be smaller in height if the corrugated mesh 20 is configured to taper to a lesser or zero amplitude at the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28.If desired, the corrugated mesh 20 could be configured to have a slightly looser weave that would then have this weave compressed adjacent the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28 when this amplitude is decreased, so that the overall corrugated mesh 20 would have a minimum of stress when having this amplitude change, and while still being corrugated and sufficiently tightly woven.","With particular reference to FIGS.","1-6, details of the lower strip 40 providing a preferred form of support for the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 are described according to a most preferred embodiment.","While the lower strip 40 or other lower support could be eliminated and the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 could merely rest upon or be fastened to the gutter G, most preferably, the lower strip 40 is provided to facilitate such attachment of the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 to the lip L of the gutter G. This lower strip 40, 140 can have a variety of different configurations, such as those depicted in FIGS.","3-6.In a most preferred form of the invention, the lower strip 40 is configured as depicted in FIGS.","5 and 6.This configuration includes a stop plate 45 extending substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the corrugated mesh 20 resides.","The upper plate 43 is oriented perpendicular to this stop plate 45 and extending to either side of the stop plate 45.A lower plate 44 extends perpendicularly from one side of the stop plate 45 closest to the corrugated mesh 20.A recess 42 is thus defined between the upper plate 43 and lower plate 44.The distance between the lower plate 44 and upper plate 43 preferably is similar to an amplitude of the corrugated mesh 20, or slightly less.","Thus, the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 can fit securely within the recess 42.Optionally, some form of adhesive or other fastener can be utilized to further secure the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 within the recess 42.If fasteners are utilized, such fasteners could include staples, screws, rivets, pins, wire, clamps or other equivalent fastening means.","If desired; holes can be provided in the lower plate 44 to prevent the recess 42 from becoming a reservoir for pooling of water therein.","As water runs down over the corrugated mesh 20 (along arrow A of FIG.","2) the water will tend to angle down (along arrow B of FIG.","17) and follow the troughs 24.When these troughs reach the lower strip 40, this water will adhere to the lower plate 44 and then to a lower portion of the stop plate 45.With this efficient water collecting at a lower end of the stop plate 45, the water will release from the stop plate 45 as droplets D and fall (along arrow E of FIG.","2) down into the gutter G. Most preferably, a clamp plate 46 is provided generally opposite the lower plate 44 and extending generally laterally from the stop plate 45.This clamp plate 46 preferably is somewhat resilient and has a curving form generally matching a form of a typical lip L on a gutter G. The clamp plate 46 could have a variety of different configurations to accommodate lips L of different configurations.","The clamp plate 46 is spaced from the upper plate 43 by a distance that causes the clamp plate 46 to flex slightly away from the upper plate 43 when pressed against the lip L of the gutter G and then snap toward the upper plate 43 to a closed position held to the lip L of the gutter G, and positioning the entire system 10 in the desired position over the gutter G and spanning from the lip L up to the roof R below the shingles S. The upper plate 43 also provides the location where a fastener can be utilized to further secure the lower strip 40 to the gutter G. For instance, screws can pass through the upper plate 43 and then into the lip L to secure the system 10 in position on the gutter G. In addition, or alternatively, an adhesive can be utilized or some other form of fastener such as a rivet, nail, staple, pin or other lip L fastening means.","With particular reference to FIGS.","14 and 15, details of the upper strip 30 are described, according to an alternative embodiment where the system 10 includes the upper strip 30.When the upper strip 30 is provided as a preferred form of upper support for the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20 of the system 10, other portions of the system 10 remain the same.","This upper strip 30 provides a thinner structure to fit beneath the shingles S and above the moisture barrier M, or above other underlying plywood Dor other sheeting material for the roof R, so that water is effectively directed off of the shingles S and onto the corrugated mesh 20 of the system 10, rather than otherwise migrating under the mesh 20.This upper strip 30 most preferably is a rigid structure formed of an extrudable material such as aluminum which has a constant cross-section to make it suitable for extrusion.","Alternatively, the upper strip 30 can be formed in some other manner and from other materials such as plastics.","The upper strip 30 preferably includes a pocket 32 sized to receive the upper edge 26 therein.","Thus, the pocket 32 preferably has a height between a lower leg 34 and upper leg 35 which is similar in height to the amplitude between the crests 22 and troughs 24 of the corrugated mesh 20.A tab 36 extends away from the pocket 32 in a direction opposite the corrugated mesh 20.This tab 36 is preferably substantially planar and in a plane aligned with that of the corrugated mesh 20.As an alternative, the tab 36 could be bendable or pre-configured with a bend relative to the plane in which the corrugated mesh 20 is configured.","For instance, to accommodate different pitches of roofs, the tab 36 could either be bendable or pre-bent to an angle matching the pitch of the roof with which the system IO is to be installed.","If such a bend were provided this bend could be directly adjacent the pocket 32 or could be spaced further from the pocket 32 depending on the width of the gutter G and other particular geometric characteristics of the roof R adjacent the facia F. While the lower strip 40 is preferably provided as a unitary mass, it could be formed of separate parts that are then attached together.","The pocket 32 is preferably sized so that the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20 fits by friction therein.","Alternatively, fasteners can be provided or an adhesive to secure the upper edge 26 within the pocket 32.Options for such fastening means are similar to those described above with respect to holding the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 within the recess 42 of the lower strip 40.With particular reference to FIGS.","16 and 17 details of an alternative embodiment are disclosed where a bead 50 is provided as a preferred form of barrier at a midpoint on the corrugated mesh 20 between the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28.This bead 50 is preferably a bead of caulk which acts as a preferred form of barrier which is applied wet and then hardens and simultaneously adheres to the lower surface of the corrugated mesh 20.In such a configuration, the bead 50 primarily only is bonded to the troughs 24 and portions of the corrugated mesh 20 adjacent the troughs 24, rather than covering an entire undersurface of the corrugated mesh 20.However, as most of the water travels along the trough 24 from the upper edge 26 toward the lower edge 28, this water impacts the bead 50 or other barrier.","The water initially follows planar portions of the corrugated mesh 20 between the crests 22 and the troughs 24 (along arrow B of FIG.","17) before following along the troughs 24 from the upper edge 26 toward the lower edge 28 (along arrow A of FIG.","16).","By adhesion, the water wraps around this bead 50 and then collects on a lower surface thereof.","When the weight of the water is sufficient, it forms droplets D which then fall off of the bead 50 (along arrow C of FIGS.","16 and 17).","In this way, the water does not only fall of the lower strip 50, but also off of the bead 50, so that higher volumes of water flow can be effectively routed through the corrugated mesh 20 and down into the gutter G. While such water flows are rare, it is important that the gutter G can effectively perform when such heavy downpours occur so that the gutters G can perform to their full design capacity.","With the bead 50 or other barrier such performance is optimized.","This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention.","Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure.","When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified.","When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures.","Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"CORRUGATED MESH GUTTER LEAF PRECLUSION SYSTEM\",\n \"Corrugated fine mesh material is configured to be located overlying a gutter.\",\n \"The fine mesh material has an upper edge opposite a lower edge with the upper edge configured to fit beneath shingles on a roof adjacent the gutter.\",\n \"The lower edge is configured to be held to a lip at a forward edge of the gutter.\",\n \"The corrugations add strength to the material and collect water at troughs thereof where the collected water more readily forms droplets that fall down into the gutter.\",\n \"A lower strip is preferably provided to hold the lower edge of the mesh to a lip of the gutter.\",\n \"An upper strip is optionally provided which includes a tab, which can fit beneath shingles to the roof.\",\n \"A barrier such as a bead of caulk can optionally be coupled to an underside of the corrugated mesh to further encourage water droplets to fall.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A leaf preclusion system for a roof gutter, comprising in combination: a sheet of mesh material having an upper edge adapted to be located above a lower edge and with said sheet of mesh material overlying the roof gutter, wherein said sheet of mesh material is corrugated with ridges extending at least part of a way from said upper edge to said lower edge; and a barrier adjacent an underside of said sheet of mesh material and abutting valleys between said ridges in said sheet of mesh material, wherein said barrier extends substantially parallel with said upper edge and spaced from said upper edge and said lower edge.\",\n \"2.The system of claim 1 wherein the barrier is a bead of caulk.\",\n \"3.The system of claim 1 wherein said ridges of said sheet of mesh material extend substantially perpendicular to said upper edge of said sheet of mesh material.\",\n \"4.The system of claim 1 wherein said upper edge and said lower edge of said sheet of mesh material are oriented substantially parallel with each other.\",\n \"5.The system of claim 1 wherein a lower support is provided adjacent said lower edge of said sheet of mesh material, said lower support including a recess for receiving said lower edge of said sheet of mesh material therein, said lower support adapted to be coupled to a lip at a forward edge of the gutter.\",\n \"6.The system of claim 5 wherein said lower support includes a stop, said stop oriented non-parallel with valleys in said sheet of mesh material located between said ridges.\",\n \"7.The system of claim 6 wherein said lower support includes an upper plate, said upper plate coupled to said stop and oriented non-parallel with said stop, said upper plate configured to be located above and abutting the lip of the gutter to provide at least a portion of said coupling of said lower support to the lip of the gutter, said upper plate defining a portion of said recess, said recess also defined by a lower plate spaced below said upper plate by a distance substantially matching a thickness of said fine mesh material between said ridges and said valleys.\",\n \"8.A method for keeping leaves and other debris out of a roof gutter while allowing water to pass thereinto, including the steps of: providing a sheet of mesh material, the sheet of mesh material having an upper edge adapted to be located above a lower edge, the sheet of mesh material being corrugated with ridges extending at least part of the way from the upper edge to the lower edge; providing a barrier adjacent an underside of said sheet of mesh material and abutting valleys between said ridges in said sheet of mesh material, and locating the sheet of fine mesh material over a gutter with ridges running toward a lip of the gutter.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 8 wherein the barrier is formed in the shape of a bead.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 8 wherein the barrier is extruded from a caulk container.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 8 including the further step of angling the sheet of mesh material to slope downward as the ridges run toward the lip of the gutter.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11 including the further step of positioning the upper edge of the sheet of fine mesh material beneath shingles and over structural material forming the roof 13.The method of claim 8 including the further step of providing an upper support adapted to be coupled to the sheet of fine mesh material, the upper support including a tab extending away from the sheet of fine mesh material and substantially coplanar with the sheet of fine mesh material; and positioning the tab of the upper support beneath shingles on the roof and above structural material forming the roof 14.The method of claim 8 including the further steps of: providing a lower support, the lower support including a recess locating the lower edge of the sheet of fine mesh material within the recess; and positioning the lower support upon a lip at a front edge of the gutter.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 14 wherein said providing a lower support step includes the step of providing the lower support with a stop plate, said stop plate oriented non-parallel with the ridges of the sheet of fine mesh material, said stop adapted to route water down into the gutter when water clinging to the sheet of fine mesh material impacts the stop adjacent the lower edge of the sheet of fine mesh material.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 15 wherein said providing a lower support step includes configuring the lower support to include a clamp on a side of the stop opposite the sheet of fine mesh material, the clamp adapted to snap onto and off of the lip at the front edge of the gutter.\",\n \"17.The method of claim 8 including the further step of locating a barrier adjacent an underside of the sheet of fine mesh material, the barrier tending to impede flow of water clinging to an underside of the sheet of fine mesh material and cause the water to release as drops from the barrier.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gutters are commonly used along eaves at a lower end of a sloping roof to catch water running off of the roof and channel that water into particular areas rather than allowing the water to merely fall from the roof.\",\n \"Such gutters often become clogged, especially when trees are located nearby and shed leaves which can end up in the gutters.\",\n \"Accordingly, leaf preclusion systems, often called “gutter guards,” are known in the prior art for attachment over the gutters.\",\n \"Such gutter guards serve the basic purpose of allowing water to pass into the gutter but precluding leaves and other debris from passing into the gutter.\",\n \"One type of gutter guard utilizes a filter layer which has small openings therein which allow water to pass through but which preclude leaves and other debris from passing therethrough.\",\n \"One example of such a prior art mesh based leaf preclusion system is in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,310,912, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"The phenomena of water tension and molecular cohesion tend to cause water to not want to pass through such mesh layers, but rather to cling to the mesh.\",\n \"These forces thus frustrate the ability of mesh based gutter guards to allow water to pass through the mesh while precluding debris from passing into the gutter.\",\n \"With known prior art mesh based gutter guards, commonly an underlying support is provided beneath the mesh.\",\n \"This underlying support serves two purposes.\",\n \"First, it keeps the mesh generally planar overlying the gutter.\",\n \"Second, it contacts an underside of the mesh providing a path along which water can flow while adhering to the underlying support.\",\n \"Holes in the underlying support then allow water to drop through in larger drops where the weight of the drops is sufficient that the surface tension and adhesion forces cannot resist such dropping.\",\n \"While effective, such mesh based gutter guards with underlying supports require a two part structure to operate effectively.\",\n \"These two parts increase the cost to manufacture the separate parts as well as adding additional assembly steps to produce the final gutter guard product.\",\n \"Many consumers benefit from having a simpler and potentially lower cost alternative which can still function effectively to preclude leaves and other debris from collecting within a gutter.\",\n \"With this invention such a leaf preclusion system is provided with a simple single part construction which can still effectively filter leaves and other debris out while allowing water to pass into the gutter and have the structural support needed to maintain its position overlying the gutter.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY With this invention, a leaf preclusion system is provided for a gutter which includes a filter layer, such as formed of stainless steel mesh, which filters out debris (e.g.\",\n \"leaves) while allowing water to pass therethrough.\",\n \"Uniquely, no underlying support is required beneath the filter member.\",\n \"The filter member is itself imbued with properties of sufficient stiffness and the ability to overcome water droplet adhesion characteristics without requiring an underlying support.\",\n \"Strength is provided to the filter member by providing a corrugated form of either an undulating sinusoidal nature or a zig-zag toothed nature, or other cross-section.\",\n \"Such a cross-section for the mesh causes the mesh to have greater strength particularly in resisting bending.\",\n \"These corrugations extend perpendicular to a long axis of the gutter and parallel with a direction that water is migrating off of the roof.\",\n \"Thus, these corrugations greatly resist flexing along the gutter where the mesh would otherwise be most susceptible to bending.\",\n \"When water runs off of the roof and lands on the corrugated mesh material, debris is kept from passing through the small openings in the mesh.\",\n \"Water does tend to adhere to this mesh but is drawn by gravity down into the troughs between crests in the corrugated mesh material.\",\n \"As the water is concentrated in these troughs, the water collects into drops sufficiently large that the weight of the water drops exceeds adhesion forces and surface tension forces so that the water drops.\",\n \"To further enhance the channeling of the water down into the gutter, a lower strip is optionally provided which acts as a form of dam to stop the water if it migrates entirely to a lower end of each trough and diverts the water down into the gutter.\",\n \"This front strip of material, typically formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as aluminum, or a hydrocarbon polymeric plastic material can also provide a surface which can be used to fasten to a front lip of the gutter.\",\n \"In one form of the invention this strip can have a snapping clamp plate so that it can snap onto the front lip of the gutter so that fasteners are not required.\",\n \"Beneficially, a bead of caulk material or other barrier can be bonded to the underside of the mesh along a line between (e.g.\",\n \"midway) upper and lower edges of the mesh.\",\n \"Such a barrier acts as an intermediate dam to cause water to collect and drop into the gutter.\",\n \"An upper end of the filter material can merely be left bare and slip beneath shingles on the roof and above sheeting material underneath the shingles, and above any vapor barrier.\",\n \"Alternatively, an upper strip of rigid material, such as aluminum can be attached to the upper edge of the fine mesh filter material with a tab extending beneath the roof shingles and above underlying sheeting to ensure that water does not go underneath the leaf preclusion system, but rather the water remains on top of the tab and then on top of the mesh material.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/096,126 filed Apr.\",\n \"11, 2016 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/642,050, filed on Mar.\",\n \"9, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"12/807,394, filed on Sep. 3, 2010, which is a non-provisional application conversion of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/277,441, filed on Sep. 23, 2009 and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/275,943, filed on Sep. 4, 2009; and this application claims the benefit and priority to each of these applications, which are all incorporated in their respective entireties herein by reference.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The following invention relates to debris preclusion systems for roof gutters, often referred to as gutter guards.\",\n \"More particularly, this invention relates to filter screen mesh type gutter guards which have a fine mesh of material to preclude leaves and other debris from falling into the gutter, while allowing water to filter through the mesh and into the gutter.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gutters are commonly used along eaves at a lower end of a sloping roof to catch water running off of the roof and channel that water into particular areas rather than allowing the water to merely fall from the roof.\",\n \"Such gutters often become clogged, especially when trees are located nearby and shed leaves which can end up in the gutters.\",\n \"Accordingly, leaf preclusion systems, often called “gutter guards,” are known in the prior art for attachment over the gutters.\",\n \"Such gutter guards serve the basic purpose of allowing water to pass into the gutter but precluding leaves and other debris from passing into the gutter.\",\n \"One type of gutter guard utilizes a filter layer which has small openings therein which allow water to pass through but which preclude leaves and other debris from passing therethrough.\",\n \"One example of such a prior art mesh based leaf preclusion system is in U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"7,310,912, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.\",\n \"The phenomena of water tension and molecular cohesion tend to cause water to not want to pass through such mesh layers, but rather to cling to the mesh.\",\n \"These forces thus frustrate the ability of mesh based gutter guards to allow water to pass through the mesh while precluding debris from passing into the gutter.\",\n \"With known prior art mesh based gutter guards, commonly an underlying support is provided beneath the mesh.\",\n \"This underlying support serves two purposes.\",\n \"First, it keeps the mesh generally planar overlying the gutter.\",\n \"Second, it contacts an underside of the mesh providing a path along which water can flow while adhering to the underlying support.\",\n \"Holes in the underlying support then allow water to drop through in larger drops where the weight of the drops is sufficient that the surface tension and adhesion forces cannot resist such dropping.\",\n \"While effective, such mesh based gutter guards with underlying supports require a two part structure to operate effectively.\",\n \"These two parts increase the cost to manufacture the separate parts as well as adding additional assembly steps to produce the final gutter guard product.\",\n \"Many consumers benefit from having a simpler and potentially lower cost alternative which can still function effectively to preclude leaves and other debris from collecting within a gutter.\",\n \"With this invention such a leaf preclusion system is provided with a simple single part construction which can still effectively filter leaves and other debris out while allowing water to pass into the gutter and have the structural support needed to maintain its position overlying the gutter.\",\n \"SUMMARY With this invention, a leaf preclusion system is provided for a gutter which includes a filter layer, such as formed of stainless steel mesh, which filters out debris (e.g.\",\n \"leaves) while allowing water to pass therethrough.\",\n \"Uniquely, no underlying support is required beneath the filter member.\",\n \"The filter member is itself imbued with properties of sufficient stiffness and the ability to overcome water droplet adhesion characteristics without requiring an underlying support.\",\n \"Strength is provided to the filter member by providing a corrugated form of either an undulating sinusoidal nature or a zig-zag toothed nature, or other cross-section.\",\n \"Such a cross-section for the mesh causes the mesh to have greater strength particularly in resisting bending.\",\n \"These corrugations extend perpendicular to a long axis of the gutter and parallel with a direction that water is migrating off of the roof.\",\n \"Thus, these corrugations greatly resist flexing along the gutter where the mesh would otherwise be most susceptible to bending.\",\n \"When water runs off of the roof and lands on the corrugated mesh material, debris is kept from passing through the small openings in the mesh.\",\n \"Water does tend to adhere to this mesh but is drawn by gravity down into the troughs between crests in the corrugated mesh material.\",\n \"As the water is concentrated in these troughs, the water collects into drops sufficiently large that the weight of the water drops exceeds adhesion forces and surface tension forces so that the water drops.\",\n \"To further enhance the channeling of the water down into the gutter, a lower strip is optionally provided which acts as a form of dam to stop the water if it migrates entirely to a lower end of each trough and diverts the water down into the gutter.\",\n \"This front strip of material, typically formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as aluminum, or a hydrocarbon polymeric plastic material can also provide a surface which can be used to fasten to a front lip of the gutter.\",\n \"In one form of the invention this strip can have a snapping clamp plate so that it can snap onto the front lip of the gutter so that fasteners are not required.\",\n \"Beneficially, a bead of caulk material or other barrier can be bonded to the underside of the mesh along a line between (e.g.\",\n \"midway) upper and lower edges of the mesh.\",\n \"Such a barrier acts as an intermediate dam to cause water to collect and drop into the gutter.\",\n \"An upper end of the filter material can merely be left bare and slip beneath shingles on the roof and above sheeting material underneath the shingles, and above any vapor barrier.\",\n \"Alternatively, an upper strip of rigid material, such as aluminum can be attached to the upper edge of the fine mesh filter material with a tab extending beneath the roof shingles and above underlying sheeting to ensure that water does not go underneath the leaf preclusion system, but rather the water remains on top of the tab and then on top of the mesh material.\",\n \"OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a system for precluding debris from passing into a roof gutter while allowing water to pass into the roof gutter.\",\n \"Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter debris preclusion system which is easy to attach to a gutter.\",\n \"Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter debris preclusion system for a gutter which can accommodate gutters of different sizes and shapes as well as roof configurations of different materials, pitches and other geometric characteristics.\",\n \"Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter debris preclusion system which has a small number of parts and simple form to keep costs thereof reduced, while still effectively precluding passage of debris into the gutter and while effectively drawing water down into the gutter.\",\n \"Another object of the present invention is to provide a debris preclusion system for a rain gutter which is sufficiently rigid to prevent collapse when encountering loads such as debris loads thereon.\",\n \"Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for precluding the passage of debris into a gutter.\",\n \"Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is a perspective view of a section of a roof with a section of a gutter at a lower edge thereof and with the gutter debris preclusion system according to this invention mounted thereon, and with portions of shingles on the roof removed to reveal details of the system of this invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.FIG.\",\n \"3 is an end elevation view of a lower strip acting as a lower support for the debris preclusion system of this invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"3.FIG.\",\n \"5 is an end elevation view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"3, featuring a clamp for securing portions of the system to a lip of a gutter.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"5.FIG.\",\n \"7 is a sectional view of a portion of fine mesh material making up a portion of the system of this invention and revealing a preferred geometric configuration of the corrugated mesh material.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"8-13 are alternative embodiments of the corrugated mesh material of FIG.\",\n \"7 showing various different alternative embodiment corrugation configurations for the mesh material.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a perspective view similar to that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 but for an alternative embodiment debris preclusion system which also includes an upper strip with associated tab.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"14.FIG.\",\n \"16 is a perspective view of the debris preclusion system shown in FIGS.\",\n \"14 and 15, with the addition of a barrier, such as in the form of a bead of caulk bonded to a lower portion of the corrugated mesh of the debris preclusion system to encourage water dropping off of the corrugated mesh material at a intermediate location.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 is a sectional view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG.\",\n \"16 illustrating further details of how the barrier can draw water off of the mesh material and cause it to fall down into the gutter.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral IO is directed to a debris preclusion system mountable overlying an opening on p.n upper portion of a gutter G and behind a lip L of the gutter G. The gutter G is typically attached to a facia F along a lower edge of a roof R to capture water running off of shingles S supported over a moisture barrier M which is located upon plywood P or other sheeting material forming a structural surface of a roof R. The water runs down off of the shingles S and then down onto the debris preclusion system 10 overlying the gutter G. The system 10 is primarily formed of a fine mesh material so that the water can fall therethrough.\",\n \"The water will typically adhere to an underside of this corrugated mesh 20 (along arrow A of FIG.\",\n \"2) and falling as a drop D of water down into the gutter G. In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2, basic details of the debris preclusion system IO are described, according to a simplest preferred embodiment.\",\n \"The system 10 includes the fine mesh material 20 which is corrugated to include a plurality of crests 22 (also referred to as ridges) opposite troughs 24 (also referred to as valleys).\",\n \"This corrugated mesh 20 has an upper edge 26 opposite a lower edge 28.The upper edge 26 in this simplest embodiment is oriented directly beneath the shingles S. Preferably, the lower edge 28 is held within a recess 42 in a lower strip 40.The lower strip 40 acts as a substantially rigid support which can rest upon or be coupled to the lip L of the gutter G. In a simplest form, an alternative lower strip 140 is configured as depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"3 and 4.Most preferably, the lower strip 40 is configured with a clamp plate 46 which allows the lower strip 40 to snap onto the lip L of the gutter G. A bead of caulk 50 (FIGS.\",\n \"16 and 17) can be optionally provided beneath the corrugated mesh material 20 to encourage water to drop off of this barrier (along arrow C of FIG.\",\n \"16), before reaching the lower strip 40.In an alternative embodiment, an upper strip 30 can be provided adjacent the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20.The upper strip 30 includes a tab 36 which can reside beneath the shingles S and the roof R structural support (FIGS.\",\n \"14 and 15).\",\n \"More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and 7-13, specific details of the corrugated fine mesh material 20 are described, according to a most preferred embodiment.\",\n \"The corrugated mesh 20 provides the function of allowing water to pass into the gutter G while precluding debris from passing into the gutter G. This corrugated mesh 20 is preferably formed as a woven screen of stainless steel wire or other wire/thread of suitable material.\",\n \"Important characteristics of the material forming the mesh include sufficiently high strength and inelasticity to function structurally, as well as resistance to corrosion in the gutter G environment.\",\n \"Furthermore, it is advantageous that material forming the corrugated mesh 20 can be readily bent sufficient to cause the material to be readily corrugated into one of a variety of different cross-sections, such as those depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"7-13 and hold that configuration after being so bent.\",\n \"Most preferably, the wire forming the corrugated mesh 20 extends in a pattern with some threads extending parallel with the upper edge 26 of the overall corrugated mesh 20 and some of the wire/thread extending perpendicular to the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20.In such a configuration, the corrugation can occur to create the crests 20 and troughs 24 with only the threads which run parallel with the upper edge 26 needing to be bent.\",\n \"In such a configuration the corrugating of the fine mesh material forming the corrugated mesh 20 can more readily occur and this material forming the corrugated mesh can more readily maintain this corrugated configuration during installation and use.\",\n \"Hole size between adjacent wires/threads for ing the corrugated mesh 20 can be selected according to various different design considerations including the debris present in the environment where the system is to be installed.\",\n \"Wire/thread diameter can also be adjusted to accommodate particular design characteristics desired for the overall system.\",\n \"The corrugations in the corrugated mesh 20 preferably have an amplitude between crests 22 and troughs 24 between one-fourth and one-tenth of the length of the corrugated mesh 20 between the upper edge 26 and the lower edge 28 and similar to a width of the opening in the gutter G. This amplitude can be increased or decreased through experimentation or based on other design considerations to optimize performance of the system 10.Preferably, these corrugations 20 are in a repeating pattern.\",\n \"This pattern is most preferably a zig-zag pattern, such as that depicted in FIG.\",\n \"7.As an alternative, the pattern could be more sinusoidal with a curving crest 22 and curving trough 24.Other configurations can also be provided for the corrugated mesh 20 such as those depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"8-13.Not only can these configurations be provided, but these configurations depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"8-13 can be inverted and provided upside down.\",\n \"Furthermore, other configurations could be utilized which combine those depicted therein or be variations thereon.\",\n \"Selection of the corrugation pattern for the corrugated mesh 20 can be provided either to optimize function or to provide an aesthetic appearance that is desired by the user.\",\n \"The amplitude of the corrugated mesh 20 is preferably constant throughout the corrugated mesh 20.Alternatively, it is conceivable that the corrugated mesh 20 could have its amplitude diminished or eliminated adjacent the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28.The upper edge 26 is preferably captured within a pocket 32 formed in the upper strip 30, if the upper strip 30 is provided.\",\n \"The lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 is preferably captured within a recess 42 in the lower strip 40, if the lower strip 40 is provided.\",\n \"The pocket 32 and recess 42 could be smaller in height if the corrugated mesh 20 is configured to taper to a lesser or zero amplitude at the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28.If desired, the corrugated mesh 20 could be configured to have a slightly looser weave that would then have this weave compressed adjacent the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28 when this amplitude is decreased, so that the overall corrugated mesh 20 would have a minimum of stress when having this amplitude change, and while still being corrugated and sufficiently tightly woven.\",\n \"With particular reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1-6, details of the lower strip 40 providing a preferred form of support for the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 are described according to a most preferred embodiment.\",\n \"While the lower strip 40 or other lower support could be eliminated and the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 could merely rest upon or be fastened to the gutter G, most preferably, the lower strip 40 is provided to facilitate such attachment of the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 to the lip L of the gutter G. This lower strip 40, 140 can have a variety of different configurations, such as those depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"3-6.In a most preferred form of the invention, the lower strip 40 is configured as depicted in FIGS.\",\n \"5 and 6.This configuration includes a stop plate 45 extending substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the corrugated mesh 20 resides.\",\n \"The upper plate 43 is oriented perpendicular to this stop plate 45 and extending to either side of the stop plate 45.A lower plate 44 extends perpendicularly from one side of the stop plate 45 closest to the corrugated mesh 20.A recess 42 is thus defined between the upper plate 43 and lower plate 44.The distance between the lower plate 44 and upper plate 43 preferably is similar to an amplitude of the corrugated mesh 20, or slightly less.\",\n \"Thus, the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 can fit securely within the recess 42.Optionally, some form of adhesive or other fastener can be utilized to further secure the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 within the recess 42.If fasteners are utilized, such fasteners could include staples, screws, rivets, pins, wire, clamps or other equivalent fastening means.\",\n \"If desired; holes can be provided in the lower plate 44 to prevent the recess 42 from becoming a reservoir for pooling of water therein.\",\n \"As water runs down over the corrugated mesh 20 (along arrow A of FIG.\",\n \"2) the water will tend to angle down (along arrow B of FIG.\",\n \"17) and follow the troughs 24.When these troughs reach the lower strip 40, this water will adhere to the lower plate 44 and then to a lower portion of the stop plate 45.With this efficient water collecting at a lower end of the stop plate 45, the water will release from the stop plate 45 as droplets D and fall (along arrow E of FIG.\",\n \"2) down into the gutter G. Most preferably, a clamp plate 46 is provided generally opposite the lower plate 44 and extending generally laterally from the stop plate 45.This clamp plate 46 preferably is somewhat resilient and has a curving form generally matching a form of a typical lip L on a gutter G. The clamp plate 46 could have a variety of different configurations to accommodate lips L of different configurations.\",\n \"The clamp plate 46 is spaced from the upper plate 43 by a distance that causes the clamp plate 46 to flex slightly away from the upper plate 43 when pressed against the lip L of the gutter G and then snap toward the upper plate 43 to a closed position held to the lip L of the gutter G, and positioning the entire system 10 in the desired position over the gutter G and spanning from the lip L up to the roof R below the shingles S. The upper plate 43 also provides the location where a fastener can be utilized to further secure the lower strip 40 to the gutter G. For instance, screws can pass through the upper plate 43 and then into the lip L to secure the system 10 in position on the gutter G. In addition, or alternatively, an adhesive can be utilized or some other form of fastener such as a rivet, nail, staple, pin or other lip L fastening means.\",\n \"With particular reference to FIGS.\",\n \"14 and 15, details of the upper strip 30 are described, according to an alternative embodiment where the system 10 includes the upper strip 30.When the upper strip 30 is provided as a preferred form of upper support for the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20 of the system 10, other portions of the system 10 remain the same.\",\n \"This upper strip 30 provides a thinner structure to fit beneath the shingles S and above the moisture barrier M, or above other underlying plywood Dor other sheeting material for the roof R, so that water is effectively directed off of the shingles S and onto the corrugated mesh 20 of the system 10, rather than otherwise migrating under the mesh 20.This upper strip 30 most preferably is a rigid structure formed of an extrudable material such as aluminum which has a constant cross-section to make it suitable for extrusion.\",\n \"Alternatively, the upper strip 30 can be formed in some other manner and from other materials such as plastics.\",\n \"The upper strip 30 preferably includes a pocket 32 sized to receive the upper edge 26 therein.\",\n \"Thus, the pocket 32 preferably has a height between a lower leg 34 and upper leg 35 which is similar in height to the amplitude between the crests 22 and troughs 24 of the corrugated mesh 20.A tab 36 extends away from the pocket 32 in a direction opposite the corrugated mesh 20.This tab 36 is preferably substantially planar and in a plane aligned with that of the corrugated mesh 20.As an alternative, the tab 36 could be bendable or pre-configured with a bend relative to the plane in which the corrugated mesh 20 is configured.\",\n \"For instance, to accommodate different pitches of roofs, the tab 36 could either be bendable or pre-bent to an angle matching the pitch of the roof with which the system IO is to be installed.\",\n \"If such a bend were provided this bend could be directly adjacent the pocket 32 or could be spaced further from the pocket 32 depending on the width of the gutter G and other particular geometric characteristics of the roof R adjacent the facia F. While the lower strip 40 is preferably provided as a unitary mass, it could be formed of separate parts that are then attached together.\",\n \"The pocket 32 is preferably sized so that the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20 fits by friction therein.\",\n \"Alternatively, fasteners can be provided or an adhesive to secure the upper edge 26 within the pocket 32.Options for such fastening means are similar to those described above with respect to holding the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 within the recess 42 of the lower strip 40.With particular reference to FIGS.\",\n \"16 and 17 details of an alternative embodiment are disclosed where a bead 50 is provided as a preferred form of barrier at a midpoint on the corrugated mesh 20 between the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28.This bead 50 is preferably a bead of caulk which acts as a preferred form of barrier which is applied wet and then hardens and simultaneously adheres to the lower surface of the corrugated mesh 20.In such a configuration, the bead 50 primarily only is bonded to the troughs 24 and portions of the corrugated mesh 20 adjacent the troughs 24, rather than covering an entire undersurface of the corrugated mesh 20.However, as most of the water travels along the trough 24 from the upper edge 26 toward the lower edge 28, this water impacts the bead 50 or other barrier.\",\n \"The water initially follows planar portions of the corrugated mesh 20 between the crests 22 and the troughs 24 (along arrow B of FIG.\",\n \"17) before following along the troughs 24 from the upper edge 26 toward the lower edge 28 (along arrow A of FIG.\",\n \"16).\",\n \"By adhesion, the water wraps around this bead 50 and then collects on a lower surface thereof.\",\n \"When the weight of the water is sufficient, it forms droplets D which then fall off of the bead 50 (along arrow C of FIGS.\",\n \"16 and 17).\",\n \"In this way, the water does not only fall of the lower strip 50, but also off of the bead 50, so that higher volumes of water flow can be effectively routed through the corrugated mesh 20 and down into the gutter G. While such water flows are rare, it is important that the gutter G can effectively perform when such heavy downpours occur so that the gutters G can perform to their full design capacity.\",\n \"With the bead 50 or other barrier such performance is optimized.\",\n \"This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention.\",\n \"Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure.\",\n \"When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified.\",\n \"When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures.\",\n \"Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872483"}}},{"rowIdx":4494087,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["MOLDED FLUID FLOW STRUCTURE","A fluid flow structure may include a micro device embedded in a monolithic molding.","The molding may include a channel therein through which fluid flows directly into the micro device.","The micro device may include a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel, a silicon substrate, and a fluid port formed in the silicon substrate and fluidically coupled to the channel.","A fluid is feedable through the fluid port.","The channel is wider than the fluid port.","The channel includes an open channel exposed to an external surface of the micro device."],["1.A fluid flow structure, comprising: a micro device embedded in a monolithic molding, the molding comprising a channel therein through which fluid flows directly into the micro device, the micro device comprising: a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel; a silicon substrate; and a fluid port formed in the silicon substrate and fluidically coupled to the channel, a fluid feedable through the fluid port, and wherein the channel is wider than the fluid port, wherein the channel comprises an open channel exposed to an external surface of the micro device.","2.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device comprises: an electronic device that comprises an electrical terminal, and wherein the fluid flow structure comprises a conductor connected to the terminal and embedded in the molding.","3.The fluid flow structure of claim 2, wherein the electronic device comprises a printhead die sliver that comprises a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel.","4.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein: at least a second micro device is embedded into the monolithic molding, and the molding comprises at least a second channel through which fluid flows directly into the second micro device.","5.The fluid flow structure of claim 4, wherein the second channel contacts edges of the second micro device.","6.The fluid flow structure of claim 3, wherein: the monolithic molding molded around a plurality of printhead die slivers, and fluid flows directly to the slivers through the channel.","7.The fluid flow structure of claim 6, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of channels through each of which fluid flows directly to at least one of the slivers.","8.The fluid flow structure of claim 6, wherein each printhead die sliver comprises a fluid flow passage connected directly to a channel.","9.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device comprises a monolithic or multi-layered orifice plate applied to the substrate.","10.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device comprises an ejection chamber fluidically coupled to the fluid port.","11.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device is a printhead die having a thickness less than or equal to 650 μm.","12.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the fluid port is tapered.","13.A system, comprising: a fluid source; a micro device embedded in a monolithic molding, the molding comprising a channel molded therein through which fluid flows directly into the micro device, the micro device comprising: a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel; a silicon substrate; and a fluid port formed in the silicon substrate and fluidically coupled to the channel, a fluid feedable through the fluid port, and wherein the channel is wider than the fluid port; and a fluid mover configured to move fluid from the fluid source to the channel in the fluid flow structure, wherein the channel comprises an open channel exposed to an external surface of the micro device.","14.The system of claim 13, wherein: the source of fluid comprises a supply of printing fluid, the micro device comprises a printhead die; and the fluid mover comprises a device to regulate the flow of printing fluid from the supply to the printhead die.","15.The system of claim 13, wherein the micro device comprises an electronic device that comprises an electrical terminal, and the fluid flow structure comprises a conductor connected to the terminal and embedded in the molding.","16.The system of claim 13, wherein the micro device comprises a plurality of micro devices molded in the monolithic body, the monolithic body comprising a tapered channel molded therein through which fluid may flow directly to the slivers.","17.The system of claim 16, wherein the channel comprises multiple channels through each of which fluid may flow directly to one or more of the micro devices.","18.The system of claim 16, wherein each micro device comprises a fluid manifold connected directly to a plurality of fluid ports.","19.The system of claim 18, wherein each micro device comprises a silicon substrate in which the fluid manifold is formed.","20.The system of claim 10, wherein the micro device comprises: a substrate; an orifice plate coupled to the second side of the substrate; a manifold fluidically coupled to the fluid port; a number of fluid ejection chambers fluidically coupled to the manifold; and a number of orifices defined in the orifice plate and fluidically coupled to the fluid ejection chambers through which fluid is ejected from the micro device."],[" BACKGROUND Each printhead die in an inkjet pen or print bar includes tiny channels that carry ink to the ejection chambers.","Ink is distributed from the ink supply to the die channels through passages in a structure that supports the printhead die(s) on the pen or print bar.","It may be desirable to shrink the size of each printhead die, for example to reduce the cost of the die and, accordingly, to reduce the cost of the pen or print bar.","The use of smaller dies, however, can require changes to the larger structures that support the dies, including the passages that distribute ink to the dies."],["RELATED DOCUMENTS The present application is a continuation and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.","§ 120, of U.S. application Ser.","No.","14/769,994, filed Aug. 24, 2015, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.","§ 371 and is the National Stage Entry of International Application No.","PCT/US2013/028207, filed Feb. 28, 2013.These applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.","BACKGROUND Each printhead die in an inkjet pen or print bar includes tiny channels that carry ink to the ejection chambers.","Ink is distributed from the ink supply to the die channels through passages in a structure that supports the printhead die(s) on the pen or print bar.","It may be desirable to shrink the size of each printhead die, for example to reduce the cost of the die and, accordingly, to reduce the cost of the pen or print bar.","The use of smaller dies, however, can require changes to the larger structures that support the dies, including the passages that distribute ink to the dies.","DRAWINGS Each pair of FIGS.","1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 illustrate one example of a new molded fluid flow structure in which a micro device is embedded in a molding with a fluid flow path directly to the device.","FIG.","9 is a block diagram illustrating a fluid flow system implementing a new fluid flow structure such as one of the examples shown in FIGS.","1-8.FIG.","10 is a block diagram illustrating an inkjet printer implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure for the printheads in a substrate wide print bar.","FIGS.","11-16 illustrate an inkjet print bar implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure for a printhead die, such as might be used in the printer of FIG.","10.FIGS.","17-21 are section views illustrating one example of a process for making a new printhead die fluid flow structure.","FIG.","22 is a flow diagram of the process shown in FIGS.","17-21.FIGS.","23-27 are perspective views illustrating one example of a wafer level process for making a new inkjet print bar such as the print bar shown in FIGS.","11-16.FIG.","28 is a detail from FIG.","23.FIGS.","29-31 illustrate other examples of a new fluid flow structure for a printhead die.","The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures.","The figures are not necessarily to scale.","The relative size of some parts is exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown.","DESCRIPTION Inkjet printers that utilize a substrate wide print bar assembly have been developed to help increase printing speeds and reduce printing costs.","Conventional substrate wide print bar assemblies include multiple parts that carry printing fluid from the printing fluid supplies to the small printhead dies from which the printing fluid is ejected on to the paper or other print substrate.","While reducing the size and spacing of the printhead dies continues to be important for reducing cost, channeling printing fluid from the larger supply components to ever smaller, more tightly spaced dies requires complex flow structures and fabrication processes that can actually increase cost.","A new fluid flow structure has been developed to enable the use of smaller printhead dies and more compact die circuitry to help reduce cost in substrate wide inkjet printers.","A print bar implementing one example of the new structure includes multiple printhead dies molded into an elongated, monolithic body of moldable material.","Printing fluid channels molded into the body carry printing fluid directly to printing fluid flow passages in each die.","The molding in effect grows the size of each die for making external fluid connections and for attaching the dies to other structures, thus enabling the use of smaller dies.","The printhead dies and printing fluid channels can be molded at the wafer level to form a new, composite printhead wafer with built-in printing fluid channels, eliminating the need to form the printing fluid channels in a silicon substrate and enabling the use of thinner dies.","The new fluid flow structure is not limited to print bars or other types of printhead structures for inkjet printing, but may be implemented in other devices and for other fluid flow applications.","Thus, in one example, the new structure includes a micro device embedded in a molding having a channel or other path for fluid to flow directly into or onto the device.","The micro device, for example, could be an electronic device, a mechanical device, or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.","The fluid flow, for example, could be a cooling fluid flow into or onto the micro device or fluid flow into a printhead die or other fluid dispensing micro device.","These and other examples shown in the figures and described below illustrate but do not limit the invention, which is defined in the Claims following this Description.","As used in this document, a “micro device” means a device having one or more exterior dimensions less than or equal to 30 mm; “thin” means a thickness less than or equal to 650 μm; a “sliver” means a thin micro device having a ratio of length to width (L/W) of at least three; a “printhead” and a “printhead die” mean that part of an inkjet printer or other inkjet type dispenser that dispenses fluid from one or more openings.","A printhead includes one or more printhead dies, “printhead” and “printhead die” are not limited to printing with ink and other printing fluids but also include inkjet type dispensing of other fluids and/or for uses other than printing.","FIGS.","1 and 2 are elevation and plan section views, respectively, illustrating one example a new fluid flow structure 10.Referring to FIGS.","1 and 2, structure 10 includes a micro device 12 molded into in a monolithic body 14 of plastic or other moldable material.","A molded body 14 is also referred to herein as a molding 14.Micro device 12, for example, could be an electronic device, a mechanical device, or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.","A channel or other suitable fluid flow path 16 is molded into body 14 in contact with micro device 12 so that fluid in channel 16 can flow directly into or onto device 12 (or both).","In this example, channel 16 is connected to fluid flow passages 18 in micro device 12 and exposed to exterior surface 20 of micro device 12.In another example, shown in FIGS.","3 and 4, flow path 16 in molding 14 allows air or other fluid to flow along an exterior surface 20 of micro device 12, for instance to cool device 12.Also, in this example, signal traces or other conductors 22 connected to device 12 at electrical terminals 24 are molded into molding 14.In another example, shown in FIGS.","5 and 6, micro device 12 is molded into body 14 with an exposed surface 26 opposite channel 16.In another example, shown in FIGS.","7 and 8, micro devices 12A and 12B are molded into body 14 with fluid flow channels 16A and 16B.","In this example, flow channels 16A contact the edges of outboard devices 12A while flow channel 16B contacts the bottom of inboard device 12B.","FIG.","9 is a block diagram illustrating a system 28 implementing a new fluid flow structure 10 such as one of the flow structures 10 shown in FIGS.","1-8.Referring to FIG.","9, system 28 includes a fluid source 30 operatively connected to a fluid mover 32 configured to move fluid to flow path 16 in structure 10.A fluid source 30 might include, for example, the atmosphere as a source of air to cool an electronic micro device 12 or a printing fluid supply for a printhead micro device 12.Fluid mover 32 represents a pump, a fan, gravity or any other suitable mechanism for moving fluid from source 30 to flow structure 10.FIG.","10 is a block diagram illustrating an inkjet printer 34 implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure 10 in a substrate wide print bar 36.Referring to FIG.","10, printer 34 includes print bar 36 spanning the width of a print substrate 38, flow regulators 40 associated with print bar 36, a substrate transport mechanism 42, ink or other printing fluid supplies 44, and a printer controller 46.Controller 46 represents the programming, processor(s) and associated memories, and the electronic circuitry and components needed to control the operative elements of a printer 10.Print bar 36 includes an arrangement of printheads 37 for dispensing printing fluid on to a sheet or continuous web of paper or other print substrate 38.As described in detail below, each printhead 37 includes one or more printhead dies in a molding with channels 16 to feed printing fluid directly to the die(s).","Each printhead die receives printing fluid through a flow path from supplies 44 into and through flow regulators 40 and channels 16 in print bar 36.FIGS.","11-16 illustrate an inkjet print bar 36 implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure 10, such as might be used in printer 34 shown in FIG.","10.Referring first to the plan view of FIG.","11, printheads 37 are embedded in an elongated, monolithic molding 14 and arranged generally end to end in rows 48 in a staggered configuration in which the printheads in each row overlap another printhead in that row.","Although four rows 48 of staggered printheads 37 are shown, for printing four different colors for example, other suitable configurations are possible.","FIG.","12 is a section view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG.","11.FIGS.","13-15 are detail views from FIG.","12, and FIG.","16 is a plan view diagram showing the layout of some of the features of printhead die flow structure 10 in FIGS.","12-14.Referring now to FIGS.","11-15, in the example shown, each printhead 37 includes a pair of printhead dies 12 each with two rows of ejection chambers 50 and corresponding orifices 52 through which printing fluid is ejected from chambers 50.Each channel 16 in molding 14 supplies printing fluid to one printhead die 12.Other suitable configurations for printhead 37 are possible.","For example, more or fewer printhead dies 12 may be used with more or fewer ejection chambers 50 and channels 16.","(Although print bar 36 and printheads 37 face up in FIGS.","12-15, print bar 36 and printheads 37 usually face down when installed in a printer, as depicted in the block diagram of FIG.","10.)","Printing fluid flows into each ejection chamber 50 from a manifold 54 extending lengthwise along each die 12 between the two rows of ejection chambers 50.Printing fluid feeds into manifold 54 through multiple ports 56 that are connected to a printing fluid supply channel 16 at die surface 20.Printing fluid supply channel 16 is substantially wider than printing fluid ports 56, as shown, to carry printing fluid from larger, loosely spaced passages in the flow regulator or other parts that carry printing fluid into print bar 36 to the smaller, tightly spaced printing fluid ports 56 in printhead die 12.Thus, printing fluid supply channels 16 can help reduce or even eliminate the need for a discrete “fan-out” and other fluid routing structures necessary in some conventional printheads.","In addition, exposing a substantial area of printhead die surface 20 directly to channel 16, as shown, allows printing fluid in channel 16 to help cool die 12 during printing.","The idealized representation of a printhead die 12 in FIGS.","11-15 depicts three layers 58, 60, 62 for convenience only to clearly show ejection chambers 50, orifices 52, manifold 54, and ports 56.An actual inkjet printhead die 12 is a typically complex integrated circuit (IC) structure formed on a silicon substrate 58 with layers and elements not shown in FIGS.","11-15.For example, a thermal ejector element or a piezoelectric ejector element formed on substrate 58 at each ejection chamber 50 is actuated to eject drops or streams of ink or other printing fluid from orifices 52.A molded flow structure 10 enables the use of long, narrow and very thin printhead dies 12.For example, it has been shown that a 100 μm thick printhead die 12 that is about 26 mm long and 500 μm wide can be molded into a 500 μm thick body 14 to replace a conventional 500 μm thick silicon printhead die.","Not only is it cheaper and easier to mold channels 16 into body 14 compared to forming the feed channels in a silicon substrate, but it is also cheaper and easier to form printing fluid ports 56 in a thinner die 12.For example, ports 56 in a 100 μm thick printhead die 12 may be formed by dry etching and other suitable micromachining techniques not practical for thicker substrates.","Micromachining a high density array of straight or slightly tapered through ports 56 in a thin silicon, glass or other substrate 58 rather than forming conventional slots leaves a stronger substrate while still providing adequate printing fluid flow.","Tapered ports 56 help move air bubbles away from manifold 54 and ejection chambers 50 formed, for example, in a monolithic or multi-layered orifice plate 60/62 applied to substrate 58.It is expected that current die handling equipment and micro device molding tools and techniques can be adapted to mold dies 12 as thin as 50 μm, with a length/width ratio up to 150, and to mold channels 16 as narrow as 30 μm.","And, the molding 14 provides an effective but inexpensive structure in which multiple rows of such die slivers can be supported in a single, monolithic body.","FIGS.","17-21 illustrate one example process for making a new printhead fluid flow structure 10.FIG.","22 is a flow diagram of the process illustrated in FIGS.","17-21.Referring first to FIG.","17, a flex circuit 64 with conductive traces 22 and protective layer 66 is laminated on to a carrier 68 with a thermal release tape 70, or otherwise applied to carrier 68 (step 102 in FIG.","22).","As shown in FIGS.","18 and 19, printhead die 12 is placed orifice side down in opening 72 on carrier 68 (step 104 in FIG.","22) and conductor 22 is bonded to an electrical terminal 24 on die 12 (step 106 in FIG.","22).","In FIG.","20, a molding tool 74 forms channel 16 in a molding 14 around printhead die 12 (step 108 in FIG.","22).","A tapered channel 16 may be desirable in some applications to facilitate the release of molding tool 74 or to increase fan-out (or both).","After molding, printhead flow structure 10 is released from carrier 68 (step 110 in FIG.","22) to form the completed part shown in FIG.","21 in which conductor 22 is covered by layer 66 and surrounded by molding 14.In a transfer molding process such as that shown in FIG.","20, channels 16 are molded into body 14.In other fabrication processes, it may be desirable to form channels 16 after molding body 14 around printhead die 12.While the molding of a single printhead die 12 and channel 16 is shown in FIGS.","17-21, multiple printhead dies and printing fluid channels can be molded simultaneously at the wafer level.","FIGS.","23-28 illustrate one example wafer level process for making print bars 36.Referring to FIG.","23, printheads 37 are placed on a glass or other suitable carrier wafer 68 in a pattern of multiple print bars.","(Although a “wafer” is sometimes used to denote a round substrate while a “panel” is used to denote a rectangular substrate, a “wafer” as used in this document includes any shape substrate.)","Printheads 37 usually will be placed on to carrier 68 after first applying or forming a pattern of conductors 22 and die openings 72 as described above with reference to FIG.","17 and step 102 in FIG.","22.In the example shown in FIG.","23, five sets of dies 78 each having four rows of printheads 37 are laid out on carrier wafer 66 to form five print bars.","A substrate wide print bar for printing on Letter or A4 size substrates with four rows of printheads 37, for example, is about 230 mm long and 16 mm wide.","Thus, five die sets 78 may be laid out on a single 270 mm×90 mm carrier wafer 66 as shown in FIG.","23.Again, in the example shown, an array of conductors 22 extend to bond pads 23 near the edge of each row of printheads 37.Conductors 22 and bond pads 23 are more clearly visible in the detail of FIG.","28.","(Conductive signal traces to individual ejection chambers or groups of ejection chambers, such as conductors 22 in FIG.","21, are omitted to not obscure other structural features.)","FIG.","24 is a close-up section view of one set of four rows of printheads 37 taken along the line 24-24 in FIG.","23.Cross hatching is omitted for clarity.","FIGS.","23 and 24 show the in-process wafer structure after the completion of steps 102-112 in FIG.","23.FIG.","25 shows the section of FIG.","24 after molding step 114 in FIG.","23 in which body 14 with channels 16 is molded around printhead dies 12.Individual print bar strips 78 are separated in FIG.","26 and released from carrier 68 in FIG.","27 to form five individual print bars 36 (step 116 in FIG.","23).","While any suitable molding technology may be used, testing suggests that wafer level molding tools and techniques currently used for semiconductor device packaging may be adapted cost effectively to the fabrication of printhead die fluid flow structures 10 such as those shown in FIGS.","21 and 27.A stiffer molding 14 may be used where a rigid (or at least less flexible) print bar 36 is desired to hold printhead dies 12.A less stiff molding 14 may be used where a flexible print bar 36 is desired, for example where another support structure holds the print bar rigidly in a single plane or where a non-planar print bar configuration is desired.","Also, although it is expected that molded body 14 usually will be molded as a monolithic part, body 14 could be molded as more than one part.","FIGS.","29-31 illustrate other examples of a new fluid flow structure 10 for a printhead die 12.In these examples, channels 16 are molded in body 14 along each side of printhead die 12, for example using a transfer molding process such as that described above with reference to FIGS.","17-21.Printing fluid flows from channels 16 through ports 56 laterally into each ejection chamber 50 directly from channels 16.In the example of FIG.","30, orifice plate 62 is applied after molding body 14 to close channels 16.In the example of FIG.","31, a cover 80 is formed over orifice plate 62 to close channels 16.Although a discrete cover 80 partially defining channels 16 is shown, an integrated cover 80 molded into body 14 could also be used.","As noted at the beginning of this Description, the examples shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention.","Other examples are possible.","Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"MOLDED FLUID FLOW STRUCTURE\",\n \"A fluid flow structure may include a micro device embedded in a monolithic molding.\",\n \"The molding may include a channel therein through which fluid flows directly into the micro device.\",\n \"The micro device may include a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel, a silicon substrate, and a fluid port formed in the silicon substrate and fluidically coupled to the channel.\",\n \"A fluid is feedable through the fluid port.\",\n \"The channel is wider than the fluid port.\",\n \"The channel includes an open channel exposed to an external surface of the micro device.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A fluid flow structure, comprising: a micro device embedded in a monolithic molding, the molding comprising a channel therein through which fluid flows directly into the micro device, the micro device comprising: a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel; a silicon substrate; and a fluid port formed in the silicon substrate and fluidically coupled to the channel, a fluid feedable through the fluid port, and wherein the channel is wider than the fluid port, wherein the channel comprises an open channel exposed to an external surface of the micro device.\",\n \"2.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device comprises: an electronic device that comprises an electrical terminal, and wherein the fluid flow structure comprises a conductor connected to the terminal and embedded in the molding.\",\n \"3.The fluid flow structure of claim 2, wherein the electronic device comprises a printhead die sliver that comprises a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel.\",\n \"4.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein: at least a second micro device is embedded into the monolithic molding, and the molding comprises at least a second channel through which fluid flows directly into the second micro device.\",\n \"5.The fluid flow structure of claim 4, wherein the second channel contacts edges of the second micro device.\",\n \"6.The fluid flow structure of claim 3, wherein: the monolithic molding molded around a plurality of printhead die slivers, and fluid flows directly to the slivers through the channel.\",\n \"7.The fluid flow structure of claim 6, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of channels through each of which fluid flows directly to at least one of the slivers.\",\n \"8.The fluid flow structure of claim 6, wherein each printhead die sliver comprises a fluid flow passage connected directly to a channel.\",\n \"9.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device comprises a monolithic or multi-layered orifice plate applied to the substrate.\",\n \"10.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device comprises an ejection chamber fluidically coupled to the fluid port.\",\n \"11.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the micro device is a printhead die having a thickness less than or equal to 650 μm.\",\n \"12.The fluid flow structure of claim 1, wherein the fluid port is tapered.\",\n \"13.A system, comprising: a fluid source; a micro device embedded in a monolithic molding, the molding comprising a channel molded therein through which fluid flows directly into the micro device, the micro device comprising: a fluid flow passage connected directly to the channel; a silicon substrate; and a fluid port formed in the silicon substrate and fluidically coupled to the channel, a fluid feedable through the fluid port, and wherein the channel is wider than the fluid port; and a fluid mover configured to move fluid from the fluid source to the channel in the fluid flow structure, wherein the channel comprises an open channel exposed to an external surface of the micro device.\",\n \"14.The system of claim 13, wherein: the source of fluid comprises a supply of printing fluid, the micro device comprises a printhead die; and the fluid mover comprises a device to regulate the flow of printing fluid from the supply to the printhead die.\",\n \"15.The system of claim 13, wherein the micro device comprises an electronic device that comprises an electrical terminal, and the fluid flow structure comprises a conductor connected to the terminal and embedded in the molding.\",\n \"16.The system of claim 13, wherein the micro device comprises a plurality of micro devices molded in the monolithic body, the monolithic body comprising a tapered channel molded therein through which fluid may flow directly to the slivers.\",\n \"17.The system of claim 16, wherein the channel comprises multiple channels through each of which fluid may flow directly to one or more of the micro devices.\",\n \"18.The system of claim 16, wherein each micro device comprises a fluid manifold connected directly to a plurality of fluid ports.\",\n \"19.The system of claim 18, wherein each micro device comprises a silicon substrate in which the fluid manifold is formed.\",\n \"20.The system of claim 10, wherein the micro device comprises: a substrate; an orifice plate coupled to the second side of the substrate; a manifold fluidically coupled to the fluid port; a number of fluid ejection chambers fluidically coupled to the manifold; and a number of orifices defined in the orifice plate and fluidically coupled to the fluid ejection chambers through which fluid is ejected from the micro device.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Each printhead die in an inkjet pen or print bar includes tiny channels that carry ink to the ejection chambers.\",\n \"Ink is distributed from the ink supply to the die channels through passages in a structure that supports the printhead die(s) on the pen or print bar.\",\n \"It may be desirable to shrink the size of each printhead die, for example to reduce the cost of the die and, accordingly, to reduce the cost of the pen or print bar.\",\n \"The use of smaller dies, however, can require changes to the larger structures that support the dies, including the passages that distribute ink to the dies.\"\n ],\n [\n \"RELATED DOCUMENTS The present application is a continuation and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 120, of U.S. application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/769,994, filed Aug. 24, 2015, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.\",\n \"§ 371 and is the National Stage Entry of International Application No.\",\n \"PCT/US2013/028207, filed Feb. 28, 2013.These applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Each printhead die in an inkjet pen or print bar includes tiny channels that carry ink to the ejection chambers.\",\n \"Ink is distributed from the ink supply to the die channels through passages in a structure that supports the printhead die(s) on the pen or print bar.\",\n \"It may be desirable to shrink the size of each printhead die, for example to reduce the cost of the die and, accordingly, to reduce the cost of the pen or print bar.\",\n \"The use of smaller dies, however, can require changes to the larger structures that support the dies, including the passages that distribute ink to the dies.\",\n \"DRAWINGS Each pair of FIGS.\",\n \"1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 illustrate one example of a new molded fluid flow structure in which a micro device is embedded in a molding with a fluid flow path directly to the device.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a block diagram illustrating a fluid flow system implementing a new fluid flow structure such as one of the examples shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1-8.FIG.\",\n \"10 is a block diagram illustrating an inkjet printer implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure for the printheads in a substrate wide print bar.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"11-16 illustrate an inkjet print bar implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure for a printhead die, such as might be used in the printer of FIG.\",\n \"10.FIGS.\",\n \"17-21 are section views illustrating one example of a process for making a new printhead die fluid flow structure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"22 is a flow diagram of the process shown in FIGS.\",\n \"17-21.FIGS.\",\n \"23-27 are perspective views illustrating one example of a wafer level process for making a new inkjet print bar such as the print bar shown in FIGS.\",\n \"11-16.FIG.\",\n \"28 is a detail from FIG.\",\n \"23.FIGS.\",\n \"29-31 illustrate other examples of a new fluid flow structure for a printhead die.\",\n \"The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures.\",\n \"The figures are not necessarily to scale.\",\n \"The relative size of some parts is exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION Inkjet printers that utilize a substrate wide print bar assembly have been developed to help increase printing speeds and reduce printing costs.\",\n \"Conventional substrate wide print bar assemblies include multiple parts that carry printing fluid from the printing fluid supplies to the small printhead dies from which the printing fluid is ejected on to the paper or other print substrate.\",\n \"While reducing the size and spacing of the printhead dies continues to be important for reducing cost, channeling printing fluid from the larger supply components to ever smaller, more tightly spaced dies requires complex flow structures and fabrication processes that can actually increase cost.\",\n \"A new fluid flow structure has been developed to enable the use of smaller printhead dies and more compact die circuitry to help reduce cost in substrate wide inkjet printers.\",\n \"A print bar implementing one example of the new structure includes multiple printhead dies molded into an elongated, monolithic body of moldable material.\",\n \"Printing fluid channels molded into the body carry printing fluid directly to printing fluid flow passages in each die.\",\n \"The molding in effect grows the size of each die for making external fluid connections and for attaching the dies to other structures, thus enabling the use of smaller dies.\",\n \"The printhead dies and printing fluid channels can be molded at the wafer level to form a new, composite printhead wafer with built-in printing fluid channels, eliminating the need to form the printing fluid channels in a silicon substrate and enabling the use of thinner dies.\",\n \"The new fluid flow structure is not limited to print bars or other types of printhead structures for inkjet printing, but may be implemented in other devices and for other fluid flow applications.\",\n \"Thus, in one example, the new structure includes a micro device embedded in a molding having a channel or other path for fluid to flow directly into or onto the device.\",\n \"The micro device, for example, could be an electronic device, a mechanical device, or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.\",\n \"The fluid flow, for example, could be a cooling fluid flow into or onto the micro device or fluid flow into a printhead die or other fluid dispensing micro device.\",\n \"These and other examples shown in the figures and described below illustrate but do not limit the invention, which is defined in the Claims following this Description.\",\n \"As used in this document, a “micro device” means a device having one or more exterior dimensions less than or equal to 30 mm; “thin” means a thickness less than or equal to 650 μm; a “sliver” means a thin micro device having a ratio of length to width (L/W) of at least three; a “printhead” and a “printhead die” mean that part of an inkjet printer or other inkjet type dispenser that dispenses fluid from one or more openings.\",\n \"A printhead includes one or more printhead dies, “printhead” and “printhead die” are not limited to printing with ink and other printing fluids but also include inkjet type dispensing of other fluids and/or for uses other than printing.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2 are elevation and plan section views, respectively, illustrating one example a new fluid flow structure 10.Referring to FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2, structure 10 includes a micro device 12 molded into in a monolithic body 14 of plastic or other moldable material.\",\n \"A molded body 14 is also referred to herein as a molding 14.Micro device 12, for example, could be an electronic device, a mechanical device, or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.\",\n \"A channel or other suitable fluid flow path 16 is molded into body 14 in contact with micro device 12 so that fluid in channel 16 can flow directly into or onto device 12 (or both).\",\n \"In this example, channel 16 is connected to fluid flow passages 18 in micro device 12 and exposed to exterior surface 20 of micro device 12.In another example, shown in FIGS.\",\n \"3 and 4, flow path 16 in molding 14 allows air or other fluid to flow along an exterior surface 20 of micro device 12, for instance to cool device 12.Also, in this example, signal traces or other conductors 22 connected to device 12 at electrical terminals 24 are molded into molding 14.In another example, shown in FIGS.\",\n \"5 and 6, micro device 12 is molded into body 14 with an exposed surface 26 opposite channel 16.In another example, shown in FIGS.\",\n \"7 and 8, micro devices 12A and 12B are molded into body 14 with fluid flow channels 16A and 16B.\",\n \"In this example, flow channels 16A contact the edges of outboard devices 12A while flow channel 16B contacts the bottom of inboard device 12B.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a block diagram illustrating a system 28 implementing a new fluid flow structure 10 such as one of the flow structures 10 shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1-8.Referring to FIG.\",\n \"9, system 28 includes a fluid source 30 operatively connected to a fluid mover 32 configured to move fluid to flow path 16 in structure 10.A fluid source 30 might include, for example, the atmosphere as a source of air to cool an electronic micro device 12 or a printing fluid supply for a printhead micro device 12.Fluid mover 32 represents a pump, a fan, gravity or any other suitable mechanism for moving fluid from source 30 to flow structure 10.FIG.\",\n \"10 is a block diagram illustrating an inkjet printer 34 implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure 10 in a substrate wide print bar 36.Referring to FIG.\",\n \"10, printer 34 includes print bar 36 spanning the width of a print substrate 38, flow regulators 40 associated with print bar 36, a substrate transport mechanism 42, ink or other printing fluid supplies 44, and a printer controller 46.Controller 46 represents the programming, processor(s) and associated memories, and the electronic circuitry and components needed to control the operative elements of a printer 10.Print bar 36 includes an arrangement of printheads 37 for dispensing printing fluid on to a sheet or continuous web of paper or other print substrate 38.As described in detail below, each printhead 37 includes one or more printhead dies in a molding with channels 16 to feed printing fluid directly to the die(s).\",\n \"Each printhead die receives printing fluid through a flow path from supplies 44 into and through flow regulators 40 and channels 16 in print bar 36.FIGS.\",\n \"11-16 illustrate an inkjet print bar 36 implementing one example of a new fluid flow structure 10, such as might be used in printer 34 shown in FIG.\",\n \"10.Referring first to the plan view of FIG.\",\n \"11, printheads 37 are embedded in an elongated, monolithic molding 14 and arranged generally end to end in rows 48 in a staggered configuration in which the printheads in each row overlap another printhead in that row.\",\n \"Although four rows 48 of staggered printheads 37 are shown, for printing four different colors for example, other suitable configurations are possible.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a section view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG.\",\n \"11.FIGS.\",\n \"13-15 are detail views from FIG.\",\n \"12, and FIG.\",\n \"16 is a plan view diagram showing the layout of some of the features of printhead die flow structure 10 in FIGS.\",\n \"12-14.Referring now to FIGS.\",\n \"11-15, in the example shown, each printhead 37 includes a pair of printhead dies 12 each with two rows of ejection chambers 50 and corresponding orifices 52 through which printing fluid is ejected from chambers 50.Each channel 16 in molding 14 supplies printing fluid to one printhead die 12.Other suitable configurations for printhead 37 are possible.\",\n \"For example, more or fewer printhead dies 12 may be used with more or fewer ejection chambers 50 and channels 16.\",\n \"(Although print bar 36 and printheads 37 face up in FIGS.\",\n \"12-15, print bar 36 and printheads 37 usually face down when installed in a printer, as depicted in the block diagram of FIG.\",\n \"10.)\",\n \"Printing fluid flows into each ejection chamber 50 from a manifold 54 extending lengthwise along each die 12 between the two rows of ejection chambers 50.Printing fluid feeds into manifold 54 through multiple ports 56 that are connected to a printing fluid supply channel 16 at die surface 20.Printing fluid supply channel 16 is substantially wider than printing fluid ports 56, as shown, to carry printing fluid from larger, loosely spaced passages in the flow regulator or other parts that carry printing fluid into print bar 36 to the smaller, tightly spaced printing fluid ports 56 in printhead die 12.Thus, printing fluid supply channels 16 can help reduce or even eliminate the need for a discrete “fan-out” and other fluid routing structures necessary in some conventional printheads.\",\n \"In addition, exposing a substantial area of printhead die surface 20 directly to channel 16, as shown, allows printing fluid in channel 16 to help cool die 12 during printing.\",\n \"The idealized representation of a printhead die 12 in FIGS.\",\n \"11-15 depicts three layers 58, 60, 62 for convenience only to clearly show ejection chambers 50, orifices 52, manifold 54, and ports 56.An actual inkjet printhead die 12 is a typically complex integrated circuit (IC) structure formed on a silicon substrate 58 with layers and elements not shown in FIGS.\",\n \"11-15.For example, a thermal ejector element or a piezoelectric ejector element formed on substrate 58 at each ejection chamber 50 is actuated to eject drops or streams of ink or other printing fluid from orifices 52.A molded flow structure 10 enables the use of long, narrow and very thin printhead dies 12.For example, it has been shown that a 100 μm thick printhead die 12 that is about 26 mm long and 500 μm wide can be molded into a 500 μm thick body 14 to replace a conventional 500 μm thick silicon printhead die.\",\n \"Not only is it cheaper and easier to mold channels 16 into body 14 compared to forming the feed channels in a silicon substrate, but it is also cheaper and easier to form printing fluid ports 56 in a thinner die 12.For example, ports 56 in a 100 μm thick printhead die 12 may be formed by dry etching and other suitable micromachining techniques not practical for thicker substrates.\",\n \"Micromachining a high density array of straight or slightly tapered through ports 56 in a thin silicon, glass or other substrate 58 rather than forming conventional slots leaves a stronger substrate while still providing adequate printing fluid flow.\",\n \"Tapered ports 56 help move air bubbles away from manifold 54 and ejection chambers 50 formed, for example, in a monolithic or multi-layered orifice plate 60/62 applied to substrate 58.It is expected that current die handling equipment and micro device molding tools and techniques can be adapted to mold dies 12 as thin as 50 μm, with a length/width ratio up to 150, and to mold channels 16 as narrow as 30 μm.\",\n \"And, the molding 14 provides an effective but inexpensive structure in which multiple rows of such die slivers can be supported in a single, monolithic body.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"17-21 illustrate one example process for making a new printhead fluid flow structure 10.FIG.\",\n \"22 is a flow diagram of the process illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"17-21.Referring first to FIG.\",\n \"17, a flex circuit 64 with conductive traces 22 and protective layer 66 is laminated on to a carrier 68 with a thermal release tape 70, or otherwise applied to carrier 68 (step 102 in FIG.\",\n \"22).\",\n \"As shown in FIGS.\",\n \"18 and 19, printhead die 12 is placed orifice side down in opening 72 on carrier 68 (step 104 in FIG.\",\n \"22) and conductor 22 is bonded to an electrical terminal 24 on die 12 (step 106 in FIG.\",\n \"22).\",\n \"In FIG.\",\n \"20, a molding tool 74 forms channel 16 in a molding 14 around printhead die 12 (step 108 in FIG.\",\n \"22).\",\n \"A tapered channel 16 may be desirable in some applications to facilitate the release of molding tool 74 or to increase fan-out (or both).\",\n \"After molding, printhead flow structure 10 is released from carrier 68 (step 110 in FIG.\",\n \"22) to form the completed part shown in FIG.\",\n \"21 in which conductor 22 is covered by layer 66 and surrounded by molding 14.In a transfer molding process such as that shown in FIG.\",\n \"20, channels 16 are molded into body 14.In other fabrication processes, it may be desirable to form channels 16 after molding body 14 around printhead die 12.While the molding of a single printhead die 12 and channel 16 is shown in FIGS.\",\n \"17-21, multiple printhead dies and printing fluid channels can be molded simultaneously at the wafer level.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"23-28 illustrate one example wafer level process for making print bars 36.Referring to FIG.\",\n \"23, printheads 37 are placed on a glass or other suitable carrier wafer 68 in a pattern of multiple print bars.\",\n \"(Although a “wafer” is sometimes used to denote a round substrate while a “panel” is used to denote a rectangular substrate, a “wafer” as used in this document includes any shape substrate.)\",\n \"Printheads 37 usually will be placed on to carrier 68 after first applying or forming a pattern of conductors 22 and die openings 72 as described above with reference to FIG.\",\n \"17 and step 102 in FIG.\",\n \"22.In the example shown in FIG.\",\n \"23, five sets of dies 78 each having four rows of printheads 37 are laid out on carrier wafer 66 to form five print bars.\",\n \"A substrate wide print bar for printing on Letter or A4 size substrates with four rows of printheads 37, for example, is about 230 mm long and 16 mm wide.\",\n \"Thus, five die sets 78 may be laid out on a single 270 mm×90 mm carrier wafer 66 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"23.Again, in the example shown, an array of conductors 22 extend to bond pads 23 near the edge of each row of printheads 37.Conductors 22 and bond pads 23 are more clearly visible in the detail of FIG.\",\n \"28.\",\n \"(Conductive signal traces to individual ejection chambers or groups of ejection chambers, such as conductors 22 in FIG.\",\n \"21, are omitted to not obscure other structural features.)\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 is a close-up section view of one set of four rows of printheads 37 taken along the line 24-24 in FIG.\",\n \"23.Cross hatching is omitted for clarity.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"23 and 24 show the in-process wafer structure after the completion of steps 102-112 in FIG.\",\n \"23.FIG.\",\n \"25 shows the section of FIG.\",\n \"24 after molding step 114 in FIG.\",\n \"23 in which body 14 with channels 16 is molded around printhead dies 12.Individual print bar strips 78 are separated in FIG.\",\n \"26 and released from carrier 68 in FIG.\",\n \"27 to form five individual print bars 36 (step 116 in FIG.\",\n \"23).\",\n \"While any suitable molding technology may be used, testing suggests that wafer level molding tools and techniques currently used for semiconductor device packaging may be adapted cost effectively to the fabrication of printhead die fluid flow structures 10 such as those shown in FIGS.\",\n \"21 and 27.A stiffer molding 14 may be used where a rigid (or at least less flexible) print bar 36 is desired to hold printhead dies 12.A less stiff molding 14 may be used where a flexible print bar 36 is desired, for example where another support structure holds the print bar rigidly in a single plane or where a non-planar print bar configuration is desired.\",\n \"Also, although it is expected that molded body 14 usually will be molded as a monolithic part, body 14 could be molded as more than one part.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"29-31 illustrate other examples of a new fluid flow structure 10 for a printhead die 12.In these examples, channels 16 are molded in body 14 along each side of printhead die 12, for example using a transfer molding process such as that described above with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"17-21.Printing fluid flows from channels 16 through ports 56 laterally into each ejection chamber 50 directly from channels 16.In the example of FIG.\",\n \"30, orifice plate 62 is applied after molding body 14 to close channels 16.In the example of FIG.\",\n \"31, a cover 80 is formed over orifice plate 62 to close channels 16.Although a discrete cover 80 partially defining channels 16 is shown, an integrated cover 80 molded into body 14 could also be used.\",\n \"As noted at the beginning of this Description, the examples shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention.\",\n \"Other examples are possible.\",\n \"Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872484"}}},{"rowIdx":4494088,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["WELL RANGING APPARATUS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS","A method includes cementing a target well with a target well cement comprising resistive cement having resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.","The method includes injecting an injected signal into a conductive casing material at least partially surrounded by the target well cement.","The method also includes receiving a resulting signal that results from the injecting at a signal receiver disposed within at least one of the target well and a drilling well separated from the target well."],["1.A method, comprising: cementing a target well with a target well cement comprising resistive cement having resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes; injecting an injected signal into a conductive casing material at least partially surrounded by the target well cement; and receiving a resulting signal that results from the injecting at a signal receiver disposed within at least one of the target well and a drilling well separated from the target well.","2.The method of claim 1, wherein the resistive cement has a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.","3.The method of claim 1, wherein the injected signal comprises at least one of a static electric signal, a magnetic signal, and an electromagnetic signal.","4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: processing the resulting signal as a ranging signal to determine at least one of a distance and a direction to the target well from the drilling well.","5.A method, comprising: casing a target well with a conductive casing; and selectively positioning insulating material around the conductive casing, wherein the selectively positioning of the insulating material is such that gaps are created that are without the insulating material along the target well, wherein the insulating material has resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.","6.The method of claim 5, wherein the conductive casing comprises multiple casing segments, wherein selectively positioning the insulating material comprises, for at least one casing segment of the multiple casing segments, positioning the insulating material around the at least one casing segment such that a gap is created at each end of the at least one casing segment.","7.The method of claim 5, wherein selectively positioning the insulating material comprises positioning the insulating material around the conductive casing at a wellhead of the target well.","8.The method of claim 5, wherein the insulating material comprises at least one of rubber and glass.","9.The method of claim 5, further comprising: selectively positioning a target well cement between the conductive casing and a wall of the target well, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement is such that gaps are created that are without the target well cement between positions along the target well having the target well cement, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement comprises the target well cement being at positions that do not include the insulating material.","10.The method of claim 9, wherein the target well cement comprises a resistive cement having a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.","11.An apparatus, comprising: a conductive casing to case a target well; and target well cement positioned between the conductive casing and a wall of the target well, wherein the target well cement comprises resistive cement having resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.","12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the resistive cement has a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.","13.The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: insulating material selectively positioned around the conductive casing such that gaps are created that are without the insulating material along the target well.","14.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the conductive casing comprises multiple casing segments, wherein, for at least one casing segment of the multiple casing segments, the insulating material is selectively positioned around the at least one casing segment such that a gap is created at each end of the at least one casing segment.","15.An apparatus, comprising: a conductive casing to case a target well; and insulating material selectively positioned around the conductive casing, such that gaps are created that are without the insulating material along the target well, wherein the insulating material has resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.","16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the conductive casing comprises multiple casing segments, wherein, for at least one casing segment of the multiple casing segments, the insulating material is selectively positioned around the at least one casing segment such that a gap is created at each end of the at least one casing segment.","17.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the insulating material is at least positioned around the conductive casing at a wellhead of the target well.","18.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the insulating material comprises at least one of rubber and glass.","19.The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a target well cement selectively positioned between the conductive casing and a wall of the target well, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement is such that gaps are created that are without the target well cement between positions along the target well having the target well cement, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement comprises the target well cement being at positions that do not include the insulating material.","20.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the target well cement comprises the resistive cement having a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter."],[" BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus that are used as part of ranging techniques, to determine distance and direction between wells in geological formations.","With much of the world's easily obtainable oil having already been produced, new techniques are being developed to extract less accessible hydrocarbons.","These techniques often involve drilling a borehole in close proximity to one or more existing wells.","Examples of directed drilling near an existing well include well intersection for blowout control, multiple wells drilled from an offshore platform, and closely spaced wells for geothermal energy recovery.","Another such technique is steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) that uses a pair of vertically-spaced, horizontal wells constructed along a substantially parallel path, often less than ten meters apart.","Careful control of the spacing contributes to the effectiveness of the SAGD technique.","One way to construct a borehole in close proximity to an existing well is “active ranging” in which an electromagnetic source is located in the existing well and monitored via sensors on the drill string in the well under construction.","Another technique involves systems that locate both the source and the sensor(s) on the drill string—these are sometimes called “passive ranging” systems by those of ordinary skill in the art.","Such ranging techniques are sometimes limited in the degree of accuracy that can be obtained."],[" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 depicts an example drilling environment in which ranging embodiments may be employed.","FIG.","2 is a block diagram of a ranging system, for various embodiments.","FIGS.","3A and 3B are graphs illustrating current distribution along a target well, under various conditions, for various embodiments.","FIG.","4 is a graph illustrating normalized current distribution along a target well, for various embodiments.","FIG.","5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with continuous coverage by insulating material, beginning near the surface of the well, for various embodiments.","FIGS.","6A and 6B are graphs illustrating current distribution along the casing for the apparatus shown in FIG.","5 , for various embodiments.","FIG.","7 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with discontinuous coverage by insulating material, for various embodiments.","FIG.","8 is a graph illustrating current distribution along the casing for FIG.","7 , for various embodiments.","FIG.","9 is a graph of normalized current distribution of a target well without insulating material, and a drilling well with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","10 is a graph of normalized current distribution of target and drilling wells with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","11 is a flow diagram of methods, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","12 is a flow diagram of additional methods, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","13 is a flow diagram of yet more methods, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","14 is a block diagram of apparatus and systems, according to various embodiments.","detailed-description description=\"Detailed Description\" end=\"lead\"?"],["BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus that are used as part of ranging techniques, to determine distance and direction between wells in geological formations.","With much of the world's easily obtainable oil having already been produced, new techniques are being developed to extract less accessible hydrocarbons.","These techniques often involve drilling a borehole in close proximity to one or more existing wells.","Examples of directed drilling near an existing well include well intersection for blowout control, multiple wells drilled from an offshore platform, and closely spaced wells for geothermal energy recovery.","Another such technique is steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) that uses a pair of vertically-spaced, horizontal wells constructed along a substantially parallel path, often less than ten meters apart.","Careful control of the spacing contributes to the effectiveness of the SAGD technique.","One way to construct a borehole in close proximity to an existing well is “active ranging” in which an electromagnetic source is located in the existing well and monitored via sensors on the drill string in the well under construction.","Another technique involves systems that locate both the source and the sensor(s) on the drill string—these are sometimes called “passive ranging” systems by those of ordinary skill in the art.","Such ranging techniques are sometimes limited in the degree of accuracy that can be obtained.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 depicts an example drilling environment in which ranging embodiments may be employed.","FIG.","2 is a block diagram of a ranging system, for various embodiments.","FIGS.","3A and 3B are graphs illustrating current distribution along a target well, under various conditions, for various embodiments.","FIG.","4 is a graph illustrating normalized current distribution along a target well, for various embodiments.","FIG.","5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with continuous coverage by insulating material, beginning near the surface of the well, for various embodiments.","FIGS.","6A and 6B are graphs illustrating current distribution along the casing for the apparatus shown in FIG.","5, for various embodiments.","FIG.","7 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with discontinuous coverage by insulating material, for various embodiments.","FIG.","8 is a graph illustrating current distribution along the casing for FIG.","7, for various embodiments.","FIG.","9 is a graph of normalized current distribution of a target well without insulating material, and a drilling well with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","10 is a graph of normalized current distribution of target and drilling wells with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","11 is a flow diagram of methods, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","12 is a flow diagram of additional methods, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","13 is a flow diagram of yet more methods, according to various embodiments.","FIG.","14 is a block diagram of apparatus and systems, according to various embodiments.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION Magnetic ranging has been widely used for various applications, including well intersection, well avoidance, SAGD, and others.","One excitation method for magnetic ranging is surface excitation.","Surface excitation is a popular method of generating a ranging signal.","It is relatively easy to implement, without the need for complex cable and equipment.","When surface excitation is used, a current is injected into the target well casing at the surface of the well (e.g., at the well head).","The current travels along the casing down hole and generates a magnetic field down hole that can be measured at a distance (e.g., in a drilling well) for ranging purposes.","As a result, the excitation signal down hole may be very small when the distance beneath the surface is great, due to the current leakage into the conductive formation.","Consequently, sensor noise often affects magnetic ranging accuracy at greater depths, leading to false signal measurements and failures in well location.","The various embodiments described herein aim to improve down hole current strength and enhance the signal/noise ratio, for improved accuracy with respect to ranging measurement technology.","Thus, novel methods are proposed to reduce or block the leakage current into a relatively conductive formation.","By taking this approach, the magnitude of down hole ranging current at the point of measurement can be increased, sometimes by as much as ten times or more.","In most situations, the improvement results in doubling the signal magnitude.","Therefore, the apparatus, methods, and systems proposed herein can be used to reduce measurement issues that arise due to noise, as well as to generate larger signals at great depths.","This means that the maximum detection ranges for existing ranging systems can also be significantly improved.","In some embodiments, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein can be applied to electromagnetic (EM) telemetry applications.","The disclosed apparatus (e.g., logging tools), systems, and methods are best understood in the context of the larger systems in which they operate.","Accordingly, FIG.","1 depicts an example drilling environment 100 in which ranging embodiments may be employed.","That is, this figure illustrates an example drilling environment 100 in which a drilling platform 102 supports a derrick 104 having a traveling block 106 for raising and lowering a drill string 108.A top drive 110 supports and rotates the drill string 108 as it is lowered through the well-head 112.A drill bit 114 is driven by a downhole motor and/or rotation of the drill string 108.As the drill bit 114 rotates, it creates a borehole 116 that passes through various formations.","A pump 118 circulates drilling fluid through a feed pipe 120 to top drive 110, downhole through the interior of drill string 108, through orifices in drill bit 114, back to the surface via the annulus around drill string 108, and into a retention pit 122.The drilling fluid transports cuttings from the borehole into the retention pit 122 and aids in maintaining the borehole integrity.","The drill bit 114 is just one piece of a bottom-hole assembly that includes one or more drill collars (thick-walled steel pipe) to provide weight and rigidity to aid the drilling process.","Some of these drill collars include logging instruments to gather measurements of various drilling parameters such as position, orientation, weight-on-bit, borehole diameter, etc.","The tool orientation may be specified in terms of a tool face angle (a.k.a.","rotational or azimuthal orientation), an inclination angle (the slope), and a compass direction, each of which can be derived from measurements by magnetometers, inclinometers, and/or accelerometers, though other sensor types such as gyroscopes may also be used.","In one specific embodiment, the tool includes a three-axis fluxgate magnetometer and a three-axis accelerometer.","As is known in the art, the combination of those two sensor systems enables the measurement of the tool face angle, inclination angle, and compass direction.","In some embodiments, the tool face and hole inclination angles are calculated from the accelerometer sensor output.","The magnetometer sensor outputs are used to calculate the compass direction.","The bottom-hole assembly further includes a ranging tool 124 to receive signals from current injected by a surface power supply 148 into nearby conductors such as pipes, casing strings, and conductive formations and to collect measurements of the resulting field to determine distance and direction.","Using measurements of these signals, in combination with the tool orientation measurements, the driller can, for example, steer the drill bit 114 along a desired path in the drilling well 126 relative to the existing well (e.g., target well) 128 in formation F using any one of various suitable directional drilling systems, including steering vanes, a “bent sub”, and a rotary steerable system.","For precision steering, the steering vanes may be the most useful steering mechanism.","The steering mechanism can be controlled from the Earth's surface, or downhole, with a downhole controller programmed to follow the existing borehole 128 at a predetermined distance 130 and position (e.g., directly above or below the existing borehole).","A telemetry sub 132 coupled to the downhole tools (including ranging tool 124) transmits telemetry data to the surface via mud pulse telemetry.","A transmitter in the telemetry sub 132 modulates a resistance to drilling fluid flow to generate pressure pulses that propagate along the fluid stream at the speed of sound to the surface.","One or more pressure transducers 134 convert the pressure signal into electrical signal(s) for a signal digitizer 136.Note that other forms of telemetry exist and may be used to communicate signals from downhole to the digitizer.","Such telemetry may employ acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic telemetry, or telemetry via wired drill pipe.","The digitizer 136 supplies a digital form of the telemetry signals via a communications link 138 to a computer 140 or some other form of a data processing device.","The computer 140 operates in accordance with software (which may be stored on information storage media 142) and user input via an input device 144 to process and decode the received signals.","The resulting telemetry data may be further analyzed and processed by the computer 140 to generate a display of useful information on a computer monitor 146 or some other form of a display device.","For example, a driller could employ this system to obtain and monitor drilling parameters, formation properties, and the path of the borehole relative to the existing borehole 128 and any detected formation boundaries.","A downlink channel can then be used to transmit steering commands from the surface to the bottom-hole assembly.","This figure illustrates a magnetic ranging system with surface excitation.","The power supply 148 at the surface thus employs a cable 150 to inject current into target well casing 152 and flowing to down hole so that magnetic fields can be generated surrounding a target well 128.Then sensors in the ranging tool 124 in the drilling well 126 can determine the magnetic fields so that distance and direction between the target well 128 and drilling well 126 can be determined.","The target well is often a cased hole with cement installed around the outside of the casing.","In the completion phase of oil and gas wells, the cement serves to isolate the wellbore, prevents casing failure, and keeps the wellbore fluids from contaminating freshwater aquifers.","Cement is usually a fine grey powder made of a mixture of calcites limestone and clay, mixed with water and sand to make mortar, or with water, sand, and aggregate, to make concrete.","Due to the water component, cement is not a perfect electrical insulator.","In fact it is relatively conductive with a resistivity of about 2 ohm·m in many applications.","Hence, much of the current injected into the surface of the well for ranging signal generation leaks into the formation through the conductive cement, as the injected current travels along the casing.","FIG.","2 is a block diagram of a ranging system 200, for various embodiments.","Here the target well structure and magnetic ranging system with surface excitation are shown.","Leakage current is reduced in some embodiments using resistive cement.","The 1500 m target well structure shown in the figure was modeled and simulated using commercial software available from Computer Simulation Technology AG (CST), with its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.","The corresponding two-dimensional (2D) current density distribution is shown in FIGS.","3A and 3B, which are graphs 300, 310 illustrating current distribution along a target well, under various conditions, for various embodiments.","The figures each present a 2D graph of leaking current vertically from the well head (formation surface) at the top of the graph, to great depths at the bottom of the graph, horizontally across the formation between wells.","FIG.","3A illustrates the current distribution image 320 for a case with cement resistivity Rc=2 ohm·m (i.e., conductive cement).","It can be seen that current attenuates quickly along the length casing 324.That is, much of the current leaks out in the portion of the casing 324 that is near the surface of the formation.","FIG.","3B illustrates the current distribution image 330 for ultra-high resistivity cement, that is, a cement having a resistivity Rc=100000 ohm·m in this case.","It can be seen that a much larger portion of the current travels down hole.","That is, leakage in the section of casing 324 near the surface of the formation is greatly reduced.","FIG.","4 is a graph 400 illustrating normalized current distribution along a target well, for various embodiments.","Here the current distribution along the casing is normalized by the current amplitude at the well head.","The different curves represent wells employed with different cement resistivity levels.","It can be seen that current drops more slowly along the length of the casing when cement resistivity levels are higher.","This is because high resistivity cement acts as an insulator and blocks the path of the leakage current.","Thus, in comparison with the 2% casing current remaining at a depth of 1000 m down hole with conductive cement (e.g., cement having a resistivity of 2 ohm·m) 410, 8.5% and 33% of the casing current is left down hole when cement with a resistivity of 1000 ohm·m 420 or 100000 ohm·m 430, is used, respectively.","That is, the down hole signal level increases by four times and fifteen times, respectively, with the use of 1000 ohm·m and 100000 ohm·m resistivity cement.","Hence, a stronger magnetic field can be generated down hole around the target well casing when such resistive cements are used with the casing of the target well.","This provide a greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver sensors in the drilling well.","It can be difficult to manufacture high resistivity cement, such as cement with a resistivity on the order of 1000 ohm·m or 100000 ohm·m, because cement tends to cure slowly underground, while absorbing water and dissolved salts.","Some embodiments include cement that is made more resistive by adding fly ash.","Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand other ways to manufacture resistive cement.","Thus, another embodiment proposed herein operates to reduce leakage current by surrounding, to at least some degree, the well casing with an insulating material (e.g., a rubber ring or sleeve) for the first 50 or 100 meters from the well surface, or wellhead.","FIG.","5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 500 comprising target well casing with continuous coverage by insulating material, beginning near the surface of the well, for various embodiments.","As shown in the figure, a length of glass or rubber insulator can be inserted outside of the casing, beginning at a point near the wellhead and extending down hole to some depth, such as 50 m or 100 m. The region near the wellhead is usually where current leakage is greatest.","However, when insulating material is used near the surface, current leakage near the wellhead can be greatly reduced, enhancing the amplitude of the current farther down hole.","This embodiment may be designated as a well with a “top insulator”.","FIGS.","6A and 6B are graphs 600, 670 illustrating current distribution along the casing for the apparatus shown in FIG.","5, for various embodiments.","Here, the performance of the structure shown in FIG.","5 was modeled and simulated with 2D finite element modeling (FEM) computer code.","The normalized current distribution along the casing is plotted in FIGS.","6A and 6B, which show results when 50 m and 100 m of insulating material are used to form an insulation section at the top of the wellhead, respectively.","The curves in each figure show the result when a rubber tube is used as insulating material (620, 640, 650), and when no insulating material is used (610 and 630), respectively.","It is clear that using the insulating material helps to block current leakage in the region near the wellhead.","However, current continues to drop once the insulating material ends.","Thus, at 1000 m down hole, 2.58% and 3.04% of the original current remains when the rubber is used as insulating material (620, 640, 650), compared with 2.25% of the original current remaining when no insulating material is used (610, 630).","That is, a 35% current increase is achieved with the use of insulating material in this case.","Because it may be expensive to put a 50 m or 100 m length of insulating material practice, or perhaps difficult to install such a long tube with segmented casing (e.g., casing may comprise segments of pipe, measuring 5 m or 10 m long per segment), another embodiment to reduce leakage current is proposed.","In this case, relatively short sections of insulating material (e.g., one, four, or nine meter rubber or glass tubes forming a non-continuous insulating material) are installed outside of the casing before the casing is placed downhole, and cement is put in place.","Thus, FIG.","7 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 700 comprising target well casing with discontinuous coverage by insulating material, for various embodiments.","As shown in the figure, for each casing segment (e.g., 6 meters long), five one meter long rubber rings or tubes are installed as a wrapper outside of the casing.","Gaps of about one-half meter are kept at each end of the casing wrapper to enhance connectivity between conductive casing segments.","Over a length of 500 m, eighty-three sets of casing segments are installed with rubber rings wrapping each segment, beginning near the surface, at the wellhead.","Although there are still some current leaking from each of the joints between casing segments, the leakage current is greatly reduced by the presence of the insulating material, in the form of rubber rings, or tubes.","FIG.","8 is a graph 800 illustrating current distribution along the casing for FIG.","7, for various embodiments.","The target well structure with rubber tube sections was modeled and simulated using 2D FEM computer code.","The normalized current distribution along the casing was plotted in the figure, with the curves illustrating current leakage results with insulating material 810 (e.g., rubber tubes or rings) and without insulating material 820.It can be seen that the current drop-off is reduced for the first 500 meters, when insulating material is used.","That is, the injected current is conserved because the insulating material helps block current leakage in each wrapped section of casing.","The leakage current continues to make its appearance after the end of the insulated casing material.","For example, at 1000 m down hole, there is 4.27% of the injected current remaining when insulating material is used, compared to only 2.23% of the injected current remaining when no insulating material is used.","That is, a 91% increase in current is realized.","Thus, because this embodiment easier to implement in the field (than continuous insulation), a greater magnitude of down hole current can be retained.","Surface excitation current that leaks from the target well may also propagate into conductive structures of the drilling well, where the ranging sensors are located.","It has been found that such leakage current exists and also affects the accuracy of ranging distance determination, especially at greater depths where the casing current in the target well drops significantly.","As a consequence, the proposed apparatus, methods, and systems used to isolate lengths of the target well (e.g., using resistive cement, and/or insulating material) can be also implemented as part of the drilling well to reduce the effect of leakage current on sensor measurements due to conduction by the drilling well structure.","FIG.","9 is a graph 900 of normalized current distribution of a target well without insulating material, and a drilling well with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.","The figure presents both cased-hole conditions for a target well and a drilling well configuration 950, as they might appear in a common drilling scenario.","The shielding insulation, when applied, extends for a distance of 500 m, and the wells are separated by 5 m. As shown in the normalized current distribution of the graph 900 in the figure, the leakage current in the drilling well is close to the casing current in the target well at greater depths (e.g., after the depth exceeds 1000 m).","The closer the magnitude of the target well current and the magnitude of the leakage current in the drilling well become, the more the leakage current interferes with sensor measurements in the drilling well.","Therefore, this effect can have a significant influence on ranging accuracy and performance at greater depths, and ranging calculations may lead to misinterpreting the relative well positions at these depths.","To render sensor measurements that are less sensitive to leakage current effects, the apparatus, methods, and systems proposed herein can be also utilized in the drilling well.","As shown in FIG.","9, the leakage current in the drilling well with shielded insulation is much less than the case without insulation.","Consequently, it can be seen that the application of insulating material in a target well helps preserve current traveling along the casing, whereas the application of such insulation in a drilling well helps reduce the effect on the measurement current signal in the drilling well due to leakage current from the target well.","FIG.","10 is a graph 1000 of normalized current distribution of target and drilling wells with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.","The figure shows the modeled responses of three cases involving a target well and a drilling well configuration 1050, as they might appear in a common drilling scenario.","The first case appears without any insulation applied in both target and drilling wells 1010.The second case appears with only the drilling well having insulating material 1020, and the last case appears with insulating material applied to both the target and drilling wells 1030.Again, the shielding insulation, when applied, extends for a distance of 500 m, and the wells are separated by 5 m. The results reveal that shielding both wells with insulating material improves the signal down hole in the target well, with reduced measurement interference in the drilling well.","As noted previously, when surface excitation is used as part of a well range determination system, current leakage can result in wasting much of the power delivered into the well casing.","The novel apparatus, methods, and systems disclosed herein save power and provide greater signal amplitudes at every depth down hole, when compared to conventional ranging operations, improving ranging measurement technology.","This is accomplished without the use of extra cabling, transmitters, receivers, or increasing the power used at the surface.","In addition, the proposed methods also reduce interference with sensor measurements due to leakage current flowing to a drilling well where the sensors are located.","Improved down hole current strength results in a greater ranging detection range, especially at greater depths.","EM telemetry applications may benefit in a similar fashion.","That is, the apparatus, methods, and systems disclosed herein can reduce the transmission signal loss and enhance the SNR at the telemetry receiver.","A non-limiting summary of various embodiments will now be given.","FIG.","11 is a flow diagram of methods 1100, according to various embodiments.","In some embodiments, a reduced conduction well (that operates to block leakage current) can be fabricated using “resistive cement”, which is cement having a resistivity of at least 10 ohm·m.","Resistive cement can be divided into three classes: medium resistivity cement, high-resistivity cement, and ultra-high resistivity cement.","“Medium resistivity cement” has a resistivity of greater than 10 ohm·m.","“High resistivity cement” has a resistivity of greater than 50 ohm·m.","An “ultra-high resistivity cement” is one that has a resistivity of at least 100 ohm·m.","Thus, referring to FIG.","11, it can be seen that a method 1100 may comprise cementing a target well with a target well cement comprising resistive cement at block 1105; injecting an electromagnetic signal into a conductive casing material at least partially surrounded by the target well cement at block 1120; and receiving the electromagnetic signal at a signal receiver disposed within the target well, or within a drilling well separated from the target well at block 1125.The injected signal may be processed as a ranging signal.","Thus, the method 1100 may comprise processing the electromagnetic signal as a ranging signal at block 1130 to determine a distance or direction to the target well, from the drilling well.","The injected signal may be processed as a telemetry signal.","The, the method 1100 may also comprise processing the electromagnetic signal as a telemetry signal to determine information contained in the telemetry signal at block 1130.The drilling well may be cased so as to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.","Thus, the method 1100 may comprise casing a portion of the drilling well with one or more lengths of insulated drilling well casing material at block 1110.The drilling well may be cemented to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.","Thus, the method 1100 may comprise cementing the drilling well with a drilling well cement comprising resistive cement at block 1115.FIG.","12 is a flow diagram of additional methods 1200, according to various embodiments.","In some embodiments, a reduced conduction well can be fabricated using insulated casing, which comprises conductive casing surrounded, or at least partially surrounded (in at least the vertical or horizontal direction), by insulating material, such as rubber or glass.","“Insulating material” is any material, including a polymer, that has a resistivity of at least 10 ohm·m.","Insulating material can be divided into three classes: medium resistivity insulating material, high-resistivity insulating material, and ultra-high resistivity insulating material.","“Medium resistivity insulating material” has a resistivity of greater than 10 ohm·m.","“High resistivity insulating material” has a resistivity of greater than 50 ohm·m.","An “ultra-high resistivity insulating material” is one that has a resistivity of at least 100 ohm·m.]","Thus, a method 1200 may comprise casing a target well with insulating material at block 1205; cementing the target well on an outer surface of the insulating material at block 1210; injecting a current into the target well at block 1225; and receiving a corresponding signal at a signal receiver disposed within a drilling well at block 1230.The target well can be cased using a continuous length of insulation.","Thus, the method 1200 may comprise the activity of casing the well at block 1215, which further comprises: casing the target well with a single continuous length of the insulating material, wherein the insulating material is applied to at least a portion of conductive well casing material, beginning at a location proximate to a surface of the target well.","The target well can be cased using discontinuous lengths of insulation.","Thus, the method 1200 may comprise the activity of casing the well at block 1215, which further comprises casing the target well with a multiple lengths of the insulating material, wherein the multiple lengths are separated by gaps of uninsulated portions of casing material.","The injected signal can be processed in different ways, depending on the type of information that is to be extracted from it.","Thus, the method 1200 may comprise processing the corresponding signal received at the signal receiver at block 1235, either as a ranging signal to determine a distance or direction to the target well, from the drilling well, or as a telemetry signal to determine information contained in the telemetry signal.","The drilling well may be cased so as to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.","Thus, the method 1200 may comprise casing a portion of the drilling well with one or more lengths of insulating material at block 1215.The drilling well may be cemented to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.","Thus, the method 1200 may comprise cementing the drilling well with a drilling well cement comprising resistive cement at block 1220.FIG.","13 is a flow diagram of yet more methods 1300, according to various embodiments.","In some embodiments, a method 1300 comprises transmitting an electromagnetic signal from one borehole to another, where at least one of the boreholes is constructed using insulated casing and/or high resistivity cement.","Thus, one method 1300 includes, at block 1305, transmitting an electromagnetic signal comprising a ranging signal or telemetry signal from a first borehole to a second borehole via a geological formation, wherein the first borehole is cemented with a resistive cement, or is cased with an insulated material; and, at block 1310, receiving the electromagnetic signal at the second borehole with a signal receiver.","The second borehole may also be constructed to reduce the effects of leakage current on measurement signals.","Thus, the activity of receiving at block 1310 may comprise receiving the electromagnetic signal at the second borehole, wherein the second borehole is cemented with a second cement comprising resistive cement, or is cased with a second insulating material.","The injected signal can be processed in different ways, depending on the type of information that is to be extracted from it.","Thus, the method 1300 may comprise processing the electromagnetic signal at block 1315 as either a ranging signal to determine a distance or direction from the second borehole to the first borehole, or as a telemetry signal to determine information contained in the telemetry signal.","In any of the methods described herein, in some embodiments, the drilling well and the target well may be the same well.","That is, the signal injected into the well casing of the well may be received at a receiver disposed in the same well.","This set of embodiments may be useful when the injected signal is a telemetry signal.","Moreover, it is noted that in any of the methods described herein, the injected signal may comprise one or more of a static electric signal, a magnetic signal, a telemetry signal, or an electromagnetic signal.","FIG.","14 is a block diagram of apparatus 1400 and systems 1450, according to various embodiments.","In some embodiments, an apparatus 1400 may comprise a well constructed with an insulated casing.","Thus, the apparatus 1400 may comprise a target well having a casing material 1410 at least partially surrounded by an insulating material 1420 and cement 1430.The insulating material 1420 may comprise rubber or glass, or a polymer.","The casing may include conductive material surrounded to some degree by insulating material 1420.Thus, the casing material 1410 may comprise a conductive metal at least partially surrounded by the insulating material 1420, to reduce current leakage into a geological formation (which may comprise the Earth, and/or water) when the current I is injected into the casing material 1420.The apparatus 1400 may further comprise a signal injection apparatus.","Thus, the apparatus 1400 may comprise a current source Source1.An apparatus 1400 may comprise a well constructed with a high resistivity cement.","Thus, the apparatus 1400 may comprise a target well having a conductive casing material 1410 cemented with a target well cement 1430 comprising resistive cement.","A system 1450 might include an excitation source Source1, Source2, Source3, and an electromagnetic signal receiver R1, R2, R3.Thus, a system 1450 may comprise an excitation source Source1, Source2, Source3, associated with a target well or a drilling well to transmit an electromagnetic ranging signal 1460 into a surrounding formation F; and an electromagnetic signal receiver R1, R2, R3 located in the drilling well, to rotate and to receive the electromagnetic ranging signal 1460, directly or via backscatter.","A system 1450 may comprise a target well and a drilling well, where at least a portion of the target well is insulated from the formation F. Thus, the system 1450 may comprise a target well having a casing material 1410 at least partially surrounded by insulating material 1420 and cement 1430; a drilling well including a signal receiver R1, R2; and a signal injection apparatus Source1, Source2, to inject a signal I into the casing material 1410, wherein the signal is to be received by the signal receiver R1, R2, as at least one of a ranging signal or a telemetry signal.","The signal receiver may comprise a variety of receiver types.","Thus, the signal receiver may comprise a magnetometer, a coil antenna, or a telemetry receiver.","The drilling well casing material 1410 may also be insulated from the formation F. Thus, the drilling well may further comprise a drilling well casing material 1410 that is insulated with an insulating material 1420.In some embodiments, the embodiments described herein may be realized in part, as a set of instructions on a computer readable medium M comprising ROM, RAM, CD, DVD, hard drive, flash memory device, or any other computer readable medium, now known or unknown, that when executed causes a computing system, such as computer as illustrated in FIG.","1 or some other form of a data processing device P, to implement portions of a method of the present disclosure, for example the methods described in FIGS.","11, 12, and 13 (e.g., for computer-assisted well completion).","Though described serially in the examples of FIGS.","11, 12, and 13, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other examples may reorder the operations, omit one or more operations, and/or execute two or more operations in parallel using multiple processors or a single processor organized as two or more virtual machines or sub-processors.","Moreover, still other examples can implement the operations as one or more specific interconnected hardware or integrated circuit modules with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules.","Thus, any process flow is applicable to software, firmware, hardware, and hybrid implementations.","It is expected that the system range and performance can be extended with the various embodiments described herein.","Power can often be saved, and accuracy of ranging measurements improved.","Signal components may be extracted and converted to pixel colors or intensities and displayed as a function of tool position and azimuth.","Assuming the target casing string is within detection range, it may appear as a bright (or, if preferred, a dark) band in the image.","The color or brightness of the band may indicate the distance to the casing string, and the position of the band indicates the direction to the casing string.","Thus, by viewing such an image, a driller can determine in a very intuitive manner whether the new borehole is drifting from the desired course and he or she can quickly initiate corrective action.","For example, if the band becomes dimmer, the driller can steer towards the casing string.","Conversely, if the band increases in brightness, the driller can steer away from the casing string.","If the band deviates from its desired position directly above or below the casing string, the driller can steer laterally to re-establish the desired directional relationship between the boreholes.","Numerous other variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.","For example, the foregoing discussion has focused on a logging while drilling implementation, but the disclosed techniques would also be suitable for wireline tool implementation (as shown in FIG.","13).","It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.","This detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that depict various details of examples selected to show how particular embodiments may be implemented.","The discussion herein addresses various examples of the inventive subject matter at least partially in reference to these drawings and describes the depicted embodiments in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.","Many other embodiments may be utilized for practicing the inventive subject matter than the illustrative examples discussed herein, and many structural and operational changes in addition to the alternatives specifically discussed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.","In this description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment,” or to “one example” or “an example” mean that the feature being referred to is, or may be, included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention.","Separate references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or to “one example” or “an example” in this description are not intended to necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated or as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the knowledge provided by this disclosure.","Thus, the present disclosure includes a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments and examples described herein, as well as further embodiments and examples, as defined within the scope of all claims based on this disclosure, as well as all legal equivalents of such claims.","The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced.","The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein.","Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.","This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.","Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.","This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.","Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"WELL RANGING APPARATUS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS\",\n \"A method includes cementing a target well with a target well cement comprising resistive cement having resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.\",\n \"The method includes injecting an injected signal into a conductive casing material at least partially surrounded by the target well cement.\",\n \"The method also includes receiving a resulting signal that results from the injecting at a signal receiver disposed within at least one of the target well and a drilling well separated from the target well.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method, comprising: cementing a target well with a target well cement comprising resistive cement having resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes; injecting an injected signal into a conductive casing material at least partially surrounded by the target well cement; and receiving a resulting signal that results from the injecting at a signal receiver disposed within at least one of the target well and a drilling well separated from the target well.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, wherein the resistive cement has a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 1, wherein the injected signal comprises at least one of a static electric signal, a magnetic signal, and an electromagnetic signal.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: processing the resulting signal as a ranging signal to determine at least one of a distance and a direction to the target well from the drilling well.\",\n \"5.A method, comprising: casing a target well with a conductive casing; and selectively positioning insulating material around the conductive casing, wherein the selectively positioning of the insulating material is such that gaps are created that are without the insulating material along the target well, wherein the insulating material has resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 5, wherein the conductive casing comprises multiple casing segments, wherein selectively positioning the insulating material comprises, for at least one casing segment of the multiple casing segments, positioning the insulating material around the at least one casing segment such that a gap is created at each end of the at least one casing segment.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 5, wherein selectively positioning the insulating material comprises positioning the insulating material around the conductive casing at a wellhead of the target well.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 5, wherein the insulating material comprises at least one of rubber and glass.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 5, further comprising: selectively positioning a target well cement between the conductive casing and a wall of the target well, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement is such that gaps are created that are without the target well cement between positions along the target well having the target well cement, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement comprises the target well cement being at positions that do not include the insulating material.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 9, wherein the target well cement comprises a resistive cement having a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.\",\n \"11.An apparatus, comprising: a conductive casing to case a target well; and target well cement positioned between the conductive casing and a wall of the target well, wherein the target well cement comprises resistive cement having resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.\",\n \"12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the resistive cement has a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.\",\n \"13.The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: insulating material selectively positioned around the conductive casing such that gaps are created that are without the insulating material along the target well.\",\n \"14.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the conductive casing comprises multiple casing segments, wherein, for at least one casing segment of the multiple casing segments, the insulating material is selectively positioned around the at least one casing segment such that a gap is created at each end of the at least one casing segment.\",\n \"15.An apparatus, comprising: a conductive casing to case a target well; and insulating material selectively positioned around the conductive casing, such that gaps are created that are without the insulating material along the target well, wherein the insulating material has resistivity that is greater than a resistivity of a subsurface formation through which the target well passes.\",\n \"16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the conductive casing comprises multiple casing segments, wherein, for at least one casing segment of the multiple casing segments, the insulating material is selectively positioned around the at least one casing segment such that a gap is created at each end of the at least one casing segment.\",\n \"17.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the insulating material is at least positioned around the conductive casing at a wellhead of the target well.\",\n \"18.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the insulating material comprises at least one of rubber and glass.\",\n \"19.The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a target well cement selectively positioned between the conductive casing and a wall of the target well, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement is such that gaps are created that are without the target well cement between positions along the target well having the target well cement, wherein the selectively positioning of the target well cement comprises the target well cement being at positions that do not include the insulating material.\",\n \"20.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the target well cement comprises the resistive cement having a resistivity of at least 10 ohms per meter.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus that are used as part of ranging techniques, to determine distance and direction between wells in geological formations.\",\n \"With much of the world's easily obtainable oil having already been produced, new techniques are being developed to extract less accessible hydrocarbons.\",\n \"These techniques often involve drilling a borehole in close proximity to one or more existing wells.\",\n \"Examples of directed drilling near an existing well include well intersection for blowout control, multiple wells drilled from an offshore platform, and closely spaced wells for geothermal energy recovery.\",\n \"Another such technique is steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) that uses a pair of vertically-spaced, horizontal wells constructed along a substantially parallel path, often less than ten meters apart.\",\n \"Careful control of the spacing contributes to the effectiveness of the SAGD technique.\",\n \"One way to construct a borehole in close proximity to an existing well is “active ranging” in which an electromagnetic source is located in the existing well and monitored via sensors on the drill string in the well under construction.\",\n \"Another technique involves systems that locate both the source and the sensor(s) on the drill string—these are sometimes called “passive ranging” systems by those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Such ranging techniques are sometimes limited in the degree of accuracy that can be obtained.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an example drilling environment in which ranging embodiments may be employed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a block diagram of a ranging system, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"3A and 3B are graphs illustrating current distribution along a target well, under various conditions, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a graph illustrating normalized current distribution along a target well, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with continuous coverage by insulating material, beginning near the surface of the well, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B are graphs illustrating current distribution along the casing for the apparatus shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 , for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with discontinuous coverage by insulating material, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a graph illustrating current distribution along the casing for FIG.\",\n \"7 , for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a graph of normalized current distribution of a target well without insulating material, and a drilling well with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a graph of normalized current distribution of target and drilling wells with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a flow diagram of methods, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a flow diagram of additional methods, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 is a flow diagram of yet more methods, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a block diagram of apparatus and systems, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"detailed-description description=\\\"Detailed Description\\\" end=\\\"lead\\\"?\"\n ],\n [\n \"BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus that are used as part of ranging techniques, to determine distance and direction between wells in geological formations.\",\n \"With much of the world's easily obtainable oil having already been produced, new techniques are being developed to extract less accessible hydrocarbons.\",\n \"These techniques often involve drilling a borehole in close proximity to one or more existing wells.\",\n \"Examples of directed drilling near an existing well include well intersection for blowout control, multiple wells drilled from an offshore platform, and closely spaced wells for geothermal energy recovery.\",\n \"Another such technique is steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) that uses a pair of vertically-spaced, horizontal wells constructed along a substantially parallel path, often less than ten meters apart.\",\n \"Careful control of the spacing contributes to the effectiveness of the SAGD technique.\",\n \"One way to construct a borehole in close proximity to an existing well is “active ranging” in which an electromagnetic source is located in the existing well and monitored via sensors on the drill string in the well under construction.\",\n \"Another technique involves systems that locate both the source and the sensor(s) on the drill string—these are sometimes called “passive ranging” systems by those of ordinary skill in the art.\",\n \"Such ranging techniques are sometimes limited in the degree of accuracy that can be obtained.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an example drilling environment in which ranging embodiments may be employed.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a block diagram of a ranging system, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"3A and 3B are graphs illustrating current distribution along a target well, under various conditions, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a graph illustrating normalized current distribution along a target well, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with continuous coverage by insulating material, beginning near the surface of the well, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B are graphs illustrating current distribution along the casing for the apparatus shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus comprising target well casing with discontinuous coverage by insulating material, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a graph illustrating current distribution along the casing for FIG.\",\n \"7, for various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a graph of normalized current distribution of a target well without insulating material, and a drilling well with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a graph of normalized current distribution of target and drilling wells with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a flow diagram of methods, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12 is a flow diagram of additional methods, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 is a flow diagram of yet more methods, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a block diagram of apparatus and systems, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Magnetic ranging has been widely used for various applications, including well intersection, well avoidance, SAGD, and others.\",\n \"One excitation method for magnetic ranging is surface excitation.\",\n \"Surface excitation is a popular method of generating a ranging signal.\",\n \"It is relatively easy to implement, without the need for complex cable and equipment.\",\n \"When surface excitation is used, a current is injected into the target well casing at the surface of the well (e.g., at the well head).\",\n \"The current travels along the casing down hole and generates a magnetic field down hole that can be measured at a distance (e.g., in a drilling well) for ranging purposes.\",\n \"As a result, the excitation signal down hole may be very small when the distance beneath the surface is great, due to the current leakage into the conductive formation.\",\n \"Consequently, sensor noise often affects magnetic ranging accuracy at greater depths, leading to false signal measurements and failures in well location.\",\n \"The various embodiments described herein aim to improve down hole current strength and enhance the signal/noise ratio, for improved accuracy with respect to ranging measurement technology.\",\n \"Thus, novel methods are proposed to reduce or block the leakage current into a relatively conductive formation.\",\n \"By taking this approach, the magnitude of down hole ranging current at the point of measurement can be increased, sometimes by as much as ten times or more.\",\n \"In most situations, the improvement results in doubling the signal magnitude.\",\n \"Therefore, the apparatus, methods, and systems proposed herein can be used to reduce measurement issues that arise due to noise, as well as to generate larger signals at great depths.\",\n \"This means that the maximum detection ranges for existing ranging systems can also be significantly improved.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein can be applied to electromagnetic (EM) telemetry applications.\",\n \"The disclosed apparatus (e.g., logging tools), systems, and methods are best understood in the context of the larger systems in which they operate.\",\n \"Accordingly, FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts an example drilling environment 100 in which ranging embodiments may be employed.\",\n \"That is, this figure illustrates an example drilling environment 100 in which a drilling platform 102 supports a derrick 104 having a traveling block 106 for raising and lowering a drill string 108.A top drive 110 supports and rotates the drill string 108 as it is lowered through the well-head 112.A drill bit 114 is driven by a downhole motor and/or rotation of the drill string 108.As the drill bit 114 rotates, it creates a borehole 116 that passes through various formations.\",\n \"A pump 118 circulates drilling fluid through a feed pipe 120 to top drive 110, downhole through the interior of drill string 108, through orifices in drill bit 114, back to the surface via the annulus around drill string 108, and into a retention pit 122.The drilling fluid transports cuttings from the borehole into the retention pit 122 and aids in maintaining the borehole integrity.\",\n \"The drill bit 114 is just one piece of a bottom-hole assembly that includes one or more drill collars (thick-walled steel pipe) to provide weight and rigidity to aid the drilling process.\",\n \"Some of these drill collars include logging instruments to gather measurements of various drilling parameters such as position, orientation, weight-on-bit, borehole diameter, etc.\",\n \"The tool orientation may be specified in terms of a tool face angle (a.k.a.\",\n \"rotational or azimuthal orientation), an inclination angle (the slope), and a compass direction, each of which can be derived from measurements by magnetometers, inclinometers, and/or accelerometers, though other sensor types such as gyroscopes may also be used.\",\n \"In one specific embodiment, the tool includes a three-axis fluxgate magnetometer and a three-axis accelerometer.\",\n \"As is known in the art, the combination of those two sensor systems enables the measurement of the tool face angle, inclination angle, and compass direction.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the tool face and hole inclination angles are calculated from the accelerometer sensor output.\",\n \"The magnetometer sensor outputs are used to calculate the compass direction.\",\n \"The bottom-hole assembly further includes a ranging tool 124 to receive signals from current injected by a surface power supply 148 into nearby conductors such as pipes, casing strings, and conductive formations and to collect measurements of the resulting field to determine distance and direction.\",\n \"Using measurements of these signals, in combination with the tool orientation measurements, the driller can, for example, steer the drill bit 114 along a desired path in the drilling well 126 relative to the existing well (e.g., target well) 128 in formation F using any one of various suitable directional drilling systems, including steering vanes, a “bent sub”, and a rotary steerable system.\",\n \"For precision steering, the steering vanes may be the most useful steering mechanism.\",\n \"The steering mechanism can be controlled from the Earth's surface, or downhole, with a downhole controller programmed to follow the existing borehole 128 at a predetermined distance 130 and position (e.g., directly above or below the existing borehole).\",\n \"A telemetry sub 132 coupled to the downhole tools (including ranging tool 124) transmits telemetry data to the surface via mud pulse telemetry.\",\n \"A transmitter in the telemetry sub 132 modulates a resistance to drilling fluid flow to generate pressure pulses that propagate along the fluid stream at the speed of sound to the surface.\",\n \"One or more pressure transducers 134 convert the pressure signal into electrical signal(s) for a signal digitizer 136.Note that other forms of telemetry exist and may be used to communicate signals from downhole to the digitizer.\",\n \"Such telemetry may employ acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic telemetry, or telemetry via wired drill pipe.\",\n \"The digitizer 136 supplies a digital form of the telemetry signals via a communications link 138 to a computer 140 or some other form of a data processing device.\",\n \"The computer 140 operates in accordance with software (which may be stored on information storage media 142) and user input via an input device 144 to process and decode the received signals.\",\n \"The resulting telemetry data may be further analyzed and processed by the computer 140 to generate a display of useful information on a computer monitor 146 or some other form of a display device.\",\n \"For example, a driller could employ this system to obtain and monitor drilling parameters, formation properties, and the path of the borehole relative to the existing borehole 128 and any detected formation boundaries.\",\n \"A downlink channel can then be used to transmit steering commands from the surface to the bottom-hole assembly.\",\n \"This figure illustrates a magnetic ranging system with surface excitation.\",\n \"The power supply 148 at the surface thus employs a cable 150 to inject current into target well casing 152 and flowing to down hole so that magnetic fields can be generated surrounding a target well 128.Then sensors in the ranging tool 124 in the drilling well 126 can determine the magnetic fields so that distance and direction between the target well 128 and drilling well 126 can be determined.\",\n \"The target well is often a cased hole with cement installed around the outside of the casing.\",\n \"In the completion phase of oil and gas wells, the cement serves to isolate the wellbore, prevents casing failure, and keeps the wellbore fluids from contaminating freshwater aquifers.\",\n \"Cement is usually a fine grey powder made of a mixture of calcites limestone and clay, mixed with water and sand to make mortar, or with water, sand, and aggregate, to make concrete.\",\n \"Due to the water component, cement is not a perfect electrical insulator.\",\n \"In fact it is relatively conductive with a resistivity of about 2 ohm·m in many applications.\",\n \"Hence, much of the current injected into the surface of the well for ranging signal generation leaks into the formation through the conductive cement, as the injected current travels along the casing.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 is a block diagram of a ranging system 200, for various embodiments.\",\n \"Here the target well structure and magnetic ranging system with surface excitation are shown.\",\n \"Leakage current is reduced in some embodiments using resistive cement.\",\n \"The 1500 m target well structure shown in the figure was modeled and simulated using commercial software available from Computer Simulation Technology AG (CST), with its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.\",\n \"The corresponding two-dimensional (2D) current density distribution is shown in FIGS.\",\n \"3A and 3B, which are graphs 300, 310 illustrating current distribution along a target well, under various conditions, for various embodiments.\",\n \"The figures each present a 2D graph of leaking current vertically from the well head (formation surface) at the top of the graph, to great depths at the bottom of the graph, horizontally across the formation between wells.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3A illustrates the current distribution image 320 for a case with cement resistivity Rc=2 ohm·m (i.e., conductive cement).\",\n \"It can be seen that current attenuates quickly along the length casing 324.That is, much of the current leaks out in the portion of the casing 324 that is near the surface of the formation.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3B illustrates the current distribution image 330 for ultra-high resistivity cement, that is, a cement having a resistivity Rc=100000 ohm·m in this case.\",\n \"It can be seen that a much larger portion of the current travels down hole.\",\n \"That is, leakage in the section of casing 324 near the surface of the formation is greatly reduced.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 is a graph 400 illustrating normalized current distribution along a target well, for various embodiments.\",\n \"Here the current distribution along the casing is normalized by the current amplitude at the well head.\",\n \"The different curves represent wells employed with different cement resistivity levels.\",\n \"It can be seen that current drops more slowly along the length of the casing when cement resistivity levels are higher.\",\n \"This is because high resistivity cement acts as an insulator and blocks the path of the leakage current.\",\n \"Thus, in comparison with the 2% casing current remaining at a depth of 1000 m down hole with conductive cement (e.g., cement having a resistivity of 2 ohm·m) 410, 8.5% and 33% of the casing current is left down hole when cement with a resistivity of 1000 ohm·m 420 or 100000 ohm·m 430, is used, respectively.\",\n \"That is, the down hole signal level increases by four times and fifteen times, respectively, with the use of 1000 ohm·m and 100000 ohm·m resistivity cement.\",\n \"Hence, a stronger magnetic field can be generated down hole around the target well casing when such resistive cements are used with the casing of the target well.\",\n \"This provide a greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver sensors in the drilling well.\",\n \"It can be difficult to manufacture high resistivity cement, such as cement with a resistivity on the order of 1000 ohm·m or 100000 ohm·m, because cement tends to cure slowly underground, while absorbing water and dissolved salts.\",\n \"Some embodiments include cement that is made more resistive by adding fly ash.\",\n \"Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand other ways to manufacture resistive cement.\",\n \"Thus, another embodiment proposed herein operates to reduce leakage current by surrounding, to at least some degree, the well casing with an insulating material (e.g., a rubber ring or sleeve) for the first 50 or 100 meters from the well surface, or wellhead.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 500 comprising target well casing with continuous coverage by insulating material, beginning near the surface of the well, for various embodiments.\",\n \"As shown in the figure, a length of glass or rubber insulator can be inserted outside of the casing, beginning at a point near the wellhead and extending down hole to some depth, such as 50 m or 100 m. The region near the wellhead is usually where current leakage is greatest.\",\n \"However, when insulating material is used near the surface, current leakage near the wellhead can be greatly reduced, enhancing the amplitude of the current farther down hole.\",\n \"This embodiment may be designated as a well with a “top insulator”.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B are graphs 600, 670 illustrating current distribution along the casing for the apparatus shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, for various embodiments.\",\n \"Here, the performance of the structure shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 was modeled and simulated with 2D finite element modeling (FEM) computer code.\",\n \"The normalized current distribution along the casing is plotted in FIGS.\",\n \"6A and 6B, which show results when 50 m and 100 m of insulating material are used to form an insulation section at the top of the wellhead, respectively.\",\n \"The curves in each figure show the result when a rubber tube is used as insulating material (620, 640, 650), and when no insulating material is used (610 and 630), respectively.\",\n \"It is clear that using the insulating material helps to block current leakage in the region near the wellhead.\",\n \"However, current continues to drop once the insulating material ends.\",\n \"Thus, at 1000 m down hole, 2.58% and 3.04% of the original current remains when the rubber is used as insulating material (620, 640, 650), compared with 2.25% of the original current remaining when no insulating material is used (610, 630).\",\n \"That is, a 35% current increase is achieved with the use of insulating material in this case.\",\n \"Because it may be expensive to put a 50 m or 100 m length of insulating material practice, or perhaps difficult to install such a long tube with segmented casing (e.g., casing may comprise segments of pipe, measuring 5 m or 10 m long per segment), another embodiment to reduce leakage current is proposed.\",\n \"In this case, relatively short sections of insulating material (e.g., one, four, or nine meter rubber or glass tubes forming a non-continuous insulating material) are installed outside of the casing before the casing is placed downhole, and cement is put in place.\",\n \"Thus, FIG.\",\n \"7 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 700 comprising target well casing with discontinuous coverage by insulating material, for various embodiments.\",\n \"As shown in the figure, for each casing segment (e.g., 6 meters long), five one meter long rubber rings or tubes are installed as a wrapper outside of the casing.\",\n \"Gaps of about one-half meter are kept at each end of the casing wrapper to enhance connectivity between conductive casing segments.\",\n \"Over a length of 500 m, eighty-three sets of casing segments are installed with rubber rings wrapping each segment, beginning near the surface, at the wellhead.\",\n \"Although there are still some current leaking from each of the joints between casing segments, the leakage current is greatly reduced by the presence of the insulating material, in the form of rubber rings, or tubes.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 is a graph 800 illustrating current distribution along the casing for FIG.\",\n \"7, for various embodiments.\",\n \"The target well structure with rubber tube sections was modeled and simulated using 2D FEM computer code.\",\n \"The normalized current distribution along the casing was plotted in the figure, with the curves illustrating current leakage results with insulating material 810 (e.g., rubber tubes or rings) and without insulating material 820.It can be seen that the current drop-off is reduced for the first 500 meters, when insulating material is used.\",\n \"That is, the injected current is conserved because the insulating material helps block current leakage in each wrapped section of casing.\",\n \"The leakage current continues to make its appearance after the end of the insulated casing material.\",\n \"For example, at 1000 m down hole, there is 4.27% of the injected current remaining when insulating material is used, compared to only 2.23% of the injected current remaining when no insulating material is used.\",\n \"That is, a 91% increase in current is realized.\",\n \"Thus, because this embodiment easier to implement in the field (than continuous insulation), a greater magnitude of down hole current can be retained.\",\n \"Surface excitation current that leaks from the target well may also propagate into conductive structures of the drilling well, where the ranging sensors are located.\",\n \"It has been found that such leakage current exists and also affects the accuracy of ranging distance determination, especially at greater depths where the casing current in the target well drops significantly.\",\n \"As a consequence, the proposed apparatus, methods, and systems used to isolate lengths of the target well (e.g., using resistive cement, and/or insulating material) can be also implemented as part of the drilling well to reduce the effect of leakage current on sensor measurements due to conduction by the drilling well structure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 is a graph 900 of normalized current distribution of a target well without insulating material, and a drilling well with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"The figure presents both cased-hole conditions for a target well and a drilling well configuration 950, as they might appear in a common drilling scenario.\",\n \"The shielding insulation, when applied, extends for a distance of 500 m, and the wells are separated by 5 m. As shown in the normalized current distribution of the graph 900 in the figure, the leakage current in the drilling well is close to the casing current in the target well at greater depths (e.g., after the depth exceeds 1000 m).\",\n \"The closer the magnitude of the target well current and the magnitude of the leakage current in the drilling well become, the more the leakage current interferes with sensor measurements in the drilling well.\",\n \"Therefore, this effect can have a significant influence on ranging accuracy and performance at greater depths, and ranging calculations may lead to misinterpreting the relative well positions at these depths.\",\n \"To render sensor measurements that are less sensitive to leakage current effects, the apparatus, methods, and systems proposed herein can be also utilized in the drilling well.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9, the leakage current in the drilling well with shielded insulation is much less than the case without insulation.\",\n \"Consequently, it can be seen that the application of insulating material in a target well helps preserve current traveling along the casing, whereas the application of such insulation in a drilling well helps reduce the effect on the measurement current signal in the drilling well due to leakage current from the target well.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 is a graph 1000 of normalized current distribution of target and drilling wells with, and without insulating material, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"The figure shows the modeled responses of three cases involving a target well and a drilling well configuration 1050, as they might appear in a common drilling scenario.\",\n \"The first case appears without any insulation applied in both target and drilling wells 1010.The second case appears with only the drilling well having insulating material 1020, and the last case appears with insulating material applied to both the target and drilling wells 1030.Again, the shielding insulation, when applied, extends for a distance of 500 m, and the wells are separated by 5 m. The results reveal that shielding both wells with insulating material improves the signal down hole in the target well, with reduced measurement interference in the drilling well.\",\n \"As noted previously, when surface excitation is used as part of a well range determination system, current leakage can result in wasting much of the power delivered into the well casing.\",\n \"The novel apparatus, methods, and systems disclosed herein save power and provide greater signal amplitudes at every depth down hole, when compared to conventional ranging operations, improving ranging measurement technology.\",\n \"This is accomplished without the use of extra cabling, transmitters, receivers, or increasing the power used at the surface.\",\n \"In addition, the proposed methods also reduce interference with sensor measurements due to leakage current flowing to a drilling well where the sensors are located.\",\n \"Improved down hole current strength results in a greater ranging detection range, especially at greater depths.\",\n \"EM telemetry applications may benefit in a similar fashion.\",\n \"That is, the apparatus, methods, and systems disclosed herein can reduce the transmission signal loss and enhance the SNR at the telemetry receiver.\",\n \"A non-limiting summary of various embodiments will now be given.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 is a flow diagram of methods 1100, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a reduced conduction well (that operates to block leakage current) can be fabricated using “resistive cement”, which is cement having a resistivity of at least 10 ohm·m.\",\n \"Resistive cement can be divided into three classes: medium resistivity cement, high-resistivity cement, and ultra-high resistivity cement.\",\n \"“Medium resistivity cement” has a resistivity of greater than 10 ohm·m.\",\n \"“High resistivity cement” has a resistivity of greater than 50 ohm·m.\",\n \"An “ultra-high resistivity cement” is one that has a resistivity of at least 100 ohm·m.\",\n \"Thus, referring to FIG.\",\n \"11, it can be seen that a method 1100 may comprise cementing a target well with a target well cement comprising resistive cement at block 1105; injecting an electromagnetic signal into a conductive casing material at least partially surrounded by the target well cement at block 1120; and receiving the electromagnetic signal at a signal receiver disposed within the target well, or within a drilling well separated from the target well at block 1125.The injected signal may be processed as a ranging signal.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1100 may comprise processing the electromagnetic signal as a ranging signal at block 1130 to determine a distance or direction to the target well, from the drilling well.\",\n \"The injected signal may be processed as a telemetry signal.\",\n \"The, the method 1100 may also comprise processing the electromagnetic signal as a telemetry signal to determine information contained in the telemetry signal at block 1130.The drilling well may be cased so as to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1100 may comprise casing a portion of the drilling well with one or more lengths of insulated drilling well casing material at block 1110.The drilling well may be cemented to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1100 may comprise cementing the drilling well with a drilling well cement comprising resistive cement at block 1115.FIG.\",\n \"12 is a flow diagram of additional methods 1200, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a reduced conduction well can be fabricated using insulated casing, which comprises conductive casing surrounded, or at least partially surrounded (in at least the vertical or horizontal direction), by insulating material, such as rubber or glass.\",\n \"“Insulating material” is any material, including a polymer, that has a resistivity of at least 10 ohm·m.\",\n \"Insulating material can be divided into three classes: medium resistivity insulating material, high-resistivity insulating material, and ultra-high resistivity insulating material.\",\n \"“Medium resistivity insulating material” has a resistivity of greater than 10 ohm·m.\",\n \"“High resistivity insulating material” has a resistivity of greater than 50 ohm·m.\",\n \"An “ultra-high resistivity insulating material” is one that has a resistivity of at least 100 ohm·m.]\",\n \"Thus, a method 1200 may comprise casing a target well with insulating material at block 1205; cementing the target well on an outer surface of the insulating material at block 1210; injecting a current into the target well at block 1225; and receiving a corresponding signal at a signal receiver disposed within a drilling well at block 1230.The target well can be cased using a continuous length of insulation.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1200 may comprise the activity of casing the well at block 1215, which further comprises: casing the target well with a single continuous length of the insulating material, wherein the insulating material is applied to at least a portion of conductive well casing material, beginning at a location proximate to a surface of the target well.\",\n \"The target well can be cased using discontinuous lengths of insulation.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1200 may comprise the activity of casing the well at block 1215, which further comprises casing the target well with a multiple lengths of the insulating material, wherein the multiple lengths are separated by gaps of uninsulated portions of casing material.\",\n \"The injected signal can be processed in different ways, depending on the type of information that is to be extracted from it.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1200 may comprise processing the corresponding signal received at the signal receiver at block 1235, either as a ranging signal to determine a distance or direction to the target well, from the drilling well, or as a telemetry signal to determine information contained in the telemetry signal.\",\n \"The drilling well may be cased so as to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1200 may comprise casing a portion of the drilling well with one or more lengths of insulating material at block 1215.The drilling well may be cemented to reduce the influence of leakage currents on signal reception.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1200 may comprise cementing the drilling well with a drilling well cement comprising resistive cement at block 1220.FIG.\",\n \"13 is a flow diagram of yet more methods 1300, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a method 1300 comprises transmitting an electromagnetic signal from one borehole to another, where at least one of the boreholes is constructed using insulated casing and/or high resistivity cement.\",\n \"Thus, one method 1300 includes, at block 1305, transmitting an electromagnetic signal comprising a ranging signal or telemetry signal from a first borehole to a second borehole via a geological formation, wherein the first borehole is cemented with a resistive cement, or is cased with an insulated material; and, at block 1310, receiving the electromagnetic signal at the second borehole with a signal receiver.\",\n \"The second borehole may also be constructed to reduce the effects of leakage current on measurement signals.\",\n \"Thus, the activity of receiving at block 1310 may comprise receiving the electromagnetic signal at the second borehole, wherein the second borehole is cemented with a second cement comprising resistive cement, or is cased with a second insulating material.\",\n \"The injected signal can be processed in different ways, depending on the type of information that is to be extracted from it.\",\n \"Thus, the method 1300 may comprise processing the electromagnetic signal at block 1315 as either a ranging signal to determine a distance or direction from the second borehole to the first borehole, or as a telemetry signal to determine information contained in the telemetry signal.\",\n \"In any of the methods described herein, in some embodiments, the drilling well and the target well may be the same well.\",\n \"That is, the signal injected into the well casing of the well may be received at a receiver disposed in the same well.\",\n \"This set of embodiments may be useful when the injected signal is a telemetry signal.\",\n \"Moreover, it is noted that in any of the methods described herein, the injected signal may comprise one or more of a static electric signal, a magnetic signal, a telemetry signal, or an electromagnetic signal.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 is a block diagram of apparatus 1400 and systems 1450, according to various embodiments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, an apparatus 1400 may comprise a well constructed with an insulated casing.\",\n \"Thus, the apparatus 1400 may comprise a target well having a casing material 1410 at least partially surrounded by an insulating material 1420 and cement 1430.The insulating material 1420 may comprise rubber or glass, or a polymer.\",\n \"The casing may include conductive material surrounded to some degree by insulating material 1420.Thus, the casing material 1410 may comprise a conductive metal at least partially surrounded by the insulating material 1420, to reduce current leakage into a geological formation (which may comprise the Earth, and/or water) when the current I is injected into the casing material 1420.The apparatus 1400 may further comprise a signal injection apparatus.\",\n \"Thus, the apparatus 1400 may comprise a current source Source1.An apparatus 1400 may comprise a well constructed with a high resistivity cement.\",\n \"Thus, the apparatus 1400 may comprise a target well having a conductive casing material 1410 cemented with a target well cement 1430 comprising resistive cement.\",\n \"A system 1450 might include an excitation source Source1, Source2, Source3, and an electromagnetic signal receiver R1, R2, R3.Thus, a system 1450 may comprise an excitation source Source1, Source2, Source3, associated with a target well or a drilling well to transmit an electromagnetic ranging signal 1460 into a surrounding formation F; and an electromagnetic signal receiver R1, R2, R3 located in the drilling well, to rotate and to receive the electromagnetic ranging signal 1460, directly or via backscatter.\",\n \"A system 1450 may comprise a target well and a drilling well, where at least a portion of the target well is insulated from the formation F. Thus, the system 1450 may comprise a target well having a casing material 1410 at least partially surrounded by insulating material 1420 and cement 1430; a drilling well including a signal receiver R1, R2; and a signal injection apparatus Source1, Source2, to inject a signal I into the casing material 1410, wherein the signal is to be received by the signal receiver R1, R2, as at least one of a ranging signal or a telemetry signal.\",\n \"The signal receiver may comprise a variety of receiver types.\",\n \"Thus, the signal receiver may comprise a magnetometer, a coil antenna, or a telemetry receiver.\",\n \"The drilling well casing material 1410 may also be insulated from the formation F. Thus, the drilling well may further comprise a drilling well casing material 1410 that is insulated with an insulating material 1420.In some embodiments, the embodiments described herein may be realized in part, as a set of instructions on a computer readable medium M comprising ROM, RAM, CD, DVD, hard drive, flash memory device, or any other computer readable medium, now known or unknown, that when executed causes a computing system, such as computer as illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1 or some other form of a data processing device P, to implement portions of a method of the present disclosure, for example the methods described in FIGS.\",\n \"11, 12, and 13 (e.g., for computer-assisted well completion).\",\n \"Though described serially in the examples of FIGS.\",\n \"11, 12, and 13, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other examples may reorder the operations, omit one or more operations, and/or execute two or more operations in parallel using multiple processors or a single processor organized as two or more virtual machines or sub-processors.\",\n \"Moreover, still other examples can implement the operations as one or more specific interconnected hardware or integrated circuit modules with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules.\",\n \"Thus, any process flow is applicable to software, firmware, hardware, and hybrid implementations.\",\n \"It is expected that the system range and performance can be extended with the various embodiments described herein.\",\n \"Power can often be saved, and accuracy of ranging measurements improved.\",\n \"Signal components may be extracted and converted to pixel colors or intensities and displayed as a function of tool position and azimuth.\",\n \"Assuming the target casing string is within detection range, it may appear as a bright (or, if preferred, a dark) band in the image.\",\n \"The color or brightness of the band may indicate the distance to the casing string, and the position of the band indicates the direction to the casing string.\",\n \"Thus, by viewing such an image, a driller can determine in a very intuitive manner whether the new borehole is drifting from the desired course and he or she can quickly initiate corrective action.\",\n \"For example, if the band becomes dimmer, the driller can steer towards the casing string.\",\n \"Conversely, if the band increases in brightness, the driller can steer away from the casing string.\",\n \"If the band deviates from its desired position directly above or below the casing string, the driller can steer laterally to re-establish the desired directional relationship between the boreholes.\",\n \"Numerous other variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.\",\n \"For example, the foregoing discussion has focused on a logging while drilling implementation, but the disclosed techniques would also be suitable for wireline tool implementation (as shown in FIG.\",\n \"13).\",\n \"It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.\",\n \"This detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that depict various details of examples selected to show how particular embodiments may be implemented.\",\n \"The discussion herein addresses various examples of the inventive subject matter at least partially in reference to these drawings and describes the depicted embodiments in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.\",\n \"Many other embodiments may be utilized for practicing the inventive subject matter than the illustrative examples discussed herein, and many structural and operational changes in addition to the alternatives specifically discussed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.\",\n \"In this description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment,” or to “one example” or “an example” mean that the feature being referred to is, or may be, included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention.\",\n \"Separate references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or to “one example” or “an example” in this description are not intended to necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated or as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the knowledge provided by this disclosure.\",\n \"Thus, the present disclosure includes a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments and examples described herein, as well as further embodiments and examples, as defined within the scope of all claims based on this disclosure, as well as all legal equivalents of such claims.\",\n \"The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced.\",\n \"The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein.\",\n \"Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.\",\n \"This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.\",\n \"Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.\",\n \"This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.\",\n \"Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872487"}}},{"rowIdx":4494089,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING POLYNUCLEOTIDES","The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing.","Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing."],["1.A method for identifying an analyte from a single cell, comprising: (a) causing an analyte of said single cell to contact one or more antibodies, thereby providing an antibody from said one or more antibodies coupled to said analyte, wherein said antibody is associated with a first nucleic acid molecule comprising a first barcode sequence; (b) using said first nucleic acid molecule and a second nucleic acid molecule to generate a third nucleic acid molecule, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a second barcode sequence, and wherein said third nucleic acid molecule comprises (i) said first barcode sequence or a complement thereof, and (ii) said second barcode sequence or a complement thereof; (c) processing said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof to identify said first barcode sequence and said second barcode sequence; and (d) using said first barcode sequence and said second barcode sequence identified in (c) to identify said analyte of said single cell.","2.The method of claim 1, wherein said analyte is a protein.","3.The method of claim 2, wherein said protein is coupled to a surface of said single cell.","4.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) is performed in a partition among a plurality of partitions.","5.The method of claim 4, further comprising co-partitioning said single cell or said analyte from said single cell with a single bead from a plurality of beads into said partition, wherein said single bead comprises said second nucleic acid molecule comprising said second barcode sequence.","6.The method of claim 5, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule is releasably attached to said single bead.","7.The method of claim 6, further comprising releasing said second nucleic acid molecule from said single bead.","8.The method of claim 5, wherein said plurality of beads is a plurality of gel beads and said single bead is a single gel bead.","9.The method of claim 8, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule is reversibly coupled to said gel bead through a chemical cross-link.","10.The method of claim 8, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule is reversibly coupled to said gel bead through a disulfide bond.","11.The method of claim 10, wherein said partition further comprises an agent capable of releasing said second nucleic acid molecule from said bead gel bead.","12.The method of claim 11, wherein said agent comprises a chemical reducing agent.","13.The method of claim 5, wherein said second barcode sequence is different than other barcode sequences of other nucleic acid molecules comprised in other beads of said plurality of beads.","14.The method of claim 5, wherein said single bead is co-partitioned with said single cell in said partition.","15.The method of claim 14, further comprising lysing said single cell in said partition.","16.The method of claim 4, wherein said partition is a droplet among a plurality of droplets 17.The method of claim 4, wherein said partition is a well among a plurality of wells.","18.The method of claim 4, further comprising, subsequent to (b), releasing said third nucleic acid molecule or derivative thereof from said partition, and performing (c) subsequent to release of said third nucleic acid molecule or derivative thereof from said partition.","19.The method of claim 1, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a unique molecular identification (UMI) sequence.","20.The method of claim 1, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence complementary to a sequence in said first nucleic acid molecule.","21.The method of claim 1, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a first sequencing primer sequence.","22.The method of claim 21, wherein said first nucleic acid molecule comprises a second sequencing primer sequence.","23.The method of claim 1, further comprising subjecting said third nucleic acid molecule to one or more reactions.","24.The method of claim 23, wherein said one or more reactions comprise polymerase chain reaction.","25.The method of claim 23, wherein said one or more reactions comprise addition of one or more functional sequences to said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof, wherein said one or more functional sequences are configured to permit attachment to a flow cell of a sequencer.","26.The method of claim 1, further comprising sequencing said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof to identify said first barcode sequence and said second barcode sequence, wherein said first barcode sequence identifies an analyte to which said antibody is specific and said second barcode sequence identifies nucleic acids originating from said single cell.","27.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises performing one or more nucleic acid extension reactions on said first nucleic acid molecule and/or said second nucleic acid molecule to yield said third nucleic acid molecule.","28.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction on said third nucleic acid molecule.","29.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises performing a template switching reaction.","30.The method of claim 1, wherein said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof comprises a functional sequence that is configured to permit attachment to a flow cell of a sequencer."],[" BACKGROUND Significant advances in analyzing and characterizing biological and biochemical materials and systems have led to unprecedented advances in understanding the mechanisms of life, health, disease and treatment.","Among these advances, technologies that target and characterize the genomic make up of biological systems have yielded some of the most groundbreaking results, including advances in the use and exploitation of genetic amplification technologies, and nucleic acid sequencing technologies.","Nucleic acid sequencing can be used to obtain information in a wide variety of biomedical contexts, including diagnostics, prognostics, biotechnology, and forensic biology.","Sequencing may involve basic methods including Maxam-Gilbert sequencing and chain-termination methods, or de novo sequencing methods including shotgun sequencing and bridge PCR, or next-generation methods including polony sequencing, 454 pyrosequencing, Illumina sequencing, SOLiD sequencing, Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing, HeliScope single molecule sequencing, SMRT® sequencing, and others.","Despite these advances in biological characterization, many challenges still remain unaddressed, or relatively poorly addressed by the solutions currently being offered.","The present disclosure provides novel solutions and approaches to addressing many of the shortcomings of existing technologies."],[" BRIEF SUMMARY Provided herein are methods, compositions and systems for analyzing individual cells or small populations of cells, including the analysis and attribution of nucleic acids from and to these individual cells or cell populations.","An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of analyzing nucleic acids from cells that includes providing nucleic acids derived from an individual cell into a discrete partition; generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences derived from the nucleic acids within the discrete partition, which one or more first nucleic acid sequences have attached thereto oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence; generating a characterization of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences derived from the one or more first nucleic acid sequences, which one or more second nucleic acid sequences comprise the common barcode sequence; and identifying the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences as being derived from the individual cell based, at least in part, upon a presence of the common nucleic acid barcode sequence in the generated characterization.","In some embodiments, the discrete partition is a discrete droplet.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, at least 10,000, at least 100,000 or at least 500,000 of the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided attached to a bead, where each oligonucleotide on a bead comprises the same barcode sequence, and the bead is co-partitioned with the individual cell into the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are releasably attached to the bead.","In some embodiments, the bead comprises a degradable bead.","In some embodiments, prior to or during generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences the method includes releasing the oligonucleotides from the bead via degradation of the bead.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, generating the characterization comprises sequencing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","The method may also include assembling a contiguous nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of a genome of the individual cell from sequences of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","Moreover, the method may also include characterizing the individual cell based upon the nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of the genome of the individual cell.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cell in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids comprise ribonucleic acid (RNA), such as, for example, messenger RNA (mRNA).","In some embodiments, generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes subjecting the nucleic acids to reverse transcription under conditions that yield the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the reverse transcription occurs in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided in the discrete partition and include a poly-T sequence.","In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the poly-T sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the poly-T sequence in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include an anchoring sequence that facilitates hybridization of the poly-T sequence.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a random priming sequence that can be, for example, a random hexamer.","In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the random priming sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the random priming sequence in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, a given one of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences has sequence complementarity to at least a portion of a given one of the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, the discrete partition at most includes the individual cell among a plurality of cells.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a unique molecular sequence segment.","In some embodiments, the method can include identifying an individual nucleic acid sequence of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or of the one or more second nucleic acid sequences as derived from a given nucleic acid of the nucleic acids based, at least in part, upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.","In some embodiments, the method includes determining an amount of the given nucleic acid based upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.","In some embodiments, the method includes, prior to generating the characterization, adding one or more additional sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the method includes adding a first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences with the aid of a switch oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the switch oligonucleotide hybridizes to at least a portion of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences and is extended in a template directed fashion to couple the first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the method includes amplifying the one of more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.","In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence from the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, after the amplifying, the method includes adding one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional sequence to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the adding the one or more second additional sequences includes removing a portion of each of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence and coupling thereto the one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the removing is completed via shearing of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled (e.g., ligated) to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to transcription to generate one or more RNA fragments.","In some embodiments, the transcription occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a T7 promoter sequence.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more RNA sequences and coupling an additional sequence to the one or more RNA sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences coupled to the additional sequence to reverse transcription to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences to reverse transcription to generate one or more DNA sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more DNA sequences and coupling one or more additional sequences to the one or more DNA sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids include complementary (cDNA) generated from reverse transcription of RNA from the individual cell.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a priming sequence and are provided in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the priming sequence includes a random N-mer.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the priming sequence to the cDNA and extending the priming sequence in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, the discrete partition includes switch oligonucleotides comprising a complement sequence of the oligonucleotides.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the switch oligonucleotides to at least a portion of nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids and extending the switch oligonucleotides in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes attaching the oligonucleotides to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the one or more first nucleic acid sequences are nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes coupling (e.g., ligating) the oligonucleotides to the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, a plurality of partitions comprises the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions, on average, comprises less than one cell per partition.","In some embodiments, less than 25% of partitions of the plurality of partitions do not comprise a cell.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises discrete partitions each having at least one partitioned cell.","In some embodiments, fewer than 25%, fewer than 20%, fewer than 15%, fewer than 10%, fewer than 5% or fewer than 1% of the discrete partitions comprise more than one cell.","In some embodiments, at least a subset of the discrete partitions comprises a bead.","In some embodiments, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% of the discrete partitions comprise at least one cell and at least one bead.","In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.","In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include at least 1,000, at least 10,000, or at least 100,000 different partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises at least 1,000, at least 10,000 or at least 100,000 partitions.","In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of characterizing cells in a population of a plurality of different cell types that includes providing nucleic acids from individual cells in the population into discrete partitions; attaching oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence to one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the individual cells within the discrete partitions, where a plurality of different partitions comprise different common nucleic acid barcode sequences; and characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the plurality of discrete partitions, and attributing the one or more fragments to individual cells based, at least in part, upon the presence of a common barcode sequence; and characterizing a plurality of individual cells in the population based upon the characterization of the one or more fragments in the plurality of discrete partitions.","In some embodiments, the method includes fragmenting the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, the discrete partitions are droplets.","In some embodiments, the characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids includes sequencing ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from the individual cells, and the characterizing the cells comprises identifying a cell genus, species, strain or variant.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a microbiome sample.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a human tissue sample.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from circulating cells in a mammal.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a forensic sample.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cells in the discrete partitions.","An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a method of characterizing an individual cell or population of cells that includes incubating a cell with a plurality of different cell surface feature binding group types, where each different cell surface binding group type is capable of binding to a different cell surface feature, and where each different cell surface binding group type comprises a reporter oligonucleotide associated therewith, under conditions that allow binding between one or more cell surface feature binding groups and its respective cell surface feature, if present; partitioning the cell into a partition that comprises a plurality of oligonucleotides comprising a barcode sequence; attaching the barcode sequence to oligonucleotide reporter groups present in the partition; sequencing the oligonucleotide reporter groups and attached barcodes; and characterizing cell surface features present on the cell based upon reporter oligonucleotides that are sequenced.","An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a composition comprising a plurality of partitions, each of the plurality of partitions comprising an individual cell and a population of oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises droplets in an emulsion.","In some embodiments, the population of oligonucleotides within each of the plurality of partitions is coupled to a bead disposed within each of the plurality of partitions.","In some embodiments, the individual cell has associated therewith a plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups associated with their respective cell surface features and each different type of cell surface feature binding group includes an oligonucleotide reporter group comprising a different nucleotide sequence.","In some embodiments, the plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups includes a plurality of different antibodies or antibody fragments having a binding affinity for a plurality of different cell surface features.","Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described.","As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure.","Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","15/717,871, filed Sep. 27, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/752,641, filed Jun.","26, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","62/061,567, filed Oct. 8, 2014, and U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","62/017,558, filed Jun.","26, 2014, each of which application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.","BACKGROUND Significant advances in analyzing and characterizing biological and biochemical materials and systems have led to unprecedented advances in understanding the mechanisms of life, health, disease and treatment.","Among these advances, technologies that target and characterize the genomic make up of biological systems have yielded some of the most groundbreaking results, including advances in the use and exploitation of genetic amplification technologies, and nucleic acid sequencing technologies.","Nucleic acid sequencing can be used to obtain information in a wide variety of biomedical contexts, including diagnostics, prognostics, biotechnology, and forensic biology.","Sequencing may involve basic methods including Maxam-Gilbert sequencing and chain-termination methods, or de novo sequencing methods including shotgun sequencing and bridge PCR, or next-generation methods including polony sequencing, 454 pyrosequencing, Illumina sequencing, SOLiD sequencing, Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing, HeliScope single molecule sequencing, SMRT® sequencing, and others.","Despite these advances in biological characterization, many challenges still remain unaddressed, or relatively poorly addressed by the solutions currently being offered.","The present disclosure provides novel solutions and approaches to addressing many of the shortcomings of existing technologies.","BRIEF SUMMARY Provided herein are methods, compositions and systems for analyzing individual cells or small populations of cells, including the analysis and attribution of nucleic acids from and to these individual cells or cell populations.","An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of analyzing nucleic acids from cells that includes providing nucleic acids derived from an individual cell into a discrete partition; generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences derived from the nucleic acids within the discrete partition, which one or more first nucleic acid sequences have attached thereto oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence; generating a characterization of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences derived from the one or more first nucleic acid sequences, which one or more second nucleic acid sequences comprise the common barcode sequence; and identifying the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences as being derived from the individual cell based, at least in part, upon a presence of the common nucleic acid barcode sequence in the generated characterization.","In some embodiments, the discrete partition is a discrete droplet.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, at least 10,000, at least 100,000 or at least 500,000 of the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided attached to a bead, where each oligonucleotide on a bead comprises the same barcode sequence, and the bead is co-partitioned with the individual cell into the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are releasably attached to the bead.","In some embodiments, the bead comprises a degradable bead.","In some embodiments, prior to or during generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences the method includes releasing the oligonucleotides from the bead via degradation of the bead.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, generating the characterization comprises sequencing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","The method may also include assembling a contiguous nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of a genome of the individual cell from sequences of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","Moreover, the method may also include characterizing the individual cell based upon the nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of the genome of the individual cell.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cell in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids comprise ribonucleic acid (RNA), such as, for example, messenger RNA (mRNA).","In some embodiments, generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes subjecting the nucleic acids to reverse transcription under conditions that yield the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the reverse transcription occurs in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided in the discrete partition and include a poly-T sequence.","In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the poly-T sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the poly-T sequence in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include an anchoring sequence that facilitates hybridization of the poly-T sequence.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a random priming sequence that can be, for example, a random hexamer.","In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the random priming sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the random priming sequence in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, a given one of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences has sequence complementarity to at least a portion of a given one of the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, the discrete partition at most includes the individual cell among a plurality of cells.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a unique molecular sequence segment.","In some embodiments, the method can include identifying an individual nucleic acid sequence of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or of the one or more second nucleic acid sequences as derived from a given nucleic acid of the nucleic acids based, at least in part, upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.","In some embodiments, the method includes determining an amount of the given nucleic acid based upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.","In some embodiments, the method includes, prior to generating the characterization, adding one or more additional sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the method includes adding a first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences with the aid of a switch oligonucleotide.","In some embodiments, the switch oligonucleotide hybridizes to at least a portion of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences and is extended in a template directed fashion to couple the first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the method includes amplifying the one of more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.","In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence from the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, after the amplifying, the method includes adding one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional sequence to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the adding the one or more second additional sequences includes removing a portion of each of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence and coupling thereto the one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the removing is completed via shearing of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled (e.g., ligated) to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to transcription to generate one or more RNA fragments.","In some embodiments, the transcription occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a T7 promoter sequence.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more RNA sequences and coupling an additional sequence to the one or more RNA sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences coupled to the additional sequence to reverse transcription to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences to reverse transcription to generate one or more DNA sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more DNA sequences and coupling one or more additional sequences to the one or more DNA sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids include complementary (cDNA) generated from reverse transcription of RNA from the individual cell.","In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a priming sequence and are provided in the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the priming sequence includes a random N-mer.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the priming sequence to the cDNA and extending the priming sequence in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, the discrete partition includes switch oligonucleotides comprising a complement sequence of the oligonucleotides.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the switch oligonucleotides to at least a portion of nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids and extending the switch oligonucleotides in template directed fashion.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes attaching the oligonucleotides to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.","In some embodiments, the one or more first nucleic acid sequences are nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes coupling (e.g., ligating) the oligonucleotides to the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, a plurality of partitions comprises the discrete partition.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions, on average, comprises less than one cell per partition.","In some embodiments, less than 25% of partitions of the plurality of partitions do not comprise a cell.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises discrete partitions each having at least one partitioned cell.","In some embodiments, fewer than 25%, fewer than 20%, fewer than 15%, fewer than 10%, fewer than 5% or fewer than 1% of the discrete partitions comprise more than one cell.","In some embodiments, at least a subset of the discrete partitions comprises a bead.","In some embodiments, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% of the discrete partitions comprise at least one cell and at least one bead.","In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.","In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include at least 1,000, at least 10,000, or at least 100,000 different partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises at least 1,000, at least 10,000 or at least 100,000 partitions.","In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of characterizing cells in a population of a plurality of different cell types that includes providing nucleic acids from individual cells in the population into discrete partitions; attaching oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence to one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the individual cells within the discrete partitions, where a plurality of different partitions comprise different common nucleic acid barcode sequences; and characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the plurality of discrete partitions, and attributing the one or more fragments to individual cells based, at least in part, upon the presence of a common barcode sequence; and characterizing a plurality of individual cells in the population based upon the characterization of the one or more fragments in the plurality of discrete partitions.","In some embodiments, the method includes fragmenting the nucleic acids.","In some embodiments, the discrete partitions are droplets.","In some embodiments, the characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids includes sequencing ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from the individual cells, and the characterizing the cells comprises identifying a cell genus, species, strain or variant.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a microbiome sample.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a human tissue sample.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from circulating cells in a mammal.","In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a forensic sample.","In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cells in the discrete partitions.","An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a method of characterizing an individual cell or population of cells that includes incubating a cell with a plurality of different cell surface feature binding group types, where each different cell surface binding group type is capable of binding to a different cell surface feature, and where each different cell surface binding group type comprises a reporter oligonucleotide associated therewith, under conditions that allow binding between one or more cell surface feature binding groups and its respective cell surface feature, if present; partitioning the cell into a partition that comprises a plurality of oligonucleotides comprising a barcode sequence; attaching the barcode sequence to oligonucleotide reporter groups present in the partition; sequencing the oligonucleotide reporter groups and attached barcodes; and characterizing cell surface features present on the cell based upon reporter oligonucleotides that are sequenced.","An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a composition comprising a plurality of partitions, each of the plurality of partitions comprising an individual cell and a population of oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence.","In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises droplets in an emulsion.","In some embodiments, the population of oligonucleotides within each of the plurality of partitions is coupled to a bead disposed within each of the plurality of partitions.","In some embodiments, the individual cell has associated therewith a plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups associated with their respective cell surface features and each different type of cell surface feature binding group includes an oligonucleotide reporter group comprising a different nucleotide sequence.","In some embodiments, the plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups includes a plurality of different antibodies or antibody fragments having a binding affinity for a plurality of different cell surface features.","Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described.","As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure.","Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.","INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.","To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.","A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which: FIG.","1 schematically illustrates a microfluidic channel structure for partitioning individual or small groups of cells.","FIG.","2 schematically illustrates a microfluidic channel structure for co-partitioning cells and beads or microcapsules comprising additional reagents.","FIG.","3 schematically illustrates an example process for amplification and barcoding of cell's nucleic acids.","FIG.","4 provides a schematic illustration of use of barcoding of cell's nucleic acids in attributing sequence data to individual cells or groups of cells for use in their characterization.","FIG.","5 provides a schematic illustrating cells associated with labeled cell-binding ligands.","FIG.","6 provides a schematic illustration of an example workflow for performing RNA analysis using the methods described herein.","FIG.","7 provides a schematic illustration of an example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in analysis of ribonucleic (RNA) using the methods described herein.","FIG.","8 provides an image of individual cells co-partitioned along with individual barcode bearing beads FIG.","9A-E provides schematic illustration of example barcoded oligonucleotide structures for use in analysis of RNA and example operations for performing RNA analysis.","FIG.","10 provides schematic illustration of example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in example analysis of RNA and use of a sequence for in vitro transcription.","FIG.","11 provides schematic illustration of an example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in analysis of RNA and example operations for performing RNA analysis.","FIG.","12A-B provides schematic illustration of example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in analysis of RNA.","FIG.","13A-C provides illustrations of example yields from template switch reverse transcription and PCR in partitions.","FIG.","14A-B provides illustrations of example yields from reverse transcription and cDNA amplification in partitions with various cell numbers.","FIG.","15 provides an illustration of example yields from cDNA synthesis and real-time quantitative PCR at various input cell concentrations and also the effect of varying primer concentration on yield at a fixed cell input concentration.","FIG.","16 provides an illustration of example yields from in vitro transcription.","FIG.","17 shows an example computer control system that is programmed or otherwise configured to implement methods provided herein.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.","Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.","It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.","Where values are described as ranges, it will be understood that such disclosure includes the disclosure of all possible sub-ranges within such ranges, as well as specific numerical values that fall within such ranges irrespective of whether a specific numerical value or specific sub-range is expressly stated.","I.","SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS Advanced nucleic acid sequencing technologies have yielded monumental results in sequencing biological materials, including providing substantial sequence information on individual organisms, and relatively pure biological samples.","However, these systems have not proven effective at being able to identify and characterize sub-populations of cells in biological samples that may represent a smaller minority of the overall make up of the sample, but for which individualized sequence information could prove even more valuable.","Most nucleic acid sequencing technologies derive the nucleic acids that they sequence from collections of cells derived from tissue or other samples.","The cells can be processed, en masse, to extract the genetic material that represents an average of the population of cells, which can then be processed into sequencing ready DNA libraries that are configured for a given sequencing technology.","As will be appreciated, although often discussed in terms of DNA or nucleic acids, the nucleic acids derived from the cells may include DNA, or RNA, including, e.g., mRNA, total RNA, or the like, that may be processed to produce cDNA for sequencing, e.g., using any of a variety of RNA-seq methods.","Following from this processing, absent a cell specific marker, attribution of genetic material as being contributed by a subset of cells or all cells in a sample is virtually impossible in such an ensemble approach.","In addition to the inability to attribute characteristics to particular subsets of populations of cells, such ensemble sample preparation methods also are, from the outset, predisposed to primarily identifying and characterizing the majority constituents in the sample of cells, and are not designed to be able to pick out the minority constituents, e.g., genetic material contributed by one cell, a few cells, or a small percentage of total cells in the sample.","Likewise, where analyzing expression levels, e.g., of mRNA, an ensemble approach would be predisposed to presenting potentially grossly inaccurate data from cell populations that are non-homogeneous in terms of expression levels.","In some cases, where expression is high in a small minority of the cells in an analyzed population, and absent in the majority of the cells of the population, an ensemble method would indicate low level expression for the entire population.","This original majority bias is further magnified, and even overwhelming, through processing operations used in building up the sequencing libraries from these samples.","In particular, most next generation sequencing technologies rely upon the geometric amplification of nucleic acid fragments, such as the polymerase chain reaction, in order to produce sufficient DNA for the sequencing library.","However, such geometric amplification is biased toward amplification of majority constituents in a sample, and may not preserve the starting ratios of such minority and majority components.","By way of example, if a sample includes 95% DNA from a particular cell type in a sample, e.g., host tissue cells, and 5% DNA from another cell type, e.g., cancer cells, PCR based amplification can preferentially amplify the majority DNA in place of the minority DNA, both as a function of comparative exponential amplification (the repeated doubling of the higher concentration quickly outpaces that of the smaller fraction) and as a function of sequestration of amplification reagents and resources (as the larger fraction is amplified, it preferentially utilizes primers and other amplification reagents).","While some of these difficulties may be addressed by utilizing different sequencing systems, such as single molecule systems that don't require amplification, the single molecule systems, as well as the ensemble sequencing methods of other next generation sequencing systems, can also have requirements for sufficiently large input DNA requirements.","In particular, single molecule sequencing systems like the Pacific Biosciences SMRT Sequencing system can have sample input DNA requirements of from 500 nanograms (ng) to upwards of 10 micrograms (μg), which is far larger than what can be derived from individual cells or even small subpopulations of cells.","Likewise, other NGS systems can be optimized for starting amounts of sample DNA in the sample of from approximately 50 ng to about 1 μg.","II.","COMPARTMENTALIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLS Disclosed herein, however, are methods and systems for characterizing nucleic acids from small populations of cells, and in some cases, for characterizing nucleic acids from individual cells, especially in the context of larger populations of cells.","The methods and systems provide advantages of being able to provide the attribution advantages of the non-amplified single molecule methods with the high throughput of the other next generation systems, with the additional advantages of being able to process and sequence extremely low amounts of input nucleic acids derivable from individual cells or small collections of cells.","In particular, the methods described herein compartmentalize the analysis of individual cells or small populations of cells, including e.g., nucleic acids from individual cells or small groups of cells, and then allow that analysis to be attributed back to the individual cell or small group of cells from which the nucleic acids were derived.","This can be accomplished regardless of whether the cell population represents a 50/50 mix of cell types, a 90/10 mix of cell types, or virtually any ratio of cell types, as well as a complete heterogeneous mix of different cell types, or any mixture between these.","Differing cell types may include cells or biologic organisms from different tissue types of an individual, from different individuals, from differing genera, species, strains, variants, or any combination of any or all of the foregoing.","For example, differing cell types may include normal and tumor tissue from an individual, multiple different bacterial species, strains and/or variants from environmental, forensic, microbiome or other samples, or any of a variety of other mixtures of cell types.","In one aspect, the methods and systems described herein, provide for the compartmentalization, depositing or partitioning of the nucleic acid contents of individual cells from a sample material containing cells, into discrete compartments or partitions (referred to interchangeably herein as partitions), where each partition maintains separation of its own contents from the contents of other partitions.","Unique identifiers, e.g., barcodes, may be previously, subsequently or concurrently delivered to the partitions that hold the compartmentalized or partitioned cells, in order to allow for the later attribution of the characteristics of the individual cells to the particular compartment.","As used herein, in some aspects, the partitions refer to containers or vessels (such as wells, microwells, tubes, through ports in nanoarray substrates, e.g., BioTrove nanoarrays, or other containers).","In many some aspects, however, the compartments or partitions comprise partitions that are flowable within fluid streams.","These partitions may be comprised of, e.g., microcapsules or micro-vesicles that have an outer barrier surrounding an inner fluid center or core, or they may be a porous matrix that is capable of entraining and/or retaining materials within its matrix.","In some aspects, however, these partitions comprise droplets of aqueous fluid within a non-aqueous continuous phase, e.g., an oil phase.","A variety of different vessels are described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","13/966,150, filed Aug. 13, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","Likewise, emulsion systems for creating stable droplets in non-aqueous or oil continuous phases are described in detail in, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No.","2010/0105112, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","In the case of droplets in an emulsion, allocating individual cells to discrete partitions may generally be accomplished by introducing a flowing stream of cells in an aqueous fluid into a flowing stream of a non-aqueous fluid, such that droplets are generated at the junction of the two streams.","By providing the aqueous cell-containing stream at a certain concentration level of cells, one can control the level of occupancy of the resulting partitions in terms of numbers of cells.","In some cases, where single cell partitions are desired, it may be desirable to control the relative flow rates of the fluids such that, on average, the partitions contain less than one cell per partition, in order to ensure that those partitions that are occupied, are primarily singly occupied.","Likewise, one may wish to control the flow rate to provide that a higher percentage of partitions are occupied, e.g., allowing for only a small percentage of unoccupied partitions.","In some aspects, the flows and channel architectures are controlled as to ensure a desired number of singly occupied partitions, less than a certain level of unoccupied partitions and less than a certain level of multiply occupied partitions.","In many cases, the systems and methods are used to ensure that the substantial majority of occupied partitions (partitions containing one or more microcapsules) include no more than 1 cell per occupied partition.","In some cases, the partitioning process is controlled such that fewer than 25% of the occupied partitions contain more than one cell, and in many cases, fewer than 20% of the occupied partitions have more than one cell, while in some cases, fewer than 10% or even fewer than 5% of the occupied partitions include more than one cell per partition.","Additionally or alternatively, in many cases, it is desirable to avoid the creation of excessive numbers of empty partitions.","While this may be accomplished by providing sufficient numbers of cells into the partitioning zone, the poissonian distribution would expectedly increase the number of partitions that would include multiple cells.","As such, in accordance with aspects described herein, the flow of one or more of the cells, or other fluids directed into the partitioning zone are controlled such that, in many cases, no more than 50% of the generated partitions are unoccupied, i.e., including less than 1 cell, no more than 25% of the generated partitions, no more than 10% of the generated partitions, may be unoccupied.","Further, in some aspects, these flows are controlled so as to present non-poissonian distribution of single occupied partitions while providing lower levels of unoccupied partitions.","Restated, in some aspects, the above noted ranges of unoccupied partitions can be achieved while still providing any of the single occupancy rates described above.","For example, in many cases, the use of the systems and methods described herein creates resulting partitions that have multiple occupancy rates of from less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, and in many cases, less than 5%, while having unoccupied partitions of from less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, and in some cases, less than 5%.","As will be appreciated, the above-described occupancy rates are also applicable to partitions that include both cells and beads carrying the barcode oligonucleotides.","In particular, in some aspects, a substantial percentage of the overall occupied partitions will include both a bead and a cell.","In particular, it may be desirable to provide that at least 50% of the partitions are occupied by at least one cell and at least one bead, or at least 75% of the partitions may be so occupied, or even at least 80% or at least 90% of the partitions may be so occupied.","Further, in those cases where it is desired to provide a single cell and a single bead within a partition, at least 50% of the partitions can be so occupied, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or even at least 90% of the partitions can be so occupied.","Although described in terms of providing substantially singly occupied partitions, above, in certain cases, it is desirable to provide multiply occupied partitions, e.g., containing two, three, four or more cells and/or beads within a single partition.","Accordingly, as noted above, the flow characteristics of the cell and/or bead containing fluids and partitioning fluids may be controlled to provide for such multiply occupied partitions.","In particular, the flow parameters may be controlled to provide a desired occupancy rate at greater than 50% of the partitions, greater than 75%, and in some cases greater than 80%, 90%, 95%, or higher.","Additionally, in many cases, the multiple beads within a single partition may comprise different reagents associated therewith.","In such cases, it may be advantageous to introduce different beads into a common channel or droplet generation junction, from different bead sources, i.e., containing different associated reagents, through different channel inlets into such common channel or droplet generation junction.","In such cases, the flow and frequency of the different beads into the channel or junction may be controlled to provide for the desired ratio of microcapsules from each source, while ensuring the desired pairing or combination of such beads into a partition with the desired number of cells.","The partitions described herein are often characterized by having extremely small volumes, e.g., less than 10 μL, less than 5 μL, less than 1 μL, less than 900 picoliters (pL), less than 800 pL, less than 700 pL, less than 600 pL, less than 500 pL, less than 400 pL, less than 300 pL, less than 200 pL, less than 100 pL, less than 50 pL, less than 20 pL, less than 10 pL, less than 1 pL, less than 500 nanoliters (nL), or even less than 100 nL, 50 nL, or even less.","For example, in the case of droplet based partitions, the droplets may have overall volumes that are less than 1000 pL, less than 900 pL, less than 800 pL, less than 700 pL, less than 600 pL, less than 500 pL, less than 400 pL, less than 300 pL, less than 200 pL, less than 100 pL, less than 50 pL, less than 20 pL, less than 10 pL, or even less than 1 pL.","Where co-partitioned with beads, it will be appreciated that the sample fluid volume, e.g., including co-partitioned cells, within the partitions may be less than 90% of the above described volumes, less than 80%, less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or even less than 10% the above described volumes.","As is described elsewhere herein, partitioning species may generate a population of partitions.","In such cases, any suitable number of partitions can be generated to generate the population of partitions.","For example, in a method described herein, a population of partitions may be generated that comprises at least about 1,000 partitions, at least about 5,000 partitions, at least about 10,000 partitions, at least about 50,000 partitions, at least about 100,000 partitions, at least about 500,000 partitions, at least about 1,000,000 partitions, at least about 5,000,000 partitions at least about 10,000,000 partitions, at least about 50,000,000 partitions, at least about 100,000,000 partitions, at least about 500,000,000 partitions or at least about 1,000,000,000 partitions.","Moreover, the population of partitions may comprise both unoccupied partitions (e.g., empty partitions) and occupied partitions In certain cases, microfluidic channel networks are particularly suited for generating partitions as described herein.","Examples of such microfluidic devices include those described in detail in Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.","61/977,804, filed Apr.","4, 2014, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","Alternative mechanisms may also be employed in the partitioning of individual cells, including porous membranes through which aqueous mixtures of cells are extruded into non-aqueous fluids.","Such systems are generally available from, e.g., Nanomi, Inc. An example of a simplified microfluidic channel structure for partitioning individual cells is illustrated in FIG.","1.As described elsewhere herein, in some cases, the majority of occupied partitions include no more than one cell per occupied partition and, in some cases, some of the generated partitions are unoccupied.","In some cases, though, some of the occupied partitions may include more than one cell.","In some cases, the partitioning process may be controlled such that fewer than 25% of the occupied partitions contain more than one cell, and in many cases, fewer than 20% of the occupied partitions have more than one cell, while in some cases, fewer than 10% or even fewer than 5% of the occupied partitions include more than one cell per partition.","As shown, the channel structure can include channel segments 102, 104, 106 and 108 communicating at a channel junction 110.In operation, a first aqueous fluid 112 that includes suspended cells 114, may be transported along channel segment 102 into junction 110, while a second fluid 116 that is immiscible with the aqueous fluid 112 is delivered to the junction 110 from channel segments 104 and 106 to create discrete droplets 118 of the aqueous fluid including individual cells 114, flowing into channel segment 108.In some aspects, this second fluid 116 comprises an oil, such as a fluorinated oil, that includes a fluorosurfactant for stabilizing the resulting droplets, e.g., inhibiting subsequent coalescence of the resulting droplets.","Examples of particularly useful partitioning fluids and fluorosurfactants are described for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No.","2010/0105112, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","In other aspects, in addition to or as an alternative to droplet based partitioning, cells may be encapsulated within a microcapsule that comprises an outer shell or layer or porous matrix in which is entrained one or more individual cells or small groups of cells, and may include other reagents.","Encapsulation of cells may be carried out by a variety of processes.","In general, such processes combine an aqueous fluid containing the cells to be analyzed with a polymeric precursor material that may be capable of being formed into a gel or other solid or semi-solid matrix upon application of a particular stimulus to the polymer precursor.","Such stimuli include, e.g., thermal stimuli (either heating or cooling), photo-stimuli (e.g., through photo-curing), chemical stimuli (e.g., through crosslinking, polymerization initiation of the precursor (e.g., through added initiators), or the like.","Preparation of microcapsules comprising cells may be carried out by a variety of methods.","For example, air knife droplet or aerosol generators may be used to dispense droplets of precursor fluids into gelling solutions in order to form microcapsules that include individual cells or small groups of cells.","Likewise, membrane based encapsulation systems, such as those available from, e.g., Nanomi, Inc., may be used to generate microcapsules as described herein.","In some aspects, microfluidic systems like that shown in FIG.","1 may be readily used in encapsulating cells as described herein.","In particular, and with reference to FIG.","1, the aqueous fluid comprising the cells and the polymer precursor material is flowed into channel junction 110, where it is partitioned into droplets 118 comprising the individual cells 114, through the flow of non-aqueous fluid 116.In the case of encapsulation methods, non-aqueous fluid 116 may also include an initiator to cause polymerization and/or crosslinking of the polymer precursor to form the microcapsule that includes the entrained cells.","Examples of particularly useful polymer precursor/initiator pairs include those described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Nos.","61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/316,383, filed Jun.","26, 2014, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.","For example, in the case where the polymer precursor material comprises a linear polymer material, e.g., a linear polyacrylamide, PEG, or other linear polymeric material, the activation agent may comprise a cross-linking agent, or a chemical that activates a cross-linking agent within the formed droplets.","Likewise, for polymer precursors that comprise polymerizable monomers, the activation agent may comprise a polymerization initiator.","For example, in certain cases, where the polymer precursor comprises a mixture of acrylamide monomer with a N,N′-bis-(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) comonomer, an agent such as tetraethylmethylenediamine (TEMED) may be provided within the second fluid streams in channel segments 104 and 106, which initiates the copolymerization of the acrylamide and BAC into a cross-linked polymer network or, hydrogel.","Upon contact of the second fluid stream 116 with the first fluid stream 112 at junction 110 in the formation of droplets, the TEMED may diffuse from the second fluid 116 into the aqueous first fluid 112 comprising the linear polyacrylamide, which will activate the crosslinking of the polyacrylamide within the droplets, resulting in the formation of the gel, e.g., hydrogel, microcapsules 118, as solid or semi-solid beads or particles entraining the cells 114.Although described in terms of polyacrylamide encapsulation, other ‘activatable’ encapsulation compositions may also be employed in the context of the methods and compositions described herein.","For example, formation of alginate droplets followed by exposure to divalent metal ions, e.g., Ca2+, can be used as an encapsulation process using the described processes.","Likewise, agarose droplets may also be transformed into capsules through temperature based gelling, e.g., upon cooling, or the like.","As will be appreciated, in some cases, encapsulated cells can be selectively releasable from the microcapsule, e.g., through passage of time, or upon application of a particular stimulus, that degrades the microcapsule sufficiently to allow the cell, or its contents to be released from the microcapsule, e.g., into an additional partition, such as a droplet.","For example, in the case of the polyacrylamide polymer described above, degradation of the microcapsule may be accomplished through the introduction of an appropriate reducing agent, such as DTT or the like, to cleave disulfide bonds that cross link the polymer matrix (See, e.g., U.S.","Provisional Patent Application Nos.","61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/316,383, filed Jun.","26, 2014, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.","As will be appreciated, encapsulated cells or cell populations provide certain potential advantages of being storable, and more portable than droplet based partitioned cells.","Furthermore, in some cases, it may be desirable to allow cells to be analyzed to incubate for a select period of time, in order to characterize changes in such cells over time, either in the presence or absence of different stimuli.","In such cases, encapsulation of individual cells may allow for longer incubation than simple partitioning in emulsion droplets, although in some cases, droplet partitioned cells may also be incubated form different periods of time, e.g., at least 10 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least 1 minute, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 5 hours, or at least 10 hours or more.","As alluded to above, the encapsulation of cells may constitute the partitioning of the cells into which other reagents are co-partitioned.","Alternatively, encapsulated cells may be readily deposited into other partitions, e.g., droplets, as described above.","In accordance with certain aspects, the cells may be partitioned along with lysis reagents in order to release the contents of the cells within the partition.","In such cases, the lysis agents can be contacted with the cell suspension concurrently with, or immediately prior to the introduction of the cells into the partitioning junction/droplet generation zone, e.g., through an additional channel or channels upstream of channel junction 110.Examples of lysis agents include bioactive reagents, such as lysis enzymes that are used for lysis of different cell types, e.g., gram positive or negative bacteria, plants, yeast, mammalian, etc., such as lysozymes, achromopeptidase, lysostaphin, labiase, kitalase, lyticase, and a variety of other lysis enzymes available from, e.g., Sigma-Aldrich, Inc. (St Louis, Mo.","), as well as other commercially available lysis enzymes.","Other lysis agents may additionally or alternatively be co-partitioned with the cells to cause the release of the cell's contents into the partitions.","For example, in some cases, surfactant based lysis solutions may be used to lyse cells, although these may be less desirable for emulsion based systems where the surfactants can interfere with stable emulsions.","In some cases, lysis solutions may include non-ionic surfactants such as, for example, TritonX-100 and Tween 20.In some cases, lysis solutions may include ionic surfactants such as, for example, sarcosyl and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).","Similarly, lysis methods that employ other methods may be used, such as electroporation, thermal, acoustic or mechanical cellular disruption may also be used in certain cases, e.g., non-emulsion based partitioning such as encapsulation of cells that may be in addition to or in place of droplet partitioning, where any pore size of the encapsulate is sufficiently small to retain nucleic acid fragments of a desired size, following cellular disruption.","In addition to the lysis agents co-partitioned with the cells described above, other reagents can also be co-partitioned with the cells, including, for example, DNase and RNase inactivating agents or inhibitors, such as proteinase K, chelating agents, such as EDTA, and other reagents employed in removing or otherwise reducing negative activity or impact of different cell lysate components on subsequent processing of nucleic acids.","In addition, in the case of encapsulated cells, the cells may be exposed to an appropriate stimulus to release the cells or their contents from a co-partitioned microcapsule.","For example, in some cases, a chemical stimulus may be co-partitioned along with an encapsulated cell to allow for the degradation of the microcapsule and release of the cell or its contents into the larger partition.","In some cases, this stimulus may be the same as the stimulus described elsewhere herein for release of oligonucleotides from their respective bead or partition.","In alternative aspects, this may be a different and non-overlapping stimulus, in order to allow an encapsulated cell to be released into a partition at a different time from the release of oligonucleotides into the same partition.","Additional reagents may also be co-partitioned with the cells, such as endonucleases to fragment the cell's DNA, DNA polymerase enzymes and dNTPs used to amplify the cell's nucleic acid fragments and to attach the barcode oligonucleotides to the amplified fragments.","Additional reagents may also include reverse transcriptase enzymes, including enzymes with terminal transferase activity, primers and oligonucleotides, and switch oligonucleotides (also referred to herein as “switch oligos”) which can be used for template switching.","In some cases, template switching can be used to increase the length of a cDNA.","In one example of template switching, cDNA can be generated from reverse transcription of a template, e.g., cellular mRNA, where a reverse transcriptase with terminal transferase activity can add additional nucleotides, e.g., polyC, to the cDNA that are not encoded by the template, such, as at an end of the cDNA.","Switch oligos can include sequences complementary to the additional nucleotides, e.g.","polyG.","The additional nucleotides (e.g., polyC) on the cDNA can hybridize to the sequences complementary to the additional nucleotides (e.g., polyG) on the switch oligo, whereby the switch oligo can be used by the reverse transcriptase as template to further extend the cDNA.","Switch oligos may comprise deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, modified nucleic acids including locked nucleic acids (LNA), or any combination.","In some cases, the length of a switch oligo may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250 nucleotides or longer.","In some cases, the length of a switch oligo may be at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249 or 250 nucleotides or longer.","In some cases, the length of a switch oligo may be at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249 or 250 nucleotides.","Once the contents of the cells are released into their respective partitions, the nucleic acids contained therein may be further processed within the partitions.","In accordance with the methods and systems described herein, the nucleic acid contents of individual cells are generally provided with unique identifiers such that, upon characterization of those nucleic acids they may be attributed as having been derived from the same cell or cells.","The ability to attribute characteristics to individual cells or groups of cells is provided by the assignment of unique identifiers specifically to an individual cell or groups of cells, which is another advantageous aspect of the methods and systems described herein.","In particular, unique identifiers, e.g., in the form of nucleic acid barcodes are assigned or associated with individual cells or populations of cells, in order to tag or label the cell's components (and as a result, its characteristics) with the unique identifiers.","These unique identifiers are then used to attribute the cell's components and characteristics to an individual cell or group of cells.","In some aspects, this is carried out by co-partitioning the individual cells or groups of cells with the unique identifiers.","In some aspects, the unique identifiers are provided in the form of oligonucleotides that comprise nucleic acid barcode sequences that may be attached to or otherwise associated with the nucleic acid contents of individual cells, or to other components of the cells, and particularly to fragments of those nucleic acids.","The oligonucleotides are partitioned such that as between oligonucleotides in a given partition, the nucleic acid barcode sequences contained therein are the same, but as between different partitions, the oligonucleotides can, and do have differing barcode sequences, or at least represent a large number of different barcode sequences across all of the partitions in a given analysis.","In some aspects, only one nucleic acid barcode sequence can be associated with a given partition, although in some cases, two or more different barcode sequences may be present.","The nucleic acid barcode sequences can include from 6 to about 20 or more nucleotides within the sequence of the oligonucleotides.","In some cases, the length of a barcode sequence may be 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 nucleotides or longer.","In some cases, the length of a barcode sequence may be at least 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 nucleotides or longer.","In some cases, the length of a barcode sequence may be at most 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 nucleotides or shorter.","These nucleotides may be completely contiguous, i.e., in a single stretch of adjacent nucleotides, or they may be separated into two or more separate subsequences that are separated by 1 or more nucleotides.","In some cases, separated barcode subsequences can be from about 4 to about 16 nucleotides in length.","In some cases, the barcode subsequence may be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 nucleotides or longer.","In some cases, the barcode subsequence may be at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 nucleotides or longer.","In some cases, the barcode subsequence may be at most 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 nucleotides or shorter.","The co-partitioned oligonucleotides can also comprise other functional sequences useful in the processing of the nucleic acids from the co-partitioned cells.","These sequences include, e.g., targeted or random/universal amplification primer sequences for amplifying the genomic DNA from the individual cells within the partitions while attaching the associated barcode sequences, sequencing primers or primer recognition sites, hybridization or probing sequences, e.g., for identification of presence of the sequences or for pulling down barcoded nucleic acids, or any of a number of other potential functional sequences.","Again, co-partitioning of oligonucleotides and associated barcodes and other functional sequences, along with sample materials is described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Nos.","61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/316,383, filed Jun.","26, 2014, as well as U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/175,935, filed Feb. 7, 2014, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.","As will be appreciated other mechanisms of co-partitioning oligonucleotides may also be employed, including, e.g., coalescence of two or more droplets, where one droplet contains oligonucleotides, or microdispensing of oligonucleotides into partitions, e.g., droplets within microfluidic systems.","Briefly, in one example, beads, microparticles or microcapsules are provided that each include large numbers of the above described oligonucleotides releasably attached to the beads, where all of the oligonucleotides attached to a particular bead will include the same nucleic acid barcode sequence, but where a large number of diverse barcode sequences are represented across the population of beads used.","In particularly useful examples, hydrogel beads, e.g., comprising polyacrylamide polymer matrices, are used as a solid support and delivery vehicle for the oligonucleotides into the partitions, as they are capable of carrying large numbers of oligonucleotide molecules, and may be configured to release those oligonucleotides upon exposure to a particular stimulus, as described elsewhere herein.","In some cases, the population of beads will provide a diverse barcode sequence library that includes at least 1,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000 different barcode sequences, at least 10,000 different barcode sequences, at least at least 50,000 different barcode sequences, at least 100,000 different barcode sequences, at least 1,000,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000,000 different barcode sequences, or at least 10,000,000 different barcode sequences.","Additionally, each bead can be provided with large numbers of oligonucleotide molecules attached.","In particular, the number of molecules of oligonucleotides including the barcode sequence on an individual bead can be at least 1,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 500,000 oligonucleotides, at least 1,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, and in some cases at least 1 billion oligonucleotide molecules.","Moreover, when the population of beads is partitioned, the resulting population of partitions can also include a diverse barcode library that includes at least 1,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000 different barcode sequences, at least 10,000 different barcode sequences, at least at least 50,000 different barcode sequences, at least 100,000 different barcode sequences, at least 1,000,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000,000 different barcode sequences, or at least 10,000,000 different barcode sequences.","Additionally, each partition of the population can include at least 1,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 500,000 oligonucleotides, at least 1,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, and in some cases at least 1 billion oligonucleotide molecules.","In some cases, it may be desirable to incorporate multiple different barcodes within a given partition, either attached to a single or multiple beads within the partition.","For example, in some cases, a mixed, but known barcode sequences set may provide greater assurance of identification in the subsequent processing, e.g., by providing a stronger address or attribution of the barcodes to a given partition, as a duplicate or independent confirmation of the output from a given partition.","The oligonucleotides are releasable from the beads upon the application of a particular stimulus to the beads.","In some cases, the stimulus may be a photo-stimulus, e.g., through cleavage of a photo-labile linkage that releases the oligonucleotides.","In other cases, a thermal stimulus may be used, where elevation of the temperature of the beads environment will result in cleavage of a linkage or other release of the oligonucleotides form the beads.","In still other cases, a chemical stimulus is used that cleaves a linkage of the oligonucleotides to the beads, or otherwise results in release of the oligonucleotides from the beads.","Examples of this type of system are described in U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","13/966,150, filed Aug. 13, 2013, as well as U.S.","Provisional Patent Application Nos.","61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/316,383, filed Jun.","26, 2014, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference n their entireties for all purposes.","In one case, such compositions include the polyacrylamide matrices described above for encapsulation of cells, and may be degraded for release of the attached oligonucleotides through exposure to a reducing agent, such as DTT.","In accordance with the methods and systems described herein, the beads including the attached oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the individual cells, such that a single bead and a single cell are contained within an individual partition.","As noted above, while single cell/single bead occupancy is the most desired state, it will be appreciated that multiply occupied partitions (either in terms of cells, beads or both), or unoccupied partitions (either in terms of cells, beads or both) will often be present.","An example of a microfluidic channel structure for co-partitioning cells and beads comprising barcode oligonucleotides is schematically illustrated in FIG.","2.As described elsewhere herein, in some aspects, a substantial percentage of the overall occupied partitions will include both a bead and a cell and, in some cases, some of the partitions that are generated will be unoccupied.","In some cases, some of the partitions may have beads and cells that are not partitioned 1:1.In some cases, it may be desirable to provide multiply occupied partitions, e.g., containing two, three, four or more cells and/or beads within a single partition.","As shown, channel segments 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 are provided in fluid communication at channel junction 212.An aqueous stream comprising the individual cells 214, is flowed through channel segment 202 toward channel junction 212.As described above, these cells may be suspended within an aqueous fluid, or may have been pre-encapsulated, prior to the partitioning process.","Concurrently, an aqueous stream comprising the barcode carrying beads 216, is flowed through channel segment 204 toward channel junction 212.A non-aqueous partitioning fluid 216 is introduced into channel junction 212 from each of side channels 206 and 208, and the combined streams are flowed into outlet channel 210.Within channel junction 212, the two combined aqueous streams from channel segments 202 and 204 are combined, and partitioned into droplets 218, that include co-partitioned cells 214 and beads 216.As noted previously, by controlling the flow characteristics of each of the fluids combining at channel junction 212, as well as controlling the geometry of the channel junction, one can optimize the combination and partitioning to achieve a desired occupancy level of beads, cells or both, within the partitions 218 that are generated.","In some cases, lysis agents, e.g., cell lysis enzymes, may be introduced into the partition with the bead stream, e.g., flowing through channel segment 204, such that lysis of the cell only commences at or after the time of partitioning.","Additional reagents may also be added to the partition in this configuration, such as endonucleases to fragment the cell's DNA, DNA polymerase enzyme and dNTPs used to amplify the cell's nucleic acid fragments and to attach the barcode oligonucleotides to the amplified fragments.","As noted above, in many cases, a chemical stimulus, such as DTT, may be used to release the barcodes from their respective beads into the partition.","In such cases, it may be particularly desirable to provide the chemical stimulus along with the cell-containing stream in channel segment 202, such that release of the barcodes only occurs after the two streams have been combined, e.g., within the partitions 218.Where the cells are encapsulated, however, introduction of a common chemical stimulus, e.g., that both releases the oligonucleotides form their beads, and releases cells from their microcapsules may generally be provided from a separate additional side channel (not shown) upstream of or connected to channel junction 212.As will be appreciated, a number of other reagents may be co-partitioned along with the cells, beads, lysis agents and chemical stimuli, including, for example, protective reagents, like proteinase K, chelators, nucleic acid extension, replication, transcription or amplification reagents such as polymerases, reverse transcriptases, transposases which can be used for transposon based methods (e.g., Nextera), nucleoside triphosphates or NTP analogues, primer sequences and additional cofactors such as divalent metal ions used in such reactions, ligation reaction reagents, such as ligase enzymes and ligation sequences, dyes, labels, or other tagging reagents.","The channel networks, e.g., as described herein, can be fluidly coupled to appropriate fluidic components.","For example, the inlet channel segments, e.g., channel segments 202, 204, 206 and 208 are fluidly coupled to appropriate sources of the materials they are to deliver to channel junction 212.For example, channel segment 202 will be fluidly coupled to a source of an aqueous suspension of cells 214 to be analyzed, while channel segment 204 would be fluidly coupled to a source of an aqueous suspension of beads 216.Channel segments 206 and 208 would then be fluidly connected to one or more sources of the non-aqueous fluid.","These sources may include any of a variety of different fluidic components, from simple reservoirs defined in or connected to a body structure of a microfluidic device, to fluid conduits that deliver fluids from off-device sources, manifolds, or the like.","Likewise, the outlet channel segment 210 may be fluidly coupled to a receiving vessel or conduit for the partitioned cells.","Again, this may be a reservoir defined in the body of a microfluidic device, or it may be a fluidic conduit for delivering the partitioned cells to a subsequent process operation, instrument or component.","FIG.","8 shows images of individual Jurkat cells co-partitioned along with barcode oligonucleotide containing beads in aqueous droplets in an aqueous in oil emulsion.","As illustrated, individual cells may be readily co-partitioned with individual beads.","As will be appreciated, optimization of individual cell loading may be carried out by a number of methods, including by providing dilutions of cell populations into the microfluidic system in order to achieve the desired cell loading per partition as described elsewhere herein.","In operation, once lysed, the nucleic acid contents of the individual cells are then available for further processing within the partitions, including, e.g., fragmentation, amplification and barcoding, as well as attachment of other functional sequences.","As noted above, fragmentation may be accomplished through the co-partitioning of shearing enzymes, such as endonucleases, in order to fragment the nucleic acids into smaller fragments.","These endonucleases may include restriction endonucleases, including type II and type IIs restriction endonucleases as well as other nucleic acid cleaving enzymes, such as nicking endonucleases, and the like.","In some cases, fragmentation may not be desired, and full length nucleic acids may be retained within the partitions, or in the case of encapsulated cells or cell contents, fragmentation may be carried out prior to partitioning, e.g., through enzymatic methods, e.g., those described herein, or through mechanical methods, e.g., mechanical, acoustic or other shearing.","Once co-partitioned, and the cells are lysed to release their nucleic acids, the oligonucleotides disposed upon the bead may be used to barcode and amplify fragments of those nucleic acids.","A particularly elegant process for use of these barcode oligonucleotides in amplifying and barcoding fragments of sample nucleic acids is described in detail in U.S.","Provisional Patent Application Nos.","61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/316,383, filed Jun.","26, 2014, and previously incorporated by reference.","Briefly, in one aspect, the oligonucleotides present on the beads that are co-partitioned with the cells, are released from their beads into the partition with the cell's nucleic acids.","The oligonucleotides can include, along with the barcode sequence, a primer sequence at its 5′ end.","This primer sequence may be a random oligonucleotide sequence intended to randomly prime numerous different regions on the cell's nucleic acids, or it may be a specific primer sequence targeted to prime upstream of a specific targeted region of the cell's genome.","Once released, the primer portion of the oligonucleotide can anneal to a complementary region of the cell's nucleic acid.","Extension reaction reagents, e.g., DNA polymerase, nucleoside triphosphates, co-factors (e.g., Mg2+ or Mn2+), that are also co-partitioned with the cells and beads, then extend the primer sequence using the cell's nucleic acid as a template, to produce a complementary fragment to the strand of the cell's nucleic acid to which the primer annealed, which complementary fragment includes the oligonucleotide and its associated barcode sequence.","Annealing and extension of multiple primers to different portions of the cell's nucleic acids will result in a large pool of overlapping complementary fragments of the nucleic acid, each possessing its own barcode sequence indicative of the partition in which it was created.","In some cases, these complementary fragments may themselves be used as a template primed by the oligonucleotides present in the partition to produce a complement of the complement that again, includes the barcode sequence.","In some cases, this replication process is configured such that when the first complement is duplicated, it produces two complementary sequences at or near its termini, to allow formation of a hairpin structure or partial hairpin structure, the reduces the ability of the molecule to be the basis for producing further iterative copies.","As described herein, the cell's nucleic acids may include any desired nucleic acids within the cell including, for example, the cell's DNA, e.g., genomic DNA, RNA, e.g., messenger RNA, and the like.","For example, in some cases, the methods and systems described herein are used in characterizing expressed mRNA, including, e.g., the presence and quantification of such mRNA, and may include RNA sequencing processes as the characterization process.","Alternatively or additionally, the reagents partitioned along with the cells may include reagents for the conversion of mRNA into cDNA, e.g., reverse transcriptase enzymes and reagents, to facilitate sequencing processes where DNA sequencing is employed.","In some cases, where the nucleic acids to be characterized comprise RNA, e.g., mRNA, schematic illustration of one example of this is shown in FIG.","3.As shown, oligonucleotides that include a barcode sequence are co-partitioned in, e.g., a droplet 302 in an emulsion, along with a sample nucleic acid 304.As noted elsewhere herein, the oligonucleotides 308 may be provided on a bead 306 that is co-partitioned with the sample nucleic acid 304, which oligonucleotides are releasable from the bead 306, as shown in panel A.","The oligonucleotides 308 include a barcode sequence 312, in addition to one or more functional sequences, e.g., sequences 310, 314 and 316.For example, oligonucleotide 308 is shown as comprising barcode sequence 312, as well as sequence 310 that may function as an attachment or immobilization sequence for a given sequencing system, e.g., a P5 sequence used for attachment in flow cells of an Illumina Hiseq® or Miseq® system.","As shown, the oligonucleotides also include a primer sequence 316, which may include a random or targeted N-mer for priming replication of portions of the sample nucleic acid 304.Also included within oligonucleotide 308 is a sequence 314 which may provide a sequencing priming region, such as a “read1” or R1 priming region, that is used to prime polymerase mediated, template directed sequencing by synthesis reactions in sequencing systems.","As will be appreciated, the functional sequences may be selected to be compatible with a variety of different sequencing systems, e.g., 454 Sequencing, Ion Torrent Proton or PGM, Illumina X10, etc., and the requirements thereof.","In many cases, the barcode sequence 312, immobilization sequence 310 and R1 sequence 314 may be common to all of the oligonucleotides attached to a given bead.","The primer sequence 316 may vary for random N-mer primers, or may be common to the oligonucleotides on a given bead for certain targeted applications.","As will be appreciated, in some cases, the functional sequences may include primer sequences useful for RNA-seq applications.","For example, in some cases, the oligonucleotides may include poly-T primers for priming reverse transcription of RNA for RNA-seq.","In still other cases, oligonucleotides in a given partition, e.g., included on an individual bead, may include multiple types of primer sequences in addition to the common barcode sequences, such as both DNA-sequencing and RNA sequencing primers, e.g., poly-T primer sequences included within the oligonucleotides coupled to the bead.","In such cases, a single partitioned cell may be both subjected to DNA and RNA sequencing processes.","Based upon the presence of primer sequence 316, the oligonucleotides can prime the sample nucleic acid as shown in panel B, which allows for extension of the oligonucleotides 308 and 308a using polymerase enzymes and other extension reagents also co-partitioned with the bead 306 and sample nucleic acid 304.As shown in panel C, following extension of the oligonucleotides that, for random N-mer primers, would anneal to multiple different regions of the sample nucleic acid 304; multiple overlapping complements or fragments of the nucleic acid are created, e.g., fragments 318 and 320.Although including sequence portions that are complementary to portions of sample nucleic acid, e.g., sequences 322 and 324, these constructs are generally referred to herein as comprising fragments of the sample nucleic acid 304, having the attached barcode sequences.","The barcoded nucleic acid fragments may then be subjected to characterization, e.g., through sequence analysis, or they may be further amplified in the process, as shown in panel D. For example, additional oligonucleotides, e.g., oligonucleotide 308b, also released from bead 306, may prime the fragments 318 and 320.This shown in for fragment 318.In particular, again, based upon the presence of the random N-mer primer 316b in oligonucleotide 308b (which in many cases can be different from other random N-mers in a given partition, e.g., primer sequence 316), the oligonucleotide anneals with the fragment 318, and is extended to create a complement 326 to at least a portion of fragment 318 which includes sequence 328, that comprises a duplicate of a portion of the sample nucleic acid sequence.","Extension of the oligonucleotide 308b continues until it has replicated through the oligonucleotide portion 308 of fragment 318.As noted elsewhere herein, and as illustrated in panel D, the oligonucleotides may be configured to prompt a stop in the replication by the polymerase at a desired point, e.g., after replicating through sequences 316 and 314 of oligonucleotide 308 that is included within fragment 318.As described herein, this may be accomplished by different methods, including, for example, the incorporation of different nucleotides and/or nucleotide analogues that are not capable of being processed by the polymerase enzyme used.","For example, this may include the inclusion of uracil containing nucleotides within the sequence region 312 to prevent a non-uracil tolerant polymerase to cease replication of that region.","As a result a fragment 326 is created that includes the full-length oligonucleotide 308b at one end, including the barcode sequence 312, the attachment sequence 310, the R1 primer region 314, and the random N-mer sequence 316b.","At the other end of the sequence may be included the complement 316′ to the random N-mer of the first oligonucleotide 308, as well as a complement to all or a portion of the R1 sequence, shown as sequence 314′.","The R1 sequence 314 and its complement 314′ are then able to hybridize together to form a partial hairpin structure 328.As will be appreciated because the random N-mers differ among different oligonucleotides, these sequences and their complements would not be expected to participate in hairpin formation, e.g., sequence 316′, which is the complement to random N-mer 316, would not be expected to be complementary to random N-mer sequence 316b.","This would not be the case for other applications, e.g., targeted primers, where the N-mers would be common among oligonucleotides within a given partition.","By forming these partial hairpin structures, it allows for the removal of first level duplicates of the sample sequence from further replication, e.g., preventing iterative copying of copies.","The partial hairpin structure also provides a useful structure for subsequent processing of the created fragments, e.g., fragment 326.In general, the amplification of the cell's nucleic acids is carried out until the barcoded overlapping fragments within the partition constitute at least 1× coverage of the particular portion or all of the cell's genome, at least 2×, at least 3×, at least 4×, at least 5×, at least 10×, at least 20×, at least 40× or more coverage of the genome or its relevant portion of interest.","Once the barcoded fragments are produced, they may be directly sequenced on an appropriate sequencing system, e.g., an Illumina Hiseq®, Miseq® or X10 system, or they may be subjected to additional processing, such as further amplification, attachment of other functional sequences, e.g., second sequencing primers, for reverse reads, sample index sequences, and the like.","All of the fragments from multiple different partitions may then be pooled for sequencing on high throughput sequencers as described herein, where the pooled fragments comprise a large number of fragments derived from the nucleic acids of different cells or small cell populations, but where the fragments from the nucleic acids of a given cell will share the same barcode sequence.","In particular, because each fragment is coded as to its partition of origin, and consequently its single cell or small population of cells, the sequence of that fragment may be attributed back to that cell or those cells based upon the presence of the barcode, which will also aid in applying the various sequence fragments from multiple partitions to assembly of individual genomes for different cells.","This is schematically illustrated in FIG.","4.As shown in one example, a first nucleic acid 404 from a first cell 400, and a second nucleic acid 406 from a second cell 402 are each partitioned along with their own sets of barcode oligonucleotides as described above.","The nucleic acids may comprise a chromosome, entire genome or other large nucleic acid from the cells.","Within each partition, each cell's nucleic acids 404 and 406 is then processed to separately provide overlapping set of second fragments of the first fragment(s), e.g., second fragment sets 408 and 410.This processing also provides the second fragments with a barcode sequence that is the same for each of the second fragments derived from a particular first fragment.","As shown, the barcode sequence for second fragment set 408 is denoted by “1” while the barcode sequence for fragment set 410 is denoted by “2”.","A diverse library of barcodes may be used to differentially barcode large numbers of different fragment sets.","However, it is not necessary for every second fragment set from a different first fragment to be barcoded with different barcode sequences.","In fact, in many cases, multiple different first fragments may be processed concurrently to include the same barcode sequence.","Diverse barcode libraries are described in detail elsewhere herein.","The barcoded fragments, e.g., from fragment sets 408 and 410, may then be pooled for sequencing using, for example, sequence by synthesis technologies available from Illumina or Ion Torrent division of Thermo-Fisher, Inc. Once sequenced, the sequence reads 412 can be attributed to their respective fragment set, e.g., as shown in aggregated reads 414 and 416, at least in part based upon the included barcodes, and in some cases, in part based upon the sequence of the fragment itself.","The attributed sequence reads for each fragment set are then assembled to provide the assembled sequence for each cell's nucleic acids, e.g., sequences 418 and 420, which in turn, may be attributed to individual cells, e.g., cells 400 and 402.While described in terms of analyzing the genetic material present within cells, the methods and systems described herein may have much broader applicability, including the ability to characterize other aspects of individual cells or cell populations, by allowing for the allocation of reagents to individual cells, and providing for the attributable analysis or characterization of those cells in response to those reagents.","These methods and systems are particularly valuable in being able to characterize cells for, e.g., research, diagnostic, pathogen identification, and many other purposes.","By way of example, a wide range of different cell surface features, e.g., cell surface proteins like cluster of differentiation or CD proteins, have significant diagnostic relevance in characterization of diseases like cancer.","In one particularly useful application, the methods and systems described herein may be used to characterize cell features, such as cell surface features, e.g., proteins, receptors, etc.","In particular, the methods described herein may be used to attach reporter molecules to these cell features, that when partitioned as described above, may be barcoded and analyzed, e.g., using DNA sequencing technologies, to ascertain the presence, and in some cases, relative abundance or quantity of such cell features within an individual cell or population of cells.","In a particular example, a library of potential cell binding ligands, e.g., antibodies, antibody fragments, cell surface receptor binding molecules, or the like, maybe provided associated with a first set of nucleic acid reporter molecules, e.g., where a different reporter oligonucleotide sequence is associated with a specific ligand, and therefore capable of binding to a specific cell surface feature.","In some aspects, different members of the library may be characterized by the presence of a different oligonucleotide sequence label, e.g., an antibody to a first type of cell surface protein or receptor would have associated with it a first known reporter oligonucleotide sequence, while an antibody to a second receptor protein would have a different known reporter oligonucleotide sequence associated with it.","Prior to co-partitioning, the cells would be incubated with the library of ligands, that may represent antibodies to a broad panel of different cell surface features, e.g., receptors, proteins, etc., and which include their associated reporter oligonucleotides.","Unbound ligands are washed from the cells, and the cells are then co-partitioned along with the barcode oligonucleotides described above.","As a result, the partitions will include the cell or cells, as well as the bound ligands and their known, associated reporter oligonucleotides.","Without the need for lysing the cells within the partitions, one could then subject the reporter oligonucleotides to the barcoding operations described above for cellular nucleic acids, to produce barcoded, reporter oligonucleotides, where the presence of the reporter oligonucleotides can be indicative of the presence of the particular cell surface feature, and the barcode sequence will allow the attribution of the range of different cell surface features to a given individual cell or population of cells based upon the barcode sequence that was co-partitioned with that cell or population of cells.","As a result, one may generate a cell-by-cell profile of the cell surface features within a broader population of cells.","This aspect of the methods and systems described herein, is described in greater detail below.","This example is schematically illustrated in FIG.","5.As shown, a population of cells, represented by cells 502 and 504 are incubated with a library of cell surface associated reagents, e.g., antibodies, cell surface binding proteins, ligands or the like, where each different type of binding group includes an associated nucleic acid reporter molecule associated with it, shown as ligands and associated reporter molecules 506, 508, 510 and 512 (with the reporter molecules being indicated by the differently shaded circles).","Where the cell expresses the surface features that are bound by the library, the ligands and their associated reporter molecules can become associated or coupled with the cell surface.","Individual cells are then partitioned into separate partitions, e.g., droplets 514 and 516, along with their associated ligand/reporter molecules, as well as an individual barcode oligonucleotide bead as described elsewhere herein, e.g., beads 522 and 524, respectively.","As with other examples described herein, the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the beads and used to attach the barcode sequence the reporter molecules present within each partition with a barcode that is common to a given partition, but which varies widely among different partitions.","For example, as shown in FIG.","5, the reporter molecules that associate with cell 502 in partition 514 are barcoded with barcode sequence 518, while the reporter molecules associated with cell 504 in partition 516 are barcoded with barcode 520.As a result, one is provided with a library of oligonucleotides that reflects the surface ligands of the cell, as reflected by the reporter molecule, but which is substantially attributable to an individual cell by virtue of a common barcode sequence, allowing a single cell level profiling of the surface characteristics of the cell.","As will be appreciated, this process is not limited to cell surface receptors but may be used to identify the presence of a wide variety of specific cell structures, chemistries or other characteristics.","III.","BARCODING Downstream applications, for example DNA sequencing, may rely on the barcodes to identify the origin of a sequence and, for example, to assemble a larger sequence from sequenced fragments.","Therefore, it may be desirable to add barcodes to the polynucleotide fragments generated by the methods described herein.","Barcodes may be of a variety of different formats, including polynucleotide barcodes.","Depending upon the specific application, barcodes may be attached to polynucleotide fragments in a reversible or irreversible manner.","Barcodes may also allow for identification and/or quantification of individual polynucleotide fragments during sequencing.","Barcodes may be loaded into partitions so that one or more barcodes are introduced into a particular partition.","Each partition may contain a different set of barcodes.","This may be accomplished by directly dispensing the barcodes into the partitions, enveloping the barcodes (e.g., in a droplet of an emulsion), or by placing the barcodes within a container that is placed in a partition (e.g., a microcapsule).","For example, a population of microcapsules may be prepared such that a first microcapsule in the population comprises multiple copies of identical barcodes (e.g., polynucleotide bar codes, etc.)","and a second microcapsule in the population comprises multiple copies of a barcode that differs from the barcode within the first microcapsule.","In some cases, the population of microcapsules may comprise multiple microcapsules (e.g., greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules), each containing multiple copies of a barcode that differs from that contained in the other microcapsules.","In some cases, the population may comprise greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules with identical sets of barcodes.","In some cases, the population may comprise greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules, wherein the microcapsules each comprise a different combination of barcodes.","For example, in some cases the different combinations overlap, such that a first microcapsule may comprise, e.g., barcodes A, B, and C, while a second microcapsule may comprise barcodes A, B, and D. In another example, the different combinations do not overlap, such that a first microcapsule may comprise, e.g., barcodes A, B, and C, while a second microcapsule may comprise barcodes D, E, and F. The use of microcapsules is, of course, optional.","All of the combinations described above, and throughout this disclosure, may also be generated by dispending barcodes (and other reagents) directly into partitions (e.g., microwells).","The barcodes may be loaded into the partitions at an expected or predicted ratio of barcodes per species to be barcoded (e.g., polynucleotide fragment, strand of polynucleotide, cell, etc.).","In some cases, the barcodes are loaded into partitions such that more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes are loaded per species.","In some cases, the barcodes are loaded in the partitions so that less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes are loaded per species.","In some cases, the average number of barcodes loaded per species is less than, or greater than, about 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes per species.","When more than one barcode is present per polynucleotide fragment, such barcodes may be copies of the same barcode, or multiple different barcodes.","For example, the attachment process may be designed to attach multiple identical barcodes to a single polynucleotide fragment, or multiple different barcodes to the polynucleotide fragment.","The methods provided herein may comprise loading a partition (e.g., a microwell, droplet of an emulsion) with the reagents necessary for the attachment of barcodes to polynucleotide fragments.","In the case of ligation reactions, reagents including restriction enzymes, ligase enzymes, buffers, adapters, barcodes and the like may be loaded into a partition.","In the case barcoding by amplification, reagents including primers, DNA polymerases, DNTPs, buffers, barcodes and the like may be loaded into a partition.","As described throughout this disclosure, these reagents may be loaded directly into the partition, or via a container such as a microcapsule.","If the reagents are not disposed within a container, they may be loaded into a partition (e.g., a microwell) which may then be sealed with a wax or oil until the reagents are used.","Barcodes may be ligated to a polynucleotide fragment using sticky or blunt ends.","Barcoded polynucleotide fragments may also be generated by amplifying a polynucleotide fragment with primers comprising barcodes.","Barcodes may be assembled combinatorially, from smaller components designed to assemble in a modular format.","For example, three modules, 1A, 1B, and 1C may be combinatorially assembled to produce barcode 1ABC.","Such combinatorial assembly may significantly reduce the cost of synthesizing a plurality of barcodes.","For example, a combinatorial system consisting of 3 A modules, 3 B modules, and 3 C modules may generate 3*3*3=27 possible barcode sequences from only 9 modules.","Barcoding and beads of the present disclosure may be performed and used as described in, for example, WO2014/028537 and WO 2014/124338, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.","IV.","APPLICATIONS OF SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS There are a wide variety of different applications of the single cell processing and analysis methods and systems described herein, including analysis of specific individual ells, analysis of different cell types within populations of differing cell types, analysis and characterization of large populations of cells for environmental, human health, epidemiological forensic, or any of a wide variety of different applications.","A particularly valuable application of the single cell analysis processes described herein is in the sequencing and characterization of cancer cells.","In particular, conventional analytical techniques, including the ensemble sequencing processes alluded to above, are not highly adept at picking small variations in genomic make-up of cancer cells, particularly where those exist in a sea of normal tissue cells.","Further, even as between tumor cells, wide variations can exist and can be masked by the ensemble approaches to sequencing (See, e.g., Patel, et al., Single-cell RNA-seq highlights intratumoral heterogeneity in primary glioblastoma, Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1254257 (Published online Jun.","12, 2014).","Cancer cells may be derived from solid tumors, hematological malignancies, cell lines, or obtained as circulating tumor cells, and subjected to the partitioning processes described above.","Upon analysis, one can identify individual cell sequences as deriving from a single cell or small group of cells, and distinguish those over normal tissue cell sequences.","Further, as described in co-pending U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","62/017,808, filed Jun.","26, 2014, the full disclosures of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes, one may also obtain phased sequence information from each cell, allowing clearer characterization of the haplotype variants within a cancer cell.","The single cell analysis approach is particularly useful for systems and methods involving low quantities of input nucleic acids, as described in co-pending U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","62/017,580, filed Jun.","26, 2014, the full disclosures of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","As with cancer cell analysis, the analysis and diagnosis of fetal health or abnormality through the analysis of fetal cells is a difficult task using conventional techniques.","In particular, in the absence of relatively invasive procedures, such as amniocentesis obtaining fetal cell samples can employ harvesting those cells from the maternal circulation.","As will be appreciated, such circulating fetal cells make up an extremely small fraction of the overall cellular population of that circulation.","As a result complex analyses are performed in order to characterize what of the obtained data is likely derived from fetal cells as opposed to maternal cells.","By employing the single cell characterization methods and systems described herein, however, one can attribute genetic make up to individual cells, and categorize those cells as maternal or fetal based upon their respective genetic make-up.","Further, the genetic sequence of fetal cells may be used to identify any of a number of genetic disorders, including, e.g., aneuploidy such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome.","The ability to characterize individual cells from larger diverse populations of cells is also of significant value in both environmental testing as well as in forensic analysis, where samples may, by their nature, be made up of diverse populations of cells and other material that “contaminate” the sample, relative to the cells for which the sample is being tested, e.g., environmental indicator organisms, toxic organisms, and the like for, e.g., environmental and food safety testing, victim and/or perpetrator cells in forensic analysis for sexual assault, and other violent crimes, and the like.","Additional useful applications of the above described single cell sequencing and characterization processes are in the field of neuroscience research and diagnosis.","In particular, neural cells can include long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), or ‘jumping’ genes that can move around the genome, which cause each neuron to differ from its neighbor cells.","Research has shown that the number of LINEs in human brain exceeds that of other tissues, e.g., heart and liver tissue, with between 80 and 300 unique insertions (See, e.g., Coufal, N. G. et al.","Nature 460, 1127-1131 (2009)).","These differences have been postulated as being related to a person's susceptibility to neuro-logical disorders (see, e.g., Muotri, A. R. et al.","Nature 468, 443-446 (2010)), or provide the brain with a diversity with which to respond to challenges.","As such, the methods described herein may be used in the sequencing and characterization of individual neural cells.","The single cell analysis methods described herein are also useful in the analysis of gene expression, as noted above, both in terms of identification of RNA transcripts and their quantitation.","In particular, using the single cell level analysis methods described herein, one can isolate and analyze the RNA transcripts present in individual cells, populations of cells, or subsets of populations of cells.","In particular, in some cases, the barcode oligonucleotides may be configured to prime, replicate and consequently yield barcoded fragments of RNA from individual cells.","For example, in some cases, the barcode oligonucleotides may include mRNA specific priming sequences, e.g., poly-T primer segments that allow priming and replication of mRNA in a reverse transcription reaction or other targeted priming sequences.","Alternatively or additionally, random RNA priming may be carried out using random N-mer primer segments of the barcode oligonucleotides.","FIG.","6 provides a schematic of one example method for RNA expression analysis in individual cells using the methods described herein.","As shown, at operation 602 a cell containing sample is sorted for viable cells, which are quantified and diluted for subsequent partitioning.","At operation 604, the individual cells separately co-partitioned with gel beads bearing the barcoding oligonucleotides as described herein.","The cells are lysed and the barcoded oligonucleotides released into the partitions at operation 606, where they interact with and hybridize to the mRNA at operation 608, e.g., by virtue of a poly-T primer sequence, which is complementary to the poly-A tail of the mRNA.","Using the poly-T barcode oligonucleotide as a priming sequence, a reverse transcription reaction is carried out at operation 610 to synthesize a cDNA transcript of the mRNA that includes the barcode sequence.","The barcoded cDNA transcripts are then subjected to additional amplification at operation 612, e.g., using a PCR process, purification at operation 614, before they are placed on a nucleic acid sequencing system for determination of the cDNA sequence and its associated barcode sequence(s).","In some cases, as shown, operations 602 through 608 can occur while the reagents remain in their original droplet or partition, while operations 612 through 616 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside of the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 612 through 616.In some cases, barcode oligonucleotides may be digested with exonucleases after the emulsion is broken.","Exonuclease activity can be inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) following primer digestion.","In some cases, operation 610 may be performed either within the partitions based upon co-partitioning of the reverse transcription mixture, e.g., reverse transcriptase and associated reagents, or it may be performed in bulk.","As noted elsewhere herein, the structure of the barcode oligonucleotides may include a number of sequence elements in addition to the oligonucleotide barcode sequence.","One example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis as described above is shown in FIG.","7.As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 702 is coupled to a bead 704 by a releasable linkage 706, such as a disulfide linker.","The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 708, which may include one or more of a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer for Illumina sequencing systems.","A barcode sequence 710 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.","An mRNA specific priming sequence, such as poly-T sequence 712 is also included in the oligonucleotide structure.","An anchoring sequence segment 714 may be included to ensure that the poly-T sequence hybridizes at the sequence end of the mRNA.","This anchoring sequence can include a random short sequence of nucleotides, e.g., 1-mer, 2-mer, 3-mer or longer sequence, which will ensure that the poly-T segment is more likely to hybridize at the sequence end of the poly-A tail of the mRNA.","An additional sequence segment 716 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.","In some cases, this additional sequence provides a unique molecular sequence segment, e.g., as a random sequence (e.g., such as a random N-mer sequence) that varies across individual oligonucleotides coupled to a single bead, whereas barcode sequence 710 can be constant among oligonucleotides tethered to an individual bead.","This unique sequence serves to provide a unique identifier of the starting mRNA molecule that was captured, in order to allow quantitation of the number of original expressed RNA.","As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual bead can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.","This unique molecular sequence segment may include from 5 to about 8 or more nucleotides within the sequence of the oligonucleotides.","In some cases, the unique molecular sequence segment can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length or longer.","In some cases, the unique molecular sequence segment can be at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length or longer.","In some cases, the unique molecular sequence segment can be at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length or shorter.","In operation, and with reference to FIGS.","6 and 7, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead and lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead.","The poly-T portion of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of the mRNA.","The poly-T segment then primes the reverse transcription of the mRNA to produce a cDNA transcript of the mRNA, but which includes each of the sequence segments 708-716 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Again, because the oligonucleotide 702 includes an anchoring sequence 714, it will more likely hybridize to and prime reverse transcription at the sequence end of the poly-A tail of the mRNA.","Within any given partition, all of the cDNA transcripts of the individual mRNA molecules will include a common barcode sequence segment 710.However, by including the unique random N-mer sequence, the transcripts made from different mRNA molecules within a given partition will vary at this unique sequence.","This provides a quantitation feature that can be identifiable even following any subsequent amplification of the contents of a given partition, e.g., the number of unique segments associated with a common barcode can be indicative of the quantity of mRNA originating from a single partition, and thus, a single cell.","As noted above, the transcripts are then amplified, cleaned up and sequenced to identify the sequence of the cDNA transcript of the mRNA, as well as to sequence the barcode segment and the unique sequence segment.","As noted elsewhere herein, while a poly-T primer sequence is described, other targeted or random priming sequences may also be used in priming the reverse transcription reaction.","Likewise, although described as releasing the barcoded oligonucleotides into the partition along with the contents of the lysed cells, it will be appreciated that in some cases, the gel bead bound oligonucleotides may be used to hybridize ad capture the mRNA on the solid phase of the gel beads, in order to facilitate the separation of the RNA from other cell contents.","An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including messenger RNA (mRNA, including mRNA obtained from a cell) analysis, is shown in FIG.","9A.","As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 902 can be coupled to a bead 904 by a releasable linkage 906, such as a disulfide linker.","The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 908, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as functional sequence 910, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site for Illumina sequencing systems.","A barcode sequence 912 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.","An RNA specific (e.g., mRNA specific) priming sequence, such as poly-T sequence 914 is also included in the oligonucleotide structure.","An anchoring sequence segment (not shown) may be included to ensure that the poly-T sequence hybridizes at the sequence end of the mRNA.","An additional sequence segment 916 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.","This additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, e.g., as a random N-mer sequence that varies across individual oligonucleotides coupled to a single bead, whereas barcode sequence 912 can be constant among oligonucleotides tethered to an individual bead.","As described elsewhere herein, this unique sequence can serve to provide a unique identifier of the starting mRNA molecule that was captured, in order to allow quantitation of the number of original expressed RNA, e.g., mRNA counting.","As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.","In an example method of cellular RNA (e.g., mRNA) analysis and in reference to FIG.","9A, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, switch oligo 924, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","In operation 950, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) and the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.","Next, in operation 952 the poly-T segment 914 is extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).","The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the additional bases added to the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.","A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.","Within any given partition, all of the cDNA transcripts of the individual mRNA molecules will include a common barcode sequence segment 912.However, by including the unique random N-mer sequence 916, the transcripts made from different mRNA molecules within a given partition will vary at this unique sequence.","As described elsewhere herein, this provides a quantitation feature that can be identifiable even following any subsequent amplification of the contents of a given partition, e.g., the number of unique segments associated with a common barcode can be indicative of the quantity of mRNA originating from a single partition, and thus, a single cell.","Following operation 952, the cDNA transcript 922 is then amplified with primers 926 (e.g., PCR primers) in operation 954.Next, the amplified product is then purified (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 956.At operation 958, the amplified product is then sheared, ligated to additional functional sequences, and further amplified (e.g., via PCR).","The functional sequences may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence 930, e.g., a P7 sequence for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as functional sequence 928, which may include a sequencing primer binding site, e.g., for a R2 primer for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as functional sequence 932, which may include a sample index, e.g., an i7 sample index sequence for Illumina sequencing systems.","In some cases, operations 950 and 952 can occur in the partition, while operations 954, 956 and 958 can occur in bulk solution (e.g., in a pooled mixture outside of the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 954, 956 and 958.In some cases, operation 954 may be completed in the partition.","In some cases, barcode oligonucleotides may be digested with exonucleases after the emulsion is broken.","Exonuclease activity can be inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) following primer digestion.","Although described in terms of specific sequence references used for certain sequencing systems, e.g., Illumina systems, it will be understood that the reference to these sequences is for illustration purposes only, and the methods described herein may be configured for use with other sequencing systems incorporating specific priming, attachment, index, and other operational sequences used in those systems, e.g., systems available from Ion Torrent, Oxford Nanopore, Genia, Pacific Biosciences, Complete Genomics, and the like.","In an alternative example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA (e.g., cellular RNA) analysis as shown in FIG.","9A, functional sequence 908 may be a P7 sequence and functional sequence 910 may be a R2 primer binding site.","Moreover, the functional sequence 930 may be a P5 sequence, functional sequence 928 may be a R1 primer binding site, and functional sequence 932 may be an i5 sample index sequence for Illumina sequencing systems.","The configuration of the constructs generated by such a barcode oligonucleotide can help minimize (or avoid) sequencing of the poly-T sequence during sequencing.","Shown in FIG.","9B is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular mRNA analysis.","In this method, the switch oligo 924 is co-partitioned with the individual cell and barcoded bead along with reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","The switch oligo 924 may be labeled with an additional tag 934, e.g.","biotin.","In operation 951, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 (e.g., as shown in FIG.","9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).","In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.","In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.","Next, the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.","In operation 953, the poly-T segment 914 is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).","The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.","A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.","Next, an isolation operation 960 can be used to isolate the cDNA transcript 922 from the reagents and oligonucleotides in the partition.","The additional tag 934, e.g.","biotin, can be contacted with an interacting tag 936, e.g., streptavidin, which may be attached to a magnetic bead 938.At operation 960 the cDNA can be isolated with a pull-down operation (e.g., via magnetic separation, centrifugation) before amplification (e.g., via PCR) in operation 955, followed by purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 957 and further processing (shearing, ligation of sequences 928, 932 and 930 and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)) in operation 959.In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.","In some cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.","In some cases, as shown, operations 951 and 953 can occur in the partition, while operations 960, 955, 957 and 959 can occur in bulk solution (e.g., in a pooled mixture outside of the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operation 960.The operations 955, 957, and 959 can then be carried out following operation 960 after the transcripts are pooled for processing.","Shown in FIG.","9C is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular mRNA analysis.","In this method, the switch oligo 924 is co-partitioned with the individual cell and barcoded bead along with reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs in a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","In operation 961, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 (e.g., as shown in FIG.","9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).","In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.","In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.","Next, the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.","Next, in operation 963 the poly-T segment 914 is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).","The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.","A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.","Following operation 961 and operation 963, mRNA 920 and cDNA transcript 922 are denatured in operation 962.At operation 964, a second strand is extended from a primer 940 having an additional tag 942, e.g.","biotin, and hybridized to the cDNA transcript 922.Also in operation 964, the biotin labeled second strand can be contacted with an interacting tag 936, e.g.","streptavidin, which may be attached to a magnetic bead 938.The cDNA can be isolated with a pull-down operation (e.g., via magnetic separation, centrifugation) before amplification (e.g., via polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) in operation 965, followed by purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 967 and further processing (shearing, ligation of sequences 928, 932 and 930 and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)) in operation 969.In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.","In some cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.","In some cases, operations 961 and 963 can occur in the partition, while operations 962, 964, 965, 967, and 969 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 962, 964, 965, 967 and 969.Shown in FIG.","9D is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular mRNA analysis.","In this method, the switch oligo 924 is co-partitioned with the individual cell and barcoded bead along with reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs.","In operation 971, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 (e.g., as shown in FIG.","9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).","In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.","In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.","Next the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.","Next in operation 973, the poly-T segment 914 is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).","The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.","A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.","In operation 966, the mRNA 920, cDNA transcript 922 and switch oligo 924 can be denatured, and the cDNA transcript 922 can be hybridized with a capture oligonucleotide 944 labeled with an additional tag 946, e.g.","biotin.","In this operation, the biotin-labeled capture oligonucleotide 944, which is hybridized to the cDNA transcript, can be contacted with an interacting tag 936, e.g.","streptavidin, which may be attached to a magnetic bead 938.Following separation from other species (e.g., excess barcoded oligonucleotides) using a pull-down operation (e.g., via magnetic separation, centrifugation), the cDNA transcript can be amplified (e.g., via PCR) with primers 926 at operation 975, followed by purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 977 and further processing (shearing, ligation of sequences 928, 932 and 930 and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)) in operation 979.In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.","In other cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.","In some cases, operations 971 and 973 can occur in the partition, while operations 966, 975, 977 (purification), and 979 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 966, 975, 977 and 979.Shown in FIG.","9E is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular RNA analysis.","In this method, an individual cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, a switch oligo 990, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","In operation 981, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides (e.g., 902 as shown in FIG.","9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).","In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.","In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.","Next, the poly-T segment of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 released from the cell.","Next at operation 983, the poly-T segment is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).The switch oligo 990 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.","A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence and including a T7 promoter sequence, can be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922.At operation 968, a second strand is synthesized and at operation 970 the T7 promoter sequence can be used by T7 polymerase to produce RNA transcripts in in vitro transcription.","At operation 985 the RNA transcripts can be purified (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)), reverse transcribed to form DNA transcripts, and a second strand can be synthesized for each of the DNA transcripts.","In some cases, prior to purification, the RNA transcripts can be contacted with a DNase (e.g., DNAase I) to break down residual DNA.","At operation 987 the DNA transcripts are then fragmented and ligated to additional functional sequences, such as sequences 928, 932 and 930 and, in some cases, further amplified (e.g., via PCR).","In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.","In some cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.","In some cases, prior to removing a portion of the DNA transcripts, the DNA transcripts can be contacted with an RNase to break down residual RNA.","In some cases, operations 981 and 983 can occur in the partition, while operations 968, 970, 985 and 987 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 968, 970, 985 and 987.Another example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including messenger RNA (mRNA, including mRNA obtained from a cell) analysis is shown in FIG.","10.As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1002 is coupled to a bead 1004 by a releasable linkage 1006, such as a disulfide linker.","The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1008, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P7 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1010, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R2 primer binding site.","A barcode sequence 1012 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.","An RNA specific (e.g., mRNA specific) priming sequence, such as poly-T sequence 1014 may be included in the oligonucleotide structure.","An anchoring sequence segment (not shown) may be included to ensure that the poly-T sequence hybridizes at the sequence end of the mRNA.","An additional sequence segment 1016 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.","This additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.","An additional functional sequence 1020 may be included for in vitro transcription, e.g., a T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequence.","As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.","In an example method of cellular RNA analysis and in reference to FIG.","10, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","In operation 1050, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 1002 are released (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) from the bead, and the poly-T segment 1014 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 1020.Next at operation 1052, the poly-T segment is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as template to produce a cDNA transcript 1022 of the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 1020, 1008, 1012, 1010, 1016, and 1014 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Within any given partition, all of the cDNA transcripts of the individual mRNA molecules will include a common barcode sequence segment 1012.However, by including the unique random N-mer sequence, the transcripts made from different mRNA molecules within a given partition will vary at this unique sequence.","As described elsewhere herein, this provides a quantitation feature that can be identifiable even following any subsequent amplification of the contents of a given partition, e.g., the number of unique segments associated with a common barcode can be indicative of the quantity of mRNA originating from a single partition, and thus, a single cell.","At operation 1054 a second strand is synthesized and at operation 1056 the T7 promoter sequence can be used by T7 polymerase to produce RNA transcripts in in vitro transcription.","At operation 1058 the transcripts are fragmented (e.g., sheared), ligated to additional functional sequences, and reverse transcribed.","The functional sequences may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence 1030, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1028, which may include sequencing primers, e.g., a R1 primer binding sequence, as well as functional sequence 1032, which may include a sample index, e.g., an i5 sample index sequence.","At operation 1060 the RNA transcripts can be reverse transcribed to DNA, the DNA amplified (e.g., via PCR), and sequenced to identify the sequence of the cDNA transcript of the mRNA, as well as to sequence the barcode segment and the unique sequence segment.","In some cases, operations 1050 and 1052 can occur in the partition, while operations 1054, 1056, 1058 and 1060 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 1054, 1056, 1058 and 1060.In an alternative example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA (e.g., cellular RNA) analysis as shown in FIG.","10, functional sequence 1008 may be a P5 sequence and functional sequence 1010 may be a R1 primer binding site.","Moreover, the functional sequence 1030 may be a P7 sequence, functional sequence 1028 may be a R2 primer binding site, and functional sequence 1032 may be an i7 sample index sequence.","An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including messenger RNA (mRNA, including mRNA obtained from a cell) analysis is shown in FIG.","11.As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1102 is coupled to a bead 1104 by a releasable linkage 1106, such as a disulfide linker.","The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1108, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1110, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site.","In some cases, sequence 1108 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1110 is a R2 primer binding site.","A barcode sequence 1112 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.","An additional sequence segment 1116 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.","In some cases, this additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.","An additional sequence 1114 may be included to facilitate template switching, e.g., polyG.","As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.","In an example method of cellular mRNA analysis and in reference to FIG.","11, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, poly-T sequence, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","In operation 1150, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) and the poly-T sequence hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 1120 released from the cell.","Next, in operation 1152, the poly-T sequence is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 1122 complementary to the mRNA.","Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).","The additional bases added to the cDNA transcript, e.g., polyC, can then to hybridize with 1114 of the barcoded oligonucleotide.","This can facilitate template switching and a sequence complementary to the barcode oligonucleotide can be incorporated into the cDNA transcript.","The transcripts can be further processed (e.g., amplified, portions removed, additional sequences added, etc.)","and characterized as described elsewhere herein, e.g., by sequencing.","The configuration of the constructs generated by such a method can help minimize (or avoid) sequencing of the poly-T sequence during sequencing.","An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including cellular RNA analysis is shown in FIG.","12A.","As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1202 is coupled to a bead 1204 by a releasable linkage 1206, such as a disulfide linker.","The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1208, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1210, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site.","In some cases, sequence 1208 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1210 is a R2 primer binding site.","A barcode sequence 1212 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.","An additional sequence segment 1216 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.","In some cases, this additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.","As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.","In an example method of cellular RNA analysis using this barcode, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead and other reagents such as RNA ligase and a reducing agent into a partition (e.g.","a droplet in an emulsion).","The cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) from the bead.","The barcoded oligonucleotides can then be ligated to the 5′ end of mRNA transcripts while in the partitions by RNA ligase.","Subsequent operations may include purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) and further processing (shearing, ligation of functional sequences, and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)), and these operations may occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled for the additional operations.","An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including cellular RNA analysis is shown in FIG.","12B.","As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1222 is coupled to a bead 1224 by a releasable linkage 1226, such as a disulfide linker.","The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1228, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1230, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site.","In some cases, sequence 1228 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R2 primer binding site.","A barcode sequence 1232 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.","A priming sequence 1234 (e.g., a random priming sequence) can also be included in the oligonucleotide structure, e.g., a random hexamer.","An additional sequence segment 1236 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.","In some cases, this additional sequence provides a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.","As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.","In an example method of cellular mRNA analysis using the barcode oligonucleotide of FIG.","12B, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead and additional reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).","The cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).","In some cases, sequence 1228 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R2 primer binding site.","In other cases, sequence 1228 is a P5 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R1 primer binding site.","The priming sequence 1234 of random hexamers can randomly hybridize cellular mRNA.","The random hexamer sequence can then be extended in a reverse transcription reaction using mRNA from the cell as a template to produce a cDNA transcript complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 1228, 1232, 1230, 1236,and 1234 of the barcode oligonucleotide.","Subsequent operations may include purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)), further processing (shearing, ligation of functional sequences, and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)), and these operations may occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).","In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled for additional operations.","Additional reagents that may be co-partitioned along with the barcode bearing bead may include oligonucleotides to block ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and nucleases to digest genomic DNA and cDNA from cells.","Alternatively, rRNA removal agents may be applied during additional processing operations.","The configuration of the constructs generated by such a method can help minimize (or avoid) sequencing of the poly-T sequence during sequencing.","The single cell analysis methods described herein may also be useful in the analysis of the whole transcriptome.","Referring back to the barcode of FIG.","12B, the priming sequence 1234 may be a random N-mer.","In some cases, sequence 1228 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R2 primer binding site.","In other cases, sequence 1228 is a P5 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R1 primer binding site.","In an example method of whole transcriptome analysis using this barcode, the individual cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, poly-T sequence, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, polymerase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., droplet in an emulsion).","In an operation of this method, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) and the poly-T sequence hybridizes to the poly-A tail of cellular mRNA.","In a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as template, cDNA transcripts of cellular mRNA can be produced.","The RNA can then be degraded with an RNase.","The priming sequence 1234 in the barcoded oligonucleotide can then randomly hybridize to the cDNA transcripts.","The oligonucleotides can be extended using polymerase enzymes and other extension reagents co-partitioned with the bead and cell similar to as shown in FIG.","3 to generate amplification products (e.g., barcoded fragments), similar to the example amplification product shown in FIG.","3 (panel F).","The barcoded nucleic acid fragments may, in some cases subjected to further processing (e.g., amplification, addition of additional sequences, clean up processes, etc.","as described elsewhere herein) characterized, e.g., through sequence analysis.","In this operation, sequencing signals can come from full length RNA.","Although operations with various barcode designs have been discussed individually, individual beads can include barcode oligonucleotides of various designs for simultaneous use.","In addition to characterizing individual cells or cell sub-populations from larger populations, the processes and systems described herein may also be used to characterize individual cells as a way to provide an overall profile of a cellular, or other organismal population.","A variety of applications require the evaluation of the presence and quantification of different cell or organism types within a population of cells, including, for example, microbiome analysis and characterization, environmental testing, food safety testing, epidemiological analysis, e.g., in tracing contamination or the like.","In particular, the analysis processes described above may be used to individually characterize, sequence and/or identify large numbers of individual cells within a population.","This characterization may then be used to assemble an overall profile of the originating population, which can provide important prognostic and diagnostic information.","For example, shifts in human microbiomes, including, e.g., gut, buccal, epidermal microbiomes, etc., have been identified as being both diagnostic and prognostic of different conditions or general states of health.","Using the single cell analysis methods and systems described herein, one can again, characterize, sequence and identify individual cells in an overall population, and identify shifts within that population that may be indicative of diagnostic ally relevant factors.","By way of example, sequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes has been used as a highly accurate method for taxonomic classification of bacteria.","Using the targeted amplification and sequencing processes described above can provide identification of individual cells within a population of cells.","One may further quantify the numbers of different cells within a population to identify current states or shifts in states over time.","See, e.g., Morgan et al, PLoS Comput.","Biol., Ch.","12, December 2012, 8(12):e1002808, and Ram et al., Syst.","Biol.","Reprod.","Med., June 2011, 57(3):162-170, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","Likewise, identification and diagnosis of infection or potential infection may also benefit from the single cell analyses described herein, e.g., to identify microbial species present in large mixes of other cells or other biological material, cells and/or nucleic acids, including the environments described above, as well as any other diagnostically relevant environments, e.g., cerebrospinal fluid, blood, fecal or intestinal samples, or the like.","The foregoing analyses may also be particularly useful in the characterization of potential drug resistance of different cells, e.g., cancer cells, bacterial pathogens, etc., through the analysis of distribution and profiling of different resistance markers/mutations across cell populations in a given sample.","Additionally, characterization of shifts in these markers/mutations across populations of cells over time can provide valuable insight into the progression, alteration, prevention, and treatment of a variety of diseases characterized by such drug resistance issues.","Although described in terms of cells, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of individual biological organisms, or components of organisms are encompassed within this description, including, for example, cells, viruses, organelles, cellular inclusions, vesicles, or the like.","Additionally, where referring to cells, it will be appreciated that such reference includes any type of cell, including without limitation prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, bacterial, fungal, plant, mammalian, or other animal cell types, mycoplasmas, normal tissue cells, tumor cells, or any other cell type, whether derived from single cell or multicellular organisms.","Similarly, analysis of different environmental samples to profile the microbial organisms, viruses, or other biological contaminants that are present within such samples, can provide important information about disease epidemiology, and potentially aid in forecasting disease outbreaks, epidemics an pandemics.","As described above, the methods, systems and compositions described herein may also be used for analysis and characterization of other aspects of individual cells or populations of cells.","In one example process, a sample is provided that contains cells that are to be analyzed and characterized as to their cell surface proteins.","Also provided is a library of antibodies, antibody fragments, or other molecules having a binding affinity to the cell surface proteins or antigens (or other cell features) for which the cell is to be characterized (also referred to herein as cell surface feature binding groups).","For ease of discussion, these affinity groups are referred to herein as binding groups.","The binding groups can include a reporter molecule that is indicative of the cell surface feature to which the binding group binds.","In particular, a binding group type that is specific to one type of cell surface feature will comprise a first reporter molecule, while a binding group type that is specific to a different cell surface feature will have a different reporter molecule associated with it.","In some aspects, these reporter molecules will comprise oligonucleotide sequences.","Oligonucleotide based reporter molecules provide advantages of being able to generate significant diversity in terms of sequence, while also being readily attachable to most biomolecules, e.g., antibodies, etc., as well as being readily detected, e.g., using sequencing or array technologies.","In the example process, the binding groups include oligonucleotides attached to them.","Thus, a first binding group type, e.g., antibodies to a first type of cell surface feature, will have associated with it a reporter oligonucleotide that has a first nucleotide sequence.","Different binding group types, e.g., antibodies having binding affinity for other, different cell surface features, will have associated therewith reporter oligonucleotides that comprise different nucleotide sequences, e.g., having a partially or completely different nucleotide sequence.","In some cases, for each type of cell surface feature binding group, e.g., antibody or antibody fragment, the reporter oligonucleotide sequence may be known and readily identifiable as being associated with the known cell surface feature binding group.","These oligonucleotides may be directly coupled to the binding group, or they may be attached to a bead, molecular lattice, e.g., a linear, globular, cross-slinked, or other polymer, or other framework that is attached or otherwise associated with the binding group, which allows attachment of multiple reporter oligonucleotides to a single binding group.","In the case of multiple reporter molecules coupled to a single binding group, such reporter molecules can comprise the same sequence, or a particular binding group will include a known set of reporter oligonucleotide sequences.","As between different binding groups, e.g., specific for different cell surface features, the reporter molecules can be different and attributable to the particular binding group.","Attachment of the reporter groups to the binding groups may be achieved through any of a variety of direct or indirect, covalent or non-covalent associations or attachments.","For example, in the case of oligonucleotide reporter groups associated with antibody based binding groups, such oligonucleotides may be covalently attached to a portion of an antibody or antibody fragment using chemical conjugation techniques (e.g., Lightning-Link® antibody labeling kits available from Innova Biosciences), as well as other non-covalent attachment mechanisms, e.g., using biotinylated antibodies and oligonucleotides (or beads that include one or more biotinylated linker, coupled to oligonucleotides) with an avidin or streptavidin linker.","Antibody and oligonucleotide biotinylation techniques are available (See, e.g., Fang, et al., Fluoride-Cleavable Biotinylation Phosphoramidite for 5′-end-Labeling and Affinity Purification of Synthetic Oligonucleotides, Nucleic Acids Res.","Jan. 15, 2003; 31(2):708-715, DNA 3′ End Biotinylation Kit, available from Thermo Scientific, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes).","Likewise, protein and peptide biotinylation techniques have been developed and are readily available (See, e.g., U.S. Pat.","No.","6,265,552, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes).","The reporter oligonucleotides may be provided having any of a range of different lengths, depending upon the diversity of reporter molecules desired or a given analysis, the sequence detection scheme employed, and the like.","In some cases, these reporter sequences can be greater than about 5 nucleotides in length, greater than about 10 nucleotides in length, greater than about 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150 or even 200 nucleotides in length.","In some cases, these reporter nucleotides may be less than about 250 nucleotides in length, less than about 200, 180, 150, 120 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, or even 30 nucleotides in length.","In many cases, the reporter oligonucleotides may be selected to provide barcoded products that are already sized, and otherwise configured to be analyzed on a sequencing system.","For example, these sequences may be provided at a length that ideally creates sequenceable products of a desired length for particular sequencing systems.","Likewise, these reporter oligonucleotides may include additional sequence elements, in addition to the reporter sequence, such as sequencer attachment sequences, sequencing primer sequences, amplification primer sequences, or the complements to any of these.","In operation, a cell-containing sample is incubated with the binding molecules and their associated reporter oligonucleotides, for any of the cell surface features desired to be analyzed.","Following incubation, the cells are washed to remove unbound binding groups.","Following washing, the cells are partitioned into separate partitions, e.g., droplets, along with the barcode carrying beads described above, where each partition includes a limited number of cells, e.g., in some cases, a single cell.","Upon releasing the barcodes from the beads, they will prime the amplification and barcoding of the reporter oligonucleotides.","As noted above, the barcoded replicates of the reporter molecules may additionally include functional sequences, such as primer sequences, attachment sequences or the like.","The barcoded reporter oligonucleotides are then subjected to sequence analysis to identify which reporter oligonucleotides bound to the cells within the partitions.","Further, by also sequencing the associated barcode sequence, one can identify that a given cell surface feature likely came from the same cell as other, different cell surface features, whose reporter sequences include the same barcode sequence, i.e., they were derived from the same partition.","Based upon the reporter molecules that emanate from an individual partition based upon the presence of the barcode sequence, one may then create a cell surface profile of individual cells from a population of cells.","Profiles of individual cells or populations of cells may be compared to profiles from other cells, e.g., ‘normal’ cells, to identify variations in cell surface features, which may provide diagnostically relevant information.","In particular, these profiles may be particularly useful in the diagnosis of a variety of disorders that are characterized by variations in cell surface receptors, such as cancer and other disorders.","V. DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Also provided herein are the microfluidic devices used for partitioning the cells as described above.","Such microfluidic devices can comprise channel networks for carrying out the partitioning process like those set forth in FIGS.","1 and 2.Examples of particularly useful microfluidic devices are described in U.S.","Provisional Patent Application No.","61/977,804, filed Apr.","4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.","Briefly, these microfluidic devices can comprise channel networks, such as those described herein, for partitioning cells into separate partitions, and co-partitioning such cells with oligonucleotide barcode library members, e.g., disposed on beads.","These channel networks can be disposed within a solid body, e.g., a glass, semiconductor or polymer body structure in which the channels are defined, where those channels communicate at their termini with reservoirs for receiving the various input fluids, and for the ultimate deposition of the partitioned cells, etc., from the output of the channel networks.","By way of example, and with reference to FIG.","2, a reservoir fluidly coupled to channel 202 may be provided with an aqueous suspension of cells 214, while a reservoir coupled to channel 204 may be provided with an aqueous suspension of beads 216 carrying the oligonucleotides.","Channel segments 206 and 208 may be provided with a non-aqueous solution, e.g., an oil, into which the aqueous fluids are partitioned as droplets at the channel junction 212.Finally, an outlet reservoir may be fluidly coupled to channel 210 into which the partitioned cells and beads can be delivered and from which they may be harvested.","As will be appreciated, while described as reservoirs, it will be appreciated that the channel segments may be coupled to any of a variety of different fluid sources or receiving components, including tubing, manifolds, or fluidic components of other systems.","Also provided are systems that control flow of these fluids through the channel networks e.g., through applied pressure differentials, centrifugal force, electrokinetic pumping, capillary or gravity flow, or the like.","VI.","KITS Also provided herein are kits for analyzing individual cells or small populations of cells.","The kits may include one, two, three, four, five or more, up to all of partitioning fluids, including both aqueous buffers and non-aqueous partitioning fluids or oils, nucleic acid barcode libraries that are releasably associated with beads, as described herein, microfluidic devices, reagents for disrupting cells amplifying nucleic acids, and providing additional functional sequences on fragments of cellular nucleic acids or replicates thereof, as well as instructions for using any of the foregoing in the methods described herein.","VII.","COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEMS The present disclosure provides computer control systems that are programmed to implement methods of the disclosure.","FIG.","17 shows a computer system 1701 that is programmed or otherwise configured to implement methods of the disclosure including nucleic acid sequencing methods, interpretation of nucleic acid sequencing data and analysis of cellular nucleic acids, such as RNA (e.g., mRNA), and characterization of cells from sequencing data.","The computer system 1701 can be an electronic device of a user or a computer system that is remotely located with respect to the electronic device.","The electronic device can be a mobile electronic device.","The computer system 1701 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also “processor” and “computer processor” herein) 1705, which can be a single core or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors for parallel processing.","The computer system 1701 also includes memory or memory location 1710 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), electronic storage unit 1715 (e.g., hard disk), communication interface 1720 (e.g., network adapter) for communicating with one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 1725, such as cache, other memory, data storage and/or electronic display adapters.","The memory 1710, storage unit 1715, interface 1720 and peripheral devices 1725 are in communication with the CPU 1705 through a communication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard.","The storage unit 1715 can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data.","The computer system 1701 can be operatively coupled to a computer network (“network”) 1730 with the aid of the communication interface 1720.The network 1730 can be the Internet, an internet and/or extranet, or an intranet and/or extranet that is in communication with the Internet.","The network 1730 in some cases is a telecommunication and/or data network.","The network 1730 can include one or more computer servers, which can enable distributed computing, such as cloud computing.","The network 1730, in some cases with the aid of the computer system 1701, can implement a peer-to-peer network, which may enable devices coupled to the computer system 1701 to behave as a client or a server.","The CPU 1705 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions, which can be embodied in a program or software.","The instructions may be stored in a memory location, such as the memory 1710.The instructions can be directed to the CPU 1705, which can subsequently program or otherwise configure the CPU 1705 to implement methods of the present disclosure.","Examples of operations performed by the CPU 1705 can include fetch, decode, execute, and writeback.","The CPU 1705 can be part of a circuit, such as an integrated circuit.","One or more other components of the system 1701 can be included in the circuit.","In some cases, the circuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).","The storage unit 1715 can store files, such as drivers, libraries and saved programs.","The storage unit 1715 can store user data, e.g., user preferences and user programs.","The computer system 1701 in some cases can include one or more additional data storage units that are external to the computer system 1701, such as located on a remote server that is in communication with the computer system 1701 through an intranet or the Internet.","The computer system 1701 can communicate with one or more remote computer systems through the network 1730.For instance, the computer system 1701 can communicate with a remote computer system of a user.","Examples of remote computer systems include personal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PC's (e.g., Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g., Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®), or personal digital assistants.","The user can access the computer system 1701 via the network 1730.Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g., computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storage location of the computer system 1701, such as, for example, on the memory 1710 or electronic storage unit 1715.The machine executable or machine readable code can be provided in the form of software.","During use, the code can be executed by the processor 1705.In some cases, the code can be retrieved from the storage unit 1715 and stored on the memory 1710 for ready access by the processor 1705.In some situations, the electronic storage unit 1715 can be precluded, and machine-executable instructions are stored on memory 1710.The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machine having a processor adapted to execute the code, or can be compiled during runtime.","The code can be supplied in a programming language that can be selected to enable the code to execute in a pre-compiled or as-compiled fashion.","Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein, such as the computer system 1701, can be embodied in programming.","Various aspects of the technology may be thought of as “products” or “articles of manufacture” typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code and/or associated data that is carried on or embodied in a type of machine readable medium.","Machine-executable code can be stored on an electronic storage unit, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random-access memory, flash memory) or a hard disk.","“Storage” type media can include any or all of the tangible memory of the computers, processors or the like, or associated modules thereof, such as various semiconductor memories, tape drives, disk drives and the like, which may provide non-transitory storage at any time for the software programming.","All or portions of the software may at times be communicated through the Internet or various other telecommunication networks.","Such communications, for example, may enable loading of the software from one computer or processor into another, for example, from a management server or host computer into the computer platform of an application server.","Thus, another type of media that may bear the software elements includes optical, electrical and electromagnetic waves, such as used across physical interfaces between local devices, through wired and optical landline networks and over various air-links.","The physical elements that carry such waves, such as wired or wireless links, optical links or the like, also may be considered as media bearing the software.","As used herein, unless restricted to non-transitory, tangible “storage” media, terms such as computer or machine “readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.","Hence, a machine readable medium, such as computer-executable code, may take many forms, including but not limited to, a tangible storage medium, a carrier wave medium or physical transmission medium.","Non-volatile storage media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in any computer(s) or the like, such as may be used to implement the databases, etc.","shown in the drawings.","Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as main memory of such a computer platform.","Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system.","Carrier-wave transmission media may take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.","Common forms of computer-readable media therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer may read programming code and/or data.","Many of these forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.","The computer system 1701 can include or be in communication with an electronic display 1735 that comprises a user interface (UI) 1740 for providing, for example, results of nucleic acid sequencing, analysis of nucleic acid sequencing data, characterization of nucleic acid sequencing samples, cell characterizations, etc.","Examples of UI's include, without limitation, a graphical user interface (GUI) and web-based user interface.","Methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented by way of one or more algorithms.","An algorithm can be implemented by way of software upon execution by the central processing unit 1705.The algorithm can, for example, initiate nucleic acid sequencing, process nucleic acid sequencing data, interpret nucleic acid sequencing results, characterize nucleic acid samples, characterize cells, etc.","VIII.","EXAMPLES Example I Cellular RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In an example, reverse transcription with template switching and cDNA amplification (via PCR) is performed in emulsion droplets with operations as shown in FIG.","9A.","The reaction mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription and cDNA amplification (via PCR) includes 1,000 cells or 10,000 cells or 10 ng of RNA, beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides/0.2% Tx-100/5× Kapa buffer, 2× Kapa HS HiFi Ready Mix, 4 μM switch oligo, and Smartscribe.","Where cells are present, the mixture is partitioned such that a majority or all of the droplets comprise a single cell and single bead.","The cells are lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA that is released from the cell as in operation 950.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 952 and the cDNA transcript is amplified as in operation 954.The thermal cycling conditions are 42° C. for 130 minutes; 98° C. for 2 min; and 35 cycles of the following 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 6 min.","Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and the transcripts are purified with Dynabeads and 0.6× SPRI as in operation 956.The yield from template switch reverse transcription and PCR in emulsions is shown for 1,000 cells in FIG.","13A and 10,000 cells in FIG.","13C and 10 ng of RNA in FIG.","13B (Smartscribe line).","The cDNA transcripts from RT and PCR performed in emulsions for 10 ng RNA is sheared and ligated to functional sequences, cleaned up with 0.8× SPRI, and is further amplified by PCR as in operation 958.The amplification product is cleaned up with 0.8× SPRI.","The yield from this processing is shown in FIG.","13B (SSII line).","Example II Cellular RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In another example, reverse transcription with template switching and cDNA amplification (via PCR) is performed in emulsion droplets with operations as shown in FIG.","9A.","The reaction mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription and cDNA amplification (via PCR) includes Jurkat cells, beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides/0.2% TritonX-100/5× Kapa buffer, 2× Kapa HS HiFi Ready Mix, 4 μM switch oligo, and Smartscribe.","The mixture is partitioned such that a majority or all of the droplets comprise a single cell and single bead.","The cells are lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA that is released from the cell as in operation 950.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 952 and the cDNA transcript is amplified as in operation 954.The thermal cycling conditions are 42° C. for 130 minutes; 98° C. for 2 min; and 35 cycles of the following 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 6 min.","Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and the transcripts are cleaned-up with Dynabeads and 0.6× SPRI as in operation 956.The yield from reactions with various cell numbers (625 cells, 1,250 cells, 2,500 cells, 5,000 cells, and 10,000 cells) is shown in FIG.","14A.","These yields are confirmed with GADPH qPCR assay results shown in FIG.","14B.","Example III RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In another example, reverse transcription is performed in emulsion droplets and cDNA amplification is performed in bulk in a manner similar to that as shown in FIG.","9C.","The reaction mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription includes beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides, 10 ng Jurkat RNA (e.g., Jurkat mRNA), 5× First-Strand buffer, and Smartscribe.","The barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of the RNA as in operation 961.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 963.The thermal cycling conditions for reverse transcription are one cycle at 42° C. for 2 hours and one cycle at 70° C. for 10 min.","Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and RNA and cDNA transcripts are denatured as in operation 962.A second strand is then synthesized by primer extension with a primer having a biotin tag as in operation 964.The reaction conditions for this primer extension include cDNA transcript as the first strand and biotinylated extension primer ranging in concentration from 0.5-3.0 μM.","The thermal cycling conditions are one cycle at 98° C. for 3 min and one cycle of 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 30 min.","Following primer extension, the second strand is pulled down with Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin C1 and T1, and cleaned-up with Agilent SureSelect XT buffers.","The second strand is pre-amplified via PCR as in operation 965 with the following cycling conditions—one cycle at 98° C. for 3 min and one cycle of 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 30 min.","The yield for various concentrations of biotinylated primer (0.5 μM, 1.0 μM, 2.0 μM, and 3.0 μM) is shown in FIG.","15.Example IV RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In another example, in vitro transcription by T7 polymerase is used to produce RNA transcripts as shown in FIG.","10.The mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription includes beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides which also include a T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequence, 10 ng human RNA (e.g., human mRNA), 5× First-Strand buffer, and Smartscribe.","The mixture is partitioned such that a majority or all of the droplets comprise a single bead.","The barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of the RNA as in operation 1050.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 1052.The thermal cycling conditions are one cycle at 42° C. for 2 hours and one cycle at 70° C. for 10 min.","Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and the remaining operations are performed in bulk.","A second strand is then synthesized by primer extension as in operation 1054.The reaction conditions for this primer extension include cDNA transcript as template and extension primer.","The thermal cycling conditions are one cycle at 98° C. for 3 min and one cycle of 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 30 min.","Following this primer extension, the second strand is purified with 0.6x SPRI.","As in operation 1056, in vitro transcription is then performed to produce RNA transcripts.","In vitro transcription is performed overnight, and the transcripts are purified with 0.6× SPRI.","The RNA yields from in vitro transcription are shown in FIG.","16.While some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.","It is not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification.","While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense.","Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.","Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables.","It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention.","It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents.","It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING POLYNUCLEOTIDES\",\n \"The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing.\",\n \"Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A method for identifying an analyte from a single cell, comprising: (a) causing an analyte of said single cell to contact one or more antibodies, thereby providing an antibody from said one or more antibodies coupled to said analyte, wherein said antibody is associated with a first nucleic acid molecule comprising a first barcode sequence; (b) using said first nucleic acid molecule and a second nucleic acid molecule to generate a third nucleic acid molecule, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a second barcode sequence, and wherein said third nucleic acid molecule comprises (i) said first barcode sequence or a complement thereof, and (ii) said second barcode sequence or a complement thereof; (c) processing said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof to identify said first barcode sequence and said second barcode sequence; and (d) using said first barcode sequence and said second barcode sequence identified in (c) to identify said analyte of said single cell.\",\n \"2.The method of claim 1, wherein said analyte is a protein.\",\n \"3.The method of claim 2, wherein said protein is coupled to a surface of said single cell.\",\n \"4.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) is performed in a partition among a plurality of partitions.\",\n \"5.The method of claim 4, further comprising co-partitioning said single cell or said analyte from said single cell with a single bead from a plurality of beads into said partition, wherein said single bead comprises said second nucleic acid molecule comprising said second barcode sequence.\",\n \"6.The method of claim 5, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule is releasably attached to said single bead.\",\n \"7.The method of claim 6, further comprising releasing said second nucleic acid molecule from said single bead.\",\n \"8.The method of claim 5, wherein said plurality of beads is a plurality of gel beads and said single bead is a single gel bead.\",\n \"9.The method of claim 8, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule is reversibly coupled to said gel bead through a chemical cross-link.\",\n \"10.The method of claim 8, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule is reversibly coupled to said gel bead through a disulfide bond.\",\n \"11.The method of claim 10, wherein said partition further comprises an agent capable of releasing said second nucleic acid molecule from said bead gel bead.\",\n \"12.The method of claim 11, wherein said agent comprises a chemical reducing agent.\",\n \"13.The method of claim 5, wherein said second barcode sequence is different than other barcode sequences of other nucleic acid molecules comprised in other beads of said plurality of beads.\",\n \"14.The method of claim 5, wherein said single bead is co-partitioned with said single cell in said partition.\",\n \"15.The method of claim 14, further comprising lysing said single cell in said partition.\",\n \"16.The method of claim 4, wherein said partition is a droplet among a plurality of droplets 17.The method of claim 4, wherein said partition is a well among a plurality of wells.\",\n \"18.The method of claim 4, further comprising, subsequent to (b), releasing said third nucleic acid molecule or derivative thereof from said partition, and performing (c) subsequent to release of said third nucleic acid molecule or derivative thereof from said partition.\",\n \"19.The method of claim 1, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a unique molecular identification (UMI) sequence.\",\n \"20.The method of claim 1, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence complementary to a sequence in said first nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"21.The method of claim 1, wherein said second nucleic acid molecule comprises a first sequencing primer sequence.\",\n \"22.The method of claim 21, wherein said first nucleic acid molecule comprises a second sequencing primer sequence.\",\n \"23.The method of claim 1, further comprising subjecting said third nucleic acid molecule to one or more reactions.\",\n \"24.The method of claim 23, wherein said one or more reactions comprise polymerase chain reaction.\",\n \"25.The method of claim 23, wherein said one or more reactions comprise addition of one or more functional sequences to said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof, wherein said one or more functional sequences are configured to permit attachment to a flow cell of a sequencer.\",\n \"26.The method of claim 1, further comprising sequencing said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof to identify said first barcode sequence and said second barcode sequence, wherein said first barcode sequence identifies an analyte to which said antibody is specific and said second barcode sequence identifies nucleic acids originating from said single cell.\",\n \"27.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises performing one or more nucleic acid extension reactions on said first nucleic acid molecule and/or said second nucleic acid molecule to yield said third nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"28.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction on said third nucleic acid molecule.\",\n \"29.The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises performing a template switching reaction.\",\n \"30.The method of claim 1, wherein said third nucleic acid molecule or a derivative thereof comprises a functional sequence that is configured to permit attachment to a flow cell of a sequencer.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Significant advances in analyzing and characterizing biological and biochemical materials and systems have led to unprecedented advances in understanding the mechanisms of life, health, disease and treatment.\",\n \"Among these advances, technologies that target and characterize the genomic make up of biological systems have yielded some of the most groundbreaking results, including advances in the use and exploitation of genetic amplification technologies, and nucleic acid sequencing technologies.\",\n \"Nucleic acid sequencing can be used to obtain information in a wide variety of biomedical contexts, including diagnostics, prognostics, biotechnology, and forensic biology.\",\n \"Sequencing may involve basic methods including Maxam-Gilbert sequencing and chain-termination methods, or de novo sequencing methods including shotgun sequencing and bridge PCR, or next-generation methods including polony sequencing, 454 pyrosequencing, Illumina sequencing, SOLiD sequencing, Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing, HeliScope single molecule sequencing, SMRT® sequencing, and others.\",\n \"Despite these advances in biological characterization, many challenges still remain unaddressed, or relatively poorly addressed by the solutions currently being offered.\",\n \"The present disclosure provides novel solutions and approaches to addressing many of the shortcomings of existing technologies.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BRIEF SUMMARY Provided herein are methods, compositions and systems for analyzing individual cells or small populations of cells, including the analysis and attribution of nucleic acids from and to these individual cells or cell populations.\",\n \"An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of analyzing nucleic acids from cells that includes providing nucleic acids derived from an individual cell into a discrete partition; generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences derived from the nucleic acids within the discrete partition, which one or more first nucleic acid sequences have attached thereto oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence; generating a characterization of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences derived from the one or more first nucleic acid sequences, which one or more second nucleic acid sequences comprise the common barcode sequence; and identifying the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences as being derived from the individual cell based, at least in part, upon a presence of the common nucleic acid barcode sequence in the generated characterization.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partition is a discrete droplet.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least 10,000, at least 100,000 or at least 500,000 of the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided attached to a bead, where each oligonucleotide on a bead comprises the same barcode sequence, and the bead is co-partitioned with the individual cell into the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are releasably attached to the bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the bead comprises a degradable bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to or during generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences the method includes releasing the oligonucleotides from the bead via degradation of the bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the characterization comprises sequencing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"The method may also include assembling a contiguous nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of a genome of the individual cell from sequences of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"Moreover, the method may also include characterizing the individual cell based upon the nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of the genome of the individual cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cell in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids comprise ribonucleic acid (RNA), such as, for example, messenger RNA (mRNA).\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes subjecting the nucleic acids to reverse transcription under conditions that yield the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reverse transcription occurs in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided in the discrete partition and include a poly-T sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the poly-T sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the poly-T sequence in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include an anchoring sequence that facilitates hybridization of the poly-T sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a random priming sequence that can be, for example, a random hexamer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the random priming sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the random priming sequence in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a given one of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences has sequence complementarity to at least a portion of a given one of the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partition at most includes the individual cell among a plurality of cells.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a unique molecular sequence segment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can include identifying an individual nucleic acid sequence of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or of the one or more second nucleic acid sequences as derived from a given nucleic acid of the nucleic acids based, at least in part, upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes determining an amount of the given nucleic acid based upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes, prior to generating the characterization, adding one or more additional sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes adding a first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences with the aid of a switch oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the switch oligonucleotide hybridizes to at least a portion of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences and is extended in a template directed fashion to couple the first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes amplifying the one of more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence from the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, after the amplifying, the method includes adding one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional sequence to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the adding the one or more second additional sequences includes removing a portion of each of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence and coupling thereto the one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the removing is completed via shearing of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled (e.g., ligated) to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to transcription to generate one or more RNA fragments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transcription occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a T7 promoter sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more RNA sequences and coupling an additional sequence to the one or more RNA sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences coupled to the additional sequence to reverse transcription to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences to reverse transcription to generate one or more DNA sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more DNA sequences and coupling one or more additional sequences to the one or more DNA sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids include complementary (cDNA) generated from reverse transcription of RNA from the individual cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a priming sequence and are provided in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the priming sequence includes a random N-mer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the priming sequence to the cDNA and extending the priming sequence in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partition includes switch oligonucleotides comprising a complement sequence of the oligonucleotides.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the switch oligonucleotides to at least a portion of nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids and extending the switch oligonucleotides in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes attaching the oligonucleotides to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first nucleic acid sequences are nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes coupling (e.g., ligating) the oligonucleotides to the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a plurality of partitions comprises the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions, on average, comprises less than one cell per partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, less than 25% of partitions of the plurality of partitions do not comprise a cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises discrete partitions each having at least one partitioned cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, fewer than 25%, fewer than 20%, fewer than 15%, fewer than 10%, fewer than 5% or fewer than 1% of the discrete partitions comprise more than one cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least a subset of the discrete partitions comprises a bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% of the discrete partitions comprise at least one cell and at least one bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include at least 1,000, at least 10,000, or at least 100,000 different partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises at least 1,000, at least 10,000 or at least 100,000 partitions.\",\n \"In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of characterizing cells in a population of a plurality of different cell types that includes providing nucleic acids from individual cells in the population into discrete partitions; attaching oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence to one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the individual cells within the discrete partitions, where a plurality of different partitions comprise different common nucleic acid barcode sequences; and characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the plurality of discrete partitions, and attributing the one or more fragments to individual cells based, at least in part, upon the presence of a common barcode sequence; and characterizing a plurality of individual cells in the population based upon the characterization of the one or more fragments in the plurality of discrete partitions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes fragmenting the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partitions are droplets.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids includes sequencing ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from the individual cells, and the characterizing the cells comprises identifying a cell genus, species, strain or variant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a microbiome sample.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a human tissue sample.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from circulating cells in a mammal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a forensic sample.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cells in the discrete partitions.\",\n \"An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a method of characterizing an individual cell or population of cells that includes incubating a cell with a plurality of different cell surface feature binding group types, where each different cell surface binding group type is capable of binding to a different cell surface feature, and where each different cell surface binding group type comprises a reporter oligonucleotide associated therewith, under conditions that allow binding between one or more cell surface feature binding groups and its respective cell surface feature, if present; partitioning the cell into a partition that comprises a plurality of oligonucleotides comprising a barcode sequence; attaching the barcode sequence to oligonucleotide reporter groups present in the partition; sequencing the oligonucleotide reporter groups and attached barcodes; and characterizing cell surface features present on the cell based upon reporter oligonucleotides that are sequenced.\",\n \"An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a composition comprising a plurality of partitions, each of the plurality of partitions comprising an individual cell and a population of oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises droplets in an emulsion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the population of oligonucleotides within each of the plurality of partitions is coupled to a bead disposed within each of the plurality of partitions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cell has associated therewith a plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups associated with their respective cell surface features and each different type of cell surface feature binding group includes an oligonucleotide reporter group comprising a different nucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups includes a plurality of different antibodies or antibody fragments having a binding affinity for a plurality of different cell surface features.\",\n \"Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described.\",\n \"As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"15/717,871, filed Sep. 27, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/752,641, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"62/061,567, filed Oct. 8, 2014, and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"62/017,558, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, each of which application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Significant advances in analyzing and characterizing biological and biochemical materials and systems have led to unprecedented advances in understanding the mechanisms of life, health, disease and treatment.\",\n \"Among these advances, technologies that target and characterize the genomic make up of biological systems have yielded some of the most groundbreaking results, including advances in the use and exploitation of genetic amplification technologies, and nucleic acid sequencing technologies.\",\n \"Nucleic acid sequencing can be used to obtain information in a wide variety of biomedical contexts, including diagnostics, prognostics, biotechnology, and forensic biology.\",\n \"Sequencing may involve basic methods including Maxam-Gilbert sequencing and chain-termination methods, or de novo sequencing methods including shotgun sequencing and bridge PCR, or next-generation methods including polony sequencing, 454 pyrosequencing, Illumina sequencing, SOLiD sequencing, Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing, HeliScope single molecule sequencing, SMRT® sequencing, and others.\",\n \"Despite these advances in biological characterization, many challenges still remain unaddressed, or relatively poorly addressed by the solutions currently being offered.\",\n \"The present disclosure provides novel solutions and approaches to addressing many of the shortcomings of existing technologies.\",\n \"BRIEF SUMMARY Provided herein are methods, compositions and systems for analyzing individual cells or small populations of cells, including the analysis and attribution of nucleic acids from and to these individual cells or cell populations.\",\n \"An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of analyzing nucleic acids from cells that includes providing nucleic acids derived from an individual cell into a discrete partition; generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences derived from the nucleic acids within the discrete partition, which one or more first nucleic acid sequences have attached thereto oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence; generating a characterization of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences derived from the one or more first nucleic acid sequences, which one or more second nucleic acid sequences comprise the common barcode sequence; and identifying the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or one or more second nucleic acid sequences as being derived from the individual cell based, at least in part, upon a presence of the common nucleic acid barcode sequence in the generated characterization.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partition is a discrete droplet.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least 10,000, at least 100,000 or at least 500,000 of the oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the nucleic acids derived from the individual cell into the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided attached to a bead, where each oligonucleotide on a bead comprises the same barcode sequence, and the bead is co-partitioned with the individual cell into the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are releasably attached to the bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the bead comprises a degradable bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to or during generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences the method includes releasing the oligonucleotides from the bead via degradation of the bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the characterization comprises sequencing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"The method may also include assembling a contiguous nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of a genome of the individual cell from sequences of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"Moreover, the method may also include characterizing the individual cell based upon the nucleic acid sequence for at least a portion of the genome of the individual cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cell in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids comprise ribonucleic acid (RNA), such as, for example, messenger RNA (mRNA).\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes subjecting the nucleic acids to reverse transcription under conditions that yield the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reverse transcription occurs in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides are provided in the discrete partition and include a poly-T sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the poly-T sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the poly-T sequence in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include an anchoring sequence that facilitates hybridization of the poly-T sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a random priming sequence that can be, for example, a random hexamer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the reverse transcription comprises hybridizing the random priming sequence to at least a portion of each of the nucleic acids and extending the random priming sequence in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a given one of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences has sequence complementarity to at least a portion of a given one of the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partition at most includes the individual cell among a plurality of cells.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a unique molecular sequence segment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method can include identifying an individual nucleic acid sequence of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences or of the one or more second nucleic acid sequences as derived from a given nucleic acid of the nucleic acids based, at least in part, upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes determining an amount of the given nucleic acid based upon a presence of the unique molecular sequence segment.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes, prior to generating the characterization, adding one or more additional sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes adding a first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences with the aid of a switch oligonucleotide.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the switch oligonucleotide hybridizes to at least a portion of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences and is extended in a template directed fashion to couple the first additional nucleic acid sequence to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes amplifying the one of more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the amplifying occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence from the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, after the amplifying, the method includes adding one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional sequence to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the adding the one or more second additional sequences includes removing a portion of each of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled to the first additional nucleic acid sequence and coupling thereto the one or more second additional nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the removing is completed via shearing of the one or more first nucleic acid sequences coupled (e.g., ligated) to the first additional nucleic acid sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more first nucleic acid sequences to transcription to generate one or more RNA fragments.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the transcription occurs after releasing the one or more first nucleic acid sequences from the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a T7 promoter sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more RNA sequences and coupling an additional sequence to the one or more RNA sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences coupled to the additional sequence to reverse transcription to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes subjecting the one or more RNA sequences to reverse transcription to generate one or more DNA sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes removing a portion of each of the one or more DNA sequences and coupling one or more additional sequences to the one or more DNA sequences to generate the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, prior to generating the characterization, the method includes amplifying the one or more second nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids include complementary (cDNA) generated from reverse transcription of RNA from the individual cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides include a priming sequence and are provided in the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the priming sequence includes a random N-mer.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the priming sequence to the cDNA and extending the priming sequence in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partition includes switch oligonucleotides comprising a complement sequence of the oligonucleotides.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes hybridizing the switch oligonucleotides to at least a portion of nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids and extending the switch oligonucleotides in template directed fashion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes attaching the oligonucleotides to the one or more first nucleic acid sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the one or more first nucleic acid sequences are nucleic acid fragments derived from the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, generating the one or more first nucleic acid sequences includes coupling (e.g., ligating) the oligonucleotides to the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, a plurality of partitions comprises the discrete partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions, on average, comprises less than one cell per partition.\",\n \"In some embodiments, less than 25% of partitions of the plurality of partitions do not comprise a cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises discrete partitions each having at least one partitioned cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, fewer than 25%, fewer than 20%, fewer than 15%, fewer than 10%, fewer than 5% or fewer than 1% of the discrete partitions comprise more than one cell.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least a subset of the discrete partitions comprises a bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% of the discrete partitions comprise at least one cell and at least one bead.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partitions include at least 1,000, at least 10,000, or at least 100,000 different partitioned nucleic acid barcode sequences.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises at least 1,000, at least 10,000 or at least 100,000 partitions.\",\n \"In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of characterizing cells in a population of a plurality of different cell types that includes providing nucleic acids from individual cells in the population into discrete partitions; attaching oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence to one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the individual cells within the discrete partitions, where a plurality of different partitions comprise different common nucleic acid barcode sequences; and characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids from the plurality of discrete partitions, and attributing the one or more fragments to individual cells based, at least in part, upon the presence of a common barcode sequence; and characterizing a plurality of individual cells in the population based upon the characterization of the one or more fragments in the plurality of discrete partitions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the method includes fragmenting the nucleic acids.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the discrete partitions are droplets.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the characterizing the one or more fragments of the nucleic acids includes sequencing ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from the individual cells, and the characterizing the cells comprises identifying a cell genus, species, strain or variant.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a microbiome sample.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a human tissue sample.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from circulating cells in a mammal.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cells are derived from a forensic sample.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are released from the individual cells in the discrete partitions.\",\n \"An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a method of characterizing an individual cell or population of cells that includes incubating a cell with a plurality of different cell surface feature binding group types, where each different cell surface binding group type is capable of binding to a different cell surface feature, and where each different cell surface binding group type comprises a reporter oligonucleotide associated therewith, under conditions that allow binding between one or more cell surface feature binding groups and its respective cell surface feature, if present; partitioning the cell into a partition that comprises a plurality of oligonucleotides comprising a barcode sequence; attaching the barcode sequence to oligonucleotide reporter groups present in the partition; sequencing the oligonucleotide reporter groups and attached barcodes; and characterizing cell surface features present on the cell based upon reporter oligonucleotides that are sequenced.\",\n \"An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a composition comprising a plurality of partitions, each of the plurality of partitions comprising an individual cell and a population of oligonucleotides that comprise a common nucleic acid barcode sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of partitions comprises droplets in an emulsion.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the population of oligonucleotides within each of the plurality of partitions is coupled to a bead disposed within each of the plurality of partitions.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the individual cell has associated therewith a plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups associated with their respective cell surface features and each different type of cell surface feature binding group includes an oligonucleotide reporter group comprising a different nucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some embodiments, the plurality of different cell surface feature binding groups includes a plurality of different antibodies or antibody fragments having a binding affinity for a plurality of different cell surface features.\",\n \"Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described.\",\n \"As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure.\",\n \"Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.\",\n \"INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.\",\n \"To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.\",\n \"A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which: FIG.\",\n \"1 schematically illustrates a microfluidic channel structure for partitioning individual or small groups of cells.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 schematically illustrates a microfluidic channel structure for co-partitioning cells and beads or microcapsules comprising additional reagents.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 schematically illustrates an example process for amplification and barcoding of cell's nucleic acids.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 provides a schematic illustration of use of barcoding of cell's nucleic acids in attributing sequence data to individual cells or groups of cells for use in their characterization.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 provides a schematic illustrating cells associated with labeled cell-binding ligands.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 provides a schematic illustration of an example workflow for performing RNA analysis using the methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 provides a schematic illustration of an example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in analysis of ribonucleic (RNA) using the methods described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 provides an image of individual cells co-partitioned along with individual barcode bearing beads FIG.\",\n \"9A-E provides schematic illustration of example barcoded oligonucleotide structures for use in analysis of RNA and example operations for performing RNA analysis.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"10 provides schematic illustration of example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in example analysis of RNA and use of a sequence for in vitro transcription.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 provides schematic illustration of an example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in analysis of RNA and example operations for performing RNA analysis.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"12A-B provides schematic illustration of example barcoded oligonucleotide structure for use in analysis of RNA.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13A-C provides illustrations of example yields from template switch reverse transcription and PCR in partitions.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14A-B provides illustrations of example yields from reverse transcription and cDNA amplification in partitions with various cell numbers.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"15 provides an illustration of example yields from cDNA synthesis and real-time quantitative PCR at various input cell concentrations and also the effect of varying primer concentration on yield at a fixed cell input concentration.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 provides an illustration of example yields from in vitro transcription.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 shows an example computer control system that is programmed or otherwise configured to implement methods provided herein.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.\",\n \"Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.\",\n \"It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.\",\n \"Where values are described as ranges, it will be understood that such disclosure includes the disclosure of all possible sub-ranges within such ranges, as well as specific numerical values that fall within such ranges irrespective of whether a specific numerical value or specific sub-range is expressly stated.\",\n \"I.\",\n \"SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS Advanced nucleic acid sequencing technologies have yielded monumental results in sequencing biological materials, including providing substantial sequence information on individual organisms, and relatively pure biological samples.\",\n \"However, these systems have not proven effective at being able to identify and characterize sub-populations of cells in biological samples that may represent a smaller minority of the overall make up of the sample, but for which individualized sequence information could prove even more valuable.\",\n \"Most nucleic acid sequencing technologies derive the nucleic acids that they sequence from collections of cells derived from tissue or other samples.\",\n \"The cells can be processed, en masse, to extract the genetic material that represents an average of the population of cells, which can then be processed into sequencing ready DNA libraries that are configured for a given sequencing technology.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although often discussed in terms of DNA or nucleic acids, the nucleic acids derived from the cells may include DNA, or RNA, including, e.g., mRNA, total RNA, or the like, that may be processed to produce cDNA for sequencing, e.g., using any of a variety of RNA-seq methods.\",\n \"Following from this processing, absent a cell specific marker, attribution of genetic material as being contributed by a subset of cells or all cells in a sample is virtually impossible in such an ensemble approach.\",\n \"In addition to the inability to attribute characteristics to particular subsets of populations of cells, such ensemble sample preparation methods also are, from the outset, predisposed to primarily identifying and characterizing the majority constituents in the sample of cells, and are not designed to be able to pick out the minority constituents, e.g., genetic material contributed by one cell, a few cells, or a small percentage of total cells in the sample.\",\n \"Likewise, where analyzing expression levels, e.g., of mRNA, an ensemble approach would be predisposed to presenting potentially grossly inaccurate data from cell populations that are non-homogeneous in terms of expression levels.\",\n \"In some cases, where expression is high in a small minority of the cells in an analyzed population, and absent in the majority of the cells of the population, an ensemble method would indicate low level expression for the entire population.\",\n \"This original majority bias is further magnified, and even overwhelming, through processing operations used in building up the sequencing libraries from these samples.\",\n \"In particular, most next generation sequencing technologies rely upon the geometric amplification of nucleic acid fragments, such as the polymerase chain reaction, in order to produce sufficient DNA for the sequencing library.\",\n \"However, such geometric amplification is biased toward amplification of majority constituents in a sample, and may not preserve the starting ratios of such minority and majority components.\",\n \"By way of example, if a sample includes 95% DNA from a particular cell type in a sample, e.g., host tissue cells, and 5% DNA from another cell type, e.g., cancer cells, PCR based amplification can preferentially amplify the majority DNA in place of the minority DNA, both as a function of comparative exponential amplification (the repeated doubling of the higher concentration quickly outpaces that of the smaller fraction) and as a function of sequestration of amplification reagents and resources (as the larger fraction is amplified, it preferentially utilizes primers and other amplification reagents).\",\n \"While some of these difficulties may be addressed by utilizing different sequencing systems, such as single molecule systems that don't require amplification, the single molecule systems, as well as the ensemble sequencing methods of other next generation sequencing systems, can also have requirements for sufficiently large input DNA requirements.\",\n \"In particular, single molecule sequencing systems like the Pacific Biosciences SMRT Sequencing system can have sample input DNA requirements of from 500 nanograms (ng) to upwards of 10 micrograms (μg), which is far larger than what can be derived from individual cells or even small subpopulations of cells.\",\n \"Likewise, other NGS systems can be optimized for starting amounts of sample DNA in the sample of from approximately 50 ng to about 1 μg.\",\n \"II.\",\n \"COMPARTMENTALIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLS Disclosed herein, however, are methods and systems for characterizing nucleic acids from small populations of cells, and in some cases, for characterizing nucleic acids from individual cells, especially in the context of larger populations of cells.\",\n \"The methods and systems provide advantages of being able to provide the attribution advantages of the non-amplified single molecule methods with the high throughput of the other next generation systems, with the additional advantages of being able to process and sequence extremely low amounts of input nucleic acids derivable from individual cells or small collections of cells.\",\n \"In particular, the methods described herein compartmentalize the analysis of individual cells or small populations of cells, including e.g., nucleic acids from individual cells or small groups of cells, and then allow that analysis to be attributed back to the individual cell or small group of cells from which the nucleic acids were derived.\",\n \"This can be accomplished regardless of whether the cell population represents a 50/50 mix of cell types, a 90/10 mix of cell types, or virtually any ratio of cell types, as well as a complete heterogeneous mix of different cell types, or any mixture between these.\",\n \"Differing cell types may include cells or biologic organisms from different tissue types of an individual, from different individuals, from differing genera, species, strains, variants, or any combination of any or all of the foregoing.\",\n \"For example, differing cell types may include normal and tumor tissue from an individual, multiple different bacterial species, strains and/or variants from environmental, forensic, microbiome or other samples, or any of a variety of other mixtures of cell types.\",\n \"In one aspect, the methods and systems described herein, provide for the compartmentalization, depositing or partitioning of the nucleic acid contents of individual cells from a sample material containing cells, into discrete compartments or partitions (referred to interchangeably herein as partitions), where each partition maintains separation of its own contents from the contents of other partitions.\",\n \"Unique identifiers, e.g., barcodes, may be previously, subsequently or concurrently delivered to the partitions that hold the compartmentalized or partitioned cells, in order to allow for the later attribution of the characteristics of the individual cells to the particular compartment.\",\n \"As used herein, in some aspects, the partitions refer to containers or vessels (such as wells, microwells, tubes, through ports in nanoarray substrates, e.g., BioTrove nanoarrays, or other containers).\",\n \"In many some aspects, however, the compartments or partitions comprise partitions that are flowable within fluid streams.\",\n \"These partitions may be comprised of, e.g., microcapsules or micro-vesicles that have an outer barrier surrounding an inner fluid center or core, or they may be a porous matrix that is capable of entraining and/or retaining materials within its matrix.\",\n \"In some aspects, however, these partitions comprise droplets of aqueous fluid within a non-aqueous continuous phase, e.g., an oil phase.\",\n \"A variety of different vessels are described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/966,150, filed Aug. 13, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"Likewise, emulsion systems for creating stable droplets in non-aqueous or oil continuous phases are described in detail in, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No.\",\n \"2010/0105112, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"In the case of droplets in an emulsion, allocating individual cells to discrete partitions may generally be accomplished by introducing a flowing stream of cells in an aqueous fluid into a flowing stream of a non-aqueous fluid, such that droplets are generated at the junction of the two streams.\",\n \"By providing the aqueous cell-containing stream at a certain concentration level of cells, one can control the level of occupancy of the resulting partitions in terms of numbers of cells.\",\n \"In some cases, where single cell partitions are desired, it may be desirable to control the relative flow rates of the fluids such that, on average, the partitions contain less than one cell per partition, in order to ensure that those partitions that are occupied, are primarily singly occupied.\",\n \"Likewise, one may wish to control the flow rate to provide that a higher percentage of partitions are occupied, e.g., allowing for only a small percentage of unoccupied partitions.\",\n \"In some aspects, the flows and channel architectures are controlled as to ensure a desired number of singly occupied partitions, less than a certain level of unoccupied partitions and less than a certain level of multiply occupied partitions.\",\n \"In many cases, the systems and methods are used to ensure that the substantial majority of occupied partitions (partitions containing one or more microcapsules) include no more than 1 cell per occupied partition.\",\n \"In some cases, the partitioning process is controlled such that fewer than 25% of the occupied partitions contain more than one cell, and in many cases, fewer than 20% of the occupied partitions have more than one cell, while in some cases, fewer than 10% or even fewer than 5% of the occupied partitions include more than one cell per partition.\",\n \"Additionally or alternatively, in many cases, it is desirable to avoid the creation of excessive numbers of empty partitions.\",\n \"While this may be accomplished by providing sufficient numbers of cells into the partitioning zone, the poissonian distribution would expectedly increase the number of partitions that would include multiple cells.\",\n \"As such, in accordance with aspects described herein, the flow of one or more of the cells, or other fluids directed into the partitioning zone are controlled such that, in many cases, no more than 50% of the generated partitions are unoccupied, i.e., including less than 1 cell, no more than 25% of the generated partitions, no more than 10% of the generated partitions, may be unoccupied.\",\n \"Further, in some aspects, these flows are controlled so as to present non-poissonian distribution of single occupied partitions while providing lower levels of unoccupied partitions.\",\n \"Restated, in some aspects, the above noted ranges of unoccupied partitions can be achieved while still providing any of the single occupancy rates described above.\",\n \"For example, in many cases, the use of the systems and methods described herein creates resulting partitions that have multiple occupancy rates of from less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, and in many cases, less than 5%, while having unoccupied partitions of from less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, and in some cases, less than 5%.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, the above-described occupancy rates are also applicable to partitions that include both cells and beads carrying the barcode oligonucleotides.\",\n \"In particular, in some aspects, a substantial percentage of the overall occupied partitions will include both a bead and a cell.\",\n \"In particular, it may be desirable to provide that at least 50% of the partitions are occupied by at least one cell and at least one bead, or at least 75% of the partitions may be so occupied, or even at least 80% or at least 90% of the partitions may be so occupied.\",\n \"Further, in those cases where it is desired to provide a single cell and a single bead within a partition, at least 50% of the partitions can be so occupied, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or even at least 90% of the partitions can be so occupied.\",\n \"Although described in terms of providing substantially singly occupied partitions, above, in certain cases, it is desirable to provide multiply occupied partitions, e.g., containing two, three, four or more cells and/or beads within a single partition.\",\n \"Accordingly, as noted above, the flow characteristics of the cell and/or bead containing fluids and partitioning fluids may be controlled to provide for such multiply occupied partitions.\",\n \"In particular, the flow parameters may be controlled to provide a desired occupancy rate at greater than 50% of the partitions, greater than 75%, and in some cases greater than 80%, 90%, 95%, or higher.\",\n \"Additionally, in many cases, the multiple beads within a single partition may comprise different reagents associated therewith.\",\n \"In such cases, it may be advantageous to introduce different beads into a common channel or droplet generation junction, from different bead sources, i.e., containing different associated reagents, through different channel inlets into such common channel or droplet generation junction.\",\n \"In such cases, the flow and frequency of the different beads into the channel or junction may be controlled to provide for the desired ratio of microcapsules from each source, while ensuring the desired pairing or combination of such beads into a partition with the desired number of cells.\",\n \"The partitions described herein are often characterized by having extremely small volumes, e.g., less than 10 μL, less than 5 μL, less than 1 μL, less than 900 picoliters (pL), less than 800 pL, less than 700 pL, less than 600 pL, less than 500 pL, less than 400 pL, less than 300 pL, less than 200 pL, less than 100 pL, less than 50 pL, less than 20 pL, less than 10 pL, less than 1 pL, less than 500 nanoliters (nL), or even less than 100 nL, 50 nL, or even less.\",\n \"For example, in the case of droplet based partitions, the droplets may have overall volumes that are less than 1000 pL, less than 900 pL, less than 800 pL, less than 700 pL, less than 600 pL, less than 500 pL, less than 400 pL, less than 300 pL, less than 200 pL, less than 100 pL, less than 50 pL, less than 20 pL, less than 10 pL, or even less than 1 pL.\",\n \"Where co-partitioned with beads, it will be appreciated that the sample fluid volume, e.g., including co-partitioned cells, within the partitions may be less than 90% of the above described volumes, less than 80%, less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or even less than 10% the above described volumes.\",\n \"As is described elsewhere herein, partitioning species may generate a population of partitions.\",\n \"In such cases, any suitable number of partitions can be generated to generate the population of partitions.\",\n \"For example, in a method described herein, a population of partitions may be generated that comprises at least about 1,000 partitions, at least about 5,000 partitions, at least about 10,000 partitions, at least about 50,000 partitions, at least about 100,000 partitions, at least about 500,000 partitions, at least about 1,000,000 partitions, at least about 5,000,000 partitions at least about 10,000,000 partitions, at least about 50,000,000 partitions, at least about 100,000,000 partitions, at least about 500,000,000 partitions or at least about 1,000,000,000 partitions.\",\n \"Moreover, the population of partitions may comprise both unoccupied partitions (e.g., empty partitions) and occupied partitions In certain cases, microfluidic channel networks are particularly suited for generating partitions as described herein.\",\n \"Examples of such microfluidic devices include those described in detail in Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/977,804, filed Apr.\",\n \"4, 2014, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"Alternative mechanisms may also be employed in the partitioning of individual cells, including porous membranes through which aqueous mixtures of cells are extruded into non-aqueous fluids.\",\n \"Such systems are generally available from, e.g., Nanomi, Inc. An example of a simplified microfluidic channel structure for partitioning individual cells is illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"1.As described elsewhere herein, in some cases, the majority of occupied partitions include no more than one cell per occupied partition and, in some cases, some of the generated partitions are unoccupied.\",\n \"In some cases, though, some of the occupied partitions may include more than one cell.\",\n \"In some cases, the partitioning process may be controlled such that fewer than 25% of the occupied partitions contain more than one cell, and in many cases, fewer than 20% of the occupied partitions have more than one cell, while in some cases, fewer than 10% or even fewer than 5% of the occupied partitions include more than one cell per partition.\",\n \"As shown, the channel structure can include channel segments 102, 104, 106 and 108 communicating at a channel junction 110.In operation, a first aqueous fluid 112 that includes suspended cells 114, may be transported along channel segment 102 into junction 110, while a second fluid 116 that is immiscible with the aqueous fluid 112 is delivered to the junction 110 from channel segments 104 and 106 to create discrete droplets 118 of the aqueous fluid including individual cells 114, flowing into channel segment 108.In some aspects, this second fluid 116 comprises an oil, such as a fluorinated oil, that includes a fluorosurfactant for stabilizing the resulting droplets, e.g., inhibiting subsequent coalescence of the resulting droplets.\",\n \"Examples of particularly useful partitioning fluids and fluorosurfactants are described for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No.\",\n \"2010/0105112, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"In other aspects, in addition to or as an alternative to droplet based partitioning, cells may be encapsulated within a microcapsule that comprises an outer shell or layer or porous matrix in which is entrained one or more individual cells or small groups of cells, and may include other reagents.\",\n \"Encapsulation of cells may be carried out by a variety of processes.\",\n \"In general, such processes combine an aqueous fluid containing the cells to be analyzed with a polymeric precursor material that may be capable of being formed into a gel or other solid or semi-solid matrix upon application of a particular stimulus to the polymer precursor.\",\n \"Such stimuli include, e.g., thermal stimuli (either heating or cooling), photo-stimuli (e.g., through photo-curing), chemical stimuli (e.g., through crosslinking, polymerization initiation of the precursor (e.g., through added initiators), or the like.\",\n \"Preparation of microcapsules comprising cells may be carried out by a variety of methods.\",\n \"For example, air knife droplet or aerosol generators may be used to dispense droplets of precursor fluids into gelling solutions in order to form microcapsules that include individual cells or small groups of cells.\",\n \"Likewise, membrane based encapsulation systems, such as those available from, e.g., Nanomi, Inc., may be used to generate microcapsules as described herein.\",\n \"In some aspects, microfluidic systems like that shown in FIG.\",\n \"1 may be readily used in encapsulating cells as described herein.\",\n \"In particular, and with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1, the aqueous fluid comprising the cells and the polymer precursor material is flowed into channel junction 110, where it is partitioned into droplets 118 comprising the individual cells 114, through the flow of non-aqueous fluid 116.In the case of encapsulation methods, non-aqueous fluid 116 may also include an initiator to cause polymerization and/or crosslinking of the polymer precursor to form the microcapsule that includes the entrained cells.\",\n \"Examples of particularly useful polymer precursor/initiator pairs include those described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Nos.\",\n \"61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/316,383, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.\",\n \"For example, in the case where the polymer precursor material comprises a linear polymer material, e.g., a linear polyacrylamide, PEG, or other linear polymeric material, the activation agent may comprise a cross-linking agent, or a chemical that activates a cross-linking agent within the formed droplets.\",\n \"Likewise, for polymer precursors that comprise polymerizable monomers, the activation agent may comprise a polymerization initiator.\",\n \"For example, in certain cases, where the polymer precursor comprises a mixture of acrylamide monomer with a N,N′-bis-(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) comonomer, an agent such as tetraethylmethylenediamine (TEMED) may be provided within the second fluid streams in channel segments 104 and 106, which initiates the copolymerization of the acrylamide and BAC into a cross-linked polymer network or, hydrogel.\",\n \"Upon contact of the second fluid stream 116 with the first fluid stream 112 at junction 110 in the formation of droplets, the TEMED may diffuse from the second fluid 116 into the aqueous first fluid 112 comprising the linear polyacrylamide, which will activate the crosslinking of the polyacrylamide within the droplets, resulting in the formation of the gel, e.g., hydrogel, microcapsules 118, as solid or semi-solid beads or particles entraining the cells 114.Although described in terms of polyacrylamide encapsulation, other ‘activatable’ encapsulation compositions may also be employed in the context of the methods and compositions described herein.\",\n \"For example, formation of alginate droplets followed by exposure to divalent metal ions, e.g., Ca2+, can be used as an encapsulation process using the described processes.\",\n \"Likewise, agarose droplets may also be transformed into capsules through temperature based gelling, e.g., upon cooling, or the like.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, in some cases, encapsulated cells can be selectively releasable from the microcapsule, e.g., through passage of time, or upon application of a particular stimulus, that degrades the microcapsule sufficiently to allow the cell, or its contents to be released from the microcapsule, e.g., into an additional partition, such as a droplet.\",\n \"For example, in the case of the polyacrylamide polymer described above, degradation of the microcapsule may be accomplished through the introduction of an appropriate reducing agent, such as DTT or the like, to cleave disulfide bonds that cross link the polymer matrix (See, e.g., U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application Nos.\",\n \"61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/316,383, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, encapsulated cells or cell populations provide certain potential advantages of being storable, and more portable than droplet based partitioned cells.\",\n \"Furthermore, in some cases, it may be desirable to allow cells to be analyzed to incubate for a select period of time, in order to characterize changes in such cells over time, either in the presence or absence of different stimuli.\",\n \"In such cases, encapsulation of individual cells may allow for longer incubation than simple partitioning in emulsion droplets, although in some cases, droplet partitioned cells may also be incubated form different periods of time, e.g., at least 10 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least 1 minute, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 5 hours, or at least 10 hours or more.\",\n \"As alluded to above, the encapsulation of cells may constitute the partitioning of the cells into which other reagents are co-partitioned.\",\n \"Alternatively, encapsulated cells may be readily deposited into other partitions, e.g., droplets, as described above.\",\n \"In accordance with certain aspects, the cells may be partitioned along with lysis reagents in order to release the contents of the cells within the partition.\",\n \"In such cases, the lysis agents can be contacted with the cell suspension concurrently with, or immediately prior to the introduction of the cells into the partitioning junction/droplet generation zone, e.g., through an additional channel or channels upstream of channel junction 110.Examples of lysis agents include bioactive reagents, such as lysis enzymes that are used for lysis of different cell types, e.g., gram positive or negative bacteria, plants, yeast, mammalian, etc., such as lysozymes, achromopeptidase, lysostaphin, labiase, kitalase, lyticase, and a variety of other lysis enzymes available from, e.g., Sigma-Aldrich, Inc. (St Louis, Mo.\",\n \"), as well as other commercially available lysis enzymes.\",\n \"Other lysis agents may additionally or alternatively be co-partitioned with the cells to cause the release of the cell's contents into the partitions.\",\n \"For example, in some cases, surfactant based lysis solutions may be used to lyse cells, although these may be less desirable for emulsion based systems where the surfactants can interfere with stable emulsions.\",\n \"In some cases, lysis solutions may include non-ionic surfactants such as, for example, TritonX-100 and Tween 20.In some cases, lysis solutions may include ionic surfactants such as, for example, sarcosyl and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).\",\n \"Similarly, lysis methods that employ other methods may be used, such as electroporation, thermal, acoustic or mechanical cellular disruption may also be used in certain cases, e.g., non-emulsion based partitioning such as encapsulation of cells that may be in addition to or in place of droplet partitioning, where any pore size of the encapsulate is sufficiently small to retain nucleic acid fragments of a desired size, following cellular disruption.\",\n \"In addition to the lysis agents co-partitioned with the cells described above, other reagents can also be co-partitioned with the cells, including, for example, DNase and RNase inactivating agents or inhibitors, such as proteinase K, chelating agents, such as EDTA, and other reagents employed in removing or otherwise reducing negative activity or impact of different cell lysate components on subsequent processing of nucleic acids.\",\n \"In addition, in the case of encapsulated cells, the cells may be exposed to an appropriate stimulus to release the cells or their contents from a co-partitioned microcapsule.\",\n \"For example, in some cases, a chemical stimulus may be co-partitioned along with an encapsulated cell to allow for the degradation of the microcapsule and release of the cell or its contents into the larger partition.\",\n \"In some cases, this stimulus may be the same as the stimulus described elsewhere herein for release of oligonucleotides from their respective bead or partition.\",\n \"In alternative aspects, this may be a different and non-overlapping stimulus, in order to allow an encapsulated cell to be released into a partition at a different time from the release of oligonucleotides into the same partition.\",\n \"Additional reagents may also be co-partitioned with the cells, such as endonucleases to fragment the cell's DNA, DNA polymerase enzymes and dNTPs used to amplify the cell's nucleic acid fragments and to attach the barcode oligonucleotides to the amplified fragments.\",\n \"Additional reagents may also include reverse transcriptase enzymes, including enzymes with terminal transferase activity, primers and oligonucleotides, and switch oligonucleotides (also referred to herein as “switch oligos”) which can be used for template switching.\",\n \"In some cases, template switching can be used to increase the length of a cDNA.\",\n \"In one example of template switching, cDNA can be generated from reverse transcription of a template, e.g., cellular mRNA, where a reverse transcriptase with terminal transferase activity can add additional nucleotides, e.g., polyC, to the cDNA that are not encoded by the template, such, as at an end of the cDNA.\",\n \"Switch oligos can include sequences complementary to the additional nucleotides, e.g.\",\n \"polyG.\",\n \"The additional nucleotides (e.g., polyC) on the cDNA can hybridize to the sequences complementary to the additional nucleotides (e.g., polyG) on the switch oligo, whereby the switch oligo can be used by the reverse transcriptase as template to further extend the cDNA.\",\n \"Switch oligos may comprise deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, modified nucleic acids including locked nucleic acids (LNA), or any combination.\",\n \"In some cases, the length of a switch oligo may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250 nucleotides or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the length of a switch oligo may be at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249 or 250 nucleotides or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the length of a switch oligo may be at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249 or 250 nucleotides.\",\n \"Once the contents of the cells are released into their respective partitions, the nucleic acids contained therein may be further processed within the partitions.\",\n \"In accordance with the methods and systems described herein, the nucleic acid contents of individual cells are generally provided with unique identifiers such that, upon characterization of those nucleic acids they may be attributed as having been derived from the same cell or cells.\",\n \"The ability to attribute characteristics to individual cells or groups of cells is provided by the assignment of unique identifiers specifically to an individual cell or groups of cells, which is another advantageous aspect of the methods and systems described herein.\",\n \"In particular, unique identifiers, e.g., in the form of nucleic acid barcodes are assigned or associated with individual cells or populations of cells, in order to tag or label the cell's components (and as a result, its characteristics) with the unique identifiers.\",\n \"These unique identifiers are then used to attribute the cell's components and characteristics to an individual cell or group of cells.\",\n \"In some aspects, this is carried out by co-partitioning the individual cells or groups of cells with the unique identifiers.\",\n \"In some aspects, the unique identifiers are provided in the form of oligonucleotides that comprise nucleic acid barcode sequences that may be attached to or otherwise associated with the nucleic acid contents of individual cells, or to other components of the cells, and particularly to fragments of those nucleic acids.\",\n \"The oligonucleotides are partitioned such that as between oligonucleotides in a given partition, the nucleic acid barcode sequences contained therein are the same, but as between different partitions, the oligonucleotides can, and do have differing barcode sequences, or at least represent a large number of different barcode sequences across all of the partitions in a given analysis.\",\n \"In some aspects, only one nucleic acid barcode sequence can be associated with a given partition, although in some cases, two or more different barcode sequences may be present.\",\n \"The nucleic acid barcode sequences can include from 6 to about 20 or more nucleotides within the sequence of the oligonucleotides.\",\n \"In some cases, the length of a barcode sequence may be 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 nucleotides or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the length of a barcode sequence may be at least 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 nucleotides or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the length of a barcode sequence may be at most 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 nucleotides or shorter.\",\n \"These nucleotides may be completely contiguous, i.e., in a single stretch of adjacent nucleotides, or they may be separated into two or more separate subsequences that are separated by 1 or more nucleotides.\",\n \"In some cases, separated barcode subsequences can be from about 4 to about 16 nucleotides in length.\",\n \"In some cases, the barcode subsequence may be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 nucleotides or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the barcode subsequence may be at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 nucleotides or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the barcode subsequence may be at most 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 nucleotides or shorter.\",\n \"The co-partitioned oligonucleotides can also comprise other functional sequences useful in the processing of the nucleic acids from the co-partitioned cells.\",\n \"These sequences include, e.g., targeted or random/universal amplification primer sequences for amplifying the genomic DNA from the individual cells within the partitions while attaching the associated barcode sequences, sequencing primers or primer recognition sites, hybridization or probing sequences, e.g., for identification of presence of the sequences or for pulling down barcoded nucleic acids, or any of a number of other potential functional sequences.\",\n \"Again, co-partitioning of oligonucleotides and associated barcodes and other functional sequences, along with sample materials is described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Nos.\",\n \"61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/316,383, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, as well as U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/175,935, filed Feb. 7, 2014, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.\",\n \"As will be appreciated other mechanisms of co-partitioning oligonucleotides may also be employed, including, e.g., coalescence of two or more droplets, where one droplet contains oligonucleotides, or microdispensing of oligonucleotides into partitions, e.g., droplets within microfluidic systems.\",\n \"Briefly, in one example, beads, microparticles or microcapsules are provided that each include large numbers of the above described oligonucleotides releasably attached to the beads, where all of the oligonucleotides attached to a particular bead will include the same nucleic acid barcode sequence, but where a large number of diverse barcode sequences are represented across the population of beads used.\",\n \"In particularly useful examples, hydrogel beads, e.g., comprising polyacrylamide polymer matrices, are used as a solid support and delivery vehicle for the oligonucleotides into the partitions, as they are capable of carrying large numbers of oligonucleotide molecules, and may be configured to release those oligonucleotides upon exposure to a particular stimulus, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"In some cases, the population of beads will provide a diverse barcode sequence library that includes at least 1,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000 different barcode sequences, at least 10,000 different barcode sequences, at least at least 50,000 different barcode sequences, at least 100,000 different barcode sequences, at least 1,000,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000,000 different barcode sequences, or at least 10,000,000 different barcode sequences.\",\n \"Additionally, each bead can be provided with large numbers of oligonucleotide molecules attached.\",\n \"In particular, the number of molecules of oligonucleotides including the barcode sequence on an individual bead can be at least 1,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 500,000 oligonucleotides, at least 1,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, and in some cases at least 1 billion oligonucleotide molecules.\",\n \"Moreover, when the population of beads is partitioned, the resulting population of partitions can also include a diverse barcode library that includes at least 1,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000 different barcode sequences, at least 10,000 different barcode sequences, at least at least 50,000 different barcode sequences, at least 100,000 different barcode sequences, at least 1,000,000 different barcode sequences, at least 5,000,000 different barcode sequences, or at least 10,000,000 different barcode sequences.\",\n \"Additionally, each partition of the population can include at least 1,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 500,000 oligonucleotides, at least 1,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 5,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 10,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 50,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, at least 100,000,000 oligonucleotide molecules, and in some cases at least 1 billion oligonucleotide molecules.\",\n \"In some cases, it may be desirable to incorporate multiple different barcodes within a given partition, either attached to a single or multiple beads within the partition.\",\n \"For example, in some cases, a mixed, but known barcode sequences set may provide greater assurance of identification in the subsequent processing, e.g., by providing a stronger address or attribution of the barcodes to a given partition, as a duplicate or independent confirmation of the output from a given partition.\",\n \"The oligonucleotides are releasable from the beads upon the application of a particular stimulus to the beads.\",\n \"In some cases, the stimulus may be a photo-stimulus, e.g., through cleavage of a photo-labile linkage that releases the oligonucleotides.\",\n \"In other cases, a thermal stimulus may be used, where elevation of the temperature of the beads environment will result in cleavage of a linkage or other release of the oligonucleotides form the beads.\",\n \"In still other cases, a chemical stimulus is used that cleaves a linkage of the oligonucleotides to the beads, or otherwise results in release of the oligonucleotides from the beads.\",\n \"Examples of this type of system are described in U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/966,150, filed Aug. 13, 2013, as well as U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application Nos.\",\n \"61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/316,383, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference n their entireties for all purposes.\",\n \"In one case, such compositions include the polyacrylamide matrices described above for encapsulation of cells, and may be degraded for release of the attached oligonucleotides through exposure to a reducing agent, such as DTT.\",\n \"In accordance with the methods and systems described herein, the beads including the attached oligonucleotides are co-partitioned with the individual cells, such that a single bead and a single cell are contained within an individual partition.\",\n \"As noted above, while single cell/single bead occupancy is the most desired state, it will be appreciated that multiply occupied partitions (either in terms of cells, beads or both), or unoccupied partitions (either in terms of cells, beads or both) will often be present.\",\n \"An example of a microfluidic channel structure for co-partitioning cells and beads comprising barcode oligonucleotides is schematically illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"2.As described elsewhere herein, in some aspects, a substantial percentage of the overall occupied partitions will include both a bead and a cell and, in some cases, some of the partitions that are generated will be unoccupied.\",\n \"In some cases, some of the partitions may have beads and cells that are not partitioned 1:1.In some cases, it may be desirable to provide multiply occupied partitions, e.g., containing two, three, four or more cells and/or beads within a single partition.\",\n \"As shown, channel segments 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 are provided in fluid communication at channel junction 212.An aqueous stream comprising the individual cells 214, is flowed through channel segment 202 toward channel junction 212.As described above, these cells may be suspended within an aqueous fluid, or may have been pre-encapsulated, prior to the partitioning process.\",\n \"Concurrently, an aqueous stream comprising the barcode carrying beads 216, is flowed through channel segment 204 toward channel junction 212.A non-aqueous partitioning fluid 216 is introduced into channel junction 212 from each of side channels 206 and 208, and the combined streams are flowed into outlet channel 210.Within channel junction 212, the two combined aqueous streams from channel segments 202 and 204 are combined, and partitioned into droplets 218, that include co-partitioned cells 214 and beads 216.As noted previously, by controlling the flow characteristics of each of the fluids combining at channel junction 212, as well as controlling the geometry of the channel junction, one can optimize the combination and partitioning to achieve a desired occupancy level of beads, cells or both, within the partitions 218 that are generated.\",\n \"In some cases, lysis agents, e.g., cell lysis enzymes, may be introduced into the partition with the bead stream, e.g., flowing through channel segment 204, such that lysis of the cell only commences at or after the time of partitioning.\",\n \"Additional reagents may also be added to the partition in this configuration, such as endonucleases to fragment the cell's DNA, DNA polymerase enzyme and dNTPs used to amplify the cell's nucleic acid fragments and to attach the barcode oligonucleotides to the amplified fragments.\",\n \"As noted above, in many cases, a chemical stimulus, such as DTT, may be used to release the barcodes from their respective beads into the partition.\",\n \"In such cases, it may be particularly desirable to provide the chemical stimulus along with the cell-containing stream in channel segment 202, such that release of the barcodes only occurs after the two streams have been combined, e.g., within the partitions 218.Where the cells are encapsulated, however, introduction of a common chemical stimulus, e.g., that both releases the oligonucleotides form their beads, and releases cells from their microcapsules may generally be provided from a separate additional side channel (not shown) upstream of or connected to channel junction 212.As will be appreciated, a number of other reagents may be co-partitioned along with the cells, beads, lysis agents and chemical stimuli, including, for example, protective reagents, like proteinase K, chelators, nucleic acid extension, replication, transcription or amplification reagents such as polymerases, reverse transcriptases, transposases which can be used for transposon based methods (e.g., Nextera), nucleoside triphosphates or NTP analogues, primer sequences and additional cofactors such as divalent metal ions used in such reactions, ligation reaction reagents, such as ligase enzymes and ligation sequences, dyes, labels, or other tagging reagents.\",\n \"The channel networks, e.g., as described herein, can be fluidly coupled to appropriate fluidic components.\",\n \"For example, the inlet channel segments, e.g., channel segments 202, 204, 206 and 208 are fluidly coupled to appropriate sources of the materials they are to deliver to channel junction 212.For example, channel segment 202 will be fluidly coupled to a source of an aqueous suspension of cells 214 to be analyzed, while channel segment 204 would be fluidly coupled to a source of an aqueous suspension of beads 216.Channel segments 206 and 208 would then be fluidly connected to one or more sources of the non-aqueous fluid.\",\n \"These sources may include any of a variety of different fluidic components, from simple reservoirs defined in or connected to a body structure of a microfluidic device, to fluid conduits that deliver fluids from off-device sources, manifolds, or the like.\",\n \"Likewise, the outlet channel segment 210 may be fluidly coupled to a receiving vessel or conduit for the partitioned cells.\",\n \"Again, this may be a reservoir defined in the body of a microfluidic device, or it may be a fluidic conduit for delivering the partitioned cells to a subsequent process operation, instrument or component.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 shows images of individual Jurkat cells co-partitioned along with barcode oligonucleotide containing beads in aqueous droplets in an aqueous in oil emulsion.\",\n \"As illustrated, individual cells may be readily co-partitioned with individual beads.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, optimization of individual cell loading may be carried out by a number of methods, including by providing dilutions of cell populations into the microfluidic system in order to achieve the desired cell loading per partition as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"In operation, once lysed, the nucleic acid contents of the individual cells are then available for further processing within the partitions, including, e.g., fragmentation, amplification and barcoding, as well as attachment of other functional sequences.\",\n \"As noted above, fragmentation may be accomplished through the co-partitioning of shearing enzymes, such as endonucleases, in order to fragment the nucleic acids into smaller fragments.\",\n \"These endonucleases may include restriction endonucleases, including type II and type IIs restriction endonucleases as well as other nucleic acid cleaving enzymes, such as nicking endonucleases, and the like.\",\n \"In some cases, fragmentation may not be desired, and full length nucleic acids may be retained within the partitions, or in the case of encapsulated cells or cell contents, fragmentation may be carried out prior to partitioning, e.g., through enzymatic methods, e.g., those described herein, or through mechanical methods, e.g., mechanical, acoustic or other shearing.\",\n \"Once co-partitioned, and the cells are lysed to release their nucleic acids, the oligonucleotides disposed upon the bead may be used to barcode and amplify fragments of those nucleic acids.\",\n \"A particularly elegant process for use of these barcode oligonucleotides in amplifying and barcoding fragments of sample nucleic acids is described in detail in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application Nos.\",\n \"61/940,318, filed Feb. 7, 2014, 61/991,018, Filed May 9, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/316,383, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, and previously incorporated by reference.\",\n \"Briefly, in one aspect, the oligonucleotides present on the beads that are co-partitioned with the cells, are released from their beads into the partition with the cell's nucleic acids.\",\n \"The oligonucleotides can include, along with the barcode sequence, a primer sequence at its 5′ end.\",\n \"This primer sequence may be a random oligonucleotide sequence intended to randomly prime numerous different regions on the cell's nucleic acids, or it may be a specific primer sequence targeted to prime upstream of a specific targeted region of the cell's genome.\",\n \"Once released, the primer portion of the oligonucleotide can anneal to a complementary region of the cell's nucleic acid.\",\n \"Extension reaction reagents, e.g., DNA polymerase, nucleoside triphosphates, co-factors (e.g., Mg2+ or Mn2+), that are also co-partitioned with the cells and beads, then extend the primer sequence using the cell's nucleic acid as a template, to produce a complementary fragment to the strand of the cell's nucleic acid to which the primer annealed, which complementary fragment includes the oligonucleotide and its associated barcode sequence.\",\n \"Annealing and extension of multiple primers to different portions of the cell's nucleic acids will result in a large pool of overlapping complementary fragments of the nucleic acid, each possessing its own barcode sequence indicative of the partition in which it was created.\",\n \"In some cases, these complementary fragments may themselves be used as a template primed by the oligonucleotides present in the partition to produce a complement of the complement that again, includes the barcode sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, this replication process is configured such that when the first complement is duplicated, it produces two complementary sequences at or near its termini, to allow formation of a hairpin structure or partial hairpin structure, the reduces the ability of the molecule to be the basis for producing further iterative copies.\",\n \"As described herein, the cell's nucleic acids may include any desired nucleic acids within the cell including, for example, the cell's DNA, e.g., genomic DNA, RNA, e.g., messenger RNA, and the like.\",\n \"For example, in some cases, the methods and systems described herein are used in characterizing expressed mRNA, including, e.g., the presence and quantification of such mRNA, and may include RNA sequencing processes as the characterization process.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, the reagents partitioned along with the cells may include reagents for the conversion of mRNA into cDNA, e.g., reverse transcriptase enzymes and reagents, to facilitate sequencing processes where DNA sequencing is employed.\",\n \"In some cases, where the nucleic acids to be characterized comprise RNA, e.g., mRNA, schematic illustration of one example of this is shown in FIG.\",\n \"3.As shown, oligonucleotides that include a barcode sequence are co-partitioned in, e.g., a droplet 302 in an emulsion, along with a sample nucleic acid 304.As noted elsewhere herein, the oligonucleotides 308 may be provided on a bead 306 that is co-partitioned with the sample nucleic acid 304, which oligonucleotides are releasable from the bead 306, as shown in panel A.\",\n \"The oligonucleotides 308 include a barcode sequence 312, in addition to one or more functional sequences, e.g., sequences 310, 314 and 316.For example, oligonucleotide 308 is shown as comprising barcode sequence 312, as well as sequence 310 that may function as an attachment or immobilization sequence for a given sequencing system, e.g., a P5 sequence used for attachment in flow cells of an Illumina Hiseq® or Miseq® system.\",\n \"As shown, the oligonucleotides also include a primer sequence 316, which may include a random or targeted N-mer for priming replication of portions of the sample nucleic acid 304.Also included within oligonucleotide 308 is a sequence 314 which may provide a sequencing priming region, such as a “read1” or R1 priming region, that is used to prime polymerase mediated, template directed sequencing by synthesis reactions in sequencing systems.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, the functional sequences may be selected to be compatible with a variety of different sequencing systems, e.g., 454 Sequencing, Ion Torrent Proton or PGM, Illumina X10, etc., and the requirements thereof.\",\n \"In many cases, the barcode sequence 312, immobilization sequence 310 and R1 sequence 314 may be common to all of the oligonucleotides attached to a given bead.\",\n \"The primer sequence 316 may vary for random N-mer primers, or may be common to the oligonucleotides on a given bead for certain targeted applications.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, in some cases, the functional sequences may include primer sequences useful for RNA-seq applications.\",\n \"For example, in some cases, the oligonucleotides may include poly-T primers for priming reverse transcription of RNA for RNA-seq.\",\n \"In still other cases, oligonucleotides in a given partition, e.g., included on an individual bead, may include multiple types of primer sequences in addition to the common barcode sequences, such as both DNA-sequencing and RNA sequencing primers, e.g., poly-T primer sequences included within the oligonucleotides coupled to the bead.\",\n \"In such cases, a single partitioned cell may be both subjected to DNA and RNA sequencing processes.\",\n \"Based upon the presence of primer sequence 316, the oligonucleotides can prime the sample nucleic acid as shown in panel B, which allows for extension of the oligonucleotides 308 and 308a using polymerase enzymes and other extension reagents also co-partitioned with the bead 306 and sample nucleic acid 304.As shown in panel C, following extension of the oligonucleotides that, for random N-mer primers, would anneal to multiple different regions of the sample nucleic acid 304; multiple overlapping complements or fragments of the nucleic acid are created, e.g., fragments 318 and 320.Although including sequence portions that are complementary to portions of sample nucleic acid, e.g., sequences 322 and 324, these constructs are generally referred to herein as comprising fragments of the sample nucleic acid 304, having the attached barcode sequences.\",\n \"The barcoded nucleic acid fragments may then be subjected to characterization, e.g., through sequence analysis, or they may be further amplified in the process, as shown in panel D. For example, additional oligonucleotides, e.g., oligonucleotide 308b, also released from bead 306, may prime the fragments 318 and 320.This shown in for fragment 318.In particular, again, based upon the presence of the random N-mer primer 316b in oligonucleotide 308b (which in many cases can be different from other random N-mers in a given partition, e.g., primer sequence 316), the oligonucleotide anneals with the fragment 318, and is extended to create a complement 326 to at least a portion of fragment 318 which includes sequence 328, that comprises a duplicate of a portion of the sample nucleic acid sequence.\",\n \"Extension of the oligonucleotide 308b continues until it has replicated through the oligonucleotide portion 308 of fragment 318.As noted elsewhere herein, and as illustrated in panel D, the oligonucleotides may be configured to prompt a stop in the replication by the polymerase at a desired point, e.g., after replicating through sequences 316 and 314 of oligonucleotide 308 that is included within fragment 318.As described herein, this may be accomplished by different methods, including, for example, the incorporation of different nucleotides and/or nucleotide analogues that are not capable of being processed by the polymerase enzyme used.\",\n \"For example, this may include the inclusion of uracil containing nucleotides within the sequence region 312 to prevent a non-uracil tolerant polymerase to cease replication of that region.\",\n \"As a result a fragment 326 is created that includes the full-length oligonucleotide 308b at one end, including the barcode sequence 312, the attachment sequence 310, the R1 primer region 314, and the random N-mer sequence 316b.\",\n \"At the other end of the sequence may be included the complement 316′ to the random N-mer of the first oligonucleotide 308, as well as a complement to all or a portion of the R1 sequence, shown as sequence 314′.\",\n \"The R1 sequence 314 and its complement 314′ are then able to hybridize together to form a partial hairpin structure 328.As will be appreciated because the random N-mers differ among different oligonucleotides, these sequences and their complements would not be expected to participate in hairpin formation, e.g., sequence 316′, which is the complement to random N-mer 316, would not be expected to be complementary to random N-mer sequence 316b.\",\n \"This would not be the case for other applications, e.g., targeted primers, where the N-mers would be common among oligonucleotides within a given partition.\",\n \"By forming these partial hairpin structures, it allows for the removal of first level duplicates of the sample sequence from further replication, e.g., preventing iterative copying of copies.\",\n \"The partial hairpin structure also provides a useful structure for subsequent processing of the created fragments, e.g., fragment 326.In general, the amplification of the cell's nucleic acids is carried out until the barcoded overlapping fragments within the partition constitute at least 1× coverage of the particular portion or all of the cell's genome, at least 2×, at least 3×, at least 4×, at least 5×, at least 10×, at least 20×, at least 40× or more coverage of the genome or its relevant portion of interest.\",\n \"Once the barcoded fragments are produced, they may be directly sequenced on an appropriate sequencing system, e.g., an Illumina Hiseq®, Miseq® or X10 system, or they may be subjected to additional processing, such as further amplification, attachment of other functional sequences, e.g., second sequencing primers, for reverse reads, sample index sequences, and the like.\",\n \"All of the fragments from multiple different partitions may then be pooled for sequencing on high throughput sequencers as described herein, where the pooled fragments comprise a large number of fragments derived from the nucleic acids of different cells or small cell populations, but where the fragments from the nucleic acids of a given cell will share the same barcode sequence.\",\n \"In particular, because each fragment is coded as to its partition of origin, and consequently its single cell or small population of cells, the sequence of that fragment may be attributed back to that cell or those cells based upon the presence of the barcode, which will also aid in applying the various sequence fragments from multiple partitions to assembly of individual genomes for different cells.\",\n \"This is schematically illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"4.As shown in one example, a first nucleic acid 404 from a first cell 400, and a second nucleic acid 406 from a second cell 402 are each partitioned along with their own sets of barcode oligonucleotides as described above.\",\n \"The nucleic acids may comprise a chromosome, entire genome or other large nucleic acid from the cells.\",\n \"Within each partition, each cell's nucleic acids 404 and 406 is then processed to separately provide overlapping set of second fragments of the first fragment(s), e.g., second fragment sets 408 and 410.This processing also provides the second fragments with a barcode sequence that is the same for each of the second fragments derived from a particular first fragment.\",\n \"As shown, the barcode sequence for second fragment set 408 is denoted by “1” while the barcode sequence for fragment set 410 is denoted by “2”.\",\n \"A diverse library of barcodes may be used to differentially barcode large numbers of different fragment sets.\",\n \"However, it is not necessary for every second fragment set from a different first fragment to be barcoded with different barcode sequences.\",\n \"In fact, in many cases, multiple different first fragments may be processed concurrently to include the same barcode sequence.\",\n \"Diverse barcode libraries are described in detail elsewhere herein.\",\n \"The barcoded fragments, e.g., from fragment sets 408 and 410, may then be pooled for sequencing using, for example, sequence by synthesis technologies available from Illumina or Ion Torrent division of Thermo-Fisher, Inc. Once sequenced, the sequence reads 412 can be attributed to their respective fragment set, e.g., as shown in aggregated reads 414 and 416, at least in part based upon the included barcodes, and in some cases, in part based upon the sequence of the fragment itself.\",\n \"The attributed sequence reads for each fragment set are then assembled to provide the assembled sequence for each cell's nucleic acids, e.g., sequences 418 and 420, which in turn, may be attributed to individual cells, e.g., cells 400 and 402.While described in terms of analyzing the genetic material present within cells, the methods and systems described herein may have much broader applicability, including the ability to characterize other aspects of individual cells or cell populations, by allowing for the allocation of reagents to individual cells, and providing for the attributable analysis or characterization of those cells in response to those reagents.\",\n \"These methods and systems are particularly valuable in being able to characterize cells for, e.g., research, diagnostic, pathogen identification, and many other purposes.\",\n \"By way of example, a wide range of different cell surface features, e.g., cell surface proteins like cluster of differentiation or CD proteins, have significant diagnostic relevance in characterization of diseases like cancer.\",\n \"In one particularly useful application, the methods and systems described herein may be used to characterize cell features, such as cell surface features, e.g., proteins, receptors, etc.\",\n \"In particular, the methods described herein may be used to attach reporter molecules to these cell features, that when partitioned as described above, may be barcoded and analyzed, e.g., using DNA sequencing technologies, to ascertain the presence, and in some cases, relative abundance or quantity of such cell features within an individual cell or population of cells.\",\n \"In a particular example, a library of potential cell binding ligands, e.g., antibodies, antibody fragments, cell surface receptor binding molecules, or the like, maybe provided associated with a first set of nucleic acid reporter molecules, e.g., where a different reporter oligonucleotide sequence is associated with a specific ligand, and therefore capable of binding to a specific cell surface feature.\",\n \"In some aspects, different members of the library may be characterized by the presence of a different oligonucleotide sequence label, e.g., an antibody to a first type of cell surface protein or receptor would have associated with it a first known reporter oligonucleotide sequence, while an antibody to a second receptor protein would have a different known reporter oligonucleotide sequence associated with it.\",\n \"Prior to co-partitioning, the cells would be incubated with the library of ligands, that may represent antibodies to a broad panel of different cell surface features, e.g., receptors, proteins, etc., and which include their associated reporter oligonucleotides.\",\n \"Unbound ligands are washed from the cells, and the cells are then co-partitioned along with the barcode oligonucleotides described above.\",\n \"As a result, the partitions will include the cell or cells, as well as the bound ligands and their known, associated reporter oligonucleotides.\",\n \"Without the need for lysing the cells within the partitions, one could then subject the reporter oligonucleotides to the barcoding operations described above for cellular nucleic acids, to produce barcoded, reporter oligonucleotides, where the presence of the reporter oligonucleotides can be indicative of the presence of the particular cell surface feature, and the barcode sequence will allow the attribution of the range of different cell surface features to a given individual cell or population of cells based upon the barcode sequence that was co-partitioned with that cell or population of cells.\",\n \"As a result, one may generate a cell-by-cell profile of the cell surface features within a broader population of cells.\",\n \"This aspect of the methods and systems described herein, is described in greater detail below.\",\n \"This example is schematically illustrated in FIG.\",\n \"5.As shown, a population of cells, represented by cells 502 and 504 are incubated with a library of cell surface associated reagents, e.g., antibodies, cell surface binding proteins, ligands or the like, where each different type of binding group includes an associated nucleic acid reporter molecule associated with it, shown as ligands and associated reporter molecules 506, 508, 510 and 512 (with the reporter molecules being indicated by the differently shaded circles).\",\n \"Where the cell expresses the surface features that are bound by the library, the ligands and their associated reporter molecules can become associated or coupled with the cell surface.\",\n \"Individual cells are then partitioned into separate partitions, e.g., droplets 514 and 516, along with their associated ligand/reporter molecules, as well as an individual barcode oligonucleotide bead as described elsewhere herein, e.g., beads 522 and 524, respectively.\",\n \"As with other examples described herein, the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the beads and used to attach the barcode sequence the reporter molecules present within each partition with a barcode that is common to a given partition, but which varies widely among different partitions.\",\n \"For example, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, the reporter molecules that associate with cell 502 in partition 514 are barcoded with barcode sequence 518, while the reporter molecules associated with cell 504 in partition 516 are barcoded with barcode 520.As a result, one is provided with a library of oligonucleotides that reflects the surface ligands of the cell, as reflected by the reporter molecule, but which is substantially attributable to an individual cell by virtue of a common barcode sequence, allowing a single cell level profiling of the surface characteristics of the cell.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, this process is not limited to cell surface receptors but may be used to identify the presence of a wide variety of specific cell structures, chemistries or other characteristics.\",\n \"III.\",\n \"BARCODING Downstream applications, for example DNA sequencing, may rely on the barcodes to identify the origin of a sequence and, for example, to assemble a larger sequence from sequenced fragments.\",\n \"Therefore, it may be desirable to add barcodes to the polynucleotide fragments generated by the methods described herein.\",\n \"Barcodes may be of a variety of different formats, including polynucleotide barcodes.\",\n \"Depending upon the specific application, barcodes may be attached to polynucleotide fragments in a reversible or irreversible manner.\",\n \"Barcodes may also allow for identification and/or quantification of individual polynucleotide fragments during sequencing.\",\n \"Barcodes may be loaded into partitions so that one or more barcodes are introduced into a particular partition.\",\n \"Each partition may contain a different set of barcodes.\",\n \"This may be accomplished by directly dispensing the barcodes into the partitions, enveloping the barcodes (e.g., in a droplet of an emulsion), or by placing the barcodes within a container that is placed in a partition (e.g., a microcapsule).\",\n \"For example, a population of microcapsules may be prepared such that a first microcapsule in the population comprises multiple copies of identical barcodes (e.g., polynucleotide bar codes, etc.)\",\n \"and a second microcapsule in the population comprises multiple copies of a barcode that differs from the barcode within the first microcapsule.\",\n \"In some cases, the population of microcapsules may comprise multiple microcapsules (e.g., greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules), each containing multiple copies of a barcode that differs from that contained in the other microcapsules.\",\n \"In some cases, the population may comprise greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules with identical sets of barcodes.\",\n \"In some cases, the population may comprise greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules, wherein the microcapsules each comprise a different combination of barcodes.\",\n \"For example, in some cases the different combinations overlap, such that a first microcapsule may comprise, e.g., barcodes A, B, and C, while a second microcapsule may comprise barcodes A, B, and D. In another example, the different combinations do not overlap, such that a first microcapsule may comprise, e.g., barcodes A, B, and C, while a second microcapsule may comprise barcodes D, E, and F. The use of microcapsules is, of course, optional.\",\n \"All of the combinations described above, and throughout this disclosure, may also be generated by dispending barcodes (and other reagents) directly into partitions (e.g., microwells).\",\n \"The barcodes may be loaded into the partitions at an expected or predicted ratio of barcodes per species to be barcoded (e.g., polynucleotide fragment, strand of polynucleotide, cell, etc.).\",\n \"In some cases, the barcodes are loaded into partitions such that more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes are loaded per species.\",\n \"In some cases, the barcodes are loaded in the partitions so that less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes are loaded per species.\",\n \"In some cases, the average number of barcodes loaded per species is less than, or greater than, about 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes per species.\",\n \"When more than one barcode is present per polynucleotide fragment, such barcodes may be copies of the same barcode, or multiple different barcodes.\",\n \"For example, the attachment process may be designed to attach multiple identical barcodes to a single polynucleotide fragment, or multiple different barcodes to the polynucleotide fragment.\",\n \"The methods provided herein may comprise loading a partition (e.g., a microwell, droplet of an emulsion) with the reagents necessary for the attachment of barcodes to polynucleotide fragments.\",\n \"In the case of ligation reactions, reagents including restriction enzymes, ligase enzymes, buffers, adapters, barcodes and the like may be loaded into a partition.\",\n \"In the case barcoding by amplification, reagents including primers, DNA polymerases, DNTPs, buffers, barcodes and the like may be loaded into a partition.\",\n \"As described throughout this disclosure, these reagents may be loaded directly into the partition, or via a container such as a microcapsule.\",\n \"If the reagents are not disposed within a container, they may be loaded into a partition (e.g., a microwell) which may then be sealed with a wax or oil until the reagents are used.\",\n \"Barcodes may be ligated to a polynucleotide fragment using sticky or blunt ends.\",\n \"Barcoded polynucleotide fragments may also be generated by amplifying a polynucleotide fragment with primers comprising barcodes.\",\n \"Barcodes may be assembled combinatorially, from smaller components designed to assemble in a modular format.\",\n \"For example, three modules, 1A, 1B, and 1C may be combinatorially assembled to produce barcode 1ABC.\",\n \"Such combinatorial assembly may significantly reduce the cost of synthesizing a plurality of barcodes.\",\n \"For example, a combinatorial system consisting of 3 A modules, 3 B modules, and 3 C modules may generate 3*3*3=27 possible barcode sequences from only 9 modules.\",\n \"Barcoding and beads of the present disclosure may be performed and used as described in, for example, WO2014/028537 and WO 2014/124338, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"IV.\",\n \"APPLICATIONS OF SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS There are a wide variety of different applications of the single cell processing and analysis methods and systems described herein, including analysis of specific individual ells, analysis of different cell types within populations of differing cell types, analysis and characterization of large populations of cells for environmental, human health, epidemiological forensic, or any of a wide variety of different applications.\",\n \"A particularly valuable application of the single cell analysis processes described herein is in the sequencing and characterization of cancer cells.\",\n \"In particular, conventional analytical techniques, including the ensemble sequencing processes alluded to above, are not highly adept at picking small variations in genomic make-up of cancer cells, particularly where those exist in a sea of normal tissue cells.\",\n \"Further, even as between tumor cells, wide variations can exist and can be masked by the ensemble approaches to sequencing (See, e.g., Patel, et al., Single-cell RNA-seq highlights intratumoral heterogeneity in primary glioblastoma, Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1254257 (Published online Jun.\",\n \"12, 2014).\",\n \"Cancer cells may be derived from solid tumors, hematological malignancies, cell lines, or obtained as circulating tumor cells, and subjected to the partitioning processes described above.\",\n \"Upon analysis, one can identify individual cell sequences as deriving from a single cell or small group of cells, and distinguish those over normal tissue cell sequences.\",\n \"Further, as described in co-pending U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"62/017,808, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, the full disclosures of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes, one may also obtain phased sequence information from each cell, allowing clearer characterization of the haplotype variants within a cancer cell.\",\n \"The single cell analysis approach is particularly useful for systems and methods involving low quantities of input nucleic acids, as described in co-pending U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"62/017,580, filed Jun.\",\n \"26, 2014, the full disclosures of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"As with cancer cell analysis, the analysis and diagnosis of fetal health or abnormality through the analysis of fetal cells is a difficult task using conventional techniques.\",\n \"In particular, in the absence of relatively invasive procedures, such as amniocentesis obtaining fetal cell samples can employ harvesting those cells from the maternal circulation.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, such circulating fetal cells make up an extremely small fraction of the overall cellular population of that circulation.\",\n \"As a result complex analyses are performed in order to characterize what of the obtained data is likely derived from fetal cells as opposed to maternal cells.\",\n \"By employing the single cell characterization methods and systems described herein, however, one can attribute genetic make up to individual cells, and categorize those cells as maternal or fetal based upon their respective genetic make-up.\",\n \"Further, the genetic sequence of fetal cells may be used to identify any of a number of genetic disorders, including, e.g., aneuploidy such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome.\",\n \"The ability to characterize individual cells from larger diverse populations of cells is also of significant value in both environmental testing as well as in forensic analysis, where samples may, by their nature, be made up of diverse populations of cells and other material that “contaminate” the sample, relative to the cells for which the sample is being tested, e.g., environmental indicator organisms, toxic organisms, and the like for, e.g., environmental and food safety testing, victim and/or perpetrator cells in forensic analysis for sexual assault, and other violent crimes, and the like.\",\n \"Additional useful applications of the above described single cell sequencing and characterization processes are in the field of neuroscience research and diagnosis.\",\n \"In particular, neural cells can include long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), or ‘jumping’ genes that can move around the genome, which cause each neuron to differ from its neighbor cells.\",\n \"Research has shown that the number of LINEs in human brain exceeds that of other tissues, e.g., heart and liver tissue, with between 80 and 300 unique insertions (See, e.g., Coufal, N. G. et al.\",\n \"Nature 460, 1127-1131 (2009)).\",\n \"These differences have been postulated as being related to a person's susceptibility to neuro-logical disorders (see, e.g., Muotri, A. R. et al.\",\n \"Nature 468, 443-446 (2010)), or provide the brain with a diversity with which to respond to challenges.\",\n \"As such, the methods described herein may be used in the sequencing and characterization of individual neural cells.\",\n \"The single cell analysis methods described herein are also useful in the analysis of gene expression, as noted above, both in terms of identification of RNA transcripts and their quantitation.\",\n \"In particular, using the single cell level analysis methods described herein, one can isolate and analyze the RNA transcripts present in individual cells, populations of cells, or subsets of populations of cells.\",\n \"In particular, in some cases, the barcode oligonucleotides may be configured to prime, replicate and consequently yield barcoded fragments of RNA from individual cells.\",\n \"For example, in some cases, the barcode oligonucleotides may include mRNA specific priming sequences, e.g., poly-T primer segments that allow priming and replication of mRNA in a reverse transcription reaction or other targeted priming sequences.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, random RNA priming may be carried out using random N-mer primer segments of the barcode oligonucleotides.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 provides a schematic of one example method for RNA expression analysis in individual cells using the methods described herein.\",\n \"As shown, at operation 602 a cell containing sample is sorted for viable cells, which are quantified and diluted for subsequent partitioning.\",\n \"At operation 604, the individual cells separately co-partitioned with gel beads bearing the barcoding oligonucleotides as described herein.\",\n \"The cells are lysed and the barcoded oligonucleotides released into the partitions at operation 606, where they interact with and hybridize to the mRNA at operation 608, e.g., by virtue of a poly-T primer sequence, which is complementary to the poly-A tail of the mRNA.\",\n \"Using the poly-T barcode oligonucleotide as a priming sequence, a reverse transcription reaction is carried out at operation 610 to synthesize a cDNA transcript of the mRNA that includes the barcode sequence.\",\n \"The barcoded cDNA transcripts are then subjected to additional amplification at operation 612, e.g., using a PCR process, purification at operation 614, before they are placed on a nucleic acid sequencing system for determination of the cDNA sequence and its associated barcode sequence(s).\",\n \"In some cases, as shown, operations 602 through 608 can occur while the reagents remain in their original droplet or partition, while operations 612 through 616 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside of the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 612 through 616.In some cases, barcode oligonucleotides may be digested with exonucleases after the emulsion is broken.\",\n \"Exonuclease activity can be inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) following primer digestion.\",\n \"In some cases, operation 610 may be performed either within the partitions based upon co-partitioning of the reverse transcription mixture, e.g., reverse transcriptase and associated reagents, or it may be performed in bulk.\",\n \"As noted elsewhere herein, the structure of the barcode oligonucleotides may include a number of sequence elements in addition to the oligonucleotide barcode sequence.\",\n \"One example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis as described above is shown in FIG.\",\n \"7.As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 702 is coupled to a bead 704 by a releasable linkage 706, such as a disulfide linker.\",\n \"The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 708, which may include one or more of a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer for Illumina sequencing systems.\",\n \"A barcode sequence 710 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.\",\n \"An mRNA specific priming sequence, such as poly-T sequence 712 is also included in the oligonucleotide structure.\",\n \"An anchoring sequence segment 714 may be included to ensure that the poly-T sequence hybridizes at the sequence end of the mRNA.\",\n \"This anchoring sequence can include a random short sequence of nucleotides, e.g., 1-mer, 2-mer, 3-mer or longer sequence, which will ensure that the poly-T segment is more likely to hybridize at the sequence end of the poly-A tail of the mRNA.\",\n \"An additional sequence segment 716 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, this additional sequence provides a unique molecular sequence segment, e.g., as a random sequence (e.g., such as a random N-mer sequence) that varies across individual oligonucleotides coupled to a single bead, whereas barcode sequence 710 can be constant among oligonucleotides tethered to an individual bead.\",\n \"This unique sequence serves to provide a unique identifier of the starting mRNA molecule that was captured, in order to allow quantitation of the number of original expressed RNA.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual bead can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.\",\n \"This unique molecular sequence segment may include from 5 to about 8 or more nucleotides within the sequence of the oligonucleotides.\",\n \"In some cases, the unique molecular sequence segment can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the unique molecular sequence segment can be at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length or longer.\",\n \"In some cases, the unique molecular sequence segment can be at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length or shorter.\",\n \"In operation, and with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"6 and 7, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead and lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead.\",\n \"The poly-T portion of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of the mRNA.\",\n \"The poly-T segment then primes the reverse transcription of the mRNA to produce a cDNA transcript of the mRNA, but which includes each of the sequence segments 708-716 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Again, because the oligonucleotide 702 includes an anchoring sequence 714, it will more likely hybridize to and prime reverse transcription at the sequence end of the poly-A tail of the mRNA.\",\n \"Within any given partition, all of the cDNA transcripts of the individual mRNA molecules will include a common barcode sequence segment 710.However, by including the unique random N-mer sequence, the transcripts made from different mRNA molecules within a given partition will vary at this unique sequence.\",\n \"This provides a quantitation feature that can be identifiable even following any subsequent amplification of the contents of a given partition, e.g., the number of unique segments associated with a common barcode can be indicative of the quantity of mRNA originating from a single partition, and thus, a single cell.\",\n \"As noted above, the transcripts are then amplified, cleaned up and sequenced to identify the sequence of the cDNA transcript of the mRNA, as well as to sequence the barcode segment and the unique sequence segment.\",\n \"As noted elsewhere herein, while a poly-T primer sequence is described, other targeted or random priming sequences may also be used in priming the reverse transcription reaction.\",\n \"Likewise, although described as releasing the barcoded oligonucleotides into the partition along with the contents of the lysed cells, it will be appreciated that in some cases, the gel bead bound oligonucleotides may be used to hybridize ad capture the mRNA on the solid phase of the gel beads, in order to facilitate the separation of the RNA from other cell contents.\",\n \"An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including messenger RNA (mRNA, including mRNA obtained from a cell) analysis, is shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A.\",\n \"As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 902 can be coupled to a bead 904 by a releasable linkage 906, such as a disulfide linker.\",\n \"The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 908, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as functional sequence 910, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site for Illumina sequencing systems.\",\n \"A barcode sequence 912 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.\",\n \"An RNA specific (e.g., mRNA specific) priming sequence, such as poly-T sequence 914 is also included in the oligonucleotide structure.\",\n \"An anchoring sequence segment (not shown) may be included to ensure that the poly-T sequence hybridizes at the sequence end of the mRNA.\",\n \"An additional sequence segment 916 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.\",\n \"This additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, e.g., as a random N-mer sequence that varies across individual oligonucleotides coupled to a single bead, whereas barcode sequence 912 can be constant among oligonucleotides tethered to an individual bead.\",\n \"As described elsewhere herein, this unique sequence can serve to provide a unique identifier of the starting mRNA molecule that was captured, in order to allow quantitation of the number of original expressed RNA, e.g., mRNA counting.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.\",\n \"In an example method of cellular RNA (e.g., mRNA) analysis and in reference to FIG.\",\n \"9A, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, switch oligo 924, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"In operation 950, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) and the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.\",\n \"Next, in operation 952 the poly-T segment 914 is extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).\",\n \"The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the additional bases added to the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.\",\n \"A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.\",\n \"Within any given partition, all of the cDNA transcripts of the individual mRNA molecules will include a common barcode sequence segment 912.However, by including the unique random N-mer sequence 916, the transcripts made from different mRNA molecules within a given partition will vary at this unique sequence.\",\n \"As described elsewhere herein, this provides a quantitation feature that can be identifiable even following any subsequent amplification of the contents of a given partition, e.g., the number of unique segments associated with a common barcode can be indicative of the quantity of mRNA originating from a single partition, and thus, a single cell.\",\n \"Following operation 952, the cDNA transcript 922 is then amplified with primers 926 (e.g., PCR primers) in operation 954.Next, the amplified product is then purified (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 956.At operation 958, the amplified product is then sheared, ligated to additional functional sequences, and further amplified (e.g., via PCR).\",\n \"The functional sequences may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence 930, e.g., a P7 sequence for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as functional sequence 928, which may include a sequencing primer binding site, e.g., for a R2 primer for Illumina sequencing systems, as well as functional sequence 932, which may include a sample index, e.g., an i7 sample index sequence for Illumina sequencing systems.\",\n \"In some cases, operations 950 and 952 can occur in the partition, while operations 954, 956 and 958 can occur in bulk solution (e.g., in a pooled mixture outside of the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 954, 956 and 958.In some cases, operation 954 may be completed in the partition.\",\n \"In some cases, barcode oligonucleotides may be digested with exonucleases after the emulsion is broken.\",\n \"Exonuclease activity can be inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) following primer digestion.\",\n \"Although described in terms of specific sequence references used for certain sequencing systems, e.g., Illumina systems, it will be understood that the reference to these sequences is for illustration purposes only, and the methods described herein may be configured for use with other sequencing systems incorporating specific priming, attachment, index, and other operational sequences used in those systems, e.g., systems available from Ion Torrent, Oxford Nanopore, Genia, Pacific Biosciences, Complete Genomics, and the like.\",\n \"In an alternative example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA (e.g., cellular RNA) analysis as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A, functional sequence 908 may be a P7 sequence and functional sequence 910 may be a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"Moreover, the functional sequence 930 may be a P5 sequence, functional sequence 928 may be a R1 primer binding site, and functional sequence 932 may be an i5 sample index sequence for Illumina sequencing systems.\",\n \"The configuration of the constructs generated by such a barcode oligonucleotide can help minimize (or avoid) sequencing of the poly-T sequence during sequencing.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"9B is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular mRNA analysis.\",\n \"In this method, the switch oligo 924 is co-partitioned with the individual cell and barcoded bead along with reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"The switch oligo 924 may be labeled with an additional tag 934, e.g.\",\n \"biotin.\",\n \"In operation 951, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 (e.g., as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"Next, the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.\",\n \"In operation 953, the poly-T segment 914 is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).\",\n \"The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.\",\n \"A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.\",\n \"Next, an isolation operation 960 can be used to isolate the cDNA transcript 922 from the reagents and oligonucleotides in the partition.\",\n \"The additional tag 934, e.g.\",\n \"biotin, can be contacted with an interacting tag 936, e.g., streptavidin, which may be attached to a magnetic bead 938.At operation 960 the cDNA can be isolated with a pull-down operation (e.g., via magnetic separation, centrifugation) before amplification (e.g., via PCR) in operation 955, followed by purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 957 and further processing (shearing, ligation of sequences 928, 932 and 930 and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)) in operation 959.In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, as shown, operations 951 and 953 can occur in the partition, while operations 960, 955, 957 and 959 can occur in bulk solution (e.g., in a pooled mixture outside of the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operation 960.The operations 955, 957, and 959 can then be carried out following operation 960 after the transcripts are pooled for processing.\",\n \"Shown in FIG.\",\n \"9C is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular mRNA analysis.\",\n \"In this method, the switch oligo 924 is co-partitioned with the individual cell and barcoded bead along with reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs in a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"In operation 961, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 (e.g., as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"Next, the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.\",\n \"Next, in operation 963 the poly-T segment 914 is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).\",\n \"The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.\",\n \"A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.\",\n \"Following operation 961 and operation 963, mRNA 920 and cDNA transcript 922 are denatured in operation 962.At operation 964, a second strand is extended from a primer 940 having an additional tag 942, e.g.\",\n \"biotin, and hybridized to the cDNA transcript 922.Also in operation 964, the biotin labeled second strand can be contacted with an interacting tag 936, e.g.\",\n \"streptavidin, which may be attached to a magnetic bead 938.The cDNA can be isolated with a pull-down operation (e.g., via magnetic separation, centrifugation) before amplification (e.g., via polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) in operation 965, followed by purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 967 and further processing (shearing, ligation of sequences 928, 932 and 930 and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)) in operation 969.In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, operations 961 and 963 can occur in the partition, while operations 962, 964, 965, 967, and 969 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 962, 964, 965, 967 and 969.Shown in FIG.\",\n \"9D is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular mRNA analysis.\",\n \"In this method, the switch oligo 924 is co-partitioned with the individual cell and barcoded bead along with reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs.\",\n \"In operation 971, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 902 (e.g., as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"Next the poly-T segment 914 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 that is released from the cell.\",\n \"Next in operation 973, the poly-T segment 914 is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).\",\n \"The switch oligo 924 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.\",\n \"A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence can then be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922 via extension of the cDNA transcript 922 using the switch oligo 924 as a template.\",\n \"In operation 966, the mRNA 920, cDNA transcript 922 and switch oligo 924 can be denatured, and the cDNA transcript 922 can be hybridized with a capture oligonucleotide 944 labeled with an additional tag 946, e.g.\",\n \"biotin.\",\n \"In this operation, the biotin-labeled capture oligonucleotide 944, which is hybridized to the cDNA transcript, can be contacted with an interacting tag 936, e.g.\",\n \"streptavidin, which may be attached to a magnetic bead 938.Following separation from other species (e.g., excess barcoded oligonucleotides) using a pull-down operation (e.g., via magnetic separation, centrifugation), the cDNA transcript can be amplified (e.g., via PCR) with primers 926 at operation 975, followed by purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) in operation 977 and further processing (shearing, ligation of sequences 928, 932 and 930 and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)) in operation 979.In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In other cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, operations 971 and 973 can occur in the partition, while operations 966, 975, 977 (purification), and 979 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 966, 975, 977 and 979.Shown in FIG.\",\n \"9E is another example method for RNA analysis, including cellular RNA analysis.\",\n \"In this method, an individual cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, a switch oligo 990, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"In operation 981, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides (e.g., 902 as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A) are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"In other cases, sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"Next, the poly-T segment of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 920 released from the cell.\",\n \"Next at operation 983, the poly-T segment is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction to produce a cDNA transcript 922 complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 908, 912, 910, 916 and 914 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).The switch oligo 990 may then hybridize with the cDNA transcript and facilitate template switching.\",\n \"A sequence complementary to the switch oligo sequence and including a T7 promoter sequence, can be incorporated into the cDNA transcript 922.At operation 968, a second strand is synthesized and at operation 970 the T7 promoter sequence can be used by T7 polymerase to produce RNA transcripts in in vitro transcription.\",\n \"At operation 985 the RNA transcripts can be purified (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)), reverse transcribed to form DNA transcripts, and a second strand can be synthesized for each of the DNA transcripts.\",\n \"In some cases, prior to purification, the RNA transcripts can be contacted with a DNase (e.g., DNAase I) to break down residual DNA.\",\n \"At operation 987 the DNA transcripts are then fragmented and ligated to additional functional sequences, such as sequences 928, 932 and 930 and, in some cases, further amplified (e.g., via PCR).\",\n \"In some cases where sequence 908 is a P7 sequence and sequence 910 is a R2 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P5 sequence and sequence 928 is a R1 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i5 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases where sequence 908 is a P5 sequence and sequence 910 is a R1 primer binding site, sequence 930 is a P7 sequence and sequence 928 is a R2 primer binding site and sequence 932 is an i7 sample index sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, prior to removing a portion of the DNA transcripts, the DNA transcripts can be contacted with an RNase to break down residual RNA.\",\n \"In some cases, operations 981 and 983 can occur in the partition, while operations 968, 970, 985 and 987 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 968, 970, 985 and 987.Another example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including messenger RNA (mRNA, including mRNA obtained from a cell) analysis is shown in FIG.\",\n \"10.As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1002 is coupled to a bead 1004 by a releasable linkage 1006, such as a disulfide linker.\",\n \"The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1008, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P7 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1010, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"A barcode sequence 1012 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.\",\n \"An RNA specific (e.g., mRNA specific) priming sequence, such as poly-T sequence 1014 may be included in the oligonucleotide structure.\",\n \"An anchoring sequence segment (not shown) may be included to ensure that the poly-T sequence hybridizes at the sequence end of the mRNA.\",\n \"An additional sequence segment 1016 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.\",\n \"This additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"An additional functional sequence 1020 may be included for in vitro transcription, e.g., a T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequence.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.\",\n \"In an example method of cellular RNA analysis and in reference to FIG.\",\n \"10, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"In operation 1050, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides 1002 are released (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) from the bead, and the poly-T segment 1014 of the released barcode oligonucleotide then hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 1020.Next at operation 1052, the poly-T segment is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as template to produce a cDNA transcript 1022 of the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 1020, 1008, 1012, 1010, 1016, and 1014 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Within any given partition, all of the cDNA transcripts of the individual mRNA molecules will include a common barcode sequence segment 1012.However, by including the unique random N-mer sequence, the transcripts made from different mRNA molecules within a given partition will vary at this unique sequence.\",\n \"As described elsewhere herein, this provides a quantitation feature that can be identifiable even following any subsequent amplification of the contents of a given partition, e.g., the number of unique segments associated with a common barcode can be indicative of the quantity of mRNA originating from a single partition, and thus, a single cell.\",\n \"At operation 1054 a second strand is synthesized and at operation 1056 the T7 promoter sequence can be used by T7 polymerase to produce RNA transcripts in in vitro transcription.\",\n \"At operation 1058 the transcripts are fragmented (e.g., sheared), ligated to additional functional sequences, and reverse transcribed.\",\n \"The functional sequences may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence 1030, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1028, which may include sequencing primers, e.g., a R1 primer binding sequence, as well as functional sequence 1032, which may include a sample index, e.g., an i5 sample index sequence.\",\n \"At operation 1060 the RNA transcripts can be reverse transcribed to DNA, the DNA amplified (e.g., via PCR), and sequenced to identify the sequence of the cDNA transcript of the mRNA, as well as to sequence the barcode segment and the unique sequence segment.\",\n \"In some cases, operations 1050 and 1052 can occur in the partition, while operations 1054, 1056, 1058 and 1060 can occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled in order to complete operations 1054, 1056, 1058 and 1060.In an alternative example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA (e.g., cellular RNA) analysis as shown in FIG.\",\n \"10, functional sequence 1008 may be a P5 sequence and functional sequence 1010 may be a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"Moreover, the functional sequence 1030 may be a P7 sequence, functional sequence 1028 may be a R2 primer binding site, and functional sequence 1032 may be an i7 sample index sequence.\",\n \"An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including messenger RNA (mRNA, including mRNA obtained from a cell) analysis is shown in FIG.\",\n \"11.As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1102 is coupled to a bead 1104 by a releasable linkage 1106, such as a disulfide linker.\",\n \"The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1108, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1110, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 1108 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1110 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"A barcode sequence 1112 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.\",\n \"An additional sequence segment 1116 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, this additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"An additional sequence 1114 may be included to facilitate template switching, e.g., polyG.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.\",\n \"In an example method of cellular mRNA analysis and in reference to FIG.\",\n \"11, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, poly-T sequence, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"In operation 1150, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) and the poly-T sequence hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA 1120 released from the cell.\",\n \"Next, in operation 1152, the poly-T sequence is then extended in a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as a template to produce a cDNA transcript 1122 complementary to the mRNA.\",\n \"Terminal transferase activity of the reverse transcriptase can add additional bases to the cDNA transcript (e.g., polyC).\",\n \"The additional bases added to the cDNA transcript, e.g., polyC, can then to hybridize with 1114 of the barcoded oligonucleotide.\",\n \"This can facilitate template switching and a sequence complementary to the barcode oligonucleotide can be incorporated into the cDNA transcript.\",\n \"The transcripts can be further processed (e.g., amplified, portions removed, additional sequences added, etc.)\",\n \"and characterized as described elsewhere herein, e.g., by sequencing.\",\n \"The configuration of the constructs generated by such a method can help minimize (or avoid) sequencing of the poly-T sequence during sequencing.\",\n \"An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including cellular RNA analysis is shown in FIG.\",\n \"12A.\",\n \"As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1202 is coupled to a bead 1204 by a releasable linkage 1206, such as a disulfide linker.\",\n \"The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1208, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1210, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 1208 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1210 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"A barcode sequence 1212 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.\",\n \"An additional sequence segment 1216 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, this additional sequence can provide a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.\",\n \"In an example method of cellular RNA analysis using this barcode, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead and other reagents such as RNA ligase and a reducing agent into a partition (e.g.\",\n \"a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"The cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) from the bead.\",\n \"The barcoded oligonucleotides can then be ligated to the 5′ end of mRNA transcripts while in the partitions by RNA ligase.\",\n \"Subsequent operations may include purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)) and further processing (shearing, ligation of functional sequences, and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)), and these operations may occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled for the additional operations.\",\n \"An additional example of a barcode oligonucleotide for use in RNA analysis, including cellular RNA analysis is shown in FIG.\",\n \"12B.\",\n \"As shown, the overall oligonucleotide 1222 is coupled to a bead 1224 by a releasable linkage 1226, such as a disulfide linker.\",\n \"The oligonucleotide may include functional sequences that are used in subsequent processing, such as functional sequence 1228, which may include a sequencer specific flow cell attachment sequence, e.g., a P5 sequence, as well as functional sequence 1230, which may include sequencing primer sequences, e.g., a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 1228 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"A barcode sequence 1232 is included within the structure for use in barcoding the sample RNA.\",\n \"A priming sequence 1234 (e.g., a random priming sequence) can also be included in the oligonucleotide structure, e.g., a random hexamer.\",\n \"An additional sequence segment 1236 may be provided within the oligonucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, this additional sequence provides a unique molecular sequence segment, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, although shown as a single oligonucleotide tethered to the surface of a bead, individual beads can include tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of individual oligonucleotide molecules, where, as noted, the barcode segment can be constant or relatively constant for a given bead, but where the variable or unique sequence segment will vary across an individual bead.\",\n \"In an example method of cellular mRNA analysis using the barcode oligonucleotide of FIG.\",\n \"12B, a cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead and additional reagents such as reverse transcriptase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"The cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent).\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 1228 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"In other cases, sequence 1228 is a P5 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"The priming sequence 1234 of random hexamers can randomly hybridize cellular mRNA.\",\n \"The random hexamer sequence can then be extended in a reverse transcription reaction using mRNA from the cell as a template to produce a cDNA transcript complementary to the mRNA and also includes each of the sequence segments 1228, 1232, 1230, 1236,and 1234 of the barcode oligonucleotide.\",\n \"Subsequent operations may include purification (e.g., via solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)), further processing (shearing, ligation of functional sequences, and subsequent amplification (e.g., via PCR)), and these operations may occur in bulk (e.g., outside the partition).\",\n \"In the case where a partition is a droplet in an emulsion, the emulsion can be broken and the contents of the droplet pooled for additional operations.\",\n \"Additional reagents that may be co-partitioned along with the barcode bearing bead may include oligonucleotides to block ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and nucleases to digest genomic DNA and cDNA from cells.\",\n \"Alternatively, rRNA removal agents may be applied during additional processing operations.\",\n \"The configuration of the constructs generated by such a method can help minimize (or avoid) sequencing of the poly-T sequence during sequencing.\",\n \"The single cell analysis methods described herein may also be useful in the analysis of the whole transcriptome.\",\n \"Referring back to the barcode of FIG.\",\n \"12B, the priming sequence 1234 may be a random N-mer.\",\n \"In some cases, sequence 1228 is a P7 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R2 primer binding site.\",\n \"In other cases, sequence 1228 is a P5 sequence and sequence 1230 is a R1 primer binding site.\",\n \"In an example method of whole transcriptome analysis using this barcode, the individual cell is co-partitioned along with a barcode bearing bead, poly-T sequence, and other reagents such as reverse transcriptase, polymerase, a reducing agent and dNTPs into a partition (e.g., droplet in an emulsion).\",\n \"In an operation of this method, the cell is lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead (e.g., via the action of the reducing agent) and the poly-T sequence hybridizes to the poly-A tail of cellular mRNA.\",\n \"In a reverse transcription reaction using the mRNA as template, cDNA transcripts of cellular mRNA can be produced.\",\n \"The RNA can then be degraded with an RNase.\",\n \"The priming sequence 1234 in the barcoded oligonucleotide can then randomly hybridize to the cDNA transcripts.\",\n \"The oligonucleotides can be extended using polymerase enzymes and other extension reagents co-partitioned with the bead and cell similar to as shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 to generate amplification products (e.g., barcoded fragments), similar to the example amplification product shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 (panel F).\",\n \"The barcoded nucleic acid fragments may, in some cases subjected to further processing (e.g., amplification, addition of additional sequences, clean up processes, etc.\",\n \"as described elsewhere herein) characterized, e.g., through sequence analysis.\",\n \"In this operation, sequencing signals can come from full length RNA.\",\n \"Although operations with various barcode designs have been discussed individually, individual beads can include barcode oligonucleotides of various designs for simultaneous use.\",\n \"In addition to characterizing individual cells or cell sub-populations from larger populations, the processes and systems described herein may also be used to characterize individual cells as a way to provide an overall profile of a cellular, or other organismal population.\",\n \"A variety of applications require the evaluation of the presence and quantification of different cell or organism types within a population of cells, including, for example, microbiome analysis and characterization, environmental testing, food safety testing, epidemiological analysis, e.g., in tracing contamination or the like.\",\n \"In particular, the analysis processes described above may be used to individually characterize, sequence and/or identify large numbers of individual cells within a population.\",\n \"This characterization may then be used to assemble an overall profile of the originating population, which can provide important prognostic and diagnostic information.\",\n \"For example, shifts in human microbiomes, including, e.g., gut, buccal, epidermal microbiomes, etc., have been identified as being both diagnostic and prognostic of different conditions or general states of health.\",\n \"Using the single cell analysis methods and systems described herein, one can again, characterize, sequence and identify individual cells in an overall population, and identify shifts within that population that may be indicative of diagnostic ally relevant factors.\",\n \"By way of example, sequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes has been used as a highly accurate method for taxonomic classification of bacteria.\",\n \"Using the targeted amplification and sequencing processes described above can provide identification of individual cells within a population of cells.\",\n \"One may further quantify the numbers of different cells within a population to identify current states or shifts in states over time.\",\n \"See, e.g., Morgan et al, PLoS Comput.\",\n \"Biol., Ch.\",\n \"12, December 2012, 8(12):e1002808, and Ram et al., Syst.\",\n \"Biol.\",\n \"Reprod.\",\n \"Med., June 2011, 57(3):162-170, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"Likewise, identification and diagnosis of infection or potential infection may also benefit from the single cell analyses described herein, e.g., to identify microbial species present in large mixes of other cells or other biological material, cells and/or nucleic acids, including the environments described above, as well as any other diagnostically relevant environments, e.g., cerebrospinal fluid, blood, fecal or intestinal samples, or the like.\",\n \"The foregoing analyses may also be particularly useful in the characterization of potential drug resistance of different cells, e.g., cancer cells, bacterial pathogens, etc., through the analysis of distribution and profiling of different resistance markers/mutations across cell populations in a given sample.\",\n \"Additionally, characterization of shifts in these markers/mutations across populations of cells over time can provide valuable insight into the progression, alteration, prevention, and treatment of a variety of diseases characterized by such drug resistance issues.\",\n \"Although described in terms of cells, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of individual biological organisms, or components of organisms are encompassed within this description, including, for example, cells, viruses, organelles, cellular inclusions, vesicles, or the like.\",\n \"Additionally, where referring to cells, it will be appreciated that such reference includes any type of cell, including without limitation prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, bacterial, fungal, plant, mammalian, or other animal cell types, mycoplasmas, normal tissue cells, tumor cells, or any other cell type, whether derived from single cell or multicellular organisms.\",\n \"Similarly, analysis of different environmental samples to profile the microbial organisms, viruses, or other biological contaminants that are present within such samples, can provide important information about disease epidemiology, and potentially aid in forecasting disease outbreaks, epidemics an pandemics.\",\n \"As described above, the methods, systems and compositions described herein may also be used for analysis and characterization of other aspects of individual cells or populations of cells.\",\n \"In one example process, a sample is provided that contains cells that are to be analyzed and characterized as to their cell surface proteins.\",\n \"Also provided is a library of antibodies, antibody fragments, or other molecules having a binding affinity to the cell surface proteins or antigens (or other cell features) for which the cell is to be characterized (also referred to herein as cell surface feature binding groups).\",\n \"For ease of discussion, these affinity groups are referred to herein as binding groups.\",\n \"The binding groups can include a reporter molecule that is indicative of the cell surface feature to which the binding group binds.\",\n \"In particular, a binding group type that is specific to one type of cell surface feature will comprise a first reporter molecule, while a binding group type that is specific to a different cell surface feature will have a different reporter molecule associated with it.\",\n \"In some aspects, these reporter molecules will comprise oligonucleotide sequences.\",\n \"Oligonucleotide based reporter molecules provide advantages of being able to generate significant diversity in terms of sequence, while also being readily attachable to most biomolecules, e.g., antibodies, etc., as well as being readily detected, e.g., using sequencing or array technologies.\",\n \"In the example process, the binding groups include oligonucleotides attached to them.\",\n \"Thus, a first binding group type, e.g., antibodies to a first type of cell surface feature, will have associated with it a reporter oligonucleotide that has a first nucleotide sequence.\",\n \"Different binding group types, e.g., antibodies having binding affinity for other, different cell surface features, will have associated therewith reporter oligonucleotides that comprise different nucleotide sequences, e.g., having a partially or completely different nucleotide sequence.\",\n \"In some cases, for each type of cell surface feature binding group, e.g., antibody or antibody fragment, the reporter oligonucleotide sequence may be known and readily identifiable as being associated with the known cell surface feature binding group.\",\n \"These oligonucleotides may be directly coupled to the binding group, or they may be attached to a bead, molecular lattice, e.g., a linear, globular, cross-slinked, or other polymer, or other framework that is attached or otherwise associated with the binding group, which allows attachment of multiple reporter oligonucleotides to a single binding group.\",\n \"In the case of multiple reporter molecules coupled to a single binding group, such reporter molecules can comprise the same sequence, or a particular binding group will include a known set of reporter oligonucleotide sequences.\",\n \"As between different binding groups, e.g., specific for different cell surface features, the reporter molecules can be different and attributable to the particular binding group.\",\n \"Attachment of the reporter groups to the binding groups may be achieved through any of a variety of direct or indirect, covalent or non-covalent associations or attachments.\",\n \"For example, in the case of oligonucleotide reporter groups associated with antibody based binding groups, such oligonucleotides may be covalently attached to a portion of an antibody or antibody fragment using chemical conjugation techniques (e.g., Lightning-Link® antibody labeling kits available from Innova Biosciences), as well as other non-covalent attachment mechanisms, e.g., using biotinylated antibodies and oligonucleotides (or beads that include one or more biotinylated linker, coupled to oligonucleotides) with an avidin or streptavidin linker.\",\n \"Antibody and oligonucleotide biotinylation techniques are available (See, e.g., Fang, et al., Fluoride-Cleavable Biotinylation Phosphoramidite for 5′-end-Labeling and Affinity Purification of Synthetic Oligonucleotides, Nucleic Acids Res.\",\n \"Jan. 15, 2003; 31(2):708-715, DNA 3′ End Biotinylation Kit, available from Thermo Scientific, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes).\",\n \"Likewise, protein and peptide biotinylation techniques have been developed and are readily available (See, e.g., U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"6,265,552, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes).\",\n \"The reporter oligonucleotides may be provided having any of a range of different lengths, depending upon the diversity of reporter molecules desired or a given analysis, the sequence detection scheme employed, and the like.\",\n \"In some cases, these reporter sequences can be greater than about 5 nucleotides in length, greater than about 10 nucleotides in length, greater than about 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150 or even 200 nucleotides in length.\",\n \"In some cases, these reporter nucleotides may be less than about 250 nucleotides in length, less than about 200, 180, 150, 120 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, or even 30 nucleotides in length.\",\n \"In many cases, the reporter oligonucleotides may be selected to provide barcoded products that are already sized, and otherwise configured to be analyzed on a sequencing system.\",\n \"For example, these sequences may be provided at a length that ideally creates sequenceable products of a desired length for particular sequencing systems.\",\n \"Likewise, these reporter oligonucleotides may include additional sequence elements, in addition to the reporter sequence, such as sequencer attachment sequences, sequencing primer sequences, amplification primer sequences, or the complements to any of these.\",\n \"In operation, a cell-containing sample is incubated with the binding molecules and their associated reporter oligonucleotides, for any of the cell surface features desired to be analyzed.\",\n \"Following incubation, the cells are washed to remove unbound binding groups.\",\n \"Following washing, the cells are partitioned into separate partitions, e.g., droplets, along with the barcode carrying beads described above, where each partition includes a limited number of cells, e.g., in some cases, a single cell.\",\n \"Upon releasing the barcodes from the beads, they will prime the amplification and barcoding of the reporter oligonucleotides.\",\n \"As noted above, the barcoded replicates of the reporter molecules may additionally include functional sequences, such as primer sequences, attachment sequences or the like.\",\n \"The barcoded reporter oligonucleotides are then subjected to sequence analysis to identify which reporter oligonucleotides bound to the cells within the partitions.\",\n \"Further, by also sequencing the associated barcode sequence, one can identify that a given cell surface feature likely came from the same cell as other, different cell surface features, whose reporter sequences include the same barcode sequence, i.e., they were derived from the same partition.\",\n \"Based upon the reporter molecules that emanate from an individual partition based upon the presence of the barcode sequence, one may then create a cell surface profile of individual cells from a population of cells.\",\n \"Profiles of individual cells or populations of cells may be compared to profiles from other cells, e.g., ‘normal’ cells, to identify variations in cell surface features, which may provide diagnostically relevant information.\",\n \"In particular, these profiles may be particularly useful in the diagnosis of a variety of disorders that are characterized by variations in cell surface receptors, such as cancer and other disorders.\",\n \"V. DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Also provided herein are the microfluidic devices used for partitioning the cells as described above.\",\n \"Such microfluidic devices can comprise channel networks for carrying out the partitioning process like those set forth in FIGS.\",\n \"1 and 2.Examples of particularly useful microfluidic devices are described in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent Application No.\",\n \"61/977,804, filed Apr.\",\n \"4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.\",\n \"Briefly, these microfluidic devices can comprise channel networks, such as those described herein, for partitioning cells into separate partitions, and co-partitioning such cells with oligonucleotide barcode library members, e.g., disposed on beads.\",\n \"These channel networks can be disposed within a solid body, e.g., a glass, semiconductor or polymer body structure in which the channels are defined, where those channels communicate at their termini with reservoirs for receiving the various input fluids, and for the ultimate deposition of the partitioned cells, etc., from the output of the channel networks.\",\n \"By way of example, and with reference to FIG.\",\n \"2, a reservoir fluidly coupled to channel 202 may be provided with an aqueous suspension of cells 214, while a reservoir coupled to channel 204 may be provided with an aqueous suspension of beads 216 carrying the oligonucleotides.\",\n \"Channel segments 206 and 208 may be provided with a non-aqueous solution, e.g., an oil, into which the aqueous fluids are partitioned as droplets at the channel junction 212.Finally, an outlet reservoir may be fluidly coupled to channel 210 into which the partitioned cells and beads can be delivered and from which they may be harvested.\",\n \"As will be appreciated, while described as reservoirs, it will be appreciated that the channel segments may be coupled to any of a variety of different fluid sources or receiving components, including tubing, manifolds, or fluidic components of other systems.\",\n \"Also provided are systems that control flow of these fluids through the channel networks e.g., through applied pressure differentials, centrifugal force, electrokinetic pumping, capillary or gravity flow, or the like.\",\n \"VI.\",\n \"KITS Also provided herein are kits for analyzing individual cells or small populations of cells.\",\n \"The kits may include one, two, three, four, five or more, up to all of partitioning fluids, including both aqueous buffers and non-aqueous partitioning fluids or oils, nucleic acid barcode libraries that are releasably associated with beads, as described herein, microfluidic devices, reagents for disrupting cells amplifying nucleic acids, and providing additional functional sequences on fragments of cellular nucleic acids or replicates thereof, as well as instructions for using any of the foregoing in the methods described herein.\",\n \"VII.\",\n \"COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEMS The present disclosure provides computer control systems that are programmed to implement methods of the disclosure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 shows a computer system 1701 that is programmed or otherwise configured to implement methods of the disclosure including nucleic acid sequencing methods, interpretation of nucleic acid sequencing data and analysis of cellular nucleic acids, such as RNA (e.g., mRNA), and characterization of cells from sequencing data.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 can be an electronic device of a user or a computer system that is remotely located with respect to the electronic device.\",\n \"The electronic device can be a mobile electronic device.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also “processor” and “computer processor” herein) 1705, which can be a single core or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors for parallel processing.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 also includes memory or memory location 1710 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), electronic storage unit 1715 (e.g., hard disk), communication interface 1720 (e.g., network adapter) for communicating with one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 1725, such as cache, other memory, data storage and/or electronic display adapters.\",\n \"The memory 1710, storage unit 1715, interface 1720 and peripheral devices 1725 are in communication with the CPU 1705 through a communication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard.\",\n \"The storage unit 1715 can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 can be operatively coupled to a computer network (“network”) 1730 with the aid of the communication interface 1720.The network 1730 can be the Internet, an internet and/or extranet, or an intranet and/or extranet that is in communication with the Internet.\",\n \"The network 1730 in some cases is a telecommunication and/or data network.\",\n \"The network 1730 can include one or more computer servers, which can enable distributed computing, such as cloud computing.\",\n \"The network 1730, in some cases with the aid of the computer system 1701, can implement a peer-to-peer network, which may enable devices coupled to the computer system 1701 to behave as a client or a server.\",\n \"The CPU 1705 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions, which can be embodied in a program or software.\",\n \"The instructions may be stored in a memory location, such as the memory 1710.The instructions can be directed to the CPU 1705, which can subsequently program or otherwise configure the CPU 1705 to implement methods of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Examples of operations performed by the CPU 1705 can include fetch, decode, execute, and writeback.\",\n \"The CPU 1705 can be part of a circuit, such as an integrated circuit.\",\n \"One or more other components of the system 1701 can be included in the circuit.\",\n \"In some cases, the circuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).\",\n \"The storage unit 1715 can store files, such as drivers, libraries and saved programs.\",\n \"The storage unit 1715 can store user data, e.g., user preferences and user programs.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 in some cases can include one or more additional data storage units that are external to the computer system 1701, such as located on a remote server that is in communication with the computer system 1701 through an intranet or the Internet.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 can communicate with one or more remote computer systems through the network 1730.For instance, the computer system 1701 can communicate with a remote computer system of a user.\",\n \"Examples of remote computer systems include personal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PC's (e.g., Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g., Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®), or personal digital assistants.\",\n \"The user can access the computer system 1701 via the network 1730.Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g., computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storage location of the computer system 1701, such as, for example, on the memory 1710 or electronic storage unit 1715.The machine executable or machine readable code can be provided in the form of software.\",\n \"During use, the code can be executed by the processor 1705.In some cases, the code can be retrieved from the storage unit 1715 and stored on the memory 1710 for ready access by the processor 1705.In some situations, the electronic storage unit 1715 can be precluded, and machine-executable instructions are stored on memory 1710.The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machine having a processor adapted to execute the code, or can be compiled during runtime.\",\n \"The code can be supplied in a programming language that can be selected to enable the code to execute in a pre-compiled or as-compiled fashion.\",\n \"Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein, such as the computer system 1701, can be embodied in programming.\",\n \"Various aspects of the technology may be thought of as “products” or “articles of manufacture” typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code and/or associated data that is carried on or embodied in a type of machine readable medium.\",\n \"Machine-executable code can be stored on an electronic storage unit, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random-access memory, flash memory) or a hard disk.\",\n \"“Storage” type media can include any or all of the tangible memory of the computers, processors or the like, or associated modules thereof, such as various semiconductor memories, tape drives, disk drives and the like, which may provide non-transitory storage at any time for the software programming.\",\n \"All or portions of the software may at times be communicated through the Internet or various other telecommunication networks.\",\n \"Such communications, for example, may enable loading of the software from one computer or processor into another, for example, from a management server or host computer into the computer platform of an application server.\",\n \"Thus, another type of media that may bear the software elements includes optical, electrical and electromagnetic waves, such as used across physical interfaces between local devices, through wired and optical landline networks and over various air-links.\",\n \"The physical elements that carry such waves, such as wired or wireless links, optical links or the like, also may be considered as media bearing the software.\",\n \"As used herein, unless restricted to non-transitory, tangible “storage” media, terms such as computer or machine “readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.\",\n \"Hence, a machine readable medium, such as computer-executable code, may take many forms, including but not limited to, a tangible storage medium, a carrier wave medium or physical transmission medium.\",\n \"Non-volatile storage media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in any computer(s) or the like, such as may be used to implement the databases, etc.\",\n \"shown in the drawings.\",\n \"Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as main memory of such a computer platform.\",\n \"Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system.\",\n \"Carrier-wave transmission media may take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.\",\n \"Common forms of computer-readable media therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer may read programming code and/or data.\",\n \"Many of these forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.\",\n \"The computer system 1701 can include or be in communication with an electronic display 1735 that comprises a user interface (UI) 1740 for providing, for example, results of nucleic acid sequencing, analysis of nucleic acid sequencing data, characterization of nucleic acid sequencing samples, cell characterizations, etc.\",\n \"Examples of UI's include, without limitation, a graphical user interface (GUI) and web-based user interface.\",\n \"Methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented by way of one or more algorithms.\",\n \"An algorithm can be implemented by way of software upon execution by the central processing unit 1705.The algorithm can, for example, initiate nucleic acid sequencing, process nucleic acid sequencing data, interpret nucleic acid sequencing results, characterize nucleic acid samples, characterize cells, etc.\",\n \"VIII.\",\n \"EXAMPLES Example I Cellular RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In an example, reverse transcription with template switching and cDNA amplification (via PCR) is performed in emulsion droplets with operations as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A.\",\n \"The reaction mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription and cDNA amplification (via PCR) includes 1,000 cells or 10,000 cells or 10 ng of RNA, beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides/0.2% Tx-100/5× Kapa buffer, 2× Kapa HS HiFi Ready Mix, 4 μM switch oligo, and Smartscribe.\",\n \"Where cells are present, the mixture is partitioned such that a majority or all of the droplets comprise a single cell and single bead.\",\n \"The cells are lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA that is released from the cell as in operation 950.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 952 and the cDNA transcript is amplified as in operation 954.The thermal cycling conditions are 42° C. for 130 minutes; 98° C. for 2 min; and 35 cycles of the following 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 6 min.\",\n \"Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and the transcripts are purified with Dynabeads and 0.6× SPRI as in operation 956.The yield from template switch reverse transcription and PCR in emulsions is shown for 1,000 cells in FIG.\",\n \"13A and 10,000 cells in FIG.\",\n \"13C and 10 ng of RNA in FIG.\",\n \"13B (Smartscribe line).\",\n \"The cDNA transcripts from RT and PCR performed in emulsions for 10 ng RNA is sheared and ligated to functional sequences, cleaned up with 0.8× SPRI, and is further amplified by PCR as in operation 958.The amplification product is cleaned up with 0.8× SPRI.\",\n \"The yield from this processing is shown in FIG.\",\n \"13B (SSII line).\",\n \"Example II Cellular RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In another example, reverse transcription with template switching and cDNA amplification (via PCR) is performed in emulsion droplets with operations as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9A.\",\n \"The reaction mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription and cDNA amplification (via PCR) includes Jurkat cells, beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides/0.2% TritonX-100/5× Kapa buffer, 2× Kapa HS HiFi Ready Mix, 4 μM switch oligo, and Smartscribe.\",\n \"The mixture is partitioned such that a majority or all of the droplets comprise a single cell and single bead.\",\n \"The cells are lysed while the barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of mRNA that is released from the cell as in operation 950.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 952 and the cDNA transcript is amplified as in operation 954.The thermal cycling conditions are 42° C. for 130 minutes; 98° C. for 2 min; and 35 cycles of the following 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 6 min.\",\n \"Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and the transcripts are cleaned-up with Dynabeads and 0.6× SPRI as in operation 956.The yield from reactions with various cell numbers (625 cells, 1,250 cells, 2,500 cells, 5,000 cells, and 10,000 cells) is shown in FIG.\",\n \"14A.\",\n \"These yields are confirmed with GADPH qPCR assay results shown in FIG.\",\n \"14B.\",\n \"Example III RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In another example, reverse transcription is performed in emulsion droplets and cDNA amplification is performed in bulk in a manner similar to that as shown in FIG.\",\n \"9C.\",\n \"The reaction mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription includes beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides, 10 ng Jurkat RNA (e.g., Jurkat mRNA), 5× First-Strand buffer, and Smartscribe.\",\n \"The barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of the RNA as in operation 961.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 963.The thermal cycling conditions for reverse transcription are one cycle at 42° C. for 2 hours and one cycle at 70° C. for 10 min.\",\n \"Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and RNA and cDNA transcripts are denatured as in operation 962.A second strand is then synthesized by primer extension with a primer having a biotin tag as in operation 964.The reaction conditions for this primer extension include cDNA transcript as the first strand and biotinylated extension primer ranging in concentration from 0.5-3.0 μM.\",\n \"The thermal cycling conditions are one cycle at 98° C. for 3 min and one cycle of 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 30 min.\",\n \"Following primer extension, the second strand is pulled down with Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin C1 and T1, and cleaned-up with Agilent SureSelect XT buffers.\",\n \"The second strand is pre-amplified via PCR as in operation 965 with the following cycling conditions—one cycle at 98° C. for 3 min and one cycle of 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 30 min.\",\n \"The yield for various concentrations of biotinylated primer (0.5 μM, 1.0 μM, 2.0 μM, and 3.0 μM) is shown in FIG.\",\n \"15.Example IV RNA Analysis Using Emulsions In another example, in vitro transcription by T7 polymerase is used to produce RNA transcripts as shown in FIG.\",\n \"10.The mixture that is partitioned for reverse transcription includes beads bearing barcoded oligonucleotides which also include a T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequence, 10 ng human RNA (e.g., human mRNA), 5× First-Strand buffer, and Smartscribe.\",\n \"The mixture is partitioned such that a majority or all of the droplets comprise a single bead.\",\n \"The barcoded oligonucleotides are released from the bead, and the poly-T segment of the barcoded oligonucleotide hybridizes to the poly-A tail of the RNA as in operation 1050.The poly-T segment is extended in a reverse transcription reaction as in operation 1052.The thermal cycling conditions are one cycle at 42° C. for 2 hours and one cycle at 70° C. for 10 min.\",\n \"Following thermal cycling, the emulsion is broken and the remaining operations are performed in bulk.\",\n \"A second strand is then synthesized by primer extension as in operation 1054.The reaction conditions for this primer extension include cDNA transcript as template and extension primer.\",\n \"The thermal cycling conditions are one cycle at 98° C. for 3 min and one cycle of 98° C. for 15 sec, 60° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 30 min.\",\n \"Following this primer extension, the second strand is purified with 0.6x SPRI.\",\n \"As in operation 1056, in vitro transcription is then performed to produce RNA transcripts.\",\n \"In vitro transcription is performed overnight, and the transcripts are purified with 0.6× SPRI.\",\n \"The RNA yields from in vitro transcription are shown in FIG.\",\n \"16.While some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.\",\n \"It is not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification.\",\n \"While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense.\",\n \"Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.\",\n \"Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables.\",\n \"It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention.\",\n \"It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents.\",\n \"It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872499"}}},{"rowIdx":4494090,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["PROSTHETIC VALVE AND UPSTREAM SUPPORT THEREFOR","A prosthetic valve comprises a valve body, comprising a tubular frame and a plurality of leaflets; an upstream support, comprising a second frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.","The prosthetic valve is compressible into a delivery tool such that the prosthetic valve is in a compressed state in which the second frame and the tubular frame are arranged in series within the tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter.","The prosthetic valve is deployable from the tool such that the prosthetic valve automatically expands into an expanded state.","In the expanded state, the second frame defines an inner perimeter, the sheet extends inwardly from the inner perimeter to the valve body, and the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body.","Other embodiments are also described."],["1-165.","(canceled) 166.Apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus comprising: a prosthetic valve, comprising: a valve body, comprising a tubular frame and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets arranged to facilitate upstream-to-downstream fluid flow through the prosthetic valve; an upstream support, comprising a second frame that is distinct from the tubular frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body; and a delivery tool, wherein: the prosthetic valve is compressible into the delivery tool such that the prosthetic x valve is in a compressed state in which: the second frame and the tubular frame are arranged in series within the delivery tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter, and the prosthetic valve is deployable from the delivery tool such that the prosthetic valve automatically expands into an expanded state in which: (1) the valve body: has an expanded body-diameter that is greater than the compressed body-diameter, and is shaped to fit within the native valve, (2) the second frame: is annular, is shaped to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, and defines an inner perimeter that is wider than the expanded body-diameter, (3) the sheet extends inwardly from the inner perimeter to the valve body, and (4) the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body.","167.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: the delivery tool has a proximal end and a distal end, and in a delivery configuration of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is in the compressed state within the delivery tool, and is oriented with the first frame closer than the second frame to the distal end.","168.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: the delivery tool has a proximal end and a distal end, and in a delivery configuration of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is in the compressed state within the delivery tool, and is oriented with the second frame closer than the first frame to the distal end.","169.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein, in the expanded state, the sheet is frustoconical.","170.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein, in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve, the second frame is tubular.","171.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve, the second frame has a first end, and a second end that is closer to the tubular frame than is the first end, and when the prosthetic valve automatically expands into the expanded state, the first end expands more than the second end.","172.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: the delivery tool comprises a first housing and a second housing, and in a delivery configuration of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is in the compressed state, at least part of the tubular frame is disposed within the first housing, and at least part of the second frame is disposed within the second housing.","173.The apparatus according to claim 172, wherein the prosthetic valve is deployable from the delivery tool by moving the first housing and the second housing axially away from each other.","174.The apparatus according to claim 172, wherein, in the delivery configuration, at least part of the sheet is disposed between the first housing and the second housing.","175.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein at least one side of the tubular frame and at least one side of the second frame are covered with a covering, and the sheet is defined by a portion of the covering that is disposed between the first frame and the second frame.","176.The apparatus according to claim 175, wherein the covering is disposed on a tissue-facing side of the second frame, the tissue-facing side being oriented to be placed against the upstream surface of the native valve.","177.The apparatus according to claim 176, wherein the covering lines an inner surface of the tubular frame.","178.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein, in the compressed state, the valve body and the upstream support are longitudinally separated by a zone in which the sheet is disposed, but in which neither the tubular frame nor the second frame is disposed.","179.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein the prosthetic valve is configured such that, upon deployment from the delivery tool, the upstream support becomes annular by deflecting with respect to the valve body.","180.Apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve that comprises: a valve body, comprising: a tubular frame that (i) has an upstream region that includes an upstream end, (ii) has a downstream region that includes a downstream end, and (iii) defines a lumen between the upstream end to the downstream end, and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets coupled to the tubular frame, and arranged to facilitate upstream-to-downstream fluid flow through the lumen; an upstream support: comprising an annular frame that is distinct from the tubular frame, being shaped to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body, the prosthetic valve having (i) a compressed state for delivery to the heart, and (ii) an expanded state in which the sheet extends inward from the annular frame to the downstream region of the tubular frame.","181.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the sheet: extends, from the annular frame, alongside and outside the upstream region of the tubular frame without being attached to tubular frame at the upstream region of the tubular frame, and is attached to the tubular frame at the downstream region of the tubular frame.","182.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the upstream support and the valve body are arranged in series, with the upstream support closer to the upstream end of the tubular frame than to the downstream end of the tubular frame.","183.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the sheet is disposed alongside and outside at least part of the tubular frame.","184.The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the sheet is not attached to the part of the tubular frame.","185.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the expanded state, the tubular frame has a first diameter, and the upstream support has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the upstream support, the inner perimeter having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.","186.The apparatus according to claim 185, wherein: the apparatus has a longitudinal axis along which the tubular frame defines the lumen, and in the expanded state, the opening is disposed longitudinally between the upstream end of the tubular frame and the downstream end of the tubular frame.","187.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein: in the compressed state, the upstream support has a first end, and a second end that is closer to the tubular frame than is the first end, the prosthetic valve is configured to automatically expand into the expanded state, and when the prosthetic valve automatically expands into the expanded state, the first end expands more than the second end.","188.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the valve body and the upstream support are longitudinally separated by a zone in which the sheet is disposed, but in which neither the tubular frame nor the second frame is disposed.","189.A method, comprising: introducing, into a subject, a prosthetic valve that includes: a valve body that includes a tubular frame, and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets arranged to facilitate upstream-to-downstream fluid flow through the prosthetic valve, an upstream support that includes a second frame that is distinct from the tubular frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body; advancing the prosthetic valve to a heart of the subject while the prosthetic valve is in a compressed state in which: the second frame and the valve body are arranged in series within a delivery tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter; and deploying the prosthetic valve at a mitral valve of the subject, such that the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body, by: expanding the valve body within the native valve, such that the valve body has an expanded body-diameter that is greater than the compressed body-diameter; and placing the upstream support against an upstream surface of the native valve by deploying the upstream support from the delivery tool such that: the upstream support becomes annular by expanding radially outward and deflecting with respect to the valve body, and the sheet extends inwardly from an inner perimeter of the second frame to the valve body.","190.The method according to claim 189, wherein deploying the prosthetic valve comprises performing the step of placing the upstream support prior to performing the step of expanding the valve body.","191.The method according to claim 189, wherein deploying the prosthetic valve comprises placing the sheet in contact with tissue of the native valve.","192.The method according to claim 189, wherein introducing the prosthetic valve comprises introducing the prosthetic valve transfemorally."],[" BACKGROUND Ischemic heart disease causes regurgitation of a heart valve by the combination of ischemic dysfunction of the papillary muscles, and the dilatation of the ventricle that is present in ischemic heart disease, with the subsequent displacement of the papillary muscles and the dilatation of the valve annulus.","Dilation of the annulus of the valve prevents the valve leaflets from fully coapting when the valve is closed.","Regurgitation of blood from the ventricle into the atrium results in increased total stroke volume and decreased cardiac output, and ultimate weakening of the ventricle secondary to a volume overload and a pressure overload of the atrium."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to tethers are transluminally anchored to ventricular tissue of a native valve.","A prosthetic valve component, such as a prosthetic valve assembly, a prosthetic valve body, or a support, is transluminally slid along a guide member coupled to the tethers, and is anchored to the tethers.","For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member disposed within the lumen, (2) an upstream support configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (2) a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.","For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises eyelets to facilitate sliding along the guide member.","For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly has a compressed delivery state in which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatably coupled to each other by the sheet.","For such applications, a delivery tool houses the prosthetic valve assembly such that the valve body and upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other during transluminal delivery.","For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises tethers that, when tensioned, move the valve body closer to the support.","For such applications, the assembly typically comprises tissue-engaging elements that protrude from the valve body, and the tethers are tensioned to sandwich tissue of the native valve between the tissue-engaging elements and the support.","For some applications, one or more forces is measured during implantation, and distributed among various anchoring elements.","For some such applications, an intracorporeal spring is used that is extracorporeally observable using imaging techniques.","For some such applications, the spring facilitates force distribution.","For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises a flexible sheet forms a pocket between the sheet and a frame of the assembly, and facilitates sealing between the assembly and tissue of the native valve.","For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to longitudinal members that are reversibly couplable to wires are transluminally advanced to the ventricle downstream of a native heart valve, and are anchored there.","A prosthetic valve support comprising an upstream support portion is slid, in a compressed delivery configuration, over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and into an atrium upstream of the native valve where it is deployed (e.g., expanded) and placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of the native valve.","A locking member is also slid over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and locks to the longitudinal member, thereby securing the prosthetic valve support against the upstream surface of the native valve.","A prosthetic valve is subsequently transluminally advanced to the native valve, and is implanted by coupling the prosthetic valve to leaflets of the native valve and to the prosthetic valve support.","For some applications of the invention, a tubular member is slidable over the wire and the longitudinal member, and when disposed over the wire and the long member, inhibits decoupling of the wire from the longitudinal member.","For such applications, the prosthetic valve support and the locking member are typically slidable over the tubular member.","For some applications of the invention, a control rod, reversibly coupled to the locking member, is slid over the tubular member so as to push the locking member and the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.","For some such applications, the control rod is used to lock the locking member to the longitudinal member.","There is therefore provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: including (1) a first frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) a valve member disposed within the lumen, having a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and having an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; an upstream support: configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, including a second frame, having a compressed state, and having an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.","In an application, the upstream support is coupled to the valve body only via the sheet.","In an application: the valve body has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween along which the lumen is defined, and when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof: the first frame is attached to the second frame at the inner perimeter of the second frame, and the sheet is attached to the valve body and to the upstream support in a manner that defines a pocket region between the sheet and at least the inner perimeter of the second frame, the sheet not being attached to the first frame or the second frame in the pocket region.","In an application, the sheet provides fluid communication between the opening and the lumen.","In an application, the sheet is not attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet is not attached to an upstream end of the valve body.","In an application, the sheet is generally annular when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.","In an application, the sheet is generally frustoconical when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.","In an application, the sheet is attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter.","In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at the outer perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet is attached to an upstream end of the valve body.","In an application, the first frame is generally cylindrical in both the compressed state thereof and the expanded state thereof.","In an application, the second frame is generally cylindrical in the compressed state thereof.","In an application, the valve body includes at least one downstream anchor, configured such that, in the expanded configuration of the valve body, the anchor protrudes radially outward from the first frame.","In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element, coupled to the valve body and to the upstream support, a length of the tensioning element between the valve body and the upstream portion being adjustable such that a distance between the first frame and the second frame is adjustable.","In an application, the at least one tensioning element includes a tether.","In an application, the at least one tensioning element is coupled to the first frame, and slidably coupled to the second frame.","In an application, the valve body, the upstream support and the sheet together define a prosthetic valve assembly, the prosthetic valve assembly: having an expanded state in which the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the second frame of the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, having a compressed state in which: the prosthetic valve assembly has a longitudinal axis, the valve body is in the compressed state thereof at a first zone of the longitudinal axis, the upstream support is in the compressed state thereof at a second zone of the longitudinal axis, and the prosthetic valve assembly defines an articulation zone, between the first zone and the second zone, in which at least part of the sheet is disposed, in which neither the first frame nor the second frame is disposed, and about which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a delivery tool: including a first housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the upstream support in the compressed state thereof, and defining a first housing orifice through which the at least part of the upstream support is removable from the first housing, including a second housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the valve body in the compressed state thereof, and defining a second housing orifice through which the at least part of the valve body is removable from the second housing, having a contracted state in which the second housing is disposed at a first distance from the first housing, and in which the delivery tool is configured to transluminally advance the prosthetic valve assembly in the compressed state thereof, to the native valve, and having an extended state in which the second housing is disposed at a second distance from the first housing, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and the apparatus is configured such that, when the at least part of the upstream support is housed by the first housing and the at least part of the valve body is housed by the second housing, transitioning of the delivery tool from the contracted state into the extended state exposes at least part of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the valve body and the upstream support, from the housing that houses the selected component.","In an application: the apparatus is configured to be used with at least two guide members, the prosthetic valve assembly includes at least two eyelets, each eyelet being slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and the apparatus is configured such that the eyelets of the prosthetic valve assembly protrude radially outward and radially beyond an outer surface of the second housing while: (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, and (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing.","In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.","In an application, the delivery tool further includes at least two reference-force tubes, each reference-force tube configured (1) to be slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and (2) to apply a distally-directed force to the prosthetic valve assembly.","In an application, in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve assembly, each reference-force tube extends distally (1) through a lumen defined by the second frame of the upstream support, (2) through the sheet, and (3) along an outside of at least part of the valve body.","In an application, the apparatus further includes at least two locking members, each locking member: having an unlocked state in which the locking member is slidable along a respective one of the guide members, being transitionable into a locked state in which (1) the locking member is locked to the respective one of the guide members, and (2) the sliding of the eyelet over the guide member is inhibited.","In an application, the apparatus further includes the at least two guide members: each guide member includes: a tubular member, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, a tether, coupled at a distal end thereof to a tissue anchor configured to be anchored to ventricular tissue of the heart, at least a proximal portion of the tether being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a pull-wire, coupled at a distal portion thereof to the proximal portion of the tether, at least the distal portion of the pull-wire being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the tubular member inhibits decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether while the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and while the tubular member of each guide member is disposed within the respective locking member, the tubular member inhibits transitioning of the locking member into the locked state.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that, for each respective guide member and locking member, while (1) the tubular member is disposed within the locking member, (2) the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and (3) the tissue anchor is coupled to the ventricular tissue: proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates automatic transitioning of the locking member into the locked state, and further proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether.","In an application, at least one housing selected from the group consisting of: the first housing and the second housing has a lateral wall that is shaped to define at least two slits, the eyelets being configured to protrude radially outward from the delivery tool via the slits.","In an application, each slit of the at least one selected housing is continuous with the orifice of the at least one selected housing.","In an application, the eyelets are coupled to and protrude radially outward from the valve body.","In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.","In an application: the articulation zone defined by the prosthetic valve assembly includes a first articulation zone, and while (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing, and (3) the delivery tool is in the contracted state thereof, the apparatus defines a second articulation zone at a longitudinal zone of the apparatus (a) between the second housing and the first housing, and (b) in which is disposed at least part of the first articulation zone.","In an application, the delivery tool further includes a housing-control rod that extends through the first housing and is coupled to the second housing such that a first portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the first housing, a second portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the second housing, and a third portion of the housing-control rod (1) is disposed within the second articulation zone, and (2) is more flexible than at least one portion of the housing-control rod selected from the group consisting of: the first portion and the second portion.","In an application: the delivery tool further includes (1) a control rod assembly including at least a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, and (2) a second housing-control rod, more flexible than the first housing-control rod, extending through the first housing-control rod, extending through the second articulation zone, and coupled to the second housing.","In an application, the second housing orifice faces the first housing orifice.","In an application: the delivery tool further includes a flexible control rod assembly including (1) a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, (2) a second housing-control rod coupled to the second housing, and (3) a prosthesis-control rod reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly, longitudinal movement of the second housing-control rod with respect to the first housing-control rod transitions the delivery tool between the contracted state and the extended state thereof, and the valve body is removable from the second housing by moving the second housing-control rod with respect to the prosthesis-control rod.","In an application, the prosthesis-control rod is reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly by being reversibly couplable to the valve body.","In an application, at least part of the second housing-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the prosthesis-control rod, and at least part of the prosthesis-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the first housing-control rod.","In an application, the outer perimeter of the second frame has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.","In an application, the inner perimeter has a fourth diameter that is greater than the second diameter.","In an application, when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, a gap is defined between the first frame and the second frame, the sheet spanning the gap.","In an application, no metallic structure is disposed within the gap.","In an application, the sheet is configured to inhibit expansion of the second frame.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that when the second frame expands from the compressed state thereof toward the expanded state thereof, the sheet retains the second frame in a generally frustoconical shape by inhibiting expansion of at least the outer perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the second frame to serve as a covering of the upstream support.","In an application, the covering defines a tissue-contacting surface of the upstream support.","In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the first frame to serve as a covering of the valve body.","In an application, the covering is disposed on an inner surface of the first frame.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a prosthetic valve, configured to be percutaneously delivered to the native valve; an annular upstream support, configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, and to support the prosthetic valve at the native valve; a tissue anchor, including a tissue-engaging element configured to be anchored to ventricular muscle tissue of the heart; a tether, coupled to the tissue anchor; and a spring, couplable to the tether so as to elastically couple the tissue-engaging element to the prosthetic valve.","In an application, the spring is shaped to define a repeating pattern.","In an application, the spring is pre-loaded.","In an application, the spring is a constant-force spring.","In an application, the spring is configured to facilitate extracorporeal fluoroscopic observation of a state of the spring.","In an application, the spring is coupled to a plurality of radiopaque markers such that a juxtaposition of the markers changes as the state of the spring changes, the juxtaposition of the markers being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.","In an application, the spring is coupled to at least one radiopaque marker, and the apparatus further includes an intracorporeal reference, a juxtaposition between the radiopaque marker and the intracorporeal reference being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.","In an application, the intracorporeal reference includes a scale including a plurality of radiopaque markers.","In an application, the plurality of radiopaque markers includes a first plurality of radiopaque markers, and the at least one radiopaque marker includes a second plurality of radiopaque markers.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide distinct indication that is observable using fluoroscopy, when the spring is experiencing a force that is within a margin force from a target force.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 300 g force.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 400 g force.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is about 500 g force.","In an application, the spring is coupled to the prosthetic valve, and is intracorporeally lockable to the tether subsequently to anchoring of the tissue anchor to the ventricular muscle tissue.","In an application, the spring is slidable along at least part of the tether, and is intracorporeally couplable to the tether by inhibiting the sliding.","In an application, the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, and the spring includes an elastically-deformable appendage that protrudes laterally from the valve body.","In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween, and the spring (1) includes a compression spring having a longitudinal axis, and (2) is disposed laterally from, the valve body such that the longitudinal axis of the spring is generally parallel with the longitudinal lumen.","In an application, the prosthetic valve includes: a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween; and one or more tissue-engaging legs, protruding laterally outward from the valve body, and configured to be placed against a ventricular surface of the native valve.","In an application, the prosthetic valve is couplable to the upstream support intracorporeally by being expanded within an opening defined by the upstream support while the upstream support is disposed against the upstream surface.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the coupling of the prosthetic valve to the upstream support couples the tether to the prosthetic valve.","In an application, the apparatus is configured to sandwich a portion of the native valve between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support by providing a space having a height between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support.","In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height without altering a force on the spring.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that altering the height automatically alters a force on the spring.","In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height by moving the valve body through the opening defined by the upstream support.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, including a lateral wall that circumscribes the longitudinal axis and defines a longitudinal lumen, and including a valve member disposed within the lumen; an upstream support having an inner perimeter couplable to the valve body at a first longitudinal position of the valve body, the upstream support being configured to extend radially outward from the valve body and the inner perimeter; and a flexible sheet defining a first aperture, a second aperture and a lateral wall therebetween, a first portion of the sheet that defines the first aperture being circumferentially attached to the upstream support portion at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter, and a second portion of the sheet that defines the second aperture being circumferentially attached to the valve body at a second longitudinal position of the valve body, such that a pocket region is defined between the sheet and at least the first longitudinal position.","In an application, the second longitudinal position is closer to the downstream end of the valve body than is the first longitudinal position.","In an application, the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.","In an application, the sheet is attached to the upstream support at an outer perimeter of the upstream support.","In an application, the sheet assumes a frustoconical shape.","In an application, the sheet assumes a funnel shape.","In an application, the apparatus is provided with the inner perimeter of the upstream support pre-coupled to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the inner perimeter of the upstream support is intracorporeally couplable to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream support defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a tubular valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen therebetween, the lumen having a first diameter, and the valve body being separated from the upstream element by a gap between the upstream end of the valve body and the upstream element; one or more tissue-engaging elements that protrude radially outward from the valve body so as to define a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; and a flexible sheet shaped to define a conduit, a downstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the valve body, an upstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the upstream element, and the sheet spanning the gap.","In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tether, a first portion of the tether being coupled to the valve body and a second portion of the tether being coupled to the upstream support, such that tensioning of at least a portion of the tether reduces the gap.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that tensioning of at least the portion of the tether rumples the sheet.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream element defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a flexible sheet, shaped to define a conduit, and coupled to the upstream element such that the conduit is in fluid communication with the opening; and a valve body, coupled to the flexible sheet such that the conduit provides fluid communication between the prosthetic valve and the upstream element.","In an application, the valve body includes: a generally cylindrical frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member coupled to the frame and disposed within the lumen.","In an application, the frame is separated from the upstream element by a gap, and the conduit spans the gap.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for use with a guide member that extends into a subject, the apparatus including: a delivery tool, including a housing, the housing: being transluminally advanceable into the subject, shaped to define an orifice at an end of the housing, and having a lateral wall shaped to define a slit that is continuous with the orifice; an implant: configured to be housed by the housing, and including an eyelet that (1) is slidable over the guide member, and (2) when the implant is housed by the housing, extends through the slit and radially beyond the lateral wall such that the eyelet facilitates transluminal sliding of the implant and the housing along the guide member and into the subject, the apparatus being configured such that, while (1) the implant remains within the subject, and (2) the guide member remains disposed through the eyelet, (1) the implant is removable from the housing via the orifice, and (2) the housing is removable from the subject.","In an application, the implant is configured to be implanted by being intracorporeally locked to the guide member.","In an application, the implant has a compressed state and an expanded state, is configured to be housed by the housing while in the compressed state, and is configured to automatically expand toward the expanded state when removed from the housing.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to ventricular tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool, the tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a tether; transluminally delivering an annular upstream support and a prosthetic valve to the heart, the prosthetic valve including (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) one or more tissue-engaging legs configured to protrude laterally outward from the valve body; pressing the tissue-engaging legs in an upstream direction against a ventricular surface of the native valve by applying a force to the prosthetic valve while measuring the force; applying, to the tether, a tension that changes a shape of a spring coupled to the tether, while observing the shape of the spring using imaging; and at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the spring, facilitating holding of the upstream support against an upstream surface of the native valve by locking a second portion of the tether to at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the prosthetic valve and the upstream support.","In an application, measuring the force includes measuring the force using an extracorporeal force meter.","In an application, measuring the force includes observing a shape of the tissue-engaging legs using imaging.","In an application, applying the tension includes applying the tension while applying the force.","In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the prosthetic valve.","In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the upstream support.","In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion when the observed shape indicates that the spring is experiencing between 400 g force and 600 g force.","In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion subsequently to applying the tension, and applying the force includes applying the force subsequently to locking the second portion.","In an application: anchoring the tissue anchor coupled to the tether includes anchoring a first tissue anchor coupled to a first tether, and applying the tension includes applying a first tension that changes a shape of a first spring coupled to the first tether, the method further includes: anchoring a second tissue anchor to the ventricular tissue, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a second tether; and applying, to the second tether, a second tension that changes a shape of a second spring coupled to the second tether, while observing the shape of the second spring using imaging, and facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface includes, at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the second spring, facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface by locking a second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component.","In an application, facilitating holding includes locking the second portion of the first tether and the second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component, at least in part responsively to a ratio between tension in the first tether and tension in the second tether, the ratio being derived from the observed shape of the first spring and the observed shape of the second spring.","In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the observed shape.","In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the measured force.","In an application, applying the force includes moving the valve body in an upstream direction through an opening defined by the upstream support, and the method further includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support by expanding the valve body within the opening.","In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support at least in part responsively to the measured force.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally advancing a plurality of tissue anchors, coupled to a respective plurality of springs, into a body of a subject; anchoring the plurality of tissue anchors to tissue of the subject; tensioning at least one of the springs; using imaging, while the tension is applied to the at least one spring, observing a state of the at least one spring; and at least in part responsively to the observed state of at least one spring, adjusting a tension on at least one of the springs.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: applying a first tension to a tether that couples (a) a tissue anchor anchored to ventricular tissue of a subject, to (b) a prosthetic valve body, the tether having a length between the tissue anchor and the valve body; by applying an atrially-directed force to the prosthetic valve body, pressing, against tissue of the native valve, a tissue-engaging element that protrudes radially from the valve body transluminally advancing a prosthetic valve body to a native valve of the subject; while applying the atrially-directed force, measuring: a pressing force of the tissue-engaging element against the tissue of the native valve, and a second tension on the tether, the second tension differing from the first tension at least in part due to the atrially-directed force; and at least in part responsively to the measured pressing force and the measured second tension, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: adjusting the length of the tether between the tissue anchor and the valve body, and locking the valve body to the tether.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally delivering a tissue anchor to a ventricle of the heart, and anchoring the tissue anchor to ventricular muscle tissue of the subject; transluminally delivering an upstream support to an atrium of the heart, and placing the upstream support against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve; and changing a shape of the upstream support by tensioning a tether coupled to upstream support and to the tissue anchor; and extracorporeally fluoroscopically observing the shape change of the upstream support.","In an application, tensioning the tether coupled to the upstream support includes tensioning a tether that is coupled to a valve body coupled to the upstream support.","In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is generally flat annular, and changing the shape includes making the support assume a frustoconical shape.","In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is frustoconical, and changing the shape includes changing a slant of the frustoconical shape.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a transluminally-deliverable tissue anchor; a tether, a first end thereof coupled to the tissue anchor; and a delivery tool, including: a steerable catheter having a longitudinal axis, and being transluminally deliverable to the valve, and an obstructing element: disposed at a longitudinal site of the catheter, configured to extend laterally outward from the catheter, and dimensioned, when extending laterally outward from the catheter, to inhibit movement of at least the longitudinal site through the valve by abutting tissue of the valve, and an anchor manipulator: reversibly couplable to the tissue anchor, slidable through the catheter, and configured to drive the anchor into ventricular tissue of the heart of the subject.","In an application, the anchor manipulator is slidably coupled to the catheter such that a distal end of the anchor manipulator is slidable distally no more than a pre-determined distance from the longitudinal site.","In an application, the apparatus further includes an implant, intracorporeally lockable to the tether.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a guide member, reversibly couplable to the tether, and the implant is intracorporeally slidable along the guide member toward the tether and the implant.","In an application, the tether has exactly one locking site at which the implant is lockable to the tether.","In an application, the exactly one locking site is disposed at a pre-determined distance from the anchor that is pre-determined at least in part dependently on a distance between the longitudinal site and a distal end of the catheter.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool; subsequently applying to the anchor a pulling force having a given magnitude; using imaging, observing a movement of the tissue anchor in response to the pulling force; and at least in part responsively to the observed movement, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: de-anchoring the tissue anchor from the tissue, and decoupling the anchor-manipulation tool from the tissue anchor.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for implantation at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve being disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of the heart, the apparatus including: a tubular valve body: having an upstream portion, configured to be disposed in the atrium of the heart of the subject, having a downstream portion, configured to be disposed in the ventricle of the subject, having an elastic portion, disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, and elastically coupling the upstream portion to the downstream portion, and shaped to define a continuous lumen through the upstream portion, the elastic portion, and the downstream portion; and at least one valve member, disposed in the lumen of the valve body, and configured to facilitate flow of blood of the subject from the upstream portion of the valve body to the downstream portion of the valve body, and to inhibit flow of the blood from the downstream portion of the valve body to the upstream portion of the valve body.","In an application, the at least one valve member is coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.","In an application, the native valve includes a plurality of native leaflets, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a plurality of clips, configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets.","In an application, each clip: includes at least two clip arms, articulatably coupled to each other, and is reversibly closeable.","In an application, the clips are coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets by the clips being coupled to the native leaflets.","In an application, each clip of the plurality of clips is articulatably coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.","In an application, the native valve includes an annulus having an upstream surface, and the apparatus further includes a prosthetic valve support: including (1) an upstream support portion, configured to be placed against the upstream surface of the annulus of the native valve, and (2) the plurality of clips, coupled to the upstream support portion, shaped to define an opening therethrough that is configured to receive the prosthetic valve, and the clips are configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets by coupling the prosthetic valve support to the native leaflets.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a plurality of commissures, the apparatus including: at least one tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject; at least one longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective one of the at least one tissue anchors; an upstream support, including an upstream support portion configured to be slidable over the longitudinal member and placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; and at least one locking member, configured to be slidable over a respective one of the at least one longitudinal members, and to be lockable to the respective longitudinal member such that a portion of the respective longitudinal member that is disposed between the respective anchor and the upstream support portion is longer than 1 cm.","In an application, the longitudinal member is flexible.","In an application, the longitudinal member includes a suture.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a first commissure and at a second commissure, the method including: anchoring a first tissue anchor to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject, the first tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a first longitudinal member; anchoring a second tissue anchor to a second site within the ventricle of the heart of the subject, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a second longitudinal member; subsequently, placing at least an upstream support portion of a prosthetic valve support against an upstream surface of the native valve, the valve being disposed between the ventricle and an atrium of the heart of the subject; and securing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface of the valve by: coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the first longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the first commissure, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the second longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the second commissure.","In an application, anchoring, placing, and securing include anchoring, securing, and placing without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.","In an application, anchoring to the first site and anchoring to the second site include anchoring to myocardium.","In an application, placing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface includes sliding the upstream support portion over at least part of the first longitudinal member.","In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member and to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject.","In an application, the leaflets move in response to beating of the heart of the subject, and securing the upstream support portion includes securing the upstream support portion without eliminating the movement of the native leaflets.","In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that a length of the portion of the first longitudinal member is greater than 1 cm.","In an application, the method further includes: transluminally advancing at least the first tissue anchor to the first site while the respective longitudinal member coupled thereto is disposed within a respective tubular member; and subsequently to anchoring the at least first tissue anchor, and before coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member, sliding the at least first tubular member off of at least part of the respective longitudinal member.","In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member includes sliding at least part of the at least first tubular member through a channel defined by a locking member, and coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member includes locking the locking member to the respective longitudinal member by narrowing at least a portion of the channel.","In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is reversibly coupled to a portion of a wire, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from decoupling from the portion of the wire, and the method further includes facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.","In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is shaped to define a loop, and is coupled to the portion of the wire by the portion of the wire being threaded through the loop, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from unthreading from the loop, and facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member includes facilitating unthreading of the wire from the loop by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.","In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire includes sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire by applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.","In an application, applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member includes applying less than 300 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.","In an application, the method further includes, subsequently to securing the upstream support portion, coupling a prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.","In an application, the upstream support portion has an inner edge that defines an opening through the upstream support portion, and coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support includes placing at least a portion of the prosthetic valve within the opening, and expanding at least the portion of the prosthetic valve such that at least the portion of the prosthetic valve applies a radially-expansive force against the inner edge of the upstream support portion.","In an application, the prosthetic valve includes one or more tissue-engaging elements, each of the one or more tissue-engaging elements including at least two arms, and the method further includes, subsequent to securing the upstream support portion, coupling the prosthetic valve to at least one of the leaflets by sandwiching the at least one of the leaflets between the at least clip arms of the one or more tissue-engaging elements.","In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets before coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.","In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a valve body, having an outer surface, the at least two arms include a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being longer than the second arm, and the method further includes: delivering, within a delivery tube, the prosthetic valve in a delivery configuration thereof, in which the first arm and the second arm are constrained against the outer surface of the valve body; facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a first portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the first arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve; and facilitating deflection of the second arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a second portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the second arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve.","In an application: facilitating deflection of the first arm includes facilitating deflection of the first arm a first angle from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, and the method further includes facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve a second angle that is greater than the first angle, by applying a force to the first arm using the delivery tube: subsequently to facilitating deflection of the first arm the first angle, and prior to facilitating deflection of the second arm.","In an application, applying the force to the first arm using the delivery tube includes pushing on the first arm by sliding the delivery tube over at least part of the prosthetic valve.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a body of a subject, the apparatus including: at least a first implantable member; a first longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the first implantable member; a second longitudinal member, at least a portion of the second longitudinal member being reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member; and a tubular member: slidable over the first and second longitudinal members, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the second longitudinal member is (1) coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the second longitudinal member from the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is configured, when (1) the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) the portion of the second longitudinal member is disposed outside of the lumen of the tubular member, to be decouplable from the first longitudinal member by the second longitudinal member being pulled away from the first longitudinal member.","In an application, at least one longitudinal member selected from the group consisting of: the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, is flexible.","In an application, the tubular member is more rigid than the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the tubular member fits snugly over at least the portion of the second longitudinal member.","In an application, the first implantable member includes a tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a tissue of the subject.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a second implantable member, slidable over the tubular member, and couplable to the first longitudinal member while the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member at a first site of the first longitudinal member, and the second implantable member is couplable to the first longitudinal member at a second site of the first longitudinal member that is distal to the first site of the longitudinal member.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a locking member having an unlocked state and a locked state, and configured to be slid over the tubular member in the unlocked state and to be locked to the first longitudinal member by being transitioned to the locked state.","In an application, the locking member is configured to facilitate coupling of the second implantable member to the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the locking member is configured to be coupled to the first longitudinal member at least 1 cm away from the first implantable member.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor, configured to be transluminally, transcatheterally advanced to a ventricle of the heart of the subject, and to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle; a longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the tissue anchor; a wire, a portion of the wire being reversibly couplable to the longitudinal member; a tubular member: slidable over the longitudinal member and the wire, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the wire is (1) coupled to the longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the wire from the longitudinal member; a prosthetic valve support including an upstream support portion slidable over the tubular member, and to be placed against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve by sliding over the tubular member; and a locking member, slidable over the tubular element and lockable to the longitudinal member.","In an application, the locking member is configured to be locked to the longitudinal member at a site of the longitudinal member that is distal to a site of the longitudinal member to which the portion of the wire is reversibly couplable.","In an application, the tubular member is configured to be slid out of the locking member before the locking member is locked to the longitudinal member.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a control rod, slidable over the tubular member, the locking member being reversibly coupled to a control rod, the control rod being configured to restrain the locking member in an unlocked configuration thereof, and to facilitate locking of the locking member by ceasing to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration.","In an application, the control rod is configured to decouple from the locking member when the control rod ceases to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof.","In an application, the control rod is configured to cease to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof by the control rod being rotated with respect to the locking member.","In an application: the prosthetic valve support is shaped to define a hole through which the tubular member is slidable, at least while the control rod is coupled to the locking member, the control rod is not slidable through the hole defined by the prosthetic valve support, and the control rod is configured to facilitate the sliding of the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member by pushing the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.","The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of applications thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:"],["CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","14/763,004 to Hammer et al., entitled “Ventricularly-anchored prosthetic valves,” which published as US 2015/0351906, and which is the US National Phase of PCT application IL2014/050087 to Hammer et al., filed Jan. 23, 2014, and entitled “Ventricularly-anchored prosthetic valves,” which published as WO 2014/115149, and which claims priority from (i) U.S. provisional patent application 61/756,049 to HaCohen et al., filed Jan. 24, 2013, and entitled “Ventricularly-anchored prosthetic valve support”; and (ii) U.S. provisional patent application 61/756,034 to HaCohen et al., filed Jan. 24, 2013, and entitled “Tissue-engaging elements”, and is related to: US patent application publication 2012/0022639 to Hacohen et al., filed Jul.","21, 2010 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,132,009); US patent application publication 2012/0022640 to Gross et al., filed Feb. 24, 2011 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","8,992,604); U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","13/811,308 to Gross et al., filed Jan. 21, 2013, which published as US 2013/0172992 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,017,399); U.S. patent application Ser.","No.","13/412,814 to Gross et al., filed Mar.","6, 2012, which published as US 2013/0035759 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","8,852,272); PCT patent application IL2012/000292 to Gross et al., filed Aug. 5, 2012, which published as WO/2013/021374; PCT patent application IL2012/000293 to Gross et al., filed Aug. 5, 2012, which published as WO/2013/021375; and a US patent application to HaCohen et al., entitled “Anchoring of prosthetic valve supports”, filed Jan. 23, 2014, which was assigned application Ser.","No.","14/161,921 (now U.S. Pat.","No.","9,681,952), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION Some applications of the present invention relate in general to valve replacement.","More specifically, some applications of the present invention relate to prosthetic cardiac valves and techniques for implantation thereof.","BACKGROUND Ischemic heart disease causes regurgitation of a heart valve by the combination of ischemic dysfunction of the papillary muscles, and the dilatation of the ventricle that is present in ischemic heart disease, with the subsequent displacement of the papillary muscles and the dilatation of the valve annulus.","Dilation of the annulus of the valve prevents the valve leaflets from fully coapting when the valve is closed.","Regurgitation of blood from the ventricle into the atrium results in increased total stroke volume and decreased cardiac output, and ultimate weakening of the ventricle secondary to a volume overload and a pressure overload of the atrium.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to tethers are transluminally anchored to ventricular tissue of a native valve.","A prosthetic valve component, such as a prosthetic valve assembly, a prosthetic valve body, or a support, is transluminally slid along a guide member coupled to the tethers, and is anchored to the tethers.","For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member disposed within the lumen, (2) an upstream support configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (2) a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.","For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises eyelets to facilitate sliding along the guide member.","For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly has a compressed delivery state in which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatably coupled to each other by the sheet.","For such applications, a delivery tool houses the prosthetic valve assembly such that the valve body and upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other during transluminal delivery.","For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises tethers that, when tensioned, move the valve body closer to the support.","For such applications, the assembly typically comprises tissue-engaging elements that protrude from the valve body, and the tethers are tensioned to sandwich tissue of the native valve between the tissue-engaging elements and the support.","For some applications, one or more forces is measured during implantation, and distributed among various anchoring elements.","For some such applications, an intracorporeal spring is used that is extracorporeally observable using imaging techniques.","For some such applications, the spring facilitates force distribution.","For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises a flexible sheet forms a pocket between the sheet and a frame of the assembly, and facilitates sealing between the assembly and tissue of the native valve.","For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to longitudinal members that are reversibly couplable to wires are transluminally advanced to the ventricle downstream of a native heart valve, and are anchored there.","A prosthetic valve support comprising an upstream support portion is slid, in a compressed delivery configuration, over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and into an atrium upstream of the native valve where it is deployed (e.g., expanded) and placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of the native valve.","A locking member is also slid over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and locks to the longitudinal member, thereby securing the prosthetic valve support against the upstream surface of the native valve.","A prosthetic valve is subsequently transluminally advanced to the native valve, and is implanted by coupling the prosthetic valve to leaflets of the native valve and to the prosthetic valve support.","For some applications of the invention, a tubular member is slidable over the wire and the longitudinal member, and when disposed over the wire and the long member, inhibits decoupling of the wire from the longitudinal member.","For such applications, the prosthetic valve support and the locking member are typically slidable over the tubular member.","For some applications of the invention, a control rod, reversibly coupled to the locking member, is slid over the tubular member so as to push the locking member and the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.","For some such applications, the control rod is used to lock the locking member to the longitudinal member.","There is therefore provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: including (1) a first frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) a valve member disposed within the lumen, having a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and having an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; an upstream support: configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, including a second frame, having a compressed state, and having an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.","In an application, the upstream support is coupled to the valve body only via the sheet.","In an application: the valve body has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween along which the lumen is defined, and when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof: the first frame is attached to the second frame at the inner perimeter of the second frame, and the sheet is attached to the valve body and to the upstream support in a manner that defines a pocket region between the sheet and at least the inner perimeter of the second frame, the sheet not being attached to the first frame or the second frame in the pocket region.","In an application, the sheet provides fluid communication between the opening and the lumen.","In an application, the sheet is not attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet is not attached to an upstream end of the valve body.","In an application, the sheet is generally annular when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.","In an application, the sheet is generally frustoconical when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.","In an application, the sheet is attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter.","In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at the outer perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet is attached to an upstream end of the valve body.","In an application, the first frame is generally cylindrical in both the compressed state thereof and the expanded state thereof.","In an application, the second frame is generally cylindrical in the compressed state thereof.","In an application, the valve body includes at least one downstream anchor, configured such that, in the expanded configuration of the valve body, the anchor protrudes radially outward from the first frame.","In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element, coupled to the valve body and to the upstream support, a length of the tensioning element between the valve body and the upstream portion being adjustable such that a distance between the first frame and the second frame is adjustable.","In an application, the at least one tensioning element includes a tether.","In an application, the at least one tensioning element is coupled to the first frame, and slidably coupled to the second frame.","In an application, the valve body, the upstream support and the sheet together define a prosthetic valve assembly, the prosthetic valve assembly: having an expanded state in which the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the second frame of the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, having a compressed state in which: the prosthetic valve assembly has a longitudinal axis, the valve body is in the compressed state thereof at a first zone of the longitudinal axis, the upstream support is in the compressed state thereof at a second zone of the longitudinal axis, and the prosthetic valve assembly defines an articulation zone, between the first zone and the second zone, in which at least part of the sheet is disposed, in which neither the first frame nor the second frame is disposed, and about which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a delivery tool: including a first housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the upstream support in the compressed state thereof, and defining a first housing orifice through which the at least part of the upstream support is removable from the first housing, including a second housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the valve body in the compressed state thereof, and defining a second housing orifice through which the at least part of the valve body is removable from the second housing, having a contracted state in which the second housing is disposed at a first distance from the first housing, and in which the delivery tool is configured to transluminally advance the prosthetic valve assembly in the compressed state thereof, to the native valve, and having an extended state in which the second housing is disposed at a second distance from the first housing, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and the apparatus is configured such that, when the at least part of the upstream support is housed by the first housing and the at least part of the valve body is housed by the second housing, transitioning of the delivery tool from the contracted state into the extended state exposes at least part of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the valve body and the upstream support, from the housing that houses the selected component.","In an application: the apparatus is configured to be used with at least two guide members, the prosthetic valve assembly includes at least two eyelets, each eyelet being slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and the apparatus is configured such that the eyelets of the prosthetic valve assembly protrude radially outward and radially beyond an outer surface of the second housing while: (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, and (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing.","In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.","In an application, the delivery tool further includes at least two reference-force tubes, each reference-force tube configured (1) to be slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and (2) to apply a distally-directed force to the prosthetic valve assembly.","In an application, in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve assembly, each reference-force tube extends distally (1) through a lumen defined by the second frame of the upstream support, (2) through the sheet, and (3) along an outside of at least part of the valve body.","In an application, the apparatus further includes at least two locking members, each locking member: having an unlocked state in which the locking member is slidable along a respective one of the guide members, being transitionable into a locked state in which (1) the locking member is locked to the respective one of the guide members, and (2) the sliding of the eyelet over the guide member is inhibited.","In an application, the apparatus further includes the at least two guide members: each guide member includes: a tubular member, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, a tether, coupled at a distal end thereof to a tissue anchor configured to be anchored to ventricular tissue of the heart, at least a proximal portion of the tether being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a pull-wire, coupled at a distal portion thereof to the proximal portion of the tether, at least the distal portion of the pull-wire being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the tubular member inhibits decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether while the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and while the tubular member of each guide member is disposed within the respective locking member, the tubular member inhibits transitioning of the locking member into the locked state.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that, for each respective guide member and locking member, while (1) the tubular member is disposed within the locking member, (2) the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and (3) the tissue anchor is coupled to the ventricular tissue: proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates automatic transitioning of the locking member into the locked state, and further proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether.","In an application, at least one housing selected from the group consisting of: the first housing and the second housing has a lateral wall that is shaped to define at least two slits, the eyelets being configured to protrude radially outward from the delivery tool via the slits.","In an application, each slit of the at least one selected housing is continuous with the orifice of the at least one selected housing.","In an application, the eyelets are coupled to and protrude radially outward from the valve body.","In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.","In an application: the articulation zone defined by the prosthetic valve assembly includes a first articulation zone, and while (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing, and (3) the delivery tool is in the contracted state thereof, the apparatus defines a second articulation zone at a longitudinal zone of the apparatus (a) between the second housing and the first housing, and (b) in which is disposed at least part of the first articulation zone.","In an application, the delivery tool further includes a housing-control rod that extends through the first housing and is coupled to the second housing such that a first portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the first housing, a second portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the second housing, and a third portion of the housing-control rod (1) is disposed within the second articulation zone, and (2) is more flexible than at least one portion of the housing-control rod selected from the group consisting of: the first portion and the second portion.","In an application: the delivery tool further includes (1) a control rod assembly including at least a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, and (2) a second housing-control rod, more flexible than the first housing-control rod, extending through the first housing-control rod, extending through the second articulation zone, and coupled to the second housing.","In an application, the second housing orifice faces the first housing orifice.","In an application: the delivery tool further includes a flexible control rod assembly including (1) a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, (2) a second housing-control rod coupled to the second housing, and (3) a prosthesis-control rod reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly, longitudinal movement of the second housing-control rod with respect to the first housing-control rod transitions the delivery tool between the contracted state and the extended state thereof, and the valve body is removable from the second housing by moving the second housing-control rod with respect to the prosthesis-control rod.","In an application, the prosthesis-control rod is reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly by being reversibly couplable to the valve body.","In an application, at least part of the second housing-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the prosthesis-control rod, and at least part of the prosthesis-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the first housing-control rod.","In an application, the outer perimeter of the second frame has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.","In an application, the inner perimeter has a fourth diameter that is greater than the second diameter.","In an application, when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, a gap is defined between the first frame and the second frame, the sheet spanning the gap.","In an application, no metallic structure is disposed within the gap.","In an application, the sheet is configured to inhibit expansion of the second frame.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that when the second frame expands from the compressed state thereof toward the expanded state thereof, the sheet retains the second frame in a generally frustoconical shape by inhibiting expansion of at least the outer perimeter of the second frame.","In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the second frame to serve as a covering of the upstream support.","In an application, the covering defines a tissue-contacting surface of the upstream support.","In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the first frame to serve as a covering of the valve body.","In an application, the covering is disposed on an inner surface of the first frame.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a prosthetic valve, configured to be percutaneously delivered to the native valve; an annular upstream support, configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, and to support the prosthetic valve at the native valve; a tissue anchor, including a tissue-engaging element configured to be anchored to ventricular muscle tissue of the heart; a tether, coupled to the tissue anchor; and a spring, couplable to the tether so as to elastically couple the tissue-engaging element to the prosthetic valve.","In an application, the spring is shaped to define a repeating pattern.","In an application, the spring is pre-loaded.","In an application, the spring is a constant-force spring.","In an application, the spring is configured to facilitate extracorporeal fluoroscopic observation of a state of the spring.","In an application, the spring is coupled to a plurality of radiopaque markers such that a juxtaposition of the markers changes as the state of the spring changes, the juxtaposition of the markers being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.","In an application, the spring is coupled to at least one radiopaque marker, and the apparatus further includes an intracorporeal reference, a juxtaposition between the radiopaque marker and the intracorporeal reference being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.","In an application, the intracorporeal reference includes a scale including a plurality of radiopaque markers.","In an application, the plurality of radiopaque markers includes a first plurality of radiopaque markers, and the at least one radiopaque marker includes a second plurality of radiopaque markers.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide distinct indication that is observable using fluoroscopy, when the spring is experiencing a force that is within a margin force from a target force.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 300 g force.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 400 g force.","In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is about 500 g force.","In an application, the spring is coupled to the prosthetic valve, and is intracorporeally lockable to the tether subsequently to anchoring of the tissue anchor to the ventricular muscle tissue.","In an application, the spring is slidable along at least part of the tether, and is intracorporeally couplable to the tether by inhibiting the sliding.","In an application, the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, and the spring includes an elastically-deformable appendage that protrudes laterally from the valve body.","In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween, and the spring (1) includes a compression spring having a longitudinal axis, and (2) is disposed laterally from, the valve body such that the longitudinal axis of the spring is generally parallel with the longitudinal lumen.","In an application, the prosthetic valve includes: a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween; and one or more tissue-engaging legs, protruding laterally outward from the valve body, and configured to be placed against a ventricular surface of the native valve.","In an application, the prosthetic valve is couplable to the upstream support intracorporeally by being expanded within an opening defined by the upstream support while the upstream support is disposed against the upstream surface.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the coupling of the prosthetic valve to the upstream support couples the tether to the prosthetic valve.","In an application, the apparatus is configured to sandwich a portion of the native valve between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support by providing a space having a height between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support.","In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height without altering a force on the spring.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that altering the height automatically alters a force on the spring.","In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height by moving the valve body through the opening defined by the upstream support.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, including a lateral wall that circumscribes the longitudinal axis and defines a longitudinal lumen, and including a valve member disposed within the lumen; an upstream support having an inner perimeter couplable to the valve body at a first longitudinal position of the valve body, the upstream support being configured to extend radially outward from the valve body and the inner perimeter; and a flexible sheet defining a first aperture, a second aperture and a lateral wall therebetween, a first portion of the sheet that defines the first aperture being circumferentially attached to the upstream support portion at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter, and a second portion of the sheet that defines the second aperture being circumferentially attached to the valve body at a second longitudinal position of the valve body, such that a pocket region is defined between the sheet and at least the first longitudinal position.","In an application, the second longitudinal position is closer to the downstream end of the valve body than is the first longitudinal position.","In an application, the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.","In an application, the sheet is attached to the upstream support at an outer perimeter of the upstream support.","In an application, the sheet assumes a frustoconical shape.","In an application, the sheet assumes a funnel shape.","In an application, the apparatus is provided with the inner perimeter of the upstream support pre-coupled to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the inner perimeter of the upstream support is intracorporeally couplable to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream support defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a tubular valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen therebetween, the lumen having a first diameter, and the valve body being separated from the upstream element by a gap between the upstream end of the valve body and the upstream element; one or more tissue-engaging elements that protrude radially outward from the valve body so as to define a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; and a flexible sheet shaped to define a conduit, a downstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the valve body, an upstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the upstream element, and the sheet spanning the gap.","In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tether, a first portion of the tether being coupled to the valve body and a second portion of the tether being coupled to the upstream support, such that tensioning of at least a portion of the tether reduces the gap.","In an application, the apparatus is configured such that tensioning of at least the portion of the tether rumples the sheet.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream element defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a flexible sheet, shaped to define a conduit, and coupled to the upstream element such that the conduit is in fluid communication with the opening; and a valve body, coupled to the flexible sheet such that the conduit provides fluid communication between the prosthetic valve and the upstream element.","In an application, the valve body includes: a generally cylindrical frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member coupled to the frame and disposed within the lumen.","In an application, the frame is separated from the upstream element by a gap, and the conduit spans the gap.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for use with a guide member that extends into a subject, the apparatus including: a delivery tool, including a housing, the housing: being transluminally advanceable into the subject, shaped to define an orifice at an end of the housing, and having a lateral wall shaped to define a slit that is continuous with the orifice; an implant: configured to be housed by the housing, and including an eyelet that (1) is slidable over the guide member, and (2) when the implant is housed by the housing, extends through the slit and radially beyond the lateral wall such that the eyelet facilitates transluminal sliding of the implant and the housing along the guide member and into the subject, the apparatus being configured such that, while (1) the implant remains within the subject, and (2) the guide member remains disposed through the eyelet, (1) the implant is removable from the housing via the orifice, and (2) the housing is removable from the subject.","In an application, the implant is configured to be implanted by being intracorporeally locked to the guide member.","In an application, the implant has a compressed state and an expanded state, is configured to be housed by the housing while in the compressed state, and is configured to automatically expand toward the expanded state when removed from the housing.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to ventricular tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool, the tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a tether; transluminally delivering an annular upstream support and a prosthetic valve to the heart, the prosthetic valve including (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) one or more tissue-engaging legs configured to protrude laterally outward from the valve body; pressing the tissue-engaging legs in an upstream direction against a ventricular surface of the native valve by applying a force to the prosthetic valve while measuring the force; applying, to the tether, a tension that changes a shape of a spring coupled to the tether, while observing the shape of the spring using imaging; and at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the spring, facilitating holding of the upstream support against an upstream surface of the native valve by locking a second portion of the tether to at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the prosthetic valve and the upstream support.","In an application, measuring the force includes measuring the force using an extracorporeal force meter.","In an application, measuring the force includes observing a shape of the tissue-engaging legs using imaging.","In an application, applying the tension includes applying the tension while applying the force.","In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the prosthetic valve.","In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the upstream support.","In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion when the observed shape indicates that the spring is experiencing between 400 g force and 600 g force.","In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion subsequently to applying the tension, and applying the force includes applying the force subsequently to locking the second portion.","In an application: anchoring the tissue anchor coupled to the tether includes anchoring a first tissue anchor coupled to a first tether, and applying the tension includes applying a first tension that changes a shape of a first spring coupled to the first tether, the method further includes: anchoring a second tissue anchor to the ventricular tissue, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a second tether; and applying, to the second tether, a second tension that changes a shape of a second spring coupled to the second tether, while observing the shape of the second spring using imaging, and facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface includes, at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the second spring, facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface by locking a second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component.","In an application, facilitating holding includes locking the second portion of the first tether and the second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component, at least in part responsively to a ratio between tension in the first tether and tension in the second tether, the ratio being derived from the observed shape of the first spring and the observed shape of the second spring.","In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the observed shape.","In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the measured force.","In an application, applying the force includes moving the valve body in an upstream direction through an opening defined by the upstream support, and the method further includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support by expanding the valve body within the opening.","In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support at least in part responsively to the measured force.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally advancing a plurality of tissue anchors, coupled to a respective plurality of springs, into a body of a subject; anchoring the plurality of tissue anchors to tissue of the subject; tensioning at least one of the springs; using imaging, while the tension is applied to the at least one spring, observing a state of the at least one spring; and at least in part responsively to the observed state of at least one spring, adjusting a tension on at least one of the springs.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: applying a first tension to a tether that couples (a) a tissue anchor anchored to ventricular tissue of a subject, to (b) a prosthetic valve body, the tether having a length between the tissue anchor and the valve body; by applying an atrially-directed force to the prosthetic valve body, pressing, against tissue of the native valve, a tissue-engaging element that protrudes radially from the valve body transluminally advancing a prosthetic valve body to a native valve of the subject; while applying the atrially-directed force, measuring: a pressing force of the tissue-engaging element against the tissue of the native valve, and a second tension on the tether, the second tension differing from the first tension at least in part due to the atrially-directed force; and at least in part responsively to the measured pressing force and the measured second tension, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: adjusting the length of the tether between the tissue anchor and the valve body, and locking the valve body to the tether.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally delivering a tissue anchor to a ventricle of the heart, and anchoring the tissue anchor to ventricular muscle tissue of the subject; transluminally delivering an upstream support to an atrium of the heart, and placing the upstream support against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve; and changing a shape of the upstream support by tensioning a tether coupled to upstream support and to the tissue anchor; and extracorporeally fluoroscopically observing the shape change of the upstream support.","In an application, tensioning the tether coupled to the upstream support includes tensioning a tether that is coupled to a valve body coupled to the upstream support.","In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is generally flat annular, and changing the shape includes making the support assume a frustoconical shape.","In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is frustoconical, and changing the shape includes changing a slant of the frustoconical shape.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a transluminally-deliverable tissue anchor; a tether, a first end thereof coupled to the tissue anchor; and a delivery tool, including: a steerable catheter having a longitudinal axis, and being transluminally deliverable to the valve, and an obstructing element: disposed at a longitudinal site of the catheter, configured to extend laterally outward from the catheter, and dimensioned, when extending laterally outward from the catheter, to inhibit movement of at least the longitudinal site through the valve by abutting tissue of the valve, and an anchor manipulator: reversibly couplable to the tissue anchor, slidable through the catheter, and configured to drive the anchor into ventricular tissue of the heart of the subject.","In an application, the anchor manipulator is slidably coupled to the catheter such that a distal end of the anchor manipulator is slidable distally no more than a pre-determined distance from the longitudinal site.","In an application, the apparatus further includes an implant, intracorporeally lockable to the tether.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a guide member, reversibly couplable to the tether, and the implant is intracorporeally slidable along the guide member toward the tether and the implant.","In an application, the tether has exactly one locking site at which the implant is lockable to the tether.","In an application, the exactly one locking site is disposed at a pre-determined distance from the anchor that is pre-determined at least in part dependently on a distance between the longitudinal site and a distal end of the catheter.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool; subsequently applying to the anchor a pulling force having a given magnitude; using imaging, observing a movement of the tissue anchor in response to the pulling force; and at least in part responsively to the observed movement, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: de-anchoring the tissue anchor from the tissue, and decoupling the anchor-manipulation tool from the tissue anchor.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for implantation at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve being disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of the heart, the apparatus including: a tubular valve body: having an upstream portion, configured to be disposed in the atrium of the heart of the subject, having a downstream portion, configured to be disposed in the ventricle of the subject, having an elastic portion, disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, and elastically coupling the upstream portion to the downstream portion, and shaped to define a continuous lumen through the upstream portion, the elastic portion, and the downstream portion; and at least one valve member, disposed in the lumen of the valve body, and configured to facilitate flow of blood of the subject from the upstream portion of the valve body to the downstream portion of the valve body, and to inhibit flow of the blood from the downstream portion of the valve body to the upstream portion of the valve body.","In an application, the at least one valve member is coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.","In an application, the native valve includes a plurality of native leaflets, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a plurality of clips, configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets.","In an application, each clip: includes at least two clip arms, articulatably coupled to each other, and is reversibly closeable.","In an application, the clips are coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets by the clips being coupled to the native leaflets.","In an application, each clip of the plurality of clips is articulatably coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.","In an application, the native valve includes an annulus having an upstream surface, and the apparatus further includes a prosthetic valve support: including (1) an upstream support portion, configured to be placed against the upstream surface of the annulus of the native valve, and (2) the plurality of clips, coupled to the upstream support portion, shaped to define an opening therethrough that is configured to receive the prosthetic valve, and the clips are configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets by coupling the prosthetic valve support to the native leaflets.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a plurality of commissures, the apparatus including: at least one tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject; at least one longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective one of the at least one tissue anchors; an upstream support, including an upstream support portion configured to be slidable over the longitudinal member and placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; and at least one locking member, configured to be slidable over a respective one of the at least one longitudinal members, and to be lockable to the respective longitudinal member such that a portion of the respective longitudinal member that is disposed between the respective anchor and the upstream support portion is longer than 1 cm.","In an application, the longitudinal member is flexible.","In an application, the longitudinal member includes a suture.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a first commissure and at a second commissure, the method including: anchoring a first tissue anchor to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject, the first tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a first longitudinal member; anchoring a second tissue anchor to a second site within the ventricle of the heart of the subject, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a second longitudinal member; subsequently, placing at least an upstream support portion of a prosthetic valve support against an upstream surface of the native valve, the valve being disposed between the ventricle and an atrium of the heart of the subject; and securing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface of the valve by: coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the first longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the first commissure, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the second longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the second commissure.","In an application, anchoring, placing, and securing include anchoring, securing, and placing without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.","In an application, anchoring to the first site and anchoring to the second site include anchoring to myocardium.","In an application, placing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface includes sliding the upstream support portion over at least part of the first longitudinal member.","In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member and to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject.","In an application, the leaflets move in response to beating of the heart of the subject, and securing the upstream support portion includes securing the upstream support portion without eliminating the movement of the native leaflets.","In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that a length of the portion of the first longitudinal member is greater than 1 cm.","In an application, the method further includes: transluminally advancing at least the first tissue anchor to the first site while the respective longitudinal member coupled thereto is disposed within a respective tubular member; and subsequently to anchoring the at least first tissue anchor, and before coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member, sliding the at least first tubular member off of at least part of the respective longitudinal member.","In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member includes sliding at least part of the at least first tubular member through a channel defined by a locking member, and coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member includes locking the locking member to the respective longitudinal member by narrowing at least a portion of the channel.","In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is reversibly coupled to a portion of a wire, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from decoupling from the portion of the wire, and the method further includes facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.","In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is shaped to define a loop, and is coupled to the portion of the wire by the portion of the wire being threaded through the loop, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from unthreading from the loop, and facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member includes facilitating unthreading of the wire from the loop by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.","In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire includes sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire by applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.","In an application, applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member includes applying less than 300 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.","In an application, the method further includes, subsequently to securing the upstream support portion, coupling a prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.","In an application, the upstream support portion has an inner edge that defines an opening through the upstream support portion, and coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support includes placing at least a portion of the prosthetic valve within the opening, and expanding at least the portion of the prosthetic valve such that at least the portion of the prosthetic valve applies a radially-expansive force against the inner edge of the upstream support portion.","In an application, the prosthetic valve includes one or more tissue-engaging elements, each of the one or more tissue-engaging elements including at least two arms, and the method further includes, subsequent to securing the upstream support portion, coupling the prosthetic valve to at least one of the leaflets by sandwiching the at least one of the leaflets between the at least clip arms of the one or more tissue-engaging elements.","In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets before coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.","In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a valve body, having an outer surface, the at least two arms include a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being longer than the second arm, and the method further includes: delivering, within a delivery tube, the prosthetic valve in a delivery configuration thereof, in which the first arm and the second arm are constrained against the outer surface of the valve body; facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a first portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the first arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve; and facilitating deflection of the second arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a second portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the second arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve.","In an application: facilitating deflection of the first arm includes facilitating deflection of the first arm a first angle from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, and the method further includes facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve a second angle that is greater than the first angle, by applying a force to the first arm using the delivery tube: subsequently to facilitating deflection of the first arm the first angle, and prior to facilitating deflection of the second arm.","In an application, applying the force to the first arm using the delivery tube includes pushing on the first arm by sliding the delivery tube over at least part of the prosthetic valve.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a body of a subject, the apparatus including: at least a first implantable member; a first longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the first implantable member; a second longitudinal member, at least a portion of the second longitudinal member being reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member; and a tubular member: slidable over the first and second longitudinal members, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the second longitudinal member is (1) coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the second longitudinal member from the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is configured, when (1) the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) the portion of the second longitudinal member is disposed outside of the lumen of the tubular member, to be decouplable from the first longitudinal member by the second longitudinal member being pulled away from the first longitudinal member.","In an application, at least one longitudinal member selected from the group consisting of: the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, is flexible.","In an application, the tubular member is more rigid than the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the tubular member fits snugly over at least the portion of the second longitudinal member.","In an application, the first implantable member includes a tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a tissue of the subject.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a second implantable member, slidable over the tubular member, and couplable to the first longitudinal member while the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member at a first site of the first longitudinal member, and the second implantable member is couplable to the first longitudinal member at a second site of the first longitudinal member that is distal to the first site of the longitudinal member.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a locking member having an unlocked state and a locked state, and configured to be slid over the tubular member in the unlocked state and to be locked to the first longitudinal member by being transitioned to the locked state.","In an application, the locking member is configured to facilitate coupling of the second implantable member to the first longitudinal member.","In an application, the locking member is configured to be coupled to the first longitudinal member at least 1 cm away from the first implantable member.","There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor, configured to be transluminally, transcatheterally advanced to a ventricle of the heart of the subject, and to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle; a longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the tissue anchor; a wire, a portion of the wire being reversibly couplable to the longitudinal member; a tubular member: slidable over the longitudinal member and the wire, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the wire is (1) coupled to the longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the wire from the longitudinal member; a prosthetic valve support including an upstream support portion slidable over the tubular member, and to be placed against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve by sliding over the tubular member; and a locking member, slidable over the tubular element and lockable to the longitudinal member.","In an application, the locking member is configured to be locked to the longitudinal member at a site of the longitudinal member that is distal to a site of the longitudinal member to which the portion of the wire is reversibly couplable.","In an application, the tubular member is configured to be slid out of the locking member before the locking member is locked to the longitudinal member.","In an application, the apparatus further includes a control rod, slidable over the tubular member, the locking member being reversibly coupled to a control rod, the control rod being configured to restrain the locking member in an unlocked configuration thereof, and to facilitate locking of the locking member by ceasing to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration.","In an application, the control rod is configured to decouple from the locking member when the control rod ceases to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof.","In an application, the control rod is configured to cease to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof by the control rod being rotated with respect to the locking member.","In an application: the prosthetic valve support is shaped to define a hole through which the tubular member is slidable, at least while the control rod is coupled to the locking member, the control rod is not slidable through the hole defined by the prosthetic valve support, and the control rod is configured to facilitate the sliding of the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member by pushing the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.","The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of applications thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS.","1A-F are schematic illustrations of a system for implanting a prosthetic valve support and a prosthetic valve at a native valve of a heart of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.","2 is a schematic illustration of the prosthetic valve being retrieved into a delivery tube, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","3A-C are schematic illustrations of the introduction of guide members through the prosthetic valve support and a delivery tube, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","4A-C are schematic illustrations of a locking member, and control thereof, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.","5 is a schematic illustration of steps in the delivery and anchoring of tissue anchors, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.","6 is a schematic illustration of a system for use with a prosthetic valve support, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","7A-C are schematic illustrations of a system for facilitating transluminal delivery of a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","8A-H are schematic illustrations of a technique for use with the system of FIGS.","7A-C, to transluminally implant a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","9A-B, 10A-B, 11A-B, 12A-B, 13A-B, and 14A-B are schematic illustrations of prosthetic valve assemblies, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","15A-C are schematic illustrations of a tool for facilitating application of force between a prosthetic valve assembly and tethers, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.","16 is a schematic illustration of a system comprising a prosthetic valve assembly and one or more springs, via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.","17 is a schematic illustration of a system comprising a prosthetic valve assembly and one or more springs, via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","18A-B are schematic illustrations of springs coupled to respective tethers so as to elastically couple a tissue anchor to a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","19A-B are schematic illustrations of a system for facilitating delivery of a prosthetic valve body, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.","20 is a schematic illustration showing examples in which force measurements described herein may be combined to facilitate implantation of a prosthetic valve, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","21A-B are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.","22A-B are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly comprising a prosthetic valve having a tubular valve body that comprises an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and an elastic portion disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, in accordance with some applications of the invention; and FIGS.","23-24 are schematic illustrations of systems for facilitating anchoring of a tissue anchor in the heart of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Reference is made to FIGS.","1A-F, which are schematic illustrations of a system 40 for implanting an upstream prosthetic valve support 42 and a prosthetic valve 44 at a native valve 10 of a heart 4 of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Typically, applications of the invention are for use with the mitral valve of the subject (that is, native valve 10 comprises the mitral valve of the subject), but it is to be noted that applications of the invention may be used at other heart valves of the subject, such as the tricuspid valve, the aortic valve, or the pulmonary valve, mutatis mutandis.","Reference is now made to FIGS.","1A-B.","A sheath 46 is advanced transluminally (e.g., transfemorally) to right atrium 12 of the heart, and is typically advanced through the fossa ovalis into left atrium 6 of the heart using standard transseptal techniques.","For some applications, sheath 46 is steerable.","For some such applications, sheath 46 is steerable in two axes.","One or more (typically two) tissue anchors 48 are advanced through sheath 46, between leaflets 14 of the native valve, and into left ventricle 8 of the heart, and are there anchored to tissue (e.g., ventricular muscle tissue) of the heart.","FIG.","1A shows a first tissue anchor 48a being anchored at a first ventricular site, and FIG.","1B shows a second tissue anchor 48b being anchored at a second ventricular site.","Typically, anchors 48 are anchored to muscle of the heart, such as to the walls of ventricle 8 and/or to papillary muscles.","Typically, and as shown, anchors 48 comprise helical anchors that are anchored by being rotated.","However, other types of anchors may be used, such as barbed or harpoon-like anchors, e.g., that are anchored by being pushed into the tissue.","State A of FIGS.","1A and 1B show a catheter 50 having been advanced through sheath 46 and into ventricle 8, and an anchor-delivery tube 52 having been advanced through catheter 50 to the respective ventricular site.","Typically, and as shown, the distal end of delivery tube 52 is placed against the tissue at the ventricular site.","Typically, at least a distal portion of catheter 50 is steerable (e.g., independently of sheath 46).","State B of FIGS.","1A and 1B each show a respective anchor 48 being anchored to a respective ventricular site.","Typically, anchor 48 is reversibly coupled to an anchor manipulator 54 (e.g., an anchor driver), which is slidable through at least part of tube 52, and which is configured to apply a force (e.g., a rotational force) to the anchor so as to anchor the anchor at the ventricular site.","For some applications, anchor manipulator 54 and anchor 48 are advanced from outside the subject to the ventricular site only once the distal end of tube 52 is disposed against the ventricular site.","For some applications, the manipulator and anchor are disposed within, and advanced with, tube 52.For some applications, anchor 48 is anchored by rotating anchor manipulator 54 and tube 52 together.","For some applications, a separate anchor manipulator 54 is used to deliver and anchor each anchor 48 (e.g., each anchor 48 may be provided pre-coupled to a respective anchor manipulator).","For some applications, one anchor manipulator 54 may be used to deliver and anchor all (e.g., both) anchors 48 (e.g., each anchor 48 may be configured to be sequentially coupled to the anchor manipulator outside the body of the subject by the operating physician).","It is to be noted that typically anchor 48 is not exposed from tube 52 other than when being anchored.","It is hypothesized that for some applications this reduces a likelihood of inadvertently engaging and/or damaging tissue of the heart (e.g., chordae tendineae).","For some applications, subsequent to anchoring each tissue anchor 48 to the tissue, a testing pulling force of known magnitude is applied to the anchor (e.g., by applying the pulling force to anchor manipulator 54), and movement of the tissue anchor in response to the pulling force is observed using imaging (e.g., fluoroscopy).","The observed movement may be used to confirm successful and/or stable anchoring (e.g., relatively little movement may indicate firm anchoring in firm tissue) or to determine sub-optimal anchoring (e.g., relatively large movement may indicate weak anchoring and/or anchoring in weak tissue).","Thus, at least in part responsively to the observed movement, the operating physician may decouple manipulator 54 from anchor 48, or may de-anchor the anchor from the tissue using the manipulator.","State C of FIGS.","1A and 1B show anchor manipulator 54 having been decoupled from anchor 48, and the manipulator and tube 52 being withdrawn proximally into catheter 50.Each anchor 48 is provided pre-coupled to a guide member 56 (e.g., a first guide member 56a, and a second guide member 56b), described in more detail hereinbelow (e.g., with reference to FIGS.","1D and 4A-C).","As manipulator 54 and tube 52 are withdrawn, guide member 56 is exposed from tube 52.Typically, and as shown in FIGS.","1A-B, the same catheter 50 is used to deliver both anchors 48.For such applications, and as shown in states B and C of FIG.","1B, when delivering second tissue anchor 48b, anchor-delivery tube 52 fits alongside first guide member 56a within catheter 50.Alternatively, and as described hereinbelow with reference to FIG.","5, a separate catheter is used for each anchor, in which case the second catheter fits alongside first guide member 56a within sheath 46.State D of FIGS.","1A and 1B show catheter 50 having been withdrawn proximally, into atrium 6.For some applications, catheter 50 is withdrawn completely from the body of the subject.","For some applications, catheter 50 is used for delivery of components during later steps in the procedure.","Guide members 56 extend from atrium 6, between leaflets 14, and to respective ventricular sites.","Typically, guide members 56 do not eliminate functioning of leaflets 14 and/or valve 10.For some applications, guide members 56 are configured to automatically move toward respective commissures 16 (e.g., into the joining corners at the commissures of leaflets 14).","For some applications, and as shown in FIG.","1C, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., deployment thereof) pushes guide members 56 toward the respective commissures.","Reference is now made to FIG.","1C, which shows prosthetic valve support being delivered to, and deployed at, native valve 10.Prosthetic valve support 42 is advanced through sheath 46 and into atrium 6.Typically, support 42 is delivered in a compressed configuration thereof within a housing, such as a delivery tube 80.For some applications, catheter 50 is used to facilitate delivery of prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80 (e.g., the support and delivery tube are advanced through catheter 50).","For some applications, a different catheter is used to facilitate delivery of prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80.For some applications, prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80 are advanced directly through sheath 46.Prosthetic valve support 42 comprises an annular upstream support portion 43 which, in the delivery configuration of the prosthetic valve support, is generally cylindrical, and which, once the prosthetic valve is deployed and expands to an uncompressed configuration thereof is generally annular.","For some applications, upstream support portion 43 is generally frustoconical in the uncompressed configuration thereof.","Typically, a distal end of upstream support portion 43 in the compressed, cylindrical configuration, defines an inner perimeter of the upstream support portion in the uncompressed configuration, the inner perimeter defining an opening through the upstream support portion.","State A of FIG.","1C shows delivery tube 80, containing support 42, having been delivered to atrium 6 over guide members 56, and support 42 starting to be subsequently exposed from the delivery tube, and automatically expanding.","Upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42 is shaped to define holes 82 through which guide members 56 are slidable, thereby facilitating sliding of the prosthetic valve support over guide members 56.Typically, holes 82 are disposed opposite each other around the generally annular shape of upstream support portion 43.For some applications, holes 82 are defined and/or reinforced by an eyelet 84 or pledget (visible in states B and C of FIG.","1C).","Guide members 56 extend proximally from delivery tube 80, e.g., via holes in a proximal end of the delivery tube, such that the delivery tube, and prosthetic valve support 42, in the compressed state within the delivery tube, are slidable over the guide members, the guide members thereby facilitating delivery of the prosthetic valve support within the delivery tube.","Introduction of guide members 56 through the prosthetic valve support and delivery tube are described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.","3A-C. State B of FIG.","1C shows prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) having been completely deployed from delivery tube 80, and having automatically expanded to the uncompressed configuration thereof.","Guide members 56 are typically pushed toward commissures 16 by the expansion of support 42.For some applications, delivery tube 80 is subsequently removed from the body of the subject.","A tubular control rod 86 is advanced over each guide member 56 toward prosthetic valve support 42, and is used to push prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) toward the annulus of valve 10.Control rods 86 have a cross-sectional diameter that is larger than that of holes 82, and may thereby be used to push against upstream support portion 43 without passing through the holes.","Typically, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) is provided with one or more (e.g., two) control filaments 88 reversibly coupled thereto.","Typically, filaments 88 are coupled to upstream support portion 43 at sites that are disposed opposite each other around the generally annular shape of the upstream support portion, and disposed evenly between holes 82.That is, in the expanded configuration of upstream support portion 43, a straight line between holes 82 is typically perpendicular to a straight line between the sites at which filaments 88 are coupled to the upstream support portion.","It should be noted that other numbers and arrangements of control filaments may also be used.","Typically, each control filament 88 (1) comprises two portions of a loop of filament that passes through upstream support portion 43, loops around a downstream surface of the upstream support portion (i.e., the surface that is placed in contact with the annulus of the native valve), and passes back through the upstream support portion, and (2) is decouplable from the upstream support portion by releasing a first end of the filament and pulling a second end, thereby unthreading and/or unlooping the control filament from the upstream support portion.","Control filaments 88 facilitate some manipulation of prosthetic valve support 42 following deployment from delivery tube 80.Typically, control rods 86 further facilitate such manipulation.","State C of FIG.","1C shows such manipulation of prosthetic valve support 42.For example, it may be desirable to rotate the prosthetic valve support (e.g., to position and/or orient the upstream support portion correctly with respect to native valve 10, to control the order in which different regions of upstream support portion 43 contact the native valve, and/or to uncoil control rods 86 and/or control filaments 88 from each other).","Reference is now made to FIG.","1D, which show steps in securing prosthetic valve support 42 against the upstream surface (e.g., the atrial surface) of native valve 10.Each guide member 56 typically comprises a tether (e.g., a longitudinal member 102), a pull-wire 104 reversibly coupled to the longitudinal member, and a tubular member 100 in which the longitudinal member and the pull-wire are disposed, the tubular member fitting snugly over the longitudinal member and the pull-wire so as to inhibit the pull-wire from becoming decoupled from the longitudinal member (e.g., to maintain a state of coupling therebetween).","Pull-wire 104 may or may not be metallic and may have various cross-sectional shapes (e.g., circular or rectangular).","Typically, (1) longitudinal member 102 defines a loop (e.g., a closed loop) (2) a portion (e.g., a distal portion) of pull-wire 104 is threaded through the loop defined by member 102 (e.g., is looped through the loop), and (3) the snug fitting of tubular member 100 over member 102 and pull-wire 104 inhibits the portion of the pull-wire from unthreading from the loop.","It is to be noted that, although longitudinal member 102 is shown as defining a loop that extends most (e.g., all) of the length of the longitudinal member, the loop may alternatively be defined only at a proximal end of the longitudinal member.","For some applications, longitudinal member 102 and pull-wire 104 are coupled via complementary screw threads.","For example, longitudinal member 102 may comprise, or be coupled to, a screw at a proximal end thereof, and pull-wire 104 may comprise, or be coupled to, a socket at a distal end thereof.","For some applications, tubular member 100 is used to decouple (e.g., unscrew) pull-wire 104 from longitudinal member 102.Tubular member 100 is typically more rigid than pull-wire 104 and/or longitudinal member 102 (although it is still sufficiently flexible to be transluminally delivered).","This rigidity reduces a likelihood of twisting, kinking, snagging, and/or other undesirable phenomenon or interactions within the transluminal delivery system (e.g., within sheath 46, catheter 50, and/or anchor-delivery tube 52).","For some applications tubular member 100 has a smoother surface than does pull-wire 104 or longitudinal member 102.For some applications, tubular member 100, which is necessarily wider than pull-wire 104 and/or longitudinal member 102, is also more visible using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy.","This advantageously allows an operating physician to monitor the intracorporeal juxtaposition of the tubular members and, if necessary, to intervene, such as by revolving the tubular members (e.g., proximal ends thereof) around each other.","As described hereinabove, control rods 86 are used to push prosthetic valve support 42 toward the annulus of valve 10 by sliding the control rod over a respective guide member 56 (i.e., over the tubular member 100 of the respective guide member).","Each control rod 86 is reversibly coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective locking member 110 that, in an unlocked state thereof, is slidable over guide member 56.Thereby, the pushing of prosthetic valve support 42 is typically performed by pushing with both control rod 86 and locking member 110.State A of FIG.","1D shows control rods 86 and respective locking members 110 having been slid over respective tubular members 100 of respective guide members 56, such that prosthetic valve support 42 has been pushed against the annulus of valve 10.Typically, a counter force (e.g., a proximal pulling force) is applied to guide member 56 (e.g., to tubular member 100, longitudinal member 102, and pull-wire 104) so as to facilitate such sliding.","State B of FIG.","1D shows tubular member 110 having been pulled proximally such that the distal end of the tubular member is disposed proximal to locking member 110, thereby exposing, from the tubular member, progressive portions of longitudinal member 102, at least until the tubular member is not disposed between the longitudinal member and the locking member (e.g., such that the locking member can directly contact the longitudinal member).","Typically, and as shown in state B of FIG.","1D, tubular member 100 is pulled proximally such that the distal end thereof is disposed distal to the point at which longitudinal member 102 and pull-wire 104 are coupled, thereby retaining the coupling therebetween.","While in this state, locking member 110 is locked to longitudinal member 102 (e.g., to a portion of the longitudinal member that is disposed within a channel of the locking member).","For some applications, locking member 110 locks automatically in response to withdrawal of tubular member 100.For some applications, locking of locking member 110 is independent of the withdrawal of the tubular member.","An embodiment of locking member 110 and control thereof is described in more detail hereinbelow with respect to FIGS.","4A-C.","It is to be noted that the scope of the invention also comprises the use of other locking members such as crimp-based locking members, and also comprises other locking techniques such as tying.","Subsequently, and as shown in state C of FIG.","1D, tubular member 100 is pulled further proximally, such that the distal end of the tubular member is disposed proximal to the point at which longitudinal member 102 and pull-wire 104 are coupled, such that the pull-wire is decouplable from the longitudinal member (e.g., unthreadable from the loop defined by the longitudinal member).","Typically, anchors 48 and longitudinal members 102 are configured to withstand a pulling force of at least 500 g, so as to withstand forces within the beating heart.","The apparatus is typically configured such that a pulling force required to pull tubular member 100 proximally, is less than 500 g, such as less than 300 g. For some applications, such a configuration is achieved at least in part by reducing friction between tubular member 100 and pull-wire 104, such as by thermally treating the pull-wire 104.Subsequently, control rod 86, tubular member 100, and pull-wire 104 are pulled proximally, as shown in state D of FIG.","1D, thereby separating the control rod from locking member 110, and the pull-wire from longitudinal member 102.In order for control rod 86 to be pulled proximally, the control rod is decoupled from locking member 110 prior to said pulling.","For some applications, the decoupling of control rod 86 from locking member 110 is synchronous with the locking of the locking member (e.g., the same action locks the locking member and decouples the control rod from the locking member, such as described hereinbelow with respect to FIGS.","4A-C).","For some applications, the decoupling of the control rod from the locking member is independent of the locking of the locking member.","It is to be noted that, as shown in FIG.","1D, for some applications, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) is secured to the upstream surface of the annulus of native valve 10, only by anchors 48 that are anchored to tissue in ventricle 8 of the subject.","It is also to be noted that prosthetic valve support 42 is coupled to longitudinal members 102 in atrium 6 of the subject.","Typically, a distance L1 between each anchor 48 and the point of upstream support portion 43 to which it is coupled (e.g., to a respective hole 82 and/or locking member 110) is greater than 0.5 cm, e.g., greater than 1 cm, such as greater than 2 cm.","That is, the length of each longitudinal member 102 that is disposed between a respective anchor and upstream support portion 43 is typically greater than 0.5 cm, e.g., greater than 1 cm, such as greater than 2 cm.","The length of each longitudinal member 102 that is disposed between the respective anchor and the upstream support portion is typically less than 10 cm (e.g., less than 7 cm, such as less than 5 cm).","Thereby, the ventricular sites at which anchors 48 are anchored are typically more than 0.5 cm (e.g., more than 1 cm, such as more than 2 cm) away from prosthetic valve support 42.Reference is now made to FIG.","1E-F, which show steps in the delivery and implantation of prosthetic valve 44 at native valve 10, facilitated by prosthetic valve support 42.Prosthetic valve 44 is advanced in a delivery configuration (e.g., in a compressed state), through sheath 46, typically within a delivery tube 120.Prosthetic valve 44 comprises a stent-like valve body 122, typically comprising an expandable frame that typically contains a shape-memory material such as nitinol.","Valve body 122 is shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and an inner surface of the valve body is typically lined with a covering, such as a fabric.","One or more prosthetic valve members (not shown for clarity), such as prosthetic leaflets, are coupled to valve body 122 and disposed within the lumen thereof.","Prosthetic valve 44 further comprises one or more tissue-engaging elements 124.Typically, and as shown, valve 44 comprises two tissue-engaging elements 124 coupled to valve body 122 at sites that are on opposite sides of the circumference of the valve body.","Each tissue-engaging element 124 typically comprises two arms 126 (e.g., a first clip arm 126a and a second clip arm 126b).","For some applications, and as shown, each arm 126 defines an arc that is coupled to valve body 122 at the base of the arc.","For example, and as shown, each arm 126 may comprise a single arc of the same shape-memory material as the frame of valve body 122.For some applications, one or both arms 126 of each tissue-engaging element 124 may be covered in a covering, such as a fabric.","When valve 44 is in the compressed state thereof within delivery tube 120, arms 126 are held against valve body 122 with a tip 127 of each arm disposed proximally to a site at which that arm is coupled to the valve body.","Each tissue-engaging element 124 is configured such that a tip 127a of arm 126a is disposed distal to a tip 127b of arm 126b.","For example, arm 126a may be shorter than arm 126b.","Alternatively or additionally, arm 126a may be coupled to valve body 122 at a site that is distal to a site at which arm 126b is coupled to the valve body.","Prosthetic valve 44, within delivery tube 120, is advanced distally between leaflets 14 of native valve 10, and the prosthetic valve is progressively advanced distally out of a distal end of the delivery tube, as shown in states A-B of FIG.","1E.","It is to be noted that leaflets 14 typically continue to function following implantation of prosthetic valve support 42, and may further continue to function while delivery tube 120 is disposed therebetween; the leaflets typically coapt around the delivery tube.","At a given degree of advancement of prosthetic valve 44 out of delivery tube 120, first arm 126a is deployed: tip 127a of each first arm 126a becomes exposed from the delivery tube and each arm 126a responsively deflects radially outward from valve body 122, toward a pre-set position (state B of FIG.","1E).","Tip 127b of each arm 126b remains within delivery tube 120.Throughout the procedure, as distal portions of valve body 122 are progressively exposed from delivery tube 120, they typically automatically expand toward an expanded state Subsequently, and as shown in state D of FIG.","1E, prosthetic valve 44 and delivery tube 120 are moved proximally (e.g., atrially) such that arm 126a of each tissue-engaging element 124 engages (e.g., captures) a leaflet 14 of native valve 10, e.g., such that a portion of each leaflet is disposed between (1) each arm 126a and (2) a respective second arm 126b and valve body 122.Optionally, subsequently to deployment of first arm 126a and prior to moving prosthetic valve 44 proximally, the first arm is deflected further from valve body 122 than its pre-set position by applying a force to the first arm using the delivery tube.","That is, an angle between the first arm and an outer surface of the valve body is increased by applying the force to the first arm using the delivery tube.","Typically, the force is applied by moving delivery tube 120 distally with respect to the prosthetic valve (e.g., sliding the delivery tube over at least part of the prosthetic valve), so as to push the arm, as shown in state C of FIG.","1E.","It is hypothesized that such “opening” of tissue-engaging element 124 facilitates engagement of leaflets 14 (e.g., engagement of a larger portion of leaflets 14).","Subsequently, delivery tube 120 is returned proximally with respect to prosthetic valve 44, such that arm 126a returns toward its pre-set position (state D of FIG.","1E).","For some applications, until at least the step shown in state D of FIG.","1E, prosthetic valve 44 is retrievable into delivery tube 120 and removable from the body of the subject, e.g., as described hereinbelow with respect to FIG.","2.Subsequently, delivery tube 120 is pulled further proximally with respect to prosthetic valve 44, such that tip 127b of second arm 126b of each tissue-engaging element 124 becomes exposed from the delivery tube, and each arm 126b responsively deflects radially outward from valve body 122, toward a pre-set position (state A of FIG.","1F), thereby coupling the tissue-engaging element to the leaflet by sandwiching a portion of a leaflet 14 between the first and second arms of each tissue-engaging element.","Second arm 126b is typically configured, when completely unrestricted (e.g., in the absence of leaflet 14) to have a pre-set position that is close to that of first arm 126a, planar with that of first arm 126a, and/or further from valve body 122 than is arm 126a.","For some applications, the difference in size and/or position of the arc of second arm 126b to that of first arm 126a facilitates the second arm to move into plane with, and/or beyond the plane of, the first arm.","Subsequently, prosthetic valve 44 is fully deployed by a proximal end of the prosthetic valve (e.g., valve body 122 thereof) being exposed from delivery tube 120 (e.g., by further withdrawing the delivery tube proximally with respect to the prosthetic valve) (state C of FIG.","1F).","The proximal end of prosthetic valve 44 responsively (e.g., automatically) expands toward the expanded state thereof.","Expansion of the prosthetic valve (e.g., of valve body 122 thereof) applies a radially-expansive force against prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., against an inner perimeter of upstream support portion 43 thereof), thereby coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.","Typically, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., the inner perimeter of upstream support portion 43) restricts expansion of prosthetic valve 44, at least in part.","For some applications, and as shown in state B of FIG.","1F, subsequently to the coupling of tissue-engaging elements 124 to leaflets 14, and prior to coupling of prosthetic valve 44 to prosthetic valve support 42, the prosthetic valve is pulled proximally, e.g., so as to align a portion of valve body 122 with upstream support portion 43 and/or to draw leaflets 14 toward the upstream support portion.","It is to be noted that, for some applications, each tissue-engaging element 124 comprises only one arm 126.For some such applications, the one arm 126 comprises and/or functions like first arm 126a described herein.","For some such applications, the one arm 126 is configured to couple to the leaflet by sandwiching a portion of the leaflet between the one arm and valve body 122.For some such applications, the one arm 126 is configured, when the prosthetic valve is pulled proximally as shown in state B of FIG.","1F, to sandwich a portion of the leaflet between the one arm and prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof).","State D of FIG.","1F shows the implanted (e.g., final) state of prosthetic valve support 42 and prosthetic valve 44, following implantation thereof at native valve 10.For some applications, in this implanted state, prosthetic valve support 42 and prosthetic valve 44 are inhibited from moving upstream (e.g., atrially) both by tissue anchors 48 and by tissue-engaging elements 124.That is, for some applications, resistance to forces on support 42 and valve 44 from the functioning of the heart of the subject, is provided in part by anchors 48 and in part by elements 124.For some applications, in this implanted state, prosthetic valve support 42 and prosthetic valve 44 are inhibited from moving upstream mostly (e.g., solely) by tissue-engaging elements 124.That is, for some applications, resistance to forces on support 42 and valve 44 from the functioning of the heart of the subject, is provided mostly (e.g., solely) by elements 124.For some such applications, anchors 48 and longitudinal members 102 are thereby only required until prosthetic valve 44 has been implanted.","It is to be noted that in both cases, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) inhibits movement ventricularly of prosthetic valve 44, and of the prosthetic valve support itself.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","1D-F. For some applications, locking of locking members 110 to longitudinal members 102 and/or decoupling of pull-wires 104 from longitudinal members 102 (FIG.","1D) is not performed until after implantation of prosthetic valve 44 (FIGS.","1E-F).","For such applications, it is thereby possible to adjust the length of the portion of longitudinal members 102 (e.g., tension on the longitudinal members) after implantation of prosthetic valve 44.For some applications, a similar advantage is conferred by locking members being reversibly lockable, being locked before implantation of prosthetic valve 44, and subsequently to implantation of the prosthetic valve, being unlocked to allow re-adjustment of longitudinal members 102.Reference is again made to FIGS.","1A-F. For some applications, anatomical dimensions of native valve 10 and/or surrounding tissues are determined (e.g., measured), and prosthetic valve support 42 and/or prosthetic valve 44 are selected accordingly (e.g., from a selection of prosthetic valve supports and/or prosthetic valves of different sizes).","For example, an optimal lumen size (e.g., transverse cross-sectional area) for a prosthetic valve may be determined according to an area of the lumen defined by the annulus of the native valve of the subject.","Responsively, a prosthetic valve having a lumen of that particular size may be selected.","Similarly, a prosthetic valve support having an inner perimeter that defines an opening having a particular cross-sectional area may be selected, so as to restrict the expansion of a prosthetic valve to have a lumen of that particular size.","Alternatively or additionally, a prosthetic valve support having an outer perimeter of a particular size may be selected according to determined dimensions of the annulus of the valve and/or walls of the atrium.","It is to be noted that selecting a size according to determined anatomical dimensions may only in some cases comprise selecting a size that matches the anatomical dimensions.","For example, an optimal size for the transverse cross-sectional area of a prosthetic valve is typically less than 90% of the area defined by the annulus of the native valve, so as to allow the leaflets of the native valve to coapt around the prosthetic valve and facilitate sealing.","Because prosthetic valve support 42 is typically implantable without eliminating functioning of the native leaflets, for some applications, the prosthetic valve support is implantable without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.","For some applications, prosthetic valve 44 is also implantable without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.","Reference is made to FIG.","2, which is a schematic illustration of prosthetic valve 44 being retrieved into delivery tube 120, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","As described hereinabove, for some applications, until at least the step shown in state D of FIG.","1E, prosthetic valve 44 is retrievable into delivery tube 120 and removable from the body of the subject.","Delivery tube 120 is moved distally with respect to prosthetic valve 44, in a manner similar to that used to push arms 126a, described with reference to FIG.","1E (state C), but such that delivery tube 120 is slid over the site at which arms 126a are coupled to valve body 122, thereby pushing arms 126a to deflect distally.","Prosthetic valve 44, including at least part of arms 126a, is drawn into delivery tube 120 (e.g., by sliding the prosthetic valve distally and/or the delivery tube proximally), and is typically subsequently removed from the body of the subject.","Reference is made to FIGS.","3A-C, which are schematic illustrations of the introduction of guide members 56 through prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","As described hereinabove (e.g., with reference to FIG.","1C), prosthetic valve support 42 is slidable toward native valve 10, over guide members 56, including while the prosthetic valve support is compressed within delivery tube 80.Following coupling of anchors 48 to the ventricular sites, guide members 56 extend from the anchors to outside of the body of the subject, and have respective free proximal ends 57.Before introduction of support 42 within tube 80 into the body of the subject (e.g., into sheath 46), guide members 56 are threaded through holes 82 in upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42, and through delivery tube 80, e.g., by the operating physician.","Typically, prosthetic valve support 42 is provided in the compressed state thereof, within delivery tube 80, e.g., as a unit 140, coupled to a distal end of a controller 142 that is used to move the unit transluminally (e.g., within sheath 46).","Unit 140 comprises (e.g., is provided having) one or more introducer tubes 144, each introducer tube being shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and having an open distal end 143 and an open proximal end 145.Distal end 143 of each tube is disposed outside a distal end of support 42 and/or tube 80, and proximal end 145 of each tube is disposed outside a proximal end of the support and/or tube 80.Each introducer tube 144 passes (1) from the distal end thereof, (2) through a respective hole 82 in upstream support portion 43 from the downstream surface of the support portion (which defines an outer surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof) to an upstream surface of the support portion (which defines an inner surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof), and (3) to the proximal end thereof.","As shown in FIG.","3A, free proximal end 57 of each guide member 56 is advanced through a respective introducer tube 144, thereby threading the guide member through upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42.Typically, and as shown in FIG.","3B, introducer tubes 144 are subsequently removed, prior to introduction of unit 140 into the body of the subject.","That is, introducer tubes 144 are typically temporary.","FIG.","3C shows upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42 having been partially exposed from delivery tube 80, in order to illustrate the resulting threading of guide members 56 through upstream support portion 43.Reference is made to FIGS.","4A-C, which are schematic illustrations of locking member 110, and control thereof, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","As described hereinabove, locking member 110 is slidable over guide member 56 (e.g., over tubular member 100 thereof).","As also described hereinabove, locking member 110 is configured to lock to longitudinal member 102.FIG.","4A shows locking member 110 in the unlocked state thereof, in which the locking member typically defines a channel therethrough through which tubular member 100 and longitudinal member 102, either within the tubular member or outside of the tubular member, are slidable.","The channel of locking member 110 is defined by a generally tubular portion 160 of the locking member.","Tubular portion 160 defines one or more, such as two, oblique slits 162 in the lateral walls thereof.","Locking member 110 comprises locking element, such as a locking bar 164, that is disposed generally orthogonally to the channel of the locking member, and passes through the slits (e.g., through both slits) of the tubular member.","When locking bar 164 is slid distally and/or proximally, the locking bar thereby moves across at least part of the channel defined by tubular portion 160.Locking member 110 further comprises a spring 166 that is configured to push locking bar 164 in a given direction (e.g., distally), thereby transitioning the locking member into the locked configuration thereof (i.e., locking the locking member) (FIG.","4B).","Locking member 110 is typically controllable using a holding member 112 that inhibits (e.g., prevents) the locking member from locking, such as by inhibiting movement of locking bar 164.As described hereinabove, each control rod 86, used to push prosthetic valve support 42 toward the annulus of valve 10, is reversibly coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective locking member 110, such that the pushing is typically performed by pushing with control rod 86 and locking member 110.For some applications, and as shown in FIGS.","4A-C, holding member 112 comprises and/or is defined by control rod 86.For such applications, control rod 86 defines one or more slits 168 in a lateral wall thereof (e.g., two slits 168 on opposite sides of the lateral wall of the control rod).","Typically, slits 168 are L-shaped, thereby providing (1) a holding region 170 that is generally orthogonal to the proximal-distal (e.g., longitudinal) axis of control rod 86, and (2) a release region 172 that is generally parallel with the proximal-distal axis of the control rod, and that is open to the distal end of the control rod.","Locking bar 164 is configured such that ends thereof extend at least into (e.g., through) slits 168.In the unlocked state in which locking member 110 is advanced over guide member 56 toward upstream support portion 43 and the annulus of the native valve, the ends of locking bar 164 are disposed in holding region 170 of each slit 168, and the locking bar is thereby inhibited from moving distally and locking the locking member (FIG.","4A).","In order to lock the locking member, control rod 86 is rotated with respect to locking member 110, such that the ends of locking bar 164 move into release region 172 of each slit 168.In this position, spring 166 is thereby able to move locking bar toward the distal end of release region 172, thereby locking the locking member (FIG.","4B).","As described hereinabove, tubular member 100 is typically withdrawn from locking member 110 before the locking member is locked, and the locking member is locked to longitudinal member 102, e.g., by locking bar 164 sandwiching longitudinal member 102 against the inner surface of the channel of the locking member (e.g., effectively narrowing the channel at the site of the locking bar).","Movement of the ends of locking bar 164 into and through release region 172 also decouples control rod 86 from the locking member, allowing the control rod to be removed from the body of the subject (typically along with tubular member 100) (FIG.","4C).","For some applications, longitudinal member 102 comprises suture.","For some applications, long member 102 comprises a polymer, such as polyester.","For some applications, longitudinal member 102 comprises a metal.","For example, the longitudinal member may comprise one or more wires, such as a plurality of wires twisted or braided into a cable.","It is hypothesized that for some applications, a metallic composition reduces compressibility of longitudinal member 102 and/or facilitates locking of locking member 110 to the longitudinal member.","It is to be noted that locking member 110 thereby (1) when unlocked, facilitates sliding therethrough of a relatively wide element, tubular member 100, and (2) when locked, locks to a relatively narrow element, longitudinal member 102.To facilitate this, between the locked and unlocked states, locking bar 164 thereby moves a sufficient distance across the channel defined by locking member 110.That is, locking bar 164 moves a larger distance than would be necessary to lock a similar locking member that does not facilitate, in the unlocked state thereof, sliding therethrough of a tubular member that is wider than the longitudinal element.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","1D and 4A-C.","It is to be noted that locking member 110 is typically configured to lock to longitudinal member 102 independently of (e.g., in the absence of) a complementary element, such as teeth, on the longitudinal member.","For some applications, locking member 110 is configured to be coupled to any part of longitudinal member 102.Reference is made to FIG.","5, which is a schematic illustration of steps in the delivery of tissue anchors 48 to ventricle 8, and anchoring of the anchors in the ventricle, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","For some applications, the steps shown in FIG.","5 (and/or states A-D thereof) can be used in place of the steps shown in FIG.","1B (and/or states A/D thereof), mutatis mutandis (e.g., after the steps shown in FIG.","1A and/or before the steps shown in FIG.","1C).","FIG.","1B shows one delivery catheter 50 being used to deliver both anchors 48, and when delivering second tissue anchor 48b, anchor-delivery tube 52 fitting alongside first guide member 56a within catheter 50.As stated hereinabove, for some applications, a separate catheter is used for each anchor.","FIG.","5 shows one such application.","Typically, first anchor 48a is delivered and anchored as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.","1A, wherein catheter 50 in FIG.","1A comprises a first catheter 50a.","Subsequently, and as shown in FIG.","5, a second catheter 50b is advanced through sheath 46, such that second catheter 50b is disposed alongside first guide member 56a within sheath 46.It is to be noted that, in both FIG.","1B and FIG.","5, two anchors 48 are anchored at respective ventricular sites, and two respective guide members 56, extend from the anchors, through atrium 6, and typically out of the body of the subject.","Reference is made to FIG.","6, which is a schematic illustration of a system 180 for use with prosthetic valve support 42, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","For such applications of the invention, prosthetic valve support 42 is slidable toward native valve 10 over guide members 56, including while the prosthetic valve support is compressed within delivery tube 80.Following coupling of anchors 48 to the ventricular sites, guide members 56 extend from the anchors to outside of the body of the subject, and have respective free proximal ends 57.Before introduction of support 42 within tube 80 into the body of the subject (e.g., into sheath 46), guide members 56 are threaded through holes 82 in upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42, and through delivery tube 80, e.g., by the operating physician.","FIGS.","3A-C and the descriptions thereof describe prosthetic valve support 42 being provided as a unit 140 comprising introducer tubes 144, which are removed subsequently to advancement of guide members 56 through upstream support portion 43 and prior to introduction of the unit into the body of the subject.","FIG.","6 shows system 180, in which prosthetic valve support is provided within delivery tube 80, e.g., as a unit 182, coupled to a distal end of controller 142, described hereinabove.","Unit 182 comprises (e.g., is provided having) one or more introducer tubes 184, each introducer tube being shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and having an open distal end 183.Distal end 183 of each tube is disposed outside a distal end of support 42 and/or tube 80, and each introducer tube 184 extends out of a proximal end of the support and/or tube 80.Similarly to unit 140 described with reference to FIGS.","3A-C, each introducer tube 144 of system 180 passes from the distal end thereof, through a respective hole in upstream support portion 43 from the downstream surface of the support portion (which defines an outer surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof) to an upstream surface of the support portion (which defines an inner surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof).","In contrast to unit 140, introducer tubes 184 extend from a proximal end of delivery tube 80 to a proximal end portion of the apparatus.","In further contrast to unit 140, tubes 184 remain in place as unit 182 is advanced transluminally over guide members 56.Tubes 184 are typically flexible to facilitate transluminal advancement thereof.","A locking member 190 is disposed over each introducer tube 184, such that the introduction of guide member 56 through the introducer tube also introduces the guide member through the locking member.","Locking member 190 is slidable over guide member 56 (e.g., over tubular member 100 thereof), and is configured to lock to longitudinal member 102.Typically, locking member 190 is identical to locking member 110, described hereinabove, except that locking member 190 is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to be slidable also over introducer tube 184.Each locking member 190 is disposed at the distal end of a respective tubular control rod 192, which is typically identical to control rod 86, described hereinabove, except that control rod 192 is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to be slidable also over introducer tube 184.The use of system 180, including introducer tubes 184, advantageously (1) removes the requirement for two separate introductions of proximal end 57 of guide member 56 (i.e., through an introducer tube and subsequently through a locking member and control rod); and (2) facilitates control rods 192 (and locking members 190) being present in the atrium of the subject during expansion of prosthetic valve support 42, thereby reducing an interval between the expansion of the prosthetic valve support and pressing of the prosthetic valve support against the annulus of the native valve.","Reference is made to FIGS.","7A-C, which are schematic illustrations of a system 200 for facilitating transluminal delivery of a prosthetic valve assembly 202, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","FIG.","7A shows prosthetic valve assembly 202 in an expanded state thereof.","Prosthetic valve assembly comprises (1) a prosthetic valve body 204, which comprises a first frame 206 (e.g., a wire frame), and is shaped to define a lumen 208 therethrough, (2) an annular upstream support 210, which comprises a second frame 212 (e.g., a wire frame), is shaped to define an opening through the upstream support, and is configured to be placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of native valve 10 (e.g., of an annulus thereof), and (3) a flexible sheet 214 that couples the first frame to the second frame.","In the expanded state of assembly 202 (and thereby of body 204), frame 206 of body 204 is generally cylindrical, and has a diameter d1.In the expanded state of assembly 202 (and thereby of upstream support 210), frame 212 of support 210 is typically generally annular, and has an outer perimeter 213 that has a diameter d2, which is greater than diameter d1.Sheet 214 may be a fabric, a film, and/or another sheet-like structure, and may comprise a natural material, a polymer, a biomaterial, and/or any other suitable material.","Typically, sheet 214 comprises polyester, PTFE, and/or pericardial tissue.","For some applications, and as shown in FIG.","7A, in the expanded state of assembly 202, and in the absence of external forces (e.g., if the assembly were resting on a table surface), sheet 214 is generally annular and flat, and an upstream end 218 of frame 206 is disposed generally on a plane defined by support 210.For such applications, an inner perimeter 211 of frame 212 defines an opening that has a diameter d3 that is greater than diameter d1.For some applications, in such an expanded and unconstrained state, sheet 214 is generally frustoconical or funnel-shaped, and upstream end 218 of frame 206 is disposed below the plane defined by support 210.","(For some such frustoconical or funnel-shaped arrangements, the sheet may also be considered to be annular.)","For some applications, in such an expanded and unconstrained state, sheet 214 is generally tubular, upstream end 218 of frame 206 is disposed below the plane defined by support 210.For such applications, diameter d3 is typically generally equal to diameter d1.Typically, one or both of frames 206 and 212 is covered on at least one side by a covering 220.For some applications, sheet 214 comprises a portion of covering 220, e.g., the sheet is defined by a portion of the covering that is disposed between frames 206 and 212.For some applications, and as shown in FIG.","7A, covering 220 is disposed (1) on a tissue-facing side of frame 212 (e.g., defines a tissue-contacting surface of support 210), and (2) on an inner surface of frame 206 (i.e., lines the frame, and defines lumen 208).","A valve member 205 (e.g., comprising one or more prosthetic leaflets; shown in FIGS.","8D-G) is coupled to frame 206, is disposed within lumen 208, and provides valve (e.g., one-way) functionality to assembly 202.Valve member 205 may alternatively or additionally comprise a different valve member, such as a mechanical valve member.","At least two eyelets 222 are disposed on an outer surface of body 204 (i.e., protrude radially outward from body 204).","Typically, eyelets 222 are pivotably coupled to body 204, e.g., such that the eyelets can pivot (e.g., rotate) in both directions by at least 5 degrees (e.g., more than 5 degrees and/or less than 90 degrees, such as between 5 and 90 degrees, e.g., between 5 and 60 degrees, such as between 5 and 45 degrees).","For some applications, the eyelets can pivot in a plane parallel to a plane defined by a tangent of the valve body at the site to which the eyelet is coupled, as shown in the blowup box.","Alternatively or additionally, the eyelets can pivot in a plane that is orthogonal to the plane defined by the tangent, e.g., such that the eyelets can point toward and/or away from the valve body.","For some applications, eyelets 222 are sutured to body 204.Eyelets 222 are arranged in at least one pair; each eyelet of the pair being disposed on the opposite side of body 204 from the other eyelet of the pair.","FIG.","7B shows system 200 in a delivery configuration thereof.","System 200 comprises a delivery tool 230, which comprises a first housing 232 (e.g., a proximal housing) and a second housing 234 (e.g., a distal housing), which are articulatably coupled to each other via a flexible control rod assembly 240 disposed through the housings.","In the delivery configuration of system 200, assembly 202 is in a compressed state thereof, in which prosthetic valve body 204 (in a compressed state thereof) is generally cylindrical, and upstream support 210 (in a compressed state thereof) is also generally cylindrical.","Typically, in the delivery configuration of system 200, sheet 214 is also generally cylindrical.","Assembly 202, in the compressed configuration thereof, (1) has a central longitudinal axis, at one zone (e.g., at one end) of which body 204 is disposed, and at another zone (e.g., the other end) of which support 210 is disposed, and (2) defines an articulation zone 236 in which (a) at least part of sheet 214 is disposed, and (b) neither frame 206 of body 204 nor frame 212 of support 210 is disposed, and about which body 204 and support 210 are articulatable with respect to each other.","In the delivery configuration of system 200, at least part of support 210 is disposed within housing 232 (which maintains the at least part of the support in the compressed state thereof), and at least part of body 204 is disposed within housing 234 (which maintains the at least part of the support in the compressed state thereof).","Housing 232 defines an orifice 233 through which support 210 is introducible into the housing, and removable from the housing.","Housing 234 defines an orifice 235 that faces orifice 233, and through which body 204 is introducible into the housing, and removable from the housing.","In the delivery configuration, eyelets 222 protrude radially outward beyond the surface of delivery tool 230 (e.g., beyond a lateral wall of housing 234).","Typically, housing 234 (e.g., the lateral wall thereof) is shaped to define a respective slit 237 for each eyelet, through which the eyelet protrudes beyond the surface of the housing.","Each slit 237 is continuous with (i.e., is in communication with) orifice 235 such that, as described hereinbelow, during deployment of valve body 204, eyelet 222 can slide out of the slit at the orifice.","In the delivery configuration of system 200, tool 230 is in a contracted state, in which housing 232 is disposed at a distance d4 from housing 234 (e.g., orifice 233 is disposed at distance d4 from orifice 235).","Distance d4 is typically greater than 1.5 mm and/or less than 30 mm, such as between 1.5 mm and 30 mm (e.g., between 10 and 15 mm).","In this state, at least part of sheet 214 is exposed between the housings.","The at least part of sheet 214 (and thereby of articulation zone 236) that is exposed between housings 232 and 234 facilitates articulation of housing 234 containing body 204 with respect to housing 232 containing support 210, and thereby defines an articulation zone 238 of system 200 in the delivery configuration thereof.","Typically at least part of control rod assembly 240 is flexible, so as to facilitate articulation at articulation zone 238.For example, although assembly 240 as a whole is typically sufficiently flexible so as to facilitate its transluminal delivery to the heart, control rods 244 and 246 may be more flexible than control rod 242 (e.g., more flexible than required for transluminal delivery to the heart alone), so as to facilitate articulation at articulation zone 238.For some such applications, respective portions of control rods 244 and 246 that are disposed within articulation zone 238 when tool 230 is in the contracted state (FIG.","7C) are more flexible than adjacent portions of the control rods (e.g., portions disposed within housings 232 and 234 when tool 230 is in the contracted state).","For example, and as shown, a portion 245 of control rod 244 may be narrower than adjacent portions of the control rod.","Control rod assembly 240 comprises (1) a first housing-control rod 242, coupled to first housing 232, (2) a second housing-control rod 244, coupled to second housing 234, and (3) a prosthesis-control rod 246, coupled to a mount 248 that is reversibly couplable to valve assembly 202, e.g., via a plurality of recesses 250 in the mount which receive respective portions of assembly 202.Typically, assembly 202 is couplable to mount 248 by valve body 204 being coupled to the mount, and further typically by a plurality of protrusions 252 of frame 206 being disposed within respective recesses 250.Housing 234 retains this coupling by inhibiting body 204 from expanding radially away from mount 248.Typically, at least part of second housing-control rod 244 is disposed within and slidable through prosthesis-control rod 246, and at least part of the prosthesis-control rod is disposed within and slidable through first housing-control rod 242 (e.g., coaxially).","System 200 (e.g., tool 230 thereof) further comprises at least two flexible reference-force tubes 260, which extend, (a) from a proximal end of the system (e.g., from an extracorporeal portion of the system, such as from a handle of tool 230), (b) through a proximal end of housing 232, (c) through a lumen 254 defined by support 210 in the compressed state thereof, (d) through sheet 214, (e) along the outside of at least part of body 204, and typically (f) until a distal portion of body 204.A locking member 262 is disposed between each eyelet 222 and a respective tube 260.Typically, locking members 262 are not directly coupled to body 204, but are instead each held in position between eyelet 222 and tube 260 by a guide member 256 being disposed through the eyelet, the tube, and the locking member.","For some applications, locking member 262 is integral with eyelet 222 (e.g., eyelet 222 is configured to and/or shaped to define locking member 262).","For some applications, guide members 256 are identical to guide members 56, described hereinabove.","Guide members 256 are described in more detail hereinbelow.","Reference is now made to FIGS.","8A-H, which are schematic illustrations of a technique for use with system 200, to transluminally implant prosthetic valve assembly 202, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Typically, sheath 46 is advanced transluminally (e.g., transfemorally) to right atrium 12 of heart 4, through the fossa ovalis, and into left atrium 6 using standard transseptal techniques, as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS.","1A-B.","Subsequently, first tissue anchor 48a and second tissue anchor 48b are anchored at respective ventricular sites, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","1A-B and/or 5, mutatis mutandis.","A guide member 256 is coupled to each tissue anchor (e.g., the tissue anchors are provided pre-coupled to the guide members), such that after anchoring of the tissue anchors, each guide member extends from the anchor, out of the body of the subject, e.g., as described hereinabove with respect to guide member 56, mutatis mutandis.","A proximal end of each guide member 256 is introduced through a respective eyelet 222, locking member 262, and reference-force tube 260, such that system 200 appears as shown in FIG.","7B.","As described hereinabove, each guide member 256 typically holds each locking member 262 in place between its respective eyelet 222 and reference-force tube 260.System 200 (e.g., assembly 202 within delivery tool 230) is subsequently advanced along guide members 256 and via sheath 46 to left atrium 6 (FIG.","8A).","Once exposed outside of the distal end of sheath 46, system 200 is guided by guide members 256 generally toward the ventricular sites at which anchors 48 are anchored.","Articulation of system 200 (e.g., at articulation zone 238, and/or at another articulation zone 239 proximal to housing 232) facilitates transluminal advancement of the system past curves in the vasculature.","The articulation also facilitates movement of system 200 from the distal end of sheath 46 and between leaflets 14 of valve 10, e.g., by facilitating steering of the system along a path defined by guide members 256.This steering is typically further facilitated by (1) the position of eyelets 222 at a distal portion of system 200 (e.g., at a distal portion of housing 234), which turns the housing in response to encountering a turn in members 256, and/or (2) the pivotable coupling of eyelets 222 to body 204, described hereinabove; pivoting of eyelet 222 reduces a likelihood of the eyelet snagging on guide member 256 when encountering a turn in the guide member.","For some applications, eyelets 222 are internally coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, to further facilitate sliding of the eyelet over guide member 256.It is to be noted that, due to the described articulation, a distance d5 between a proximal end of housing 232 and a distal end of housing 234 may be greater than for a similar system that does not articulate.","For example, distance d5 may be greater than a distance d6 along an atrioventricular axis between (a) a height on the atrioventricular axis of the upstream surface of native valve 10, and (b) a height on the atrioventricular axis of the transseptal entry point into left atrium 6 (e.g., the fossa ovalis).","For some applications, distance d5 may be greater than the overall height of left atrium 6.Distance d5 is typically greater than 25 mm and/or less than 100 mm, such as between 25 mm and 100 mm (e.g., 35-60 mm, such as 40-50 mm).","Reference is made to FIG.","8B.","System 200 is advanced such that distal housing 234, containing valve body 204 in the compressed state thereof, passes between leaflets 14 of native valve 10.Valve body 204 is withdrawn out of orifice 235 of housing 234 by moving control rod 244 with respect to control rod 246.For example, and as shown in FIGS.","8B-C, control rod 244 (and thereby housing 234) may be moved distally into ventricle 8, while control rod 246 (and thereby mount 248 and valve body 204) remains stationary, thereby increasing the distance between housing 232 and housing 234.When protrusions 252 of frame 206 become withdrawn from housing 234, the portion of valve body 204 coupled to the mount expands (e.g., automatically), thereby disengaging the protrusions from recesses 250 of mount 248, and decoupling the valve body from the mount (FIG.","8C).","For clarity, FIGS.","8C-D show the distal portion of valve body 204 expanding before the proximal portion of the valve body.","It is to be noted, however, that portions of the valve body typically expand as they become exposed from housing 234, and therefore the proximal portion of the valve body typically expands while the distal portion of the valve body is still disposed within housing 234.FIG.","8D shows valve body 204 having been completely removed from housing 234, and support 210 having been removed from proximal housing 232 by control rod 242 (and thereby housing 232) being withdrawn proximally, thereby further increasing the distance between housing 232 and housing 234.Typically, an opposing reference force is provided by reference-force tubes 260, so as to hold assembly 202 in place at the native valve while housing 232 is withdrawn.","During the withdrawal of valve body 204 from housing 234, eyelets 222 typically slide through slits 237, and out of the slits at orifice 235.For some applications, support 210 is deployed from housing 232 before valve body 204 is deployed from housing 234.Subsequently, tension is applied to guide members 256 while an opposing reference force is provided to assembly 202 by tubes 260, thereby reducing a length of each guide member 256 that is disposed between eyelet 222 and its respective tissue anchor 48 (FIG.","8E).","That is, each guide member 256 is slid proximally with respect to its respective reference-force tube 260.Typically, the reference-force is provided to assembly 202 by a distal end of each reference-force tube 260 abutting a respective locking member; the reference force being transferred via the locking member (and typically further via eyelet 222 to valve body 204).","For some applications this tensioning moves valve body 204 at least slightly distally into ventricle 8, such that sheet 214 becomes at least slightly frustoconical (e.g., as shown in FIG.","8E).","For some applications this tensioning deforms support 210 and/or deflects the support with respect to body 204, e.g., such that the support becomes less flat (e.g., less planar).","For example, before tensioning, support 210 may be flat annular (as shown in FIG.","8D), and after tensioning the support may be frustoconical (as shown in FIG.","8E).","Alternatively, and as described in more detail with reference to FIGS.","14A-B, mutatis mutandis, the prosthetic valve assembly may be configured such that the upstream support is frustoconical before tensioning, and the tensioning changes a slant of the frustoconical shape.","For example, before tensioning, the upstream support may be frustoconical with the larger base of the frustum closer to a ventricular end of an atrioventricular axis than is the smaller base of the frustum, and after tensioning the support may become flatter, or may even invert, such that it becomes frustoconical with the smaller base closer to the ventricular end of the atrioventricular axis (e.g., the conformation shown in FIG.","8E, mutatis mutandis).","For some applications, tensioning is performed before deployment of support 210 from housing 232.Each guide member 256 typically comprises a tether 282 (e.g., a longitudinal member), a pull-wire 284, and a tubular member 280 in which the pull-wire and the tether are disposed.","A distal portion of pull-wire 284 is reversibly coupled to a proximal portion of tether 282, and tubular member 280 fits snugly over at least the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether so as to inhibit the pull-wire from becoming decoupled from the tether (e.g., to maintain a state of coupling therebetween).","For some applications, and as shown, the reversible coupling is provided by pull-wire 284 and tether 282 defining respective mating surfaces.","For some applications, the reversible coupling is provided as described hereinabove for guide member 56.When each guide member 256 (e.g., the tether 282 thereof) is tensioned, the guide member is withdrawn proximally until at least part of tether 282 (within tubular member 280) is disposed within locking member 262 (e.g., at least until the proximal portion of the tether has passed through the locking member; FIG.","8E state B).","Reference is now made to FIG.","8F.","Once a desired tension is obtained, the tension is fixed.","Tubular member 280 is withdrawn proximally with respect to tether 282, pull-wire 284 and locking member 262 (FIG.","8F).","State A of FIG.","8F shows tubular member 280 having been withdrawn until eyelet 222.State B of FIG.","8F shows tubular member 280 having been withdrawn until a distal end of the tubular member is disposed proximal to locking member 262, thereby exposing tether 282 to the locking member.","Typically, locking member 262 is biased (e.g., shape-set) to assume a locked state, and while tubular member 280 is disposed within the locking member, the tubular member inhibits locking of the locking member to tether 282 (or to pull-wire 284), and the removal of the tubular member from within the locking member facilitates automatic locking of the locking member to the tether (i.e., transitioning of the locking member into a locked state).","Tubular member 280 is slidable through locking member 262 despite such biasing of the locking member, e.g., due to (a) the tubular member having a smooth surface, and/or (b) the tubular member retaining locking elements 263 of the locking member at an angle alpha_1 with respect to the tubular member, which is shallower than an angle alpha_2 with respect to tether 282 that the locking elements assume when the tubular element is withdrawn (compare FIG.","8F state A to state B).","Typically, tether 282 defines a plurality of nodules 286, which facilitate locking of locking member 262 to the tether.","For some applications, locking elements 263 and nodules 286 function as a ratchet.","For some such applications, subsequently to transitioning of locking member 262 into the locked state thereof, one-way movement of tether 282 through the locking member is possible, thereby facilitating further increase, but not reduction, of tension.","Reference is now made to FIG.","8G.","Tubular member 280 and pull-wire 284 are decoupled from tether 282 and prosthetic valve assembly 202, and delivery tool 230 is withdrawn proximally (e.g., into sheath 46, and out of the body of the subject).","Typically, housing 234 and mount 248 are withdrawn via the lumen of valve body 204 (e.g., between the prosthetic leaflets disposed therein).","For some applications, housing 234, rods 244 and 246, and mount 248 are withdrawn prior to the tensioning step (e.g., prior to withdrawal of reference-force tubes 260, such as between the step shown in FIG.","8D and the step shown in FIG.","8E, mutatis mutandis).","Typically, tubular member 280 and pull-wire 284 are decoupled from tether 282 by withdrawing the tubular member further proximally, such that the distal portion of pull-wire 284 and the proximal portion of tether 282 are exposed from the tubular member (state A of FIG.","8G).","Reference force for this withdrawal is provided by the anchored tether 282, and optionally also by reference-force tubes 260.Tubular member 280, pull-wire 284, and reference-force tube 260 are then withdrawn (state B of FIG.","8H).","FIG.","8H is a schematic illustration of prosthetic valve assembly 202 following implantation at native valve 10 of heart 4.Assembly 202 provides replacement one-way valve functionality in which blood flows from atrium 6, through the opening defined by upstream support 210, past sheet 214, through lumen 208 of valve body 204, and into ventricle 8.Sheet 214 thereby defines and/or serves as a conduit that provides fluid communication between the opening defined by upstream support 210 (e.g., by frame 212 thereof) and lumen 208 of valve body 204.Further typically, this conduit is uninterrupted except for holes (not shown) that may remain where reference-force tubes 260 originally extended through the sheet.","Regurgitation through these holes is typically minimal or absent due to their small size.","The holes may be slit-like (rather than punched holes), such that in the absence of reference-force tubes 260 the holes become generally closed.","Additionally, coaptation of leaflets 14 and tissue growth over the holes may further facilitate sealing.","Alternatively or additionally, the holes may be defined by tubular protrusions 215 that extend from sheet 214 (shown in the “optional” box, FIG.","7B).","Tubular protrusions 215 may comprise the same material as sheet 214, or may comprise a different material.","Tubular protrusions 215 may be flexible or rigid.","The tubular protrusions are configured to provide a channel through which tubes 260 may pass, but which, in the absence of tubes 260, inhibit movement of fluid therethrough.","For example, tubular protrusions 215 may inhibit fluid flow due to the ratio between their length and lumen diameter, and/or may act as duckbill valves.","Therefore, sheet 214 typically provides a generally sealed conduit between upstream support 210 and valve body 204.The positioning of prosthetic valve assembly 202 at the native valve typically results in leaflets 14 of the native valve coapting around valve body 204, thereby providing sealing that inhibits (e.g., prevents) perivalvular leakage.","The positioning of prosthetic valve assembly typically also places sheet 214 in contact with the annulus and/or leaflets of the native valve.","In general, a prosthetic valve implanted at a native valve encounters forces due to beating of the heart and/or the resulting flow of blood.","Small movements (e.g., oscillations) resulting from these forces may inhibit tissue growth (e.g., fibrosis) that would otherwise facilitate sealing between the prosthetic valve and the native valve.","For some applications, such movements are reduced (e.g., dampened) at sites at which the contact between assembly 202 and the surrounding tissue is provided by sheet 214, e.g., due to flexibility of the sheet.","Thereby sheet 214 typically provides stabilized (e.g., more constant) contact with tissue than would a less flexible structure in the same position; this is hypothesized to improve tissue growth and thereby sealing.","Furthermore, sheet 214 itself may be configured to promote tissue growth thereon, e.g., due to surface treatments and/or impregnation, and/or structure, such as weave and/or porosity, thereby further facilitating sealing.","Reference is made to FIGS.","9A-14B, which are schematic illustrations of prosthetic valve assemblies, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Each prosthetic valve assembly shown in FIGS.","9A-14B comprises a valve body, an upstream support, and a sheet, which are typically identical, mutatis mutandis, to valve body 204, upstream support 210 and sheet 214 described hereinabove, except for where noted.","FIGS.","9A-B show, prosthetic valve assembly 202 described hereinabove, in a simplified (e.g., two-dimensional) schematic manner that illustrates the arrangement of valve body 204, upstream support 210 and sheet 214, in the compressed state (FIG.","9A) and the expanded (e.g., implanted) state (FIG.","9B).","FIGS.","9A-B are included at least in part in order to facilitate interpretation of the simplified schematic illustrations of the prosthetic valve assemblies of FIGS.","10A-14B.","FIG.","9A, like FIGS.","10A, 11A, 12A and 13A, shows the prosthetic valve assembly in the compressed state as if it were contained in the delivery tool thereof (e.g., tool 230), but for clarity does not show the delivery tool.","Typically, sheet 214 is attached at least to inner perimeter 211 of upstream support 210, and to an upstream end 207 of frame 206 of valve body 204.FIGS.","10A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 302, which comprises a valve body 304 comprising a first frame 306, an upstream support 310 comprising a second frame 312, and a flexible sheet 314.In the expanded state of support 310 (FIG.","10B), frame 312 defines an outer perimeter 313 and an inner perimeter 311 that defines an opening through the support.","During implantation, support 310 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve, and valve body 304 is subsequently intracorporeally coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to the support by being expanded within the opening of the support, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.","1F, mutatis mutandis.","Sheet 314 is not attached to inner perimeter 311 of frame 312, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 312 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.","For example, sheet 314 may be attached to frame 312 at outer perimeter 313.Sheet 314 is also not attached to an upstream end 307 of valve body 304.Thereby a pocket region 316 is defined between sheet 314 and at least inner perimeter 311, in which sheet 314 is not attached to frame 312 or frame 306.In the compressed state (FIG.","10A), sheet 314 is disposed alongside and outside at least part of frame 312 and at least part of frame 306.Frame 312 is configured such that when the frame is in the compressed state, inner perimeter 311 defines a downstream end of the frame (e.g., of the cylindrical shape of the frame), and outer perimeter 313 defines an upstream end.","Therefore, when frame 312 expands, the upstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the downstream end of the frame.","FIGS.","11A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 342, which comprises a valve body 344 comprising a first frame 346, an upstream support 350 comprising a second frame 352, and a flexible sheet 354.In the expanded state of support 350 (FIG.","11B), frame 352 defines an outer perimeter 353 and an inner perimeter 351 that defines an opening through the support.","During implantation, support 350 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve, and valve body 344 is subsequently intracorporeally coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to the support by being expanded within the opening of the support, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.","1F, mutatis mutandis.","Sheet 354 is not attached to inner perimeter 351 of frame 352, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 352 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.","For example, sheet 354 may be attached to frame 352 at outer perimeter 353.Sheet 354 is also not attached to an upstream end 347 of valve body 344.Thereby a pocket region 356 is defined between sheet 354 and at least inner perimeter 351, in which sheet 354 is not attached to frame 352 or frame 346.Frame 352 is configured such that when the frame is in the compressed state, the frame has a generally cylindrical shape that defines a lumen therethrough, inner perimeter 351 defines an upstream end of the frame (e.g., of the cylindrical shape of the frame), and outer perimeter 353 defines a downstream end.","Therefore, when frame 352 expands, the downstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the upstream end of the frame.","In the compressed state (FIG.","11A), sheet 354 is disposed alongside and outside of at least part of frame 346, and through at least part of the lumen defined by frame 352.FIGS.","12A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 382, which comprises a valve body 384 comprising a first frame 386, an upstream support 390 comprising a second frame 392, and a flexible sheet 394.In the expanded state of support 390 (FIG.","12B), frame 392 defines an outer perimeter 393 and an inner perimeter 391 that defines an opening through the support.","Frame 392 is coupled to frame 386 prior to implantation (e.g., assembly 382 is provided with frame 392 coupled to frame 386).","For some applications, frames 392 and 386 are integral, e.g., are defined by respective regions of a single frame.","During implantation, valve body 384 is advanced between leaflets of the native valve, and support 390 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","8B-D, mutatis mutandis.","Sheet 394 is not attached to inner perimeter 391 of frame 392, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 392 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.","For example, sheet 394 may be attached to frame 392 at outer perimeter 393.Sheet 394 is also not attached to an upstream end 387 of valve body 384.Thereby a pocket region 396 is defined between sheet 394 and at least inner perimeter 391, in which sheet 394 is not attached to frame 392 or frame 386.Assembly 382 is configured such that, in the compressed state thereof (FIG.","12A), frames 386 and 392 are generally collinear, and form a generally continuous cylinder.","Frame 392 is configured such that in the compressed state, outer perimeter 393 defines an upstream end of the frame (and thereby of assembly 382).","Therefore, when frame 392 expands, the upstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the downstream end of the frame.","In the compressed state, sheet 394 is disposed alongside and outside of at least part of frame 386, and at least part of frame 392.FIGS.","13A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 402, which comprises a valve body 404 comprising a first frame 406, an upstream support 410 comprising a second frame 412, and a flexible sheet 414.In the expanded state of support 410 (FIG.","13B), frame 412 defines an outer perimeter 413 and an inner perimeter 411 that defines an opening through the support.","Frame 412 is coupled to frame 406 prior to implantation (e.g., assembly 402 is provided with frame 412 coupled to frame 406).","For some applications, frames 412 and 406 are integral, e.g., are defined by respective regions of a single frame.","During implantation, valve body 404 is advanced between leaflets of the native valve, and support 410 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","8B-D, mutatis mutandis.","Sheet 414 is not attached to inner perimeter 411 of frame 412, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 412 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.","For example, sheet 414 may be attached to frame 412 at outer perimeter 413.Sheet 414 is also not attached to an upstream end 407 of valve body 404.Thereby a pocket region 416 is defined between sheet 414 and at least inner perimeter 411, in which sheet 414 is not attached to frame 412 or frame 406.Assembly 402 is configured such that, in the compressed state thereof (FIG.","13A), frame 412 is disposed generally alongside at least a portion of frame 406.Frame 412 is configured such that in the compressed state, outer perimeter 413 defines a downstream end of the frame.","Therefore, when frame 412 expands, the downstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the upstream end of the frame.","In the compressed state, sheet 414 is disposed alongside and outside of at least part of frame 406.FIGS.","14A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 422 an expanded state thereof, implanted at native valve 10, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Assembly 422 comprises a valve body 424 comprising a first frame 426, an upstream support 430 comprising a second frame 432, and a sheet 434.Frame 426 of valve body 424 has an upstream end 427 and a downstream end 429.In the expanded state, in the absence of external forces, an outer perimeter 433 of second frame 432 of upstream support 430 is disposed closer to downstream end 429 than is an inner perimeter 431 of the second frame.","For example, upstream support 430 may define a frustum, the larger base of which is disposed closer to downstream end 429 (and closer to a ventricular end of an atrioventricular axis) than is the smaller base of the frustum.","For some applications, the assembly is thus configured such that, when placed at the native valve, outer perimeter 433 of the upstream support contacts the upstream surface of the native valve (e.g., the valve annulus), and the inner perimeter of the upstream support does not (FIG.","14A).","For some such applications, frame 432 may be flat annular in the absence of external forces, and in the expanded state, sheet 434 retains the second frame in the frustoconical shape by inhibiting expansion of the second frame (e.g., expansion of at least outer perimeter 433 thereof).","For some applications, frame 432 curves downward toward the tissue that outer perimeter 433 contacts (configuration not shown).","Sheet 434 is not attached to inner perimeter 431 of frame 432, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 432 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.","For example, sheet 434 may be attached to frame 432 at outer perimeter 433.Sheet 434 is also not attached to upstream end 427 of valve body 424.Thereby a pocket region 436 is defined between sheet 434 and at least inner perimeter 431, in which sheet 434 is not attached to frame 432 or frame 426.For some such applications, such a configuration provides a spring functionality that allows valve body 424 to move along an atrioventricular axis while outer perimeter 433 and/or portions of sheet 434 remain in contact with tissue (FIG.","14B).","For example, assembly 422 may be implanted using techniques described with reference to FIGS.","8A-H, mutatis mutandis, and the spring functionality may allow movement of valve body 424 ventricularly during tensioning of tethers 282 while maintaining contact between outer perimeter 433 and the atrial surface.","Similarly, such a configuration may allow oscillation of valve body 424 along the atrioventricular axis (e.g., caused by beating of the heart and the resulting blood flow), while maintaining constant contact between outer perimeter 433 and the tissue.","For some applications, a compressed state of assembly 422 is as described for one or more of the prosthetic valve assemblies described with reference to FIGS.","10A-13B, mutatis mutandis.","For example, for some applications frame 426 of body 424 is coupled to frame 432 of support 430 prior to implantation (e.g., assembly 422 is provided with frame 426 coupled to frame 432), such as described for assembly 382 and/or assembly 402, mutatis mutandis.","Alternatively, frame 426 is intracorporeally coupled to frame 432, e.g., as described for assembly 302 and/or assembly 342, and/or with reference to FIG.","1F, mutatis mutandis.","For some applications, assembly 422 is implanted as described for one or more of the prosthetic valve assemblies described with respect to FIGS.","10A-13B, mutatis mutandis.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B.","As described hereinabove, in its compressed state, assembly 202 defines an articulation zone in which (a) at least part of sheet 214 is disposed, and (b) neither frame 206 of body 204 nor frame 212 of support 210 is disposed, and about which body 204 and support 210 are articulatable with respect to each other.","It is to be noted that in their compressed states, assemblies 302 and 342 also define respective articulation zones 336, 376.For each assembly, at least part of the respective sheet is disposed in the articulation zone, neither the respective frame of the valve body nor the respective frame of the support is disposed in the articulation zone, and the respective valve body and support are articulatable with respect to each other, about the articulation zone.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","10A-B, 11A-B, 12A-B, 13A-B, and 14A-B.","As described hereinabove, assemblies 302, 342, 382, 402 and 422 each define a respective pocket region between the respective sheet and at least the inner perimeter of the frame of the upstream support.","As also described hereinabove, (e.g., with reference to assembly 202), placement of the flexible sheet of the prosthetic valve assembly in contact with tissue provides stabilized contact with the tissue, and thereby improves tissue growth and sealing.","Provision of a pocket region such as those described hereinabove is hypothesized to further improve sealing (e.g., by further facilitating tissue growth).","For example, such configurations (1) may provide a greater surface area of the flexible sheet and/or a greater tissue-contact area of the sheet (e.g., due to an angle of the sheet), and/or (2) may hold the flexible sheet under less tension (e.g., compared to assembly 202), such that the sheet is freer to move with movement of the valve assembly and/or tissue, thereby dampening movements that may otherwise inhibit tissue growth and/or sealing.","This is illustrated in FIGS.","14A-B, which show an example of the contact between flexible sheet 434 and tissue (e.g., leaflets 14).","For some applications, the sheet is elastic, so as to further facilitate maintenance of contact despite movement of the frames of the prosthetic valve assembly with respect to the native valve.","As described hereinabove, the respective pocket region of each assembly 302, 342, 382, 402 and 422 is defined by the manner in which the sheet of the assembly is coupled to the frames of the assembly.","When the assembly is in the expanded state thereof, the sheet is typically frustoconical and/or funnel-shaped.","This shape is defined by a lateral wall (i.e., the sheet itself), and first and second apertures (at either end of the shape), the first aperture being larger than the second aperture.","A portion of the sheet that defines the first aperture is circumferentially attached to the frame of the upstream support at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter of the support.","A portion of the sheet that defines the second aperture is circumferentially attached to the frame of the valve body at a longitudinal site that is closer to a downstream end of the valve body than is the longitudinal site at which the upstream support is coupled to the valve body.","For some applications, the sheet extends radially past the radius at which it is coupled to the upstream support.","As described hereinabove, for some applications the sheet is coupled to the upstream support at an outer perimeter of the upstream support.","For some applications, the sheet extends radially past the outer perimeter of the upstream support.","Reference is made to FIGS.","15A-C, which are schematic illustrations of a tool 460 for facilitating application of force between prosthetic valve assembly 202 and guide members 256 (e.g., tethers 282 thereof), in accordance with some applications of the invention.","For some applications, tool 460 serves as a tension-detector tool.","For some applications, tool 460 alternatively or additionally serves as a tension-applicator tool.","The boxes on the right-hand side of FIGS.","15A-C shows assembly 202 being implanted at native valve 10, as described hereinabove.","The box of FIG.","15A shows assembly 202 having been deployed (e.g., delivered and expanded) at the native valve, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.","8D.","The box of FIG.","15B shows tethers 282 of guide members 256 having been tensioned with respect to assembly 202, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.","8E.","The box of FIG.","15C shows tubular member 280 of each guide member 256 having been withdrawn proximally so as to (1) facilitate locking of the respective locking member 262 to its respective tether 282, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.","8F, and (2) decouple pull-wire 284 from tether 282, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.","8G.","The left-hand side of FIGS.","15A-C shows (1) a proximal end of system 200 (e.g., a proximal end of delivery tool 230 thereof, e.g., including a handle 231 thereof), including a proximal portion of pull-wire 284, a proximal portion of tubular member 280, and a proximal portion of reference-force tube 260, and (2) tool 460 coupled to the proximal portion of pull-wire 284 and the proximal portion of reference-force tube 260.The left-hand side of FIGS.","15A-C shows one tool 460 being used with one pull-wire 284, tubular member 280, tube 260 and tool 460 (and one handle 231).","However it is to be noted that tool 460 is typically used with each guide member (e.g., each tether 282), either sequentially, or by providing more than one tool 460 for use at generally the same time.","Tool 460 comprises a pull-wire-coupling element 462, configured to be coupled to the proximal portion of pull-wire 284 (e.g., to a grip 464 of the pull-wire), and a reference-force-tube-coupling element 466, configured to be coupled to the proximal portion of reference-force tube 260 (e.g., to a grip 468 of the tubular member).","Coupling elements 462 and 466 are coupled to each other via an adjustment member 470 that facilitates adjustment of a distance between the coupling elements.","Adjustment member 470 may comprise screw threads, a ratchet mechanism, or any other suitable adjustment mechanism.","Pull-wire-coupling element 462 is coupled to the proximal portion of pull-wire 284 (e.g., to a grip 464 of the pull-wire), and reference-force-tube-coupling element 466 is coupled to the proximal portion of reference-force tube 260 (e.g., to a grip 468 of the tubular member), typically subsequently to delivery of prosthetic valve assembly 202 to the native valve (FIG.","15A).","A distance d7 exists between coupling elements 462 and 466.Subsequently, adjustment member 470 is used (e.g., actuated) so as to change (e.g., increase) the distance between coupling elements 462 and 466 (FIG.","15B; distance d8).","This reduces the length of tether 282 that is disposed distal to the distal end of reference-force tube 260, (and thereby the length of the tether that is disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48), thereby applying tension to the tether).","Typically, a length indicator 471 (e.g., a rule) is provided on tool 460 that indicates the change in length that has been made.","Further typically, tool 460 comprises a force detector 472 that detects and displays a force differential (e.g., a linear force differential) between coupling elements 462 and 466, and thereby provides an indication of the tensile state of tether 282.When a desired tensile state of tether 282 has been achieved (e.g., an absolute value and/or a value relative to other detected forces, such as the tensile state of the other tether 282), the tension is fixed, and pull-wire 284 is decoupled from tether 282 (FIG.","15C).","As described with reference to FIG.","8F, this is achieved by withdrawing tubular member 280 proximally with respect to tether 282, pull-wire 284 and locking member 262.FIG.","15C shows a proximal portion of tubular member 280 (e.g., a grip 474 thereof) being withdrawn proximally with respect to (1) pull-wire 284 (and therefore with respect to tether 282 to which the pull-wire is coupled), and (2) reference-force tube 260 (and therefore with respect to locking member 262 which the distal end of the reference-force tube abuts).","This is illustrated by a distance d10 between grips 468 and 474 in FIG.","15C, which is greater than a distance d9 between grips 468 and 474 in FIG.","15B.","This thereby facilitates (1) locking of locking member 262 to tether 282, and (2) subsequently (i.e., after further proximal withdrawal of the tubular member), decoupling of pull-wire 284 from the tether.","For some applications, this is performed by one continuous movement of tubular member 280.For some applications, visual and/or tactile indicators allow the operating physician to lock locking member 262 to tether 282 without decoupling pull-wire 284 from the tether.","This may advantageously allow the physician to further increase the tension on the tether (e.g., by using the ratchet functionality described with reference to FIG.","8F) before decoupling the pull-wire from the tether.","Although tool 460 is described hereinabove for facilitating implantation of assembly 202, the tool may also be used, mutatis mutandis, in combination with other systems described herein, such as system 40 described hereinabove and/or assembly 552 described hereinbelow (e.g., for tensioning tethers 582 thereof).","Reference is now made to FIG.","16, which is a schematic illustration of a system 480 comprising a prosthetic valve assembly 482 and one or more springs 484 via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors 48, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","For illustrative purposes, system 480 is shown as comprising system 200 (e.g., comprising prosthetic valve assembly 202), described hereinabove, with the addition of springs 484.However it is to be noted that the techniques described with reference to FIG.","16 may alternatively or additionally be used to facilitate implantation of other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein, mutatis mutandis (e.g., springs 484 may be added to other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein).","Each spring 484 is disposed outside of valve body 204, typically laterally outside the valve body, and further typically between eyelet 222 and locking member 262 (e.g., coupling the eyelet to the locking member).","For example, and as shown, spring 484 may have a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with lumen 208 of the valve body.","When reference-force tube 260 provides the reference force to locking member 262 during tensioning of guide member 256 (e.g., tether 282 thereof), the reference force is transferred via spring 484.Typically spring 484 serves as a compression spring, such that increasing tension on guide member 256 (e.g., the tether 282 thereof) compresses the spring.","For some applications, spring 484 provides an indication of a state of the spring that is observable and recognizable using imaging techniques (e.g., fluoroscopy).","That is, spring 484 is configured to change shape in response to a force applied to it, in a manner that is observable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.","This functionality therefore provides intracorporeal measurement of tension on tether 282 (in a manner that is itself observable extracorporeally).","It is hypothesized that for some applications, this intracorporeal measurement advantageously detects the tension with reduced interference (e.g., noise) that may be present in extracorporeal measurement techniques.","For example, for some applications, extracorporeal measurement of the tension by extracorporeally measuring tension on pull-wire 284 (e.g., tension with respect to reference-force tube 260) may be inhibited by interference by inherent elasticity of the pull-wire and other elements of the system, and by friction between elements of the system.","For some applications, the shape of spring 484 alone provides the tension indication.","For such applications, spring 484 may be coated with a radiopaque material such as tantalum.","For some applications, spring 484 has (e.g., comprises and/or is coupled to) one or more radiopaque markers 486, and the juxtaposition of the markers facilitates extracorporeal detection of the shape of the spring.","For example, when spring 484 serves as a compression spring, a reduction of a distance d11 (compare d11 to d11′) between adjacent markers 486 indicates an increase in tension on tether 282.For some applications, an intracorporeal reference (e.g., a scale) 488 is provided, to facilitate identification of shape change of spring 484 (e.g., to facilitate quantification of the shape change by (1) comparing the position of markers 486 to reference 488, and/or (2) comparing the juxtaposition of markers 486 to the juxtaposition of elements of the scale.","For example, and as shown in FIG.","16, scale 488 may itself also comprise a plurality of radiopaque markers 490 disposed on valve body 204 (e.g., coupled to frame 206) at known (e.g., regular) intervals, and distance d11 (observed using fluoroscopy) is compared to a distance d12 between adjacent markers 490 (observed using fluoroscopy) in order to determine the actual change in distance d11.That is, an observed relative change between d11 and d12 is used to determine an actual absolute change in d11.For some applications, spring 484 also alters the relationship between (a) changes in the length of tether 282 disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48 and (b) tension on the tether.","For example, for system 200 described hereinabove (i.e., in the absence of spring 484), starting with slack on tether 282 between the eyelet and the anchor, as the length of the tether between the eyelet and the anchor is reduced, tension on tether 282 may remain constant and low despite the reduction in the length of the tether, until the tether encounters resistance provided by tissue anchor 48, at which point tension increases relatively quickly for every unit reduction in length.","For system 480 (i.e., using spring 484), the relationship between (a) the length of tether 282 disposed between the eyelet and the anchor, and (b) the tension on the tether, is smoother (e.g., the transition between before and after resistance from the anchor is encountered is smoother).","That is, spring 484 absorbs some of the applied tensile force and in exchange provides additional length to the tether.","This is hypothesized to advantageously provide more flexibility to the operating physician to adjust the length of tether 282 disposed between the eyelet and the anchor, with reduced changes to tension on the tether.","For some applications, spring 484 is configured so as to provide a desired tension (e.g., a desired resistance) over a range of lengths of tether 282 (e.g., over a range of compression states of the spring).","That is, the spring constant of the spring is sufficiently low that a change in resistance is minimized per unit length change.","For example, the spring constant may be less than 50 g/mm.","For some applications, the desired tension is above 300 g force and/or below 700 g force, e.g., above 400 g force, and/or below 600 g force, such as between 400 g force and 600 g force, e.g., about 500 g force.","For example, a desired target tether tension may be 500 g force, and spring 484 may be configured to provide, over a range of compression states of the spring, resistance that results in a tether tension that is within a margin tension (e.g., within 200 g force, such as within 100 g force) of the target force.","For some applications, spring 484 is configured to provide a distinct indication, observable using fluoroscopy, when the spring experiences a force that is within a margin force (i.e., a force that corresponds to being within the margin tension).","For example, spring 484 may undergo (e.g., suddenly undergo) a more obvious shape change when such a force is experienced.","For some applications, spring 484 is configured to act as a constant-force spring or similar, so as to facilitate the behavior described above.","For some applications, spring 484 is pre-loaded (e.g., pre-tensioned or pre-compressed).","Reference is made to FIG.","17, which is a schematic illustration of a system 500 comprising a prosthetic valve assembly 502 and one or more springs 504 via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors 48, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","For illustrative purposes, system 500 is shown as comprising system 200 (e.g., comprising prosthetic valve assembly 202), described hereinabove, with the addition of springs 504.However it is to be noted that the techniques described with reference to FIG.","17 may alternatively or additionally be used to facilitate implantation of other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein, mutatis mutandis (e.g., springs 504 may be added to other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein).","Each spring 504 is disposed outside of valve body 204, typically laterally outside the valve body, and further typically is disposed functionally between locking member 262 and anchor 48 (e.g., between locking member 262 and eyelet 222, or between eyelet 222 and anchor 48.For some applications, and as shown, spring 504 is a cantilever spring, and may be defined by a protrusion of frame 206 that extends away (e.g., laterally away) from valve body 204.That is, spring 504 may comprise an elastically-deformable appendage.","For some applications, the protrusion is shaped to define a loop 506 that provides spring 504 with constant-force-spring functionality.","Typically, spring 504 provides similar functionality to spring 484, described hereinabove, mutatis mutandis.","For example, for some applications, spring 504 provides an indication of a state of the spring that is observable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.","That is, spring 504 is configured to change shape in response to a force applied to it, in a manner that is detectable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.","For some applications, spring 504 also alters the relationship between (a) the length of tether 282 disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48 and (b) tension on the tether, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to spring 484, mutatis mutandis.","Reference is made to FIGS.","18A-B, which are schematic illustrations of springs coupled to tether 282 so as to elastically couple tissue anchor 48 (e.g., a tissue-engaging element 49 thereof) to prosthetic valve assembly 202 (e.g., to valve body 204 thereof), in accordance with some applications of the invention.","FIG.","18A shows a spring 520 disposed partway along tether 282.FIG.","18B shows a spring 530, one end of which is coupled to anchor 48 (e.g., to an anchor head 47 thereof) and the other end of which is coupled to tether 282.Springs 520 and 530 are typically tension springs.","For some applications, spring 530 is rigidly coupled to anchor head 47.For illustrative purposes, springs 520 and 530 are shown being used with system 200 (e.g., with prosthetic valve assembly 202), described hereinabove.","However it is to be noted that the techniques described with reference to FIGS.","18A-B may alternatively or additionally be used to facilitate implantation of other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein, mutatis mutandis.","Typically, springs 520 and 530 provide similar functionality to springs 484 and 504, described hereinabove, mutatis mutandis.","For example, for some applications, springs 520 and 530 provide an indication of a state of the spring that is observable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.","That is, the springs are configured to change shape in response to a force applied to them, in a manner that is detectable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.","For some applications, springs 520 and 530 also alter the relationship between (a) the length of tether 282 disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48 and (b) tension on the tether, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to springs 484 and 504, mutatis mutandis.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","16, and 18A-B.","Springs 484, 520 and 530 are shown as helical springs.","However it is to be noted that each of these springs may have a shape other than a helix.","For example, each of these springs may have a zigzag shape.","For some applications, the use of a spring that defines a repeating (e.g., oscillating) pattern such as a helix or a zigzag facilitates fluoroscopic identification of the state of the spring.","For example, whereas a linear elastically-stretchable member (e.g., a strip of elastic rubber) remains linear when stretched, the shape of a helical or zigzag spring changes as force increases.","Reference is made to FIGS.","19A-B, which are schematic illustrations of a system 700 for facilitating delivery of a prosthetic valve body 702, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","System 700 comprises a delivery tool 704 that comprises a distal housing 706, configured to house valve body 702 in a compressed state thereof, a proximal portion 708, and a flexible longitudinal portion 710 (e.g., a catheter) therebetween.","Proximal portion 708 typically comprises a handle 712.Housing 706 is configured to be transluminally advanced to the heart of the subject (e.g., as described herein, mutatis mutandis, while proximal portion 708 remains outside the body of the subject.","Proximal portion 708 (e.g., handle 712 thereof) comprises a force detector 716 that detects a force between (a) the proximal portion, and (b) housing 706 and/or valve body 702 coupled thereto.","Typically, force detector 716 detects tension.","That is, the force detector detects resistance of valve body 702 to a proximally-directed force applied by tool 704 (e.g., when tool 704 is moved proximally).","Housing 706 is advanced through native valve 10 and into ventricle 8, and valve body 702 is partly advanced out of the housing, and automatically expands toward an expanded state (FIG.","19A).","Valve body 702 is coupled to a plurality of tissue-engaging elements (e.g., tissue-engaging legs) 714 that protrude radially out from the valve body when exposed from housing 706.Tissue-engaging elements 714 are configured to engage leaflets 14 of the native valve, thereby facilitating anchoring of the valve body.","Typically system 700 is used for implantation of valve body 702 at a native valve at which a prosthetic valve support (e.g., an upstream support) has already been delivered, and to which the valve body is intracorporeally coupled (e.g., as described elsewhere herein).","For example, and as shown in FIGS.","19A-B, system 700 may be used to implant valve body at native valve 10 after implantation of support 42 at the native valve.","As described with reference to FIGS.","1A-D, support 42 is secured against the upstream surface of native valve 10 by being anchored, via tethers (e.g., longitudinal members 102), to ventricular muscle tissue.","(The tethers are not visible in FIGS.","19A-B.)","Pulling housing 706 and valve body 702 proximally (i.e., atrially) while tissue-engaging elements 714 are protruding pushes the tissue-engaging elements against leaflets 14, reducing a height of a gap between the tissue-engaging elements and support 42, and sandwiching the leaflets against the support (FIG.","19B).","Resistance to proximal movement of valve body 702 (e.g., due to support 42 and leaflets 14) is detected and displayed by force detector 716.The operating physician is thereby able to couple valve body 702 to support 42 (e.g., by fully deploying the valve body within the opening defined by the support) while a desired degree of tension is observed.","The coupling of the valve body to the support fixes the degree of tension, such that leaflets 14 remain sandwiched, and the valve body remains secured to the native valve.","For some applications, alternatively or additionally to using extracorporeal force detector 716, the force encountered by tissue-engaging elements 714 is observed using fluoroscopy (e.g., by observing a shape and/or position of the tissue-engaging elements).","For such applications, the tissue-engaging elements are typically configured to facilitate such observation, as described herein for various springs.","For some applications, elements 714 are configured (e.g., shaped) to define a loop, e.g., as described hereinabove for springs 504, mutatis mutandis.","For some applications, valve body 702 is coupled via tethers to tissue anchors that are anchored to ventricular muscle tissue, as described elsewhere herein.","For some such applications, a spring couples the valve body to each tissue anchor (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","16-18B, mutatis mutandis).","For some applications in which a spring couples the valve body to each tissue anchor, reducing the height of the gap automatically (and typically immediately) alters a force on the spring (e.g., when the valve body is locked to the tether before reducing the height of the gap).","For some applications in which a spring couples the valve body to each tissue anchor, reducing the height of the gap does not necessarily alter the force on the spring (e.g., when the valve body is slidably couplable to the tether until after the height is reduced, and is subsequently locked to the tether.","For example, tool 230 and/or tool 460 may be used, mutatis mutandis, to measure and control tension and length of the tether until the valve body is locked to the tether.","It is to be noted that the above technique may be used for prosthetic valve assemblies in which the valve body is pre-coupled to the upstream support, mutatis mutandis.","For such applications, the proximal pulling force is not a sandwiching force, but rather is a testing force, typically used in combination with another testing force, e.g., as described hereinbelow, e.g., with reference to FIG.","20.Reference is made to FIG.","20, which is a schematic illustration showing examples in which force measurements described herein may be combined to facilitate implantation of a prosthetic valve, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Each apparatus and technique described herein for measuring force (e.g., tension) is described in a particular context (e.g., with reference to a particular prosthetic valve assembly, prosthetic valve body, and/or support) for the purpose of clarity.","It is to be understood that the apparatus and techniques described in one context may be used to measure force in another context (e.g., to facilitate controlled implantation of a different prosthetic valve assembly, prosthetic valve body, and/or support), and may be combined with one or more of the other apparatus and/or techniques.","FIG.","20 shows examples of combinations of apparatus and techniques described herein, which include: (1) Extracorporeal detection of tension on tethers (box 722).","This is described, for example, with reference to force detector 472 of tool 460 of FIGS.","15A-C. (2) Extracorporeal detection of atrially-directed force of valve-mounted tissue-engaging elements against tissue (e.g., leaflets or annulus) of the native valve (box 742).","This is described, for example, with reference to FIGS.","19A-B.","(3) Extracorporeal detection of sandwiching force (box 720).","That is, extracorporeal detection of the force of tissue-engaging elements coupled to the valve body against the native valve tissue and/or the upstream support.","This is described, for example, (a) with reference to FIGS.","19A-B, and (b) with reference to force detector 472 of tool 460 (FIGS.","15A-C) being used to augment the apparatus and facilitate the techniques described with reference to FIGS.","21A-B.","(4) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of tension on tethers (724).","This is described, for example, with reference to the springs described with reference to FIGS.","16, 17, and 18A-B.","(5) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of atrially-directed force of valve-mounted tissue-engaging elements against tissue (e.g., leaflets or annulus) of the native valve (box 744).","This is described, for example, with reference to FIGS.","19A-B.","(6) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of sandwiching force (box 726).","This is described, for example, with reference to one or more of the springs described with reference to FIGS.","16, 17, and 18A-B being used to augment the apparatus and facilitate the techniques described with reference to FIGS.","21A-B.","(7) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of ventricularly-directed force of the upstream support against the native annulus (box 728).","For some applications, this is achieved by using imaging (e.g., fluoroscopy) to extracorporeally observe intracorporeal changes in the shape of the upstream support (e.g., changes described with reference to FIGS.","8D-E, 14A-B, and/or 15A-B), in a similar manner to that described for extracorporeally observing changes in the shape of springs (e.g., described with reference to FIGS.","16, 17, and 18A-B), mutatis mutandis.","It is hypothesized that combining two or more of the force-measurement techniques described herein may provide synergistic benefits when implanting an implant (e.g., a prosthetic valve assembly, prosthetic valve body, and/or prosthetic valve support), so as to facilitate controlled implantation (box 730).","The ability to control various forces that secure the implant allows, inter alia, the forces to be spread as desired by the operating physician.","For example, it may be desirable: that tension is equally (or otherwise) distributed between the tethers, that tension on a given tether is optimized (discussed hereinbelow), that, during operation of the valve, resistance to a force that pushes the valve body in an atrial direction (e.g., during ventricular systole) is optimally balanced between the various anchoring elements, such as between (a) tissue anchors 48 and tethers coupled thereto and (b) other tissue-engaging elements (e.g., tissue-engaging elements 714 (FIGS.","19A-B) or tissue-engaging elements 580 (FIGS.","21A-B), thereby balancing the anchoring forces between different tissue sites, and/or that sandwiching forces are greater than, equal to, or less than the tensile force provided by the tethers.","It is to be noted that the example combinations provided hereinabove are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting.","As described hereinabove, it may be desirable to that tension on a given tether is optimized.","For example, it may be desirable that tension on the given tether to be maximized within a tension range that is known to be supported by (1) the tissue anchor to which the tether is coupled, and (2) the tissue to which the tissue anchor is anchored.","For some applications, subsequently to anchoring the tissue anchor, the operating physician applies a testing pulling force to the tissue anchor.","The testing pulling force is used to confirm that the anchored tissue anchor is capable of supporting an overload tension that is greater than an expected tension that it is expected that the anchor will encounter during operation.","The expected tension may be determined at least in part based on possible ventricular blood pressure and the cross-sectional area of the lumen of the valve body.","For some applications, the testing pulling force is applied (e.g., via the tether or via the anchor manipulator), and movement of the tissue anchor is observed using imaging, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","1A-B).","For some applications, the testing pulling force is applied while measuring tension using an extracorporeal force detector such as detector 472 (FIGS.","15A-C), mutatis mutandis.","For some applications, the testing pulling force is applied by applying tension to the tether, and the tension is measured using intracorporeal springs and fluoroscopy, as described hereinabove, mutatis mutandis.","It is to be noted that, for such applications, the same technique is used (1) to confirm that the anchored tissue anchor is capable of supporting the overload tension, and (2) to facilitate the application of the tension (e.g., the anchoring tension) that will be fixed when the locking member is locked to the tether.","As described hereinabove, it may be desirable that, during operation of the valve, resistance to a force that pushes the valve body in an atrial direction (e.g., during ventricular systole) is optimally balanced between the various anchoring elements.","For some applications, the following technique is used: (1) Anchor at least one tissue anchor coupled to a respective at least one tether (e.g., within guide members).","(2) Advance a valve body that comprises at least one tissue-engaging element (e.g., a tissue-engaging leg) over at least part of the tether (e.g., by advancing over a guide member), such that a length of the tether is disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchor.","Examples of such tissue-engaging elements are described with reference to FIGS.","19A-B and 21A-B.","The valve body may or may not be pre-coupled to an upstream support.","(3) Apply a first tension to the tether (measured intracorporeally or extracorporeally).","(4) Apply proximal pulling force to the valve body such that the tissue-engaging element applies force against tissue of the native valve, such as leaflets and/or annulus.","This pulling typically automatically increases the tension on the tether.","(5) While applying the proximal pulling force, intracorporeally and/or extracorporeally measure (a) force of tissue-engaging element against tissue, and (b) tension on the tether (e.g., the change in tension on the tether caused by the proximal pulling.","(6) At least in part based on measurements (a) and (b) of step 5, adjust the length of the tether disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchor, and/or lock the valve body to the tether (i.e., fix the length of the tether disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchor).","It is hypothesized that the above technique provides a prediction of the force distribution between the various anchoring elements that will exist during operation of the prosthetic valve assembly (e.g., during the lifetime thereof).","For example, the technique provides a prediction of force distribution between the ventricular anchors and the valve-mounted tissue-engaging elements if/when atrially-directed force increases (e.g., as will be encountered during ventricular systole and/or increases in systemic blood pressure).","Based on this indication, the technique facilitates adjustment of this distribution, via adjustment of the length of tethers disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchors.","Reference is made to FIGS.","21A-B, which are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly 552, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Prosthetic valve assembly 552 comprises (1) a prosthetic valve body 554, which comprises a first frame 556 (e.g., a wire frame), and is shaped to define a lumen therethrough, (2) an annular upstream support 560, which comprises a second frame 562 (e.g., a wire frame), is shaped to define an opening through the upstream support, and is configured to be placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of native valve 10 (e.g., of an annulus thereof), and (3) a flexible sheet 564 that couples the first frame to the second frame.","FIG.","21A shows assembly 552 in an expanded state thereof (e.g., in the absence of external forces, such as if the assembly were resting on a table surface).","In the expanded state of assembly 552 (and thereby of body 554), frame 556 of body 554 is generally cylindrical, and has a diameter d13.In the expanded state of assembly 552 (and thereby of upstream support 560), frame 562 of support 560 is typically generally annular, and has an outer perimeter 563 that has a diameter d14, which is greater than diameter d13.Assembly 552 comprises one or more tissue-engaging elements 580 (e.g., legs) that protrude radially outward from valve body 554 so as to define a diameter d15, which is greater than diameter d13.Typically, and as shown in FIGS.","21A-B, frame 556 of body 554 is shaped to define tissue-engaging elements 580.Assembly 552 further comprises one or more tensioning elements (e.g., contraction wires) such as one or more tethers 582, a first portion (e.g., a distal end) of each tether being coupled to valve body 554, and a second portion of each tether being coupled (e.g., slidably coupled) to a portion of assembly 552 that is configured to be placed upstream of valve body 554.For example, and as shown, the second portion of each tether 582 may be slidably coupled to an upstream region of sheet 564.Alternatively or additionally, the second portion of each tether 582 may be slidably coupled to frame 562 of support 560.For some applications, this is facilitated by frame 562 being shaped to define one or more respective protrusions that protrude radially inward from the annular shape of the frame, to the site at which each tether 582 is shown in FIG.","21A passing through the sheet.","For some applications, except for (1) the presence of tissue-engaging elements 580 and tethers 582, and (2) the absence of eyelets 222, assembly 552 is identical to (e.g., comprises the same components as, and/or has identical functionality to) assembly 202, described hereinabove.","Identically-named components of system 202 and system 552 are typically identical in structure and/or function.","For some applications, assembly 202 comprises tissue-engaging elements 580 and/or tethers 582.For some applications, assembly 552 comprises eyelets 222 and/or locking members 262 for sliding over and locking to guide members.","Both support 560 of assembly 552 and support 210 of assembly 202 may be flat annular (e.g., as shown for support 210) or frustoconical (as shown for support 560).","FIG.","21B shows assembly 552 being implanted.","Following transluminal delivery to native heart valve 10, valve body 554 is typically deployed first (i.e., before support 560), as shown in state A of FIG.","21B.","For some applications, valve body is deployed sufficiently far into the ventricle that tissue-engaging elements 580 can expand freely without interfering with leaflets 14 of the native valve, and valve assembly is subsequently moved atrially into the position shown in state A of FIG.","21B.","Subsequently, upstream support 560 is deployed, e.g., by a delivery housing 584 thereof being retracted (state B of FIG.","21B).","Support 560 becomes placed against the upstream (e.g., atrial) surface of native valve 10, such as against the annulus of the valve and/or against the upstream surface of native leaflets 14.Typically, immediately subsequently to deployment of body 554 and support 560, assembly 552 has a total height d16 from a proximal end of support 560 to a distal end of body 554 (e.g., a height along an atrioventricular axis), and a distance d17 (e.g., a gap) measured along the height exists between a distal end of frame 562 and a proximal-most part of frame 556 (e.g., tissue-engaging elements 580 defined by the frame).","Subsequently, tethers 582 are tensioned so as to draw support 560 and body 554 closer to each other, thereby reducing the total height of assembly 552 to height d18, and reducing the distance between the distal end of frame 562 and the proximal-most part of frame 556 to a distance d19 (state C of FIG.","21B).","This moves body 554 and tissue-engaging elements 580 closer to leaflets 14, thereby sandwiching the leaflets between the tissue-engaging elements and support 560, and thereby anchoring assembly 552 at the native valve.","Sheet 564 maintains fluid communication (e.g., sealed fluid communication) through assembly 202, while also allowing the described contraction of the assembly.","Typically, this characteristic is due to sheet 564 having tensile strength, but not compressive strength, and therefore rumpling when tethers 582 are tensioned.","Tensioning of tethers 582 may be accomplished by any suitable technique.","For some applications, the tensioning is performed using control rods 86 and locking members 110, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","1C-D, mutatis mutandis.","For some applications, the tensioning is performed using reference-force tubes and locking members, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","7B-8H, mutatis mutandis.","For some applications, support 560 comprises a ratchet mechanism that facilitates the tensioning by allowing only one-way movement of tether 582 through the support.","For some applications, assembly 552 comprises a spool mechanism for each tether, and tensioning is performed by rotating the spool mechanism.","For some applications, assembly 552 has a compressed state (e.g., for transluminal delivery) in which the assembly defines an articulation zone between frames 556 and 562, e.g., as described hereinabove for assembly 202, mutatis mutandis.","For some application, one or more of the techniques described hereinabove may be used to (1) control applied to tethers 582, and/or (2) facilitate intracorporeal measurement of tension on the tethers (and optionally fluoroscopic detection of that measurement).","For example, assembly 552 may comprise a tension spring midway along each tether 582, and/or may comprise a compression spring at the coupling point of support 560 and the tether (e.g., between the support and a locking member 262 configured to lock a respective tether to the support).","Alternatively or additionally, for applications in which the tensioning is performed using reference-force tubes and locking members (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.","7B-8H), tool 460 may be used, mutatis mutandis, to extracorporeally detect the tension applied to tethers 582.Reference is made to FIGS.","22A-B, which are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly 602, comprising a prosthetic valve 603 having a tubular valve body 604 that comprises an upstream portion 606, a downstream portion 608, and an elastic portion 610 disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Prosthetic valve 603 (e.g., valve body 604 thereof) is shaped to define a continuous lumen through portions 606, 610, and 608.Prosthetic valve 603 is configured to be implanted at native valve 10 such that upstream portion 606 is disposed in atrium 6 of the heart of the subject, and such that downstream portion 608 is disposed in ventricle 8 of the heart of the subject.","For example, prosthetic valve 603 may be coupled to a prosthetic valve support 612 that has been previously placed against (e.g., coupled to) to the native valve, and that defines an opening.","Support 612 may comprise (1) a support described elsewhere herein (e.g., support 42 described with reference to FIGS.","1A-F and 19A-B, support 310 described with reference to FIGS.","10A-B, and/or support 350, described with reference to FIGS.","11A-B, and/or (2) a support described in U.S.","Provisional Patent application 61/756,034 to HaCohen et al., from which the present application claims priority, and which is incorporated herein by reference.","For some applications, and as shown in FIG.","22B, prosthetic valve support 612 comprises one or more tissue-engaging elements 618, an annular upstream support portion 620, and a flexible stabilizing member 622, such as a stabilizing band, coupled to the tissue-engaging elements, and configured to form a ring that is shaped to define an opening therethrough.","Tissue-engaging elements 618 may comprise, as shown in FIGS.","22A-B, clips configured to be coupled to leaflets 14 of the native valve.","Tubular valve body 604 typically comprises a frame 614, such as a stent-like wire frame.","As shown in FIG.","22A, prosthetic valve 603 typically further comprises a covering 616, disposed over (e.g., covering) an inner surface of frame 614, thereby providing a sealed lumen from an upstream end to a downstream end of the tubular valve body.","Typically, an excess of covering 616 is provided in the vicinity of elastic portion 610, so as to facilitate elastic stretching of the elastic portion.","Typically, prosthetic valve 603 comprises an expandable prosthetic valve, and is deployed such that it (1) expands within the opening defined by upstream support portion 620 and/or the opening defined by stabilizing member 622, (2) applies a radially-expansive force against the upstream support portion and/or the stabilizing member, and (3) thereby becomes coupled thereto.","Typically, and as shown in FIG.","22B, downstream portion 608 is expanded and coupled to stabilizing member 622 before upstream portion 606 is expanded and coupled to upstream support portion 620.While downstream portion 608 is coupled to member 622, and before upstream portion 606 is coupled to portion 620, elastic portion 610 may be stretched and compressed e.g., such as by moving upstream portion 606 further upstream and downstream.","Such stretching and compressing changes a length of prosthetic valve 603, and for some applications, facilitates the coupling of a pre-determined portion of the prosthetic valve (e.g., of upstream portion 606) to upstream support portion 620, irrespective, to some degree, of (a) a distance between tissue-engaging elements 618 and upstream support portion 620, and/or (b) a dimension of native valve 10 (e.g., a length of leaflets 14).","For some applications, such stretching and compressing adjusts a degree of tension of elastic portion 610, and may alternatively or additionally facilitate “tightening” of leaflets 14 against the implanted apparatus, such as drawing of the leaflets toward upstream support portion 620.For some applications, prosthetic valve 603 may be used in combination with other apparatus and techniques described herein.","For example, valve body 604 may be substituted for another valve body described herein, mutatis mutandis, including valve bodies that are described herein as being intracorporeally coupled to an upstream support, and valve bodies that are described herein as being provided pre-coupled to an upstream support (either directly, or via a flexible sheet).","Reference is made to FIGS.","23-24, which are schematic illustrations of respective systems for facilitating anchoring of a tissue anchor in the heart of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention.","Each system comprises a delivery tool that comprises (1) a steerable catheter configured to be transluminally advanced to the heart of the subject (e.g., via sheath 46), and (2) an obstructing element disposed at a longitudinal site of the catheter, and configured to extend laterally (e.g., radially) outward from the catheter so as to inhibit movement of at least the longitudinal site of the catheter through the heart valve by abutting tissue of the heart valve.","FIG.","23 shows a system 640, comprising a delivery tool 642 that comprises a catheter 644 and an obstructing element 646.Obstructing element 646 is typically collapsible for transluminal delivery (e.g., via sheath 46), and expandable in atrium 6 of the heart.","For some applications, element 646 is configured to expand automatically upon becoming exposed from the distal end of sheath 46.Obstructing element 646 is disposed at a longitudinal site 648 of catheter 644, and is dimensioned, when in the expanded state thereof, to not pass through native valve 10 (i.e., between leaflets 14 of the native valve).","When a distal end 645 of the catheter is extended through native valve 10, obstructing element 646 abuts the atrial surface of the native valve (e.g., one or more leaflets, or the annulus), and thereby inhibits movement of at least longitudinal site 648 of the catheter from passing through the valve.","Therefore a known length d20 of catheter 644 (i.e., the length between longitudinal site 648 and distal end 645) is disposed downstream of the atrial surface of valve 10.Distal end 645 is thereby placeable against ventricular tissue at ventricular sites that are disposed at a distance from the atrial surface (e.g., from a portion of the atrial surface that element 646 abuts) that is generally equal to d20.A distal portion 652 of catheter 644, disposed distal to longitudinal site 648, is typically steerable, so as to facilitate placement of distal end 645 against many (e.g., any) ventricular site that is disposed at that distance from the atrial surface.","A tissue anchor 48 is advanced through catheter 644 using an anchor manipulator 650, and anchored to tissue at the ventricular site at which distal end 645 is disposed.","Typically, little or none of anchor 48 or manipulator 650 becomes exposed from distal end 645 during anchoring.","FIG.","24 shows a system 660, comprising a delivery tool 662 that comprises a catheter 664 and an obstructing element 666.Obstructing element 666 is typically collapsible for transluminal delivery (e.g., via sheath 46), and expandable in atrium 6 of the heart, and may be identical to obstructing element 646, described hereinabove.","For some applications, element 666 is configured to expand automatically upon becoming exposed from the distal end of sheath 46.Obstructing element 666 is disposed at a longitudinal site 668 of catheter 664, and is dimensioned, when in the expanded state thereof, to not pass through native valve 10 (i.e., between leaflets 14 of the native valve).","When a distal end 665 of the catheter is extended through native valve 10, obstructing element 666 abuts the atrial surface of the native valve (e.g., one or more leaflets, or the annulus), and thereby inhibits movement of at least longitudinal site 668 of the catheter from passing through the valve.","Therefore a known length d21 of catheter 664 (i.e., the length between longitudinal site 668 and distal end 665) is disposed downstream of the atrial surface of valve 10.Length d21 of system 660 is typically shorter than length d20 of system 640, and in contrast to system 640, for system 660, catheter 664 is not configured for distal end 665 to be placed against ventricular tissue.","Rather, an anchor manipulator 670 advances tissue anchor 48 through catheter 664, out of the distal end 665, and toward a ventricular site at which it anchors the tissue anchor.","Typically, anchor manipulator 670 is slidably coupled to catheter 664 such that a distal end of the anchor manipulator is slidable distally no more than a pre-determined distance d22 from longitudinal site 668 (and thereby no more than a pre-determined distance from distal end 665 of catheter 664).","Anchor manipulator 670 is thereby used to anchor anchor 48 at a ventricular site that is disposed at a distance from the atrial surface (e.g., from a portion of the atrial surface that element 666 abuts) that is generally equal to d22.Typically, anchor manipulator 670 (or at least a distal portion 672 thereof that is exposable from distal end 665 of catheter 664) is steerable independently of catheter 664.It is to be noted that, for systems 640 and 660, the distance from the atrial surface at which anchor 48 is anchored is generally equal, but not necessarily exactly equal, to d20 or d22.For example, anchor 48 may be anchored at a site that is closer to another portion of the atrial surface than to the portion of the atrial surface that the obstructing element abuts.","Alternatively or additionally, curvature of the catheter and/or the anchor manipulator may result in a direct distance between the atrial surface and the tissue anchor being smaller than d20 or d22.Typically, anchor 48 is coupled to a tether, guide member, and/or other longitudinal member (e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to other systems).","When the anchor driver is decoupled from the anchor and withdrawn proximally, the tether extends proximally from the anchor (e.g., out of the body of the subject) so that an implant, such as a prosthetic valve, prosthetic valve support, and/or a prosthetic valve assembly (e.g., those described hereinabove) may be advanced therealong and/or locked thereto, e.g., as described hereinabove for other systems, mutatis mutandis.","Because the distance between the tissue anchor and the atrial surface is known, for some applications the tether coupled to the tissue anchor may comprise fewer locking sites for locking to the implant, a relatively shorter locking site, and/or only one locking site.","It is hypothesized that this may provide the possibility of using simpler, smaller and/or more effective mechanisms to lock the implant to the tether.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","7A-C, 8A-H, 9A-B, 15A-C, 16, 17, 18A-B, and 21A-B.","The flexible sheets described hereinabove typically have tensile strength but very low compressive strength along the longitudinal axis of assembly 202.Due to this characteristic, inter alia, implant-control rod 246 is coupled (via mount 248) to assembly 202 by being coupled to valve body 204, such that when the valve body is pushed distally, the valve body pulls upstream support 210 via sheet 214.","(It is hypothesized that it would be less effective for the implant-control rod to be coupled to the support, because in such a case sheet 214 may rumple and the support may move toward the valve body, possibly reducing articulation at the articulation zone.","Nevertheless, for applications in which such reduced articulation is in any case sufficient, the implant-control rod may be coupled to the support).","This characteristic of the flexible sheet also facilitates the height-adjustment of assembly 552 and its sandwiching of the native leaflets by tensioning tethers 582.Although each of the prosthetic valve assemblies is shown implanted in a generally symmetrical state, it is to be noted that for some applications this characteristic of the sheet facilitates asymmetrical implantation.","For example, the assembly may better conform to the native anatomy, and/or one tether of assembly 552 may be tensioned more than another so as to alter the anchoring, sealing, and/or flow characteristics of the assembly, e.g., in response to the native anatomy.","For some applications it may be advantageous for the valve body to be disposed at a particular rotational orientation within ventricle 8, and for the upstream support to be disposed at a particular rotational orientation within atrium 6.For example, for prosthetic valve assemblies such as assembly 202 that are tethered to ventricular anchors, it may be advantageous for each eyelet to be aligned with a respective anchor, and for the point at which each guide members passes through the upstream support to be aligned with a respective commissure.","Alternatively or additionally, the upstream support may be geometrically asymmetric, and a particular rotational orientation with respect to atrial tissue may be advantageous.","(Examples of such upstream supports are described in PCT patent application publication WO/2013/021374 to Gross et. al, which is incorporated herein by reference.)","Alternatively or additionally, the upstream support may be asymmetric with respect to rigidity (i.e., some regions of the support may be more rigid than others).","Alternatively or additionally, it may be advantageous to place the holes in sheet 214 through which tubes 260 pass in a particular rotational orientation with respect to the native valve.","For some applications, the sheet facilitates implantation of the upstream support in a different rotational position to its valve body, e.g., by twisting.","For example, the upstream support may be implanted at more than 5 degrees (e.g., more than 10 degrees, such as more than 20 degrees) rotational offset with respect to the valve body.","Reference is again made to FIGS.","7A-14B, 16-18B, and 21A-B.","For some applications the first frame of the valve body is coupled to the second frame of the upstream support by the sheet (e.g., generally only by the sheet) in the compressed state (e.g., assemblies 202, 302, 342 and 552) and/or in the expanded state (e.g., assemblies 202 and 552).","As used in the present application, including in the claims, (a) the first and second frames being “coupled by the sheet”, and/or (b) the sheet “coupling the first frame to the second frame”, do not include applications in which the frames are primarily and/or independently coupled to each other by a different means, and the covering extends over both frames.","For example, the first and second frames are not “coupled to each other by the sheet” (1) in assemblies 382, 402 and 422, in which the frames are provided pre-coupled directly to each other, or (2) in the expanded state of assemblies 302 and 342, in which the frames are intracorporeally coupled directly to each other.","For applications in which the first frame of the valve body is coupled to the second frame of the upstream support by the sheet, a gap typically exists between the first frame and the second frame.","For some such applications, no metallic structure is disposed within the gap.","For some applications (including some applications in which the first and second frames are coupled independently of the sheet), the flexible sheet comprises, in addition to the sheet-like structure, one or more flexible longitudinal members, such as metallic or polymer wires (e.g., embedded within or attached to a surface of the sheet-like structure).","These flexible longitudinal members may provide a small amount of rigidity to the sheet without detracting from the general nature of the sheet.","For example, the flexible longitudinal members may facilitate opening of the sheet during deployment of the prosthetic valve assembly.","It is to be noted that for applications in which the first and second frames are coupled by the sheet, even when the sheet comprises flexible longitudinal members that are metallic wires, the frame of the valve body and the frame of the upstream support are typically distinct from each other, and can be considered to be coupled to each other by the sheet (e.g., generally only by the sheet).","For some applications, within the total height of the prosthetic valve assembly, a distance exists within which no rigid and/or metallic structure is disposed.","For example, for assembly 552, typically no rigid and/or metallic structure is disposed within distance d17 and/or distance d19.It is to be noted that a similar distance exists for assembly 202 between frames 212 and 206 (e.g., when implanted; see FIGS.","8F-G).","For some applications, for assembly 552, only sheet 564 and tethers 582 are disposed within distances d17 and d19.However, for some applications, tissue-engaging elements 580 extend proximally toward frame 562 such that the distance in which no rigid and/or metallic structure is disposed is reduced and/or absent (e.g., when tethers 582 are tensioned).","Reference is again made to FIGS.","1A-F, 3A-C, 6 and 7A-8H.","For some applications of the invention, tissue anchor 48 and/or the guide member coupled thereto (e.g., guide member 56, guide member 256, and/or the components thereof) are included as components of the provided apparatus.","That is, they are typically provided with the prosthetic valve assembly.","For some applications of the invention, the tissue anchor and/or the guide member coupled thereto are not included as components of the provided apparatus (e.g., they are obtained separately).","It will be understood that, although the terms “first, “second,” etc.","may be used in the present application (including the specification and the claims) to describe various elements and/or directions, these terms should not be limiting.","These terms are only used to distinguish one element and/or direction from another.","Thus, a “first” element described herein could also be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.","As used in the present application, including in the claims, a “central longitudinal axis” of a structure (e.g., an elongate structure) is the set of all centroids of transverse cross-sectional sections of the structure along the structure.","Thus the cross-sectional sections are locally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, which runs along the structure.","(If the structure is circular in cross-section, the centroids correspond with the centers of the circular cross-sectional sections.)","It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove.","Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"PROSTHETIC VALVE AND UPSTREAM SUPPORT THEREFOR\",\n \"A prosthetic valve comprises a valve body, comprising a tubular frame and a plurality of leaflets; an upstream support, comprising a second frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.\",\n \"The prosthetic valve is compressible into a delivery tool such that the prosthetic valve is in a compressed state in which the second frame and the tubular frame are arranged in series within the tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter.\",\n \"The prosthetic valve is deployable from the tool such that the prosthetic valve automatically expands into an expanded state.\",\n \"In the expanded state, the second frame defines an inner perimeter, the sheet extends inwardly from the inner perimeter to the valve body, and the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body.\",\n \"Other embodiments are also described.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-165.\",\n \"(canceled) 166.Apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus comprising: a prosthetic valve, comprising: a valve body, comprising a tubular frame and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets arranged to facilitate upstream-to-downstream fluid flow through the prosthetic valve; an upstream support, comprising a second frame that is distinct from the tubular frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body; and a delivery tool, wherein: the prosthetic valve is compressible into the delivery tool such that the prosthetic x valve is in a compressed state in which: the second frame and the tubular frame are arranged in series within the delivery tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter, and the prosthetic valve is deployable from the delivery tool such that the prosthetic valve automatically expands into an expanded state in which: (1) the valve body: has an expanded body-diameter that is greater than the compressed body-diameter, and is shaped to fit within the native valve, (2) the second frame: is annular, is shaped to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, and defines an inner perimeter that is wider than the expanded body-diameter, (3) the sheet extends inwardly from the inner perimeter to the valve body, and (4) the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body.\",\n \"167.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: the delivery tool has a proximal end and a distal end, and in a delivery configuration of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is in the compressed state within the delivery tool, and is oriented with the first frame closer than the second frame to the distal end.\",\n \"168.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: the delivery tool has a proximal end and a distal end, and in a delivery configuration of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is in the compressed state within the delivery tool, and is oriented with the second frame closer than the first frame to the distal end.\",\n \"169.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein, in the expanded state, the sheet is frustoconical.\",\n \"170.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein, in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve, the second frame is tubular.\",\n \"171.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve, the second frame has a first end, and a second end that is closer to the tubular frame than is the first end, and when the prosthetic valve automatically expands into the expanded state, the first end expands more than the second end.\",\n \"172.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein: the delivery tool comprises a first housing and a second housing, and in a delivery configuration of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is in the compressed state, at least part of the tubular frame is disposed within the first housing, and at least part of the second frame is disposed within the second housing.\",\n \"173.The apparatus according to claim 172, wherein the prosthetic valve is deployable from the delivery tool by moving the first housing and the second housing axially away from each other.\",\n \"174.The apparatus according to claim 172, wherein, in the delivery configuration, at least part of the sheet is disposed between the first housing and the second housing.\",\n \"175.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein at least one side of the tubular frame and at least one side of the second frame are covered with a covering, and the sheet is defined by a portion of the covering that is disposed between the first frame and the second frame.\",\n \"176.The apparatus according to claim 175, wherein the covering is disposed on a tissue-facing side of the second frame, the tissue-facing side being oriented to be placed against the upstream surface of the native valve.\",\n \"177.The apparatus according to claim 176, wherein the covering lines an inner surface of the tubular frame.\",\n \"178.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein, in the compressed state, the valve body and the upstream support are longitudinally separated by a zone in which the sheet is disposed, but in which neither the tubular frame nor the second frame is disposed.\",\n \"179.The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein the prosthetic valve is configured such that, upon deployment from the delivery tool, the upstream support becomes annular by deflecting with respect to the valve body.\",\n \"180.Apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve that comprises: a valve body, comprising: a tubular frame that (i) has an upstream region that includes an upstream end, (ii) has a downstream region that includes a downstream end, and (iii) defines a lumen between the upstream end to the downstream end, and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets coupled to the tubular frame, and arranged to facilitate upstream-to-downstream fluid flow through the lumen; an upstream support: comprising an annular frame that is distinct from the tubular frame, being shaped to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body, the prosthetic valve having (i) a compressed state for delivery to the heart, and (ii) an expanded state in which the sheet extends inward from the annular frame to the downstream region of the tubular frame.\",\n \"181.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the sheet: extends, from the annular frame, alongside and outside the upstream region of the tubular frame without being attached to tubular frame at the upstream region of the tubular frame, and is attached to the tubular frame at the downstream region of the tubular frame.\",\n \"182.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the upstream support and the valve body are arranged in series, with the upstream support closer to the upstream end of the tubular frame than to the downstream end of the tubular frame.\",\n \"183.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the sheet is disposed alongside and outside at least part of the tubular frame.\",\n \"184.The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the sheet is not attached to the part of the tubular frame.\",\n \"185.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the expanded state, the tubular frame has a first diameter, and the upstream support has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the upstream support, the inner perimeter having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.\",\n \"186.The apparatus according to claim 185, wherein: the apparatus has a longitudinal axis along which the tubular frame defines the lumen, and in the expanded state, the opening is disposed longitudinally between the upstream end of the tubular frame and the downstream end of the tubular frame.\",\n \"187.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein: in the compressed state, the upstream support has a first end, and a second end that is closer to the tubular frame than is the first end, the prosthetic valve is configured to automatically expand into the expanded state, and when the prosthetic valve automatically expands into the expanded state, the first end expands more than the second end.\",\n \"188.The apparatus according to claim 180, wherein, in the compressed state, the valve body and the upstream support are longitudinally separated by a zone in which the sheet is disposed, but in which neither the tubular frame nor the second frame is disposed.\",\n \"189.A method, comprising: introducing, into a subject, a prosthetic valve that includes: a valve body that includes a tubular frame, and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets arranged to facilitate upstream-to-downstream fluid flow through the prosthetic valve, an upstream support that includes a second frame that is distinct from the tubular frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body; advancing the prosthetic valve to a heart of the subject while the prosthetic valve is in a compressed state in which: the second frame and the valve body are arranged in series within a delivery tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter; and deploying the prosthetic valve at a mitral valve of the subject, such that the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body, by: expanding the valve body within the native valve, such that the valve body has an expanded body-diameter that is greater than the compressed body-diameter; and placing the upstream support against an upstream surface of the native valve by deploying the upstream support from the delivery tool such that: the upstream support becomes annular by expanding radially outward and deflecting with respect to the valve body, and the sheet extends inwardly from an inner perimeter of the second frame to the valve body.\",\n \"190.The method according to claim 189, wherein deploying the prosthetic valve comprises performing the step of placing the upstream support prior to performing the step of expanding the valve body.\",\n \"191.The method according to claim 189, wherein deploying the prosthetic valve comprises placing the sheet in contact with tissue of the native valve.\",\n \"192.The method according to claim 189, wherein introducing the prosthetic valve comprises introducing the prosthetic valve transfemorally.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Ischemic heart disease causes regurgitation of a heart valve by the combination of ischemic dysfunction of the papillary muscles, and the dilatation of the ventricle that is present in ischemic heart disease, with the subsequent displacement of the papillary muscles and the dilatation of the valve annulus.\",\n \"Dilation of the annulus of the valve prevents the valve leaflets from fully coapting when the valve is closed.\",\n \"Regurgitation of blood from the ventricle into the atrium results in increased total stroke volume and decreased cardiac output, and ultimate weakening of the ventricle secondary to a volume overload and a pressure overload of the atrium.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to tethers are transluminally anchored to ventricular tissue of a native valve.\",\n \"A prosthetic valve component, such as a prosthetic valve assembly, a prosthetic valve body, or a support, is transluminally slid along a guide member coupled to the tethers, and is anchored to the tethers.\",\n \"For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member disposed within the lumen, (2) an upstream support configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (2) a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.\",\n \"For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises eyelets to facilitate sliding along the guide member.\",\n \"For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly has a compressed delivery state in which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatably coupled to each other by the sheet.\",\n \"For such applications, a delivery tool houses the prosthetic valve assembly such that the valve body and upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other during transluminal delivery.\",\n \"For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises tethers that, when tensioned, move the valve body closer to the support.\",\n \"For such applications, the assembly typically comprises tissue-engaging elements that protrude from the valve body, and the tethers are tensioned to sandwich tissue of the native valve between the tissue-engaging elements and the support.\",\n \"For some applications, one or more forces is measured during implantation, and distributed among various anchoring elements.\",\n \"For some such applications, an intracorporeal spring is used that is extracorporeally observable using imaging techniques.\",\n \"For some such applications, the spring facilitates force distribution.\",\n \"For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises a flexible sheet forms a pocket between the sheet and a frame of the assembly, and facilitates sealing between the assembly and tissue of the native valve.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to longitudinal members that are reversibly couplable to wires are transluminally advanced to the ventricle downstream of a native heart valve, and are anchored there.\",\n \"A prosthetic valve support comprising an upstream support portion is slid, in a compressed delivery configuration, over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and into an atrium upstream of the native valve where it is deployed (e.g., expanded) and placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of the native valve.\",\n \"A locking member is also slid over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and locks to the longitudinal member, thereby securing the prosthetic valve support against the upstream surface of the native valve.\",\n \"A prosthetic valve is subsequently transluminally advanced to the native valve, and is implanted by coupling the prosthetic valve to leaflets of the native valve and to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, a tubular member is slidable over the wire and the longitudinal member, and when disposed over the wire and the long member, inhibits decoupling of the wire from the longitudinal member.\",\n \"For such applications, the prosthetic valve support and the locking member are typically slidable over the tubular member.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, a control rod, reversibly coupled to the locking member, is slid over the tubular member so as to push the locking member and the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.\",\n \"For some such applications, the control rod is used to lock the locking member to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"There is therefore provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: including (1) a first frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) a valve member disposed within the lumen, having a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and having an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; an upstream support: configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, including a second frame, having a compressed state, and having an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the upstream support is coupled to the valve body only via the sheet.\",\n \"In an application: the valve body has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween along which the lumen is defined, and when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof: the first frame is attached to the second frame at the inner perimeter of the second frame, and the sheet is attached to the valve body and to the upstream support in a manner that defines a pocket region between the sheet and at least the inner perimeter of the second frame, the sheet not being attached to the first frame or the second frame in the pocket region.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet provides fluid communication between the opening and the lumen.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is not attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is not attached to an upstream end of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is generally annular when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is generally frustoconical when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at the outer perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is attached to an upstream end of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the first frame is generally cylindrical in both the compressed state thereof and the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the second frame is generally cylindrical in the compressed state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the valve body includes at least one downstream anchor, configured such that, in the expanded configuration of the valve body, the anchor protrudes radially outward from the first frame.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element, coupled to the valve body and to the upstream support, a length of the tensioning element between the valve body and the upstream portion being adjustable such that a distance between the first frame and the second frame is adjustable.\",\n \"In an application, the at least one tensioning element includes a tether.\",\n \"In an application, the at least one tensioning element is coupled to the first frame, and slidably coupled to the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the valve body, the upstream support and the sheet together define a prosthetic valve assembly, the prosthetic valve assembly: having an expanded state in which the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the second frame of the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, having a compressed state in which: the prosthetic valve assembly has a longitudinal axis, the valve body is in the compressed state thereof at a first zone of the longitudinal axis, the upstream support is in the compressed state thereof at a second zone of the longitudinal axis, and the prosthetic valve assembly defines an articulation zone, between the first zone and the second zone, in which at least part of the sheet is disposed, in which neither the first frame nor the second frame is disposed, and about which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a delivery tool: including a first housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the upstream support in the compressed state thereof, and defining a first housing orifice through which the at least part of the upstream support is removable from the first housing, including a second housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the valve body in the compressed state thereof, and defining a second housing orifice through which the at least part of the valve body is removable from the second housing, having a contracted state in which the second housing is disposed at a first distance from the first housing, and in which the delivery tool is configured to transluminally advance the prosthetic valve assembly in the compressed state thereof, to the native valve, and having an extended state in which the second housing is disposed at a second distance from the first housing, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and the apparatus is configured such that, when the at least part of the upstream support is housed by the first housing and the at least part of the valve body is housed by the second housing, transitioning of the delivery tool from the contracted state into the extended state exposes at least part of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the valve body and the upstream support, from the housing that houses the selected component.\",\n \"In an application: the apparatus is configured to be used with at least two guide members, the prosthetic valve assembly includes at least two eyelets, each eyelet being slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and the apparatus is configured such that the eyelets of the prosthetic valve assembly protrude radially outward and radially beyond an outer surface of the second housing while: (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, and (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing.\",\n \"In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the delivery tool further includes at least two reference-force tubes, each reference-force tube configured (1) to be slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and (2) to apply a distally-directed force to the prosthetic valve assembly.\",\n \"In an application, in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve assembly, each reference-force tube extends distally (1) through a lumen defined by the second frame of the upstream support, (2) through the sheet, and (3) along an outside of at least part of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes at least two locking members, each locking member: having an unlocked state in which the locking member is slidable along a respective one of the guide members, being transitionable into a locked state in which (1) the locking member is locked to the respective one of the guide members, and (2) the sliding of the eyelet over the guide member is inhibited.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes the at least two guide members: each guide member includes: a tubular member, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, a tether, coupled at a distal end thereof to a tissue anchor configured to be anchored to ventricular tissue of the heart, at least a proximal portion of the tether being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a pull-wire, coupled at a distal portion thereof to the proximal portion of the tether, at least the distal portion of the pull-wire being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the tubular member inhibits decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether while the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and while the tubular member of each guide member is disposed within the respective locking member, the tubular member inhibits transitioning of the locking member into the locked state.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that, for each respective guide member and locking member, while (1) the tubular member is disposed within the locking member, (2) the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and (3) the tissue anchor is coupled to the ventricular tissue: proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates automatic transitioning of the locking member into the locked state, and further proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether.\",\n \"In an application, at least one housing selected from the group consisting of: the first housing and the second housing has a lateral wall that is shaped to define at least two slits, the eyelets being configured to protrude radially outward from the delivery tool via the slits.\",\n \"In an application, each slit of the at least one selected housing is continuous with the orifice of the at least one selected housing.\",\n \"In an application, the eyelets are coupled to and protrude radially outward from the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application: the articulation zone defined by the prosthetic valve assembly includes a first articulation zone, and while (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing, and (3) the delivery tool is in the contracted state thereof, the apparatus defines a second articulation zone at a longitudinal zone of the apparatus (a) between the second housing and the first housing, and (b) in which is disposed at least part of the first articulation zone.\",\n \"In an application, the delivery tool further includes a housing-control rod that extends through the first housing and is coupled to the second housing such that a first portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the first housing, a second portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the second housing, and a third portion of the housing-control rod (1) is disposed within the second articulation zone, and (2) is more flexible than at least one portion of the housing-control rod selected from the group consisting of: the first portion and the second portion.\",\n \"In an application: the delivery tool further includes (1) a control rod assembly including at least a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, and (2) a second housing-control rod, more flexible than the first housing-control rod, extending through the first housing-control rod, extending through the second articulation zone, and coupled to the second housing.\",\n \"In an application, the second housing orifice faces the first housing orifice.\",\n \"In an application: the delivery tool further includes a flexible control rod assembly including (1) a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, (2) a second housing-control rod coupled to the second housing, and (3) a prosthesis-control rod reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly, longitudinal movement of the second housing-control rod with respect to the first housing-control rod transitions the delivery tool between the contracted state and the extended state thereof, and the valve body is removable from the second housing by moving the second housing-control rod with respect to the prosthesis-control rod.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthesis-control rod is reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly by being reversibly couplable to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, at least part of the second housing-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the prosthesis-control rod, and at least part of the prosthesis-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the first housing-control rod.\",\n \"In an application, the outer perimeter of the second frame has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.\",\n \"In an application, the inner perimeter has a fourth diameter that is greater than the second diameter.\",\n \"In an application, when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, a gap is defined between the first frame and the second frame, the sheet spanning the gap.\",\n \"In an application, no metallic structure is disposed within the gap.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is configured to inhibit expansion of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that when the second frame expands from the compressed state thereof toward the expanded state thereof, the sheet retains the second frame in a generally frustoconical shape by inhibiting expansion of at least the outer perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the second frame to serve as a covering of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the covering defines a tissue-contacting surface of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the first frame to serve as a covering of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the covering is disposed on an inner surface of the first frame.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a prosthetic valve, configured to be percutaneously delivered to the native valve; an annular upstream support, configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, and to support the prosthetic valve at the native valve; a tissue anchor, including a tissue-engaging element configured to be anchored to ventricular muscle tissue of the heart; a tether, coupled to the tissue anchor; and a spring, couplable to the tether so as to elastically couple the tissue-engaging element to the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is shaped to define a repeating pattern.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is pre-loaded.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is a constant-force spring.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to facilitate extracorporeal fluoroscopic observation of a state of the spring.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is coupled to a plurality of radiopaque markers such that a juxtaposition of the markers changes as the state of the spring changes, the juxtaposition of the markers being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is coupled to at least one radiopaque marker, and the apparatus further includes an intracorporeal reference, a juxtaposition between the radiopaque marker and the intracorporeal reference being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.\",\n \"In an application, the intracorporeal reference includes a scale including a plurality of radiopaque markers.\",\n \"In an application, the plurality of radiopaque markers includes a first plurality of radiopaque markers, and the at least one radiopaque marker includes a second plurality of radiopaque markers.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide distinct indication that is observable using fluoroscopy, when the spring is experiencing a force that is within a margin force from a target force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 300 g force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 400 g force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is about 500 g force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is coupled to the prosthetic valve, and is intracorporeally lockable to the tether subsequently to anchoring of the tissue anchor to the ventricular muscle tissue.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is slidable along at least part of the tether, and is intracorporeally couplable to the tether by inhibiting the sliding.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, and the spring includes an elastically-deformable appendage that protrudes laterally from the valve body.\",\n \"In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween, and the spring (1) includes a compression spring having a longitudinal axis, and (2) is disposed laterally from, the valve body such that the longitudinal axis of the spring is generally parallel with the longitudinal lumen.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve includes: a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween; and one or more tissue-engaging legs, protruding laterally outward from the valve body, and configured to be placed against a ventricular surface of the native valve.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve is couplable to the upstream support intracorporeally by being expanded within an opening defined by the upstream support while the upstream support is disposed against the upstream surface.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the coupling of the prosthetic valve to the upstream support couples the tether to the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured to sandwich a portion of the native valve between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support by providing a space having a height between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height without altering a force on the spring.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that altering the height automatically alters a force on the spring.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height by moving the valve body through the opening defined by the upstream support.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, including a lateral wall that circumscribes the longitudinal axis and defines a longitudinal lumen, and including a valve member disposed within the lumen; an upstream support having an inner perimeter couplable to the valve body at a first longitudinal position of the valve body, the upstream support being configured to extend radially outward from the valve body and the inner perimeter; and a flexible sheet defining a first aperture, a second aperture and a lateral wall therebetween, a first portion of the sheet that defines the first aperture being circumferentially attached to the upstream support portion at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter, and a second portion of the sheet that defines the second aperture being circumferentially attached to the valve body at a second longitudinal position of the valve body, such that a pocket region is defined between the sheet and at least the first longitudinal position.\",\n \"In an application, the second longitudinal position is closer to the downstream end of the valve body than is the first longitudinal position.\",\n \"In an application, the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is attached to the upstream support at an outer perimeter of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet assumes a frustoconical shape.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet assumes a funnel shape.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is provided with the inner perimeter of the upstream support pre-coupled to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the inner perimeter of the upstream support is intracorporeally couplable to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream support defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a tubular valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen therebetween, the lumen having a first diameter, and the valve body being separated from the upstream element by a gap between the upstream end of the valve body and the upstream element; one or more tissue-engaging elements that protrude radially outward from the valve body so as to define a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; and a flexible sheet shaped to define a conduit, a downstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the valve body, an upstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the upstream element, and the sheet spanning the gap.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tether, a first portion of the tether being coupled to the valve body and a second portion of the tether being coupled to the upstream support, such that tensioning of at least a portion of the tether reduces the gap.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that tensioning of at least the portion of the tether rumples the sheet.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream element defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a flexible sheet, shaped to define a conduit, and coupled to the upstream element such that the conduit is in fluid communication with the opening; and a valve body, coupled to the flexible sheet such that the conduit provides fluid communication between the prosthetic valve and the upstream element.\",\n \"In an application, the valve body includes: a generally cylindrical frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member coupled to the frame and disposed within the lumen.\",\n \"In an application, the frame is separated from the upstream element by a gap, and the conduit spans the gap.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for use with a guide member that extends into a subject, the apparatus including: a delivery tool, including a housing, the housing: being transluminally advanceable into the subject, shaped to define an orifice at an end of the housing, and having a lateral wall shaped to define a slit that is continuous with the orifice; an implant: configured to be housed by the housing, and including an eyelet that (1) is slidable over the guide member, and (2) when the implant is housed by the housing, extends through the slit and radially beyond the lateral wall such that the eyelet facilitates transluminal sliding of the implant and the housing along the guide member and into the subject, the apparatus being configured such that, while (1) the implant remains within the subject, and (2) the guide member remains disposed through the eyelet, (1) the implant is removable from the housing via the orifice, and (2) the housing is removable from the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the implant is configured to be implanted by being intracorporeally locked to the guide member.\",\n \"In an application, the implant has a compressed state and an expanded state, is configured to be housed by the housing while in the compressed state, and is configured to automatically expand toward the expanded state when removed from the housing.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to ventricular tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool, the tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a tether; transluminally delivering an annular upstream support and a prosthetic valve to the heart, the prosthetic valve including (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) one or more tissue-engaging legs configured to protrude laterally outward from the valve body; pressing the tissue-engaging legs in an upstream direction against a ventricular surface of the native valve by applying a force to the prosthetic valve while measuring the force; applying, to the tether, a tension that changes a shape of a spring coupled to the tether, while observing the shape of the spring using imaging; and at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the spring, facilitating holding of the upstream support against an upstream surface of the native valve by locking a second portion of the tether to at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the prosthetic valve and the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, measuring the force includes measuring the force using an extracorporeal force meter.\",\n \"In an application, measuring the force includes observing a shape of the tissue-engaging legs using imaging.\",\n \"In an application, applying the tension includes applying the tension while applying the force.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion when the observed shape indicates that the spring is experiencing between 400 g force and 600 g force.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion subsequently to applying the tension, and applying the force includes applying the force subsequently to locking the second portion.\",\n \"In an application: anchoring the tissue anchor coupled to the tether includes anchoring a first tissue anchor coupled to a first tether, and applying the tension includes applying a first tension that changes a shape of a first spring coupled to the first tether, the method further includes: anchoring a second tissue anchor to the ventricular tissue, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a second tether; and applying, to the second tether, a second tension that changes a shape of a second spring coupled to the second tether, while observing the shape of the second spring using imaging, and facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface includes, at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the second spring, facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface by locking a second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component.\",\n \"In an application, facilitating holding includes locking the second portion of the first tether and the second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component, at least in part responsively to a ratio between tension in the first tether and tension in the second tether, the ratio being derived from the observed shape of the first spring and the observed shape of the second spring.\",\n \"In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the observed shape.\",\n \"In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the measured force.\",\n \"In an application, applying the force includes moving the valve body in an upstream direction through an opening defined by the upstream support, and the method further includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support by expanding the valve body within the opening.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support at least in part responsively to the measured force.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally advancing a plurality of tissue anchors, coupled to a respective plurality of springs, into a body of a subject; anchoring the plurality of tissue anchors to tissue of the subject; tensioning at least one of the springs; using imaging, while the tension is applied to the at least one spring, observing a state of the at least one spring; and at least in part responsively to the observed state of at least one spring, adjusting a tension on at least one of the springs.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: applying a first tension to a tether that couples (a) a tissue anchor anchored to ventricular tissue of a subject, to (b) a prosthetic valve body, the tether having a length between the tissue anchor and the valve body; by applying an atrially-directed force to the prosthetic valve body, pressing, against tissue of the native valve, a tissue-engaging element that protrudes radially from the valve body transluminally advancing a prosthetic valve body to a native valve of the subject; while applying the atrially-directed force, measuring: a pressing force of the tissue-engaging element against the tissue of the native valve, and a second tension on the tether, the second tension differing from the first tension at least in part due to the atrially-directed force; and at least in part responsively to the measured pressing force and the measured second tension, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: adjusting the length of the tether between the tissue anchor and the valve body, and locking the valve body to the tether.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally delivering a tissue anchor to a ventricle of the heart, and anchoring the tissue anchor to ventricular muscle tissue of the subject; transluminally delivering an upstream support to an atrium of the heart, and placing the upstream support against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve; and changing a shape of the upstream support by tensioning a tether coupled to upstream support and to the tissue anchor; and extracorporeally fluoroscopically observing the shape change of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, tensioning the tether coupled to the upstream support includes tensioning a tether that is coupled to a valve body coupled to the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is generally flat annular, and changing the shape includes making the support assume a frustoconical shape.\",\n \"In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is frustoconical, and changing the shape includes changing a slant of the frustoconical shape.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a transluminally-deliverable tissue anchor; a tether, a first end thereof coupled to the tissue anchor; and a delivery tool, including: a steerable catheter having a longitudinal axis, and being transluminally deliverable to the valve, and an obstructing element: disposed at a longitudinal site of the catheter, configured to extend laterally outward from the catheter, and dimensioned, when extending laterally outward from the catheter, to inhibit movement of at least the longitudinal site through the valve by abutting tissue of the valve, and an anchor manipulator: reversibly couplable to the tissue anchor, slidable through the catheter, and configured to drive the anchor into ventricular tissue of the heart of the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the anchor manipulator is slidably coupled to the catheter such that a distal end of the anchor manipulator is slidable distally no more than a pre-determined distance from the longitudinal site.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes an implant, intracorporeally lockable to the tether.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a guide member, reversibly couplable to the tether, and the implant is intracorporeally slidable along the guide member toward the tether and the implant.\",\n \"In an application, the tether has exactly one locking site at which the implant is lockable to the tether.\",\n \"In an application, the exactly one locking site is disposed at a pre-determined distance from the anchor that is pre-determined at least in part dependently on a distance between the longitudinal site and a distal end of the catheter.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool; subsequently applying to the anchor a pulling force having a given magnitude; using imaging, observing a movement of the tissue anchor in response to the pulling force; and at least in part responsively to the observed movement, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: de-anchoring the tissue anchor from the tissue, and decoupling the anchor-manipulation tool from the tissue anchor.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for implantation at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve being disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of the heart, the apparatus including: a tubular valve body: having an upstream portion, configured to be disposed in the atrium of the heart of the subject, having a downstream portion, configured to be disposed in the ventricle of the subject, having an elastic portion, disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, and elastically coupling the upstream portion to the downstream portion, and shaped to define a continuous lumen through the upstream portion, the elastic portion, and the downstream portion; and at least one valve member, disposed in the lumen of the valve body, and configured to facilitate flow of blood of the subject from the upstream portion of the valve body to the downstream portion of the valve body, and to inhibit flow of the blood from the downstream portion of the valve body to the upstream portion of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the at least one valve member is coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the native valve includes a plurality of native leaflets, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a plurality of clips, configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, each clip: includes at least two clip arms, articulatably coupled to each other, and is reversibly closeable.\",\n \"In an application, the clips are coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets by the clips being coupled to the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, each clip of the plurality of clips is articulatably coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the native valve includes an annulus having an upstream surface, and the apparatus further includes a prosthetic valve support: including (1) an upstream support portion, configured to be placed against the upstream surface of the annulus of the native valve, and (2) the plurality of clips, coupled to the upstream support portion, shaped to define an opening therethrough that is configured to receive the prosthetic valve, and the clips are configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets by coupling the prosthetic valve support to the native leaflets.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a plurality of commissures, the apparatus including: at least one tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject; at least one longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective one of the at least one tissue anchors; an upstream support, including an upstream support portion configured to be slidable over the longitudinal member and placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; and at least one locking member, configured to be slidable over a respective one of the at least one longitudinal members, and to be lockable to the respective longitudinal member such that a portion of the respective longitudinal member that is disposed between the respective anchor and the upstream support portion is longer than 1 cm.\",\n \"In an application, the longitudinal member is flexible.\",\n \"In an application, the longitudinal member includes a suture.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a first commissure and at a second commissure, the method including: anchoring a first tissue anchor to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject, the first tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a first longitudinal member; anchoring a second tissue anchor to a second site within the ventricle of the heart of the subject, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a second longitudinal member; subsequently, placing at least an upstream support portion of a prosthetic valve support against an upstream surface of the native valve, the valve being disposed between the ventricle and an atrium of the heart of the subject; and securing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface of the valve by: coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the first longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the first commissure, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the second longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the second commissure.\",\n \"In an application, anchoring, placing, and securing include anchoring, securing, and placing without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.\",\n \"In an application, anchoring to the first site and anchoring to the second site include anchoring to myocardium.\",\n \"In an application, placing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface includes sliding the upstream support portion over at least part of the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member and to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the leaflets move in response to beating of the heart of the subject, and securing the upstream support portion includes securing the upstream support portion without eliminating the movement of the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that a length of the portion of the first longitudinal member is greater than 1 cm.\",\n \"In an application, the method further includes: transluminally advancing at least the first tissue anchor to the first site while the respective longitudinal member coupled thereto is disposed within a respective tubular member; and subsequently to anchoring the at least first tissue anchor, and before coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member, sliding the at least first tubular member off of at least part of the respective longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member includes sliding at least part of the at least first tubular member through a channel defined by a locking member, and coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member includes locking the locking member to the respective longitudinal member by narrowing at least a portion of the channel.\",\n \"In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is reversibly coupled to a portion of a wire, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from decoupling from the portion of the wire, and the method further includes facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.\",\n \"In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is shaped to define a loop, and is coupled to the portion of the wire by the portion of the wire being threaded through the loop, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from unthreading from the loop, and facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member includes facilitating unthreading of the wire from the loop by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.\",\n \"In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire includes sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire by applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.\",\n \"In an application, applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member includes applying less than 300 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.\",\n \"In an application, the method further includes, subsequently to securing the upstream support portion, coupling a prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"In an application, the upstream support portion has an inner edge that defines an opening through the upstream support portion, and coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support includes placing at least a portion of the prosthetic valve within the opening, and expanding at least the portion of the prosthetic valve such that at least the portion of the prosthetic valve applies a radially-expansive force against the inner edge of the upstream support portion.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve includes one or more tissue-engaging elements, each of the one or more tissue-engaging elements including at least two arms, and the method further includes, subsequent to securing the upstream support portion, coupling the prosthetic valve to at least one of the leaflets by sandwiching the at least one of the leaflets between the at least clip arms of the one or more tissue-engaging elements.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets before coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a valve body, having an outer surface, the at least two arms include a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being longer than the second arm, and the method further includes: delivering, within a delivery tube, the prosthetic valve in a delivery configuration thereof, in which the first arm and the second arm are constrained against the outer surface of the valve body; facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a first portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the first arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve; and facilitating deflection of the second arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a second portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the second arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application: facilitating deflection of the first arm includes facilitating deflection of the first arm a first angle from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, and the method further includes facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve a second angle that is greater than the first angle, by applying a force to the first arm using the delivery tube: subsequently to facilitating deflection of the first arm the first angle, and prior to facilitating deflection of the second arm.\",\n \"In an application, applying the force to the first arm using the delivery tube includes pushing on the first arm by sliding the delivery tube over at least part of the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a body of a subject, the apparatus including: at least a first implantable member; a first longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the first implantable member; a second longitudinal member, at least a portion of the second longitudinal member being reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member; and a tubular member: slidable over the first and second longitudinal members, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the second longitudinal member is (1) coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the second longitudinal member from the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is configured, when (1) the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) the portion of the second longitudinal member is disposed outside of the lumen of the tubular member, to be decouplable from the first longitudinal member by the second longitudinal member being pulled away from the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, at least one longitudinal member selected from the group consisting of: the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, is flexible.\",\n \"In an application, the tubular member is more rigid than the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the tubular member fits snugly over at least the portion of the second longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the first implantable member includes a tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a tissue of the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a second implantable member, slidable over the tubular member, and couplable to the first longitudinal member while the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member at a first site of the first longitudinal member, and the second implantable member is couplable to the first longitudinal member at a second site of the first longitudinal member that is distal to the first site of the longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a locking member having an unlocked state and a locked state, and configured to be slid over the tubular member in the unlocked state and to be locked to the first longitudinal member by being transitioned to the locked state.\",\n \"In an application, the locking member is configured to facilitate coupling of the second implantable member to the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the locking member is configured to be coupled to the first longitudinal member at least 1 cm away from the first implantable member.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor, configured to be transluminally, transcatheterally advanced to a ventricle of the heart of the subject, and to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle; a longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the tissue anchor; a wire, a portion of the wire being reversibly couplable to the longitudinal member; a tubular member: slidable over the longitudinal member and the wire, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the wire is (1) coupled to the longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the wire from the longitudinal member; a prosthetic valve support including an upstream support portion slidable over the tubular member, and to be placed against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve by sliding over the tubular member; and a locking member, slidable over the tubular element and lockable to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the locking member is configured to be locked to the longitudinal member at a site of the longitudinal member that is distal to a site of the longitudinal member to which the portion of the wire is reversibly couplable.\",\n \"In an application, the tubular member is configured to be slid out of the locking member before the locking member is locked to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a control rod, slidable over the tubular member, the locking member being reversibly coupled to a control rod, the control rod being configured to restrain the locking member in an unlocked configuration thereof, and to facilitate locking of the locking member by ceasing to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration.\",\n \"In an application, the control rod is configured to decouple from the locking member when the control rod ceases to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the control rod is configured to cease to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof by the control rod being rotated with respect to the locking member.\",\n \"In an application: the prosthetic valve support is shaped to define a hole through which the tubular member is slidable, at least while the control rod is coupled to the locking member, the control rod is not slidable through the hole defined by the prosthetic valve support, and the control rod is configured to facilitate the sliding of the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member by pushing the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.\",\n \"The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of applications thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/763,004 to Hammer et al., entitled “Ventricularly-anchored prosthetic valves,” which published as US 2015/0351906, and which is the US National Phase of PCT application IL2014/050087 to Hammer et al., filed Jan. 23, 2014, and entitled “Ventricularly-anchored prosthetic valves,” which published as WO 2014/115149, and which claims priority from (i) U.S. provisional patent application 61/756,049 to HaCohen et al., filed Jan. 24, 2013, and entitled “Ventricularly-anchored prosthetic valve support”; and (ii) U.S. provisional patent application 61/756,034 to HaCohen et al., filed Jan. 24, 2013, and entitled “Tissue-engaging elements”, and is related to: US patent application publication 2012/0022639 to Hacohen et al., filed Jul.\",\n \"21, 2010 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,132,009); US patent application publication 2012/0022640 to Gross et al., filed Feb. 24, 2011 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,992,604); U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/811,308 to Gross et al., filed Jan. 21, 2013, which published as US 2013/0172992 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,017,399); U.S. patent application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"13/412,814 to Gross et al., filed Mar.\",\n \"6, 2012, which published as US 2013/0035759 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"8,852,272); PCT patent application IL2012/000292 to Gross et al., filed Aug. 5, 2012, which published as WO/2013/021374; PCT patent application IL2012/000293 to Gross et al., filed Aug. 5, 2012, which published as WO/2013/021375; and a US patent application to HaCohen et al., entitled “Anchoring of prosthetic valve supports”, filed Jan. 23, 2014, which was assigned application Ser.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"14/161,921 (now U.S. Pat.\",\n \"No.\",\n \"9,681,952), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION Some applications of the present invention relate in general to valve replacement.\",\n \"More specifically, some applications of the present invention relate to prosthetic cardiac valves and techniques for implantation thereof.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Ischemic heart disease causes regurgitation of a heart valve by the combination of ischemic dysfunction of the papillary muscles, and the dilatation of the ventricle that is present in ischemic heart disease, with the subsequent displacement of the papillary muscles and the dilatation of the valve annulus.\",\n \"Dilation of the annulus of the valve prevents the valve leaflets from fully coapting when the valve is closed.\",\n \"Regurgitation of blood from the ventricle into the atrium results in increased total stroke volume and decreased cardiac output, and ultimate weakening of the ventricle secondary to a volume overload and a pressure overload of the atrium.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to tethers are transluminally anchored to ventricular tissue of a native valve.\",\n \"A prosthetic valve component, such as a prosthetic valve assembly, a prosthetic valve body, or a support, is transluminally slid along a guide member coupled to the tethers, and is anchored to the tethers.\",\n \"For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member disposed within the lumen, (2) an upstream support configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (2) a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.\",\n \"For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises eyelets to facilitate sliding along the guide member.\",\n \"For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly has a compressed delivery state in which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatably coupled to each other by the sheet.\",\n \"For such applications, a delivery tool houses the prosthetic valve assembly such that the valve body and upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other during transluminal delivery.\",\n \"For some applications, the prosthetic valve assembly comprises tethers that, when tensioned, move the valve body closer to the support.\",\n \"For such applications, the assembly typically comprises tissue-engaging elements that protrude from the valve body, and the tethers are tensioned to sandwich tissue of the native valve between the tissue-engaging elements and the support.\",\n \"For some applications, one or more forces is measured during implantation, and distributed among various anchoring elements.\",\n \"For some such applications, an intracorporeal spring is used that is extracorporeally observable using imaging techniques.\",\n \"For some such applications, the spring facilitates force distribution.\",\n \"For some applications, a prosthetic valve assembly comprises a flexible sheet forms a pocket between the sheet and a frame of the assembly, and facilitates sealing between the assembly and tissue of the native valve.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, tissue anchors coupled to longitudinal members that are reversibly couplable to wires are transluminally advanced to the ventricle downstream of a native heart valve, and are anchored there.\",\n \"A prosthetic valve support comprising an upstream support portion is slid, in a compressed delivery configuration, over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and into an atrium upstream of the native valve where it is deployed (e.g., expanded) and placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of the native valve.\",\n \"A locking member is also slid over the wires and part of each longitudinal member, and locks to the longitudinal member, thereby securing the prosthetic valve support against the upstream surface of the native valve.\",\n \"A prosthetic valve is subsequently transluminally advanced to the native valve, and is implanted by coupling the prosthetic valve to leaflets of the native valve and to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, a tubular member is slidable over the wire and the longitudinal member, and when disposed over the wire and the long member, inhibits decoupling of the wire from the longitudinal member.\",\n \"For such applications, the prosthetic valve support and the locking member are typically slidable over the tubular member.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, a control rod, reversibly coupled to the locking member, is slid over the tubular member so as to push the locking member and the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.\",\n \"For some such applications, the control rod is used to lock the locking member to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"There is therefore provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: including (1) a first frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) a valve member disposed within the lumen, having a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and having an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; an upstream support: configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, including a second frame, having a compressed state, and having an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the upstream support is coupled to the valve body only via the sheet.\",\n \"In an application: the valve body has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween along which the lumen is defined, and when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof: the first frame is attached to the second frame at the inner perimeter of the second frame, and the sheet is attached to the valve body and to the upstream support in a manner that defines a pocket region between the sheet and at least the inner perimeter of the second frame, the sheet not being attached to the first frame or the second frame in the pocket region.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet provides fluid communication between the opening and the lumen.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is not attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is not attached to an upstream end of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is generally annular when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is generally frustoconical when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is attached to the inner perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is circumferentially attached to the second frame at the outer perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is attached to an upstream end of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the first frame is generally cylindrical in both the compressed state thereof and the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the second frame is generally cylindrical in the compressed state thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the valve body includes at least one downstream anchor, configured such that, in the expanded configuration of the valve body, the anchor protrudes radially outward from the first frame.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element, coupled to the valve body and to the upstream support, a length of the tensioning element between the valve body and the upstream portion being adjustable such that a distance between the first frame and the second frame is adjustable.\",\n \"In an application, the at least one tensioning element includes a tether.\",\n \"In an application, the at least one tensioning element is coupled to the first frame, and slidably coupled to the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the valve body, the upstream support and the sheet together define a prosthetic valve assembly, the prosthetic valve assembly: having an expanded state in which the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the second frame of the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, having a compressed state in which: the prosthetic valve assembly has a longitudinal axis, the valve body is in the compressed state thereof at a first zone of the longitudinal axis, the upstream support is in the compressed state thereof at a second zone of the longitudinal axis, and the prosthetic valve assembly defines an articulation zone, between the first zone and the second zone, in which at least part of the sheet is disposed, in which neither the first frame nor the second frame is disposed, and about which the valve body and the upstream support are articulatable with respect to each other.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a delivery tool: including a first housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the upstream support in the compressed state thereof, and defining a first housing orifice through which the at least part of the upstream support is removable from the first housing, including a second housing configured to house and maintain at least part of the valve body in the compressed state thereof, and defining a second housing orifice through which the at least part of the valve body is removable from the second housing, having a contracted state in which the second housing is disposed at a first distance from the first housing, and in which the delivery tool is configured to transluminally advance the prosthetic valve assembly in the compressed state thereof, to the native valve, and having an extended state in which the second housing is disposed at a second distance from the first housing, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and the apparatus is configured such that, when the at least part of the upstream support is housed by the first housing and the at least part of the valve body is housed by the second housing, transitioning of the delivery tool from the contracted state into the extended state exposes at least part of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the valve body and the upstream support, from the housing that houses the selected component.\",\n \"In an application: the apparatus is configured to be used with at least two guide members, the prosthetic valve assembly includes at least two eyelets, each eyelet being slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and the apparatus is configured such that the eyelets of the prosthetic valve assembly protrude radially outward and radially beyond an outer surface of the second housing while: (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, and (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing.\",\n \"In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the delivery tool further includes at least two reference-force tubes, each reference-force tube configured (1) to be slidable over a respective one of the guide members, and (2) to apply a distally-directed force to the prosthetic valve assembly.\",\n \"In an application, in the compressed state of the prosthetic valve assembly, each reference-force tube extends distally (1) through a lumen defined by the second frame of the upstream support, (2) through the sheet, and (3) along an outside of at least part of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes at least two locking members, each locking member: having an unlocked state in which the locking member is slidable along a respective one of the guide members, being transitionable into a locked state in which (1) the locking member is locked to the respective one of the guide members, and (2) the sliding of the eyelet over the guide member is inhibited.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes the at least two guide members: each guide member includes: a tubular member, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, a tether, coupled at a distal end thereof to a tissue anchor configured to be anchored to ventricular tissue of the heart, at least a proximal portion of the tether being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a pull-wire, coupled at a distal portion thereof to the proximal portion of the tether, at least the distal portion of the pull-wire being disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the tubular member inhibits decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether while the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and while the tubular member of each guide member is disposed within the respective locking member, the tubular member inhibits transitioning of the locking member into the locked state.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that, for each respective guide member and locking member, while (1) the tubular member is disposed within the locking member, (2) the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether are disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and (3) the tissue anchor is coupled to the ventricular tissue: proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates automatic transitioning of the locking member into the locked state, and further proximal sliding of the tubular member with respect to the tether facilitates decoupling of the pull-wire from the tether.\",\n \"In an application, at least one housing selected from the group consisting of: the first housing and the second housing has a lateral wall that is shaped to define at least two slits, the eyelets being configured to protrude radially outward from the delivery tool via the slits.\",\n \"In an application, each slit of the at least one selected housing is continuous with the orifice of the at least one selected housing.\",\n \"In an application, the eyelets are coupled to and protrude radially outward from the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the eyelets are pivotably coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application: the articulation zone defined by the prosthetic valve assembly includes a first articulation zone, and while (1) the at least part of the valve body, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the second housing, (2) the at least part of the upstream support, in the compressed state thereof, is housed by the first housing, and (3) the delivery tool is in the contracted state thereof, the apparatus defines a second articulation zone at a longitudinal zone of the apparatus (a) between the second housing and the first housing, and (b) in which is disposed at least part of the first articulation zone.\",\n \"In an application, the delivery tool further includes a housing-control rod that extends through the first housing and is coupled to the second housing such that a first portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the first housing, a second portion of the housing-control rod is disposed within the second housing, and a third portion of the housing-control rod (1) is disposed within the second articulation zone, and (2) is more flexible than at least one portion of the housing-control rod selected from the group consisting of: the first portion and the second portion.\",\n \"In an application: the delivery tool further includes (1) a control rod assembly including at least a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, and (2) a second housing-control rod, more flexible than the first housing-control rod, extending through the first housing-control rod, extending through the second articulation zone, and coupled to the second housing.\",\n \"In an application, the second housing orifice faces the first housing orifice.\",\n \"In an application: the delivery tool further includes a flexible control rod assembly including (1) a first housing-control rod coupled to the first housing, (2) a second housing-control rod coupled to the second housing, and (3) a prosthesis-control rod reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly, longitudinal movement of the second housing-control rod with respect to the first housing-control rod transitions the delivery tool between the contracted state and the extended state thereof, and the valve body is removable from the second housing by moving the second housing-control rod with respect to the prosthesis-control rod.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthesis-control rod is reversibly couplable to the prosthetic valve assembly by being reversibly couplable to the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, at least part of the second housing-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the prosthesis-control rod, and at least part of the prosthesis-control rod is disposed within and slidable through the first housing-control rod.\",\n \"In an application, the outer perimeter of the second frame has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.\",\n \"In an application, the inner perimeter has a fourth diameter that is greater than the second diameter.\",\n \"In an application, when the valve body is in the expanded state thereof and the upstream support is in the expanded state thereof, a gap is defined between the first frame and the second frame, the sheet spanning the gap.\",\n \"In an application, no metallic structure is disposed within the gap.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is configured to inhibit expansion of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that when the second frame expands from the compressed state thereof toward the expanded state thereof, the sheet retains the second frame in a generally frustoconical shape by inhibiting expansion of at least the outer perimeter of the second frame.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the second frame to serve as a covering of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the covering defines a tissue-contacting surface of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet extends over at least part of the first frame to serve as a covering of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the covering is disposed on an inner surface of the first frame.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a prosthetic valve, configured to be percutaneously delivered to the native valve; an annular upstream support, configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve, and to support the prosthetic valve at the native valve; a tissue anchor, including a tissue-engaging element configured to be anchored to ventricular muscle tissue of the heart; a tether, coupled to the tissue anchor; and a spring, couplable to the tether so as to elastically couple the tissue-engaging element to the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is shaped to define a repeating pattern.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is pre-loaded.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is a constant-force spring.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to facilitate extracorporeal fluoroscopic observation of a state of the spring.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is coupled to a plurality of radiopaque markers such that a juxtaposition of the markers changes as the state of the spring changes, the juxtaposition of the markers being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is coupled to at least one radiopaque marker, and the apparatus further includes an intracorporeal reference, a juxtaposition between the radiopaque marker and the intracorporeal reference being extracorporeally fluoroscopically observable.\",\n \"In an application, the intracorporeal reference includes a scale including a plurality of radiopaque markers.\",\n \"In an application, the plurality of radiopaque markers includes a first plurality of radiopaque markers, and the at least one radiopaque marker includes a second plurality of radiopaque markers.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide distinct indication that is observable using fluoroscopy, when the spring is experiencing a force that is within a margin force from a target force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 300 g force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is above 400 g force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is configured to provide the distinct indication when the spring experiences a force that is about 500 g force.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is coupled to the prosthetic valve, and is intracorporeally lockable to the tether subsequently to anchoring of the tissue anchor to the ventricular muscle tissue.\",\n \"In an application, the spring is slidable along at least part of the tether, and is intracorporeally couplable to the tether by inhibiting the sliding.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, and the spring includes an elastically-deformable appendage that protrudes laterally from the valve body.\",\n \"In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween, and the spring (1) includes a compression spring having a longitudinal axis, and (2) is disposed laterally from, the valve body such that the longitudinal axis of the spring is generally parallel with the longitudinal lumen.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve includes: a generally cylindrical valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal lumen therebetween; and one or more tissue-engaging legs, protruding laterally outward from the valve body, and configured to be placed against a ventricular surface of the native valve.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve is couplable to the upstream support intracorporeally by being expanded within an opening defined by the upstream support while the upstream support is disposed against the upstream surface.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the coupling of the prosthetic valve to the upstream support couples the tether to the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured to sandwich a portion of the native valve between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support by providing a space having a height between the tissue-engaging legs and the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height without altering a force on the spring.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that altering the height automatically alters a force on the spring.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured to facilitate altering the height by moving the valve body through the opening defined by the upstream support.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including: a valve body: having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, including a lateral wall that circumscribes the longitudinal axis and defines a longitudinal lumen, and including a valve member disposed within the lumen; an upstream support having an inner perimeter couplable to the valve body at a first longitudinal position of the valve body, the upstream support being configured to extend radially outward from the valve body and the inner perimeter; and a flexible sheet defining a first aperture, a second aperture and a lateral wall therebetween, a first portion of the sheet that defines the first aperture being circumferentially attached to the upstream support portion at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter, and a second portion of the sheet that defines the second aperture being circumferentially attached to the valve body at a second longitudinal position of the valve body, such that a pocket region is defined between the sheet and at least the first longitudinal position.\",\n \"In an application, the second longitudinal position is closer to the downstream end of the valve body than is the first longitudinal position.\",\n \"In an application, the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet is attached to the upstream support at an outer perimeter of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet assumes a frustoconical shape.\",\n \"In an application, the sheet assumes a funnel shape.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is provided with the inner perimeter of the upstream support pre-coupled to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that the inner perimeter of the upstream support is intracorporeally couplable to the valve body at the first longitudinal position of the valve body.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream support defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a tubular valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen therebetween, the lumen having a first diameter, and the valve body being separated from the upstream element by a gap between the upstream end of the valve body and the upstream element; one or more tissue-engaging elements that protrude radially outward from the valve body so as to define a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; and a flexible sheet shaped to define a conduit, a downstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the valve body, an upstream portion of the sheet being coupled to the upstream element, and the sheet spanning the gap.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes at least one tether, a first portion of the tether being coupled to the valve body and a second portion of the tether being coupled to the upstream support, such that tensioning of at least a portion of the tether reduces the gap.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus is configured such that tensioning of at least the portion of the tether rumples the sheet.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native heart valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: an annular upstream element defining an opening therethrough, and configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native heart valve; a flexible sheet, shaped to define a conduit, and coupled to the upstream element such that the conduit is in fluid communication with the opening; and a valve body, coupled to the flexible sheet such that the conduit provides fluid communication between the prosthetic valve and the upstream element.\",\n \"In an application, the valve body includes: a generally cylindrical frame shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member coupled to the frame and disposed within the lumen.\",\n \"In an application, the frame is separated from the upstream element by a gap, and the conduit spans the gap.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for use with a guide member that extends into a subject, the apparatus including: a delivery tool, including a housing, the housing: being transluminally advanceable into the subject, shaped to define an orifice at an end of the housing, and having a lateral wall shaped to define a slit that is continuous with the orifice; an implant: configured to be housed by the housing, and including an eyelet that (1) is slidable over the guide member, and (2) when the implant is housed by the housing, extends through the slit and radially beyond the lateral wall such that the eyelet facilitates transluminal sliding of the implant and the housing along the guide member and into the subject, the apparatus being configured such that, while (1) the implant remains within the subject, and (2) the guide member remains disposed through the eyelet, (1) the implant is removable from the housing via the orifice, and (2) the housing is removable from the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the implant is configured to be implanted by being intracorporeally locked to the guide member.\",\n \"In an application, the implant has a compressed state and an expanded state, is configured to be housed by the housing while in the compressed state, and is configured to automatically expand toward the expanded state when removed from the housing.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to ventricular tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool, the tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a tether; transluminally delivering an annular upstream support and a prosthetic valve to the heart, the prosthetic valve including (1) a valve body shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and (2) one or more tissue-engaging legs configured to protrude laterally outward from the valve body; pressing the tissue-engaging legs in an upstream direction against a ventricular surface of the native valve by applying a force to the prosthetic valve while measuring the force; applying, to the tether, a tension that changes a shape of a spring coupled to the tether, while observing the shape of the spring using imaging; and at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the spring, facilitating holding of the upstream support against an upstream surface of the native valve by locking a second portion of the tether to at least one component selected from the group consisting of: the prosthetic valve and the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, measuring the force includes measuring the force using an extracorporeal force meter.\",\n \"In an application, measuring the force includes observing a shape of the tissue-engaging legs using imaging.\",\n \"In an application, applying the tension includes applying the tension while applying the force.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion to the selected component includes locking the second portion to the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion when the observed shape indicates that the spring is experiencing between 400 g force and 600 g force.\",\n \"In an application, locking the second portion includes locking the second portion subsequently to applying the tension, and applying the force includes applying the force subsequently to locking the second portion.\",\n \"In an application: anchoring the tissue anchor coupled to the tether includes anchoring a first tissue anchor coupled to a first tether, and applying the tension includes applying a first tension that changes a shape of a first spring coupled to the first tether, the method further includes: anchoring a second tissue anchor to the ventricular tissue, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a first portion of a second tether; and applying, to the second tether, a second tension that changes a shape of a second spring coupled to the second tether, while observing the shape of the second spring using imaging, and facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface includes, at least in part responsively to the observed shape of the second spring, facilitating holding of the prosthetic valve against the upstream surface by locking a second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component.\",\n \"In an application, facilitating holding includes locking the second portion of the first tether and the second portion of the second tether to the selected at least one component, at least in part responsively to a ratio between tension in the first tether and tension in the second tether, the ratio being derived from the observed shape of the first spring and the observed shape of the second spring.\",\n \"In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the observed shape.\",\n \"In an application, locking includes locking the second portion to the at least one component at least in part responsively to the measured force.\",\n \"In an application, applying the force includes moving the valve body in an upstream direction through an opening defined by the upstream support, and the method further includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support by expanding the valve body within the opening.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the upstream support at least in part responsively to the measured force.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally advancing a plurality of tissue anchors, coupled to a respective plurality of springs, into a body of a subject; anchoring the plurality of tissue anchors to tissue of the subject; tensioning at least one of the springs; using imaging, while the tension is applied to the at least one spring, observing a state of the at least one spring; and at least in part responsively to the observed state of at least one spring, adjusting a tension on at least one of the springs.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: applying a first tension to a tether that couples (a) a tissue anchor anchored to ventricular tissue of a subject, to (b) a prosthetic valve body, the tether having a length between the tissue anchor and the valve body; by applying an atrially-directed force to the prosthetic valve body, pressing, against tissue of the native valve, a tissue-engaging element that protrudes radially from the valve body transluminally advancing a prosthetic valve body to a native valve of the subject; while applying the atrially-directed force, measuring: a pressing force of the tissue-engaging element against the tissue of the native valve, and a second tension on the tether, the second tension differing from the first tension at least in part due to the atrially-directed force; and at least in part responsively to the measured pressing force and the measured second tension, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: adjusting the length of the tether between the tissue anchor and the valve body, and locking the valve body to the tether.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the method including: transluminally delivering a tissue anchor to a ventricle of the heart, and anchoring the tissue anchor to ventricular muscle tissue of the subject; transluminally delivering an upstream support to an atrium of the heart, and placing the upstream support against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve; and changing a shape of the upstream support by tensioning a tether coupled to upstream support and to the tissue anchor; and extracorporeally fluoroscopically observing the shape change of the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, tensioning the tether coupled to the upstream support includes tensioning a tether that is coupled to a valve body coupled to the upstream support.\",\n \"In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is generally flat annular, and changing the shape includes making the support assume a frustoconical shape.\",\n \"In an application, before the tensioning, the upstream support is frustoconical, and changing the shape includes changing a slant of the frustoconical shape.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a transluminally-deliverable tissue anchor; a tether, a first end thereof coupled to the tissue anchor; and a delivery tool, including: a steerable catheter having a longitudinal axis, and being transluminally deliverable to the valve, and an obstructing element: disposed at a longitudinal site of the catheter, configured to extend laterally outward from the catheter, and dimensioned, when extending laterally outward from the catheter, to inhibit movement of at least the longitudinal site through the valve by abutting tissue of the valve, and an anchor manipulator: reversibly couplable to the tissue anchor, slidable through the catheter, and configured to drive the anchor into ventricular tissue of the heart of the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the anchor manipulator is slidably coupled to the catheter such that a distal end of the anchor manipulator is slidable distally no more than a pre-determined distance from the longitudinal site.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes an implant, intracorporeally lockable to the tether.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a guide member, reversibly couplable to the tether, and the implant is intracorporeally slidable along the guide member toward the tether and the implant.\",\n \"In an application, the tether has exactly one locking site at which the implant is lockable to the tether.\",\n \"In an application, the exactly one locking site is disposed at a pre-determined distance from the anchor that is pre-determined at least in part dependently on a distance between the longitudinal site and a distal end of the catheter.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method, including: transluminally anchoring a tissue anchor to tissue of a subject using an anchor-manipulation tool; subsequently applying to the anchor a pulling force having a given magnitude; using imaging, observing a movement of the tissue anchor in response to the pulling force; and at least in part responsively to the observed movement, performing an action selected from the group consisting of: de-anchoring the tissue anchor from the tissue, and decoupling the anchor-manipulation tool from the tissue anchor.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus, for implantation at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve being disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of the heart, the apparatus including: a tubular valve body: having an upstream portion, configured to be disposed in the atrium of the heart of the subject, having a downstream portion, configured to be disposed in the ventricle of the subject, having an elastic portion, disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, and elastically coupling the upstream portion to the downstream portion, and shaped to define a continuous lumen through the upstream portion, the elastic portion, and the downstream portion; and at least one valve member, disposed in the lumen of the valve body, and configured to facilitate flow of blood of the subject from the upstream portion of the valve body to the downstream portion of the valve body, and to inhibit flow of the blood from the downstream portion of the valve body to the upstream portion of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the at least one valve member is coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the native valve includes a plurality of native leaflets, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a plurality of clips, configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, each clip: includes at least two clip arms, articulatably coupled to each other, and is reversibly closeable.\",\n \"In an application, the clips are coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body, and the downstream portion of the valve body is configured to be coupled to the native leaflets by the clips being coupled to the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, each clip of the plurality of clips is articulatably coupled to the downstream portion of the valve body.\",\n \"In an application, the native valve includes an annulus having an upstream surface, and the apparatus further includes a prosthetic valve support: including (1) an upstream support portion, configured to be placed against the upstream surface of the annulus of the native valve, and (2) the plurality of clips, coupled to the upstream support portion, shaped to define an opening therethrough that is configured to receive the prosthetic valve, and the clips are configured to facilitate the coupling of the downstream portion of the valve body to the native leaflets by coupling the prosthetic valve support to the native leaflets.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a plurality of commissures, the apparatus including: at least one tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject; at least one longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective one of the at least one tissue anchors; an upstream support, including an upstream support portion configured to be slidable over the longitudinal member and placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; and at least one locking member, configured to be slidable over a respective one of the at least one longitudinal members, and to be lockable to the respective longitudinal member such that a portion of the respective longitudinal member that is disposed between the respective anchor and the upstream support portion is longer than 1 cm.\",\n \"In an application, the longitudinal member is flexible.\",\n \"In an application, the longitudinal member includes a suture.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, a method for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject, the native valve having a plurality of leaflets that meet at a first commissure and at a second commissure, the method including: anchoring a first tissue anchor to a first site within a ventricle of the heart of the subject, the first tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a first longitudinal member; anchoring a second tissue anchor to a second site within the ventricle of the heart of the subject, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a distal end of a second longitudinal member; subsequently, placing at least an upstream support portion of a prosthetic valve support against an upstream surface of the native valve, the valve being disposed between the ventricle and an atrium of the heart of the subject; and securing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface of the valve by: coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the first longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the first commissure, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member such that at least part of a portion of the second longitudinal member that is disposed between the upstream support portion and the first tissue anchor, is disposed between the first and second leaflets at the second commissure.\",\n \"In an application, anchoring, placing, and securing include anchoring, securing, and placing without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.\",\n \"In an application, anchoring to the first site and anchoring to the second site include anchoring to myocardium.\",\n \"In an application, placing the upstream support portion against the upstream surface includes sliding the upstream support portion over at least part of the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member and to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject, and coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the second longitudinal member in the atrium of the heart of the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the leaflets move in response to beating of the heart of the subject, and securing the upstream support portion includes securing the upstream support portion without eliminating the movement of the native leaflets.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member includes coupling the upstream support portion to the first longitudinal member such that a length of the portion of the first longitudinal member is greater than 1 cm.\",\n \"In an application, the method further includes: transluminally advancing at least the first tissue anchor to the first site while the respective longitudinal member coupled thereto is disposed within a respective tubular member; and subsequently to anchoring the at least first tissue anchor, and before coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member, sliding the at least first tubular member off of at least part of the respective longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member includes sliding at least part of the at least first tubular member through a channel defined by a locking member, and coupling the upstream support portion to the respective longitudinal member includes locking the locking member to the respective longitudinal member by narrowing at least a portion of the channel.\",\n \"In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is reversibly coupled to a portion of a wire, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from decoupling from the portion of the wire, and the method further includes facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.\",\n \"In an application: advancing the at least first tissue anchor includes advancing the at least first tissue anchor while (1) the respective longitudinal member is shaped to define a loop, and is coupled to the portion of the wire by the portion of the wire being threaded through the loop, and (2) the respective tubular member inhibits the portion of the wire from unthreading from the loop, and facilitating decoupling of the wire from the respective longitudinal member includes facilitating unthreading of the wire from the loop by sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire.\",\n \"In an application, sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire includes sliding the at least first tubular member off of the portion of the wire by applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.\",\n \"In an application, applying less than 500 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member includes applying less than 300 g of pulling force to the at least first tubular member.\",\n \"In an application, the method further includes, subsequently to securing the upstream support portion, coupling a prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"In an application, the upstream support portion has an inner edge that defines an opening through the upstream support portion, and coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support includes placing at least a portion of the prosthetic valve within the opening, and expanding at least the portion of the prosthetic valve such that at least the portion of the prosthetic valve applies a radially-expansive force against the inner edge of the upstream support portion.\",\n \"In an application, the prosthetic valve includes one or more tissue-engaging elements, each of the one or more tissue-engaging elements including at least two arms, and the method further includes, subsequent to securing the upstream support portion, coupling the prosthetic valve to at least one of the leaflets by sandwiching the at least one of the leaflets between the at least clip arms of the one or more tissue-engaging elements.\",\n \"In an application, coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets includes coupling the prosthetic valve to the at least one of the leaflets before coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"In an application: the prosthetic valve includes a valve body, having an outer surface, the at least two arms include a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being longer than the second arm, and the method further includes: delivering, within a delivery tube, the prosthetic valve in a delivery configuration thereof, in which the first arm and the second arm are constrained against the outer surface of the valve body; facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a first portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the first arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve; and facilitating deflection of the second arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, by advancing a second portion of the prosthetic valve out of the delivery tube such that the second arm automatically deflects away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"In an application: facilitating deflection of the first arm includes facilitating deflection of the first arm a first angle from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve, and the method further includes facilitating deflection of the first arm away from the outer surface of the prosthetic valve a second angle that is greater than the first angle, by applying a force to the first arm using the delivery tube: subsequently to facilitating deflection of the first arm the first angle, and prior to facilitating deflection of the second arm.\",\n \"In an application, applying the force to the first arm using the delivery tube includes pushing on the first arm by sliding the delivery tube over at least part of the prosthetic valve.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use with a body of a subject, the apparatus including: at least a first implantable member; a first longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the first implantable member; a second longitudinal member, at least a portion of the second longitudinal member being reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member; and a tubular member: slidable over the first and second longitudinal members, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the second longitudinal member is (1) coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the second longitudinal member from the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is configured, when (1) the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member, and (2) the portion of the second longitudinal member is disposed outside of the lumen of the tubular member, to be decouplable from the first longitudinal member by the second longitudinal member being pulled away from the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, at least one longitudinal member selected from the group consisting of: the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, is flexible.\",\n \"In an application, the tubular member is more rigid than the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the tubular member fits snugly over at least the portion of the second longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the first implantable member includes a tissue anchor, configured to be anchored to a tissue of the subject.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a second implantable member, slidable over the tubular member, and couplable to the first longitudinal member while the portion of the second longitudinal member is coupled to the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the portion of the second longitudinal member is reversibly couplable to the first longitudinal member at a first site of the first longitudinal member, and the second implantable member is couplable to the first longitudinal member at a second site of the first longitudinal member that is distal to the first site of the longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a locking member having an unlocked state and a locked state, and configured to be slid over the tubular member in the unlocked state and to be locked to the first longitudinal member by being transitioned to the locked state.\",\n \"In an application, the locking member is configured to facilitate coupling of the second implantable member to the first longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the locking member is configured to be coupled to the first longitudinal member at least 1 cm away from the first implantable member.\",\n \"There is further provided, in accordance with an application of the present invention, apparatus for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor, configured to be transluminally, transcatheterally advanced to a ventricle of the heart of the subject, and to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle; a longitudinal member, coupled at a distal end thereof to the tissue anchor; a wire, a portion of the wire being reversibly couplable to the longitudinal member; a tubular member: slidable over the longitudinal member and the wire, shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and configured, when the portion of the wire is (1) coupled to the longitudinal member, and (2) disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, to inhibit decoupling of the portion of the wire from the longitudinal member; a prosthetic valve support including an upstream support portion slidable over the tubular member, and to be placed against an upstream surface of an annulus of the native valve by sliding over the tubular member; and a locking member, slidable over the tubular element and lockable to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the locking member is configured to be locked to the longitudinal member at a site of the longitudinal member that is distal to a site of the longitudinal member to which the portion of the wire is reversibly couplable.\",\n \"In an application, the tubular member is configured to be slid out of the locking member before the locking member is locked to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"In an application, the apparatus further includes a control rod, slidable over the tubular member, the locking member being reversibly coupled to a control rod, the control rod being configured to restrain the locking member in an unlocked configuration thereof, and to facilitate locking of the locking member by ceasing to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration.\",\n \"In an application, the control rod is configured to decouple from the locking member when the control rod ceases to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof.\",\n \"In an application, the control rod is configured to cease to restrain the locking member in the unlocked configuration thereof by the control rod being rotated with respect to the locking member.\",\n \"In an application: the prosthetic valve support is shaped to define a hole through which the tubular member is slidable, at least while the control rod is coupled to the locking member, the control rod is not slidable through the hole defined by the prosthetic valve support, and the control rod is configured to facilitate the sliding of the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member by pushing the prosthetic valve support over the tubular member.\",\n \"The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of applications thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS.\",\n \"1A-F are schematic illustrations of a system for implanting a prosthetic valve support and a prosthetic valve at a native valve of a heart of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a schematic illustration of the prosthetic valve being retrieved into a delivery tube, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"3A-C are schematic illustrations of the introduction of guide members through the prosthetic valve support and a delivery tube, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"4A-C are schematic illustrations of a locking member, and control thereof, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"5 is a schematic illustration of steps in the delivery and anchoring of tissue anchors, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a schematic illustration of a system for use with a prosthetic valve support, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"7A-C are schematic illustrations of a system for facilitating transluminal delivery of a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"8A-H are schematic illustrations of a technique for use with the system of FIGS.\",\n \"7A-C, to transluminally implant a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"9A-B, 10A-B, 11A-B, 12A-B, 13A-B, and 14A-B are schematic illustrations of prosthetic valve assemblies, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C are schematic illustrations of a tool for facilitating application of force between a prosthetic valve assembly and tethers, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"16 is a schematic illustration of a system comprising a prosthetic valve assembly and one or more springs, via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"17 is a schematic illustration of a system comprising a prosthetic valve assembly and one or more springs, via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"18A-B are schematic illustrations of springs coupled to respective tethers so as to elastically couple a tissue anchor to a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B are schematic illustrations of a system for facilitating delivery of a prosthetic valve body, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIG.\",\n \"20 is a schematic illustration showing examples in which force measurements described herein may be combined to facilitate implantation of a prosthetic valve, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly, in accordance with some applications of the invention; FIGS.\",\n \"22A-B are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly comprising a prosthetic valve having a tubular valve body that comprises an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and an elastic portion disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, in accordance with some applications of the invention; and FIGS.\",\n \"23-24 are schematic illustrations of systems for facilitating anchoring of a tissue anchor in the heart of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-F, which are schematic illustrations of a system 40 for implanting an upstream prosthetic valve support 42 and a prosthetic valve 44 at a native valve 10 of a heart 4 of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Typically, applications of the invention are for use with the mitral valve of the subject (that is, native valve 10 comprises the mitral valve of the subject), but it is to be noted that applications of the invention may be used at other heart valves of the subject, such as the tricuspid valve, the aortic valve, or the pulmonary valve, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-B.\",\n \"A sheath 46 is advanced transluminally (e.g., transfemorally) to right atrium 12 of the heart, and is typically advanced through the fossa ovalis into left atrium 6 of the heart using standard transseptal techniques.\",\n \"For some applications, sheath 46 is steerable.\",\n \"For some such applications, sheath 46 is steerable in two axes.\",\n \"One or more (typically two) tissue anchors 48 are advanced through sheath 46, between leaflets 14 of the native valve, and into left ventricle 8 of the heart, and are there anchored to tissue (e.g., ventricular muscle tissue) of the heart.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1A shows a first tissue anchor 48a being anchored at a first ventricular site, and FIG.\",\n \"1B shows a second tissue anchor 48b being anchored at a second ventricular site.\",\n \"Typically, anchors 48 are anchored to muscle of the heart, such as to the walls of ventricle 8 and/or to papillary muscles.\",\n \"Typically, and as shown, anchors 48 comprise helical anchors that are anchored by being rotated.\",\n \"However, other types of anchors may be used, such as barbed or harpoon-like anchors, e.g., that are anchored by being pushed into the tissue.\",\n \"State A of FIGS.\",\n \"1A and 1B show a catheter 50 having been advanced through sheath 46 and into ventricle 8, and an anchor-delivery tube 52 having been advanced through catheter 50 to the respective ventricular site.\",\n \"Typically, and as shown, the distal end of delivery tube 52 is placed against the tissue at the ventricular site.\",\n \"Typically, at least a distal portion of catheter 50 is steerable (e.g., independently of sheath 46).\",\n \"State B of FIGS.\",\n \"1A and 1B each show a respective anchor 48 being anchored to a respective ventricular site.\",\n \"Typically, anchor 48 is reversibly coupled to an anchor manipulator 54 (e.g., an anchor driver), which is slidable through at least part of tube 52, and which is configured to apply a force (e.g., a rotational force) to the anchor so as to anchor the anchor at the ventricular site.\",\n \"For some applications, anchor manipulator 54 and anchor 48 are advanced from outside the subject to the ventricular site only once the distal end of tube 52 is disposed against the ventricular site.\",\n \"For some applications, the manipulator and anchor are disposed within, and advanced with, tube 52.For some applications, anchor 48 is anchored by rotating anchor manipulator 54 and tube 52 together.\",\n \"For some applications, a separate anchor manipulator 54 is used to deliver and anchor each anchor 48 (e.g., each anchor 48 may be provided pre-coupled to a respective anchor manipulator).\",\n \"For some applications, one anchor manipulator 54 may be used to deliver and anchor all (e.g., both) anchors 48 (e.g., each anchor 48 may be configured to be sequentially coupled to the anchor manipulator outside the body of the subject by the operating physician).\",\n \"It is to be noted that typically anchor 48 is not exposed from tube 52 other than when being anchored.\",\n \"It is hypothesized that for some applications this reduces a likelihood of inadvertently engaging and/or damaging tissue of the heart (e.g., chordae tendineae).\",\n \"For some applications, subsequent to anchoring each tissue anchor 48 to the tissue, a testing pulling force of known magnitude is applied to the anchor (e.g., by applying the pulling force to anchor manipulator 54), and movement of the tissue anchor in response to the pulling force is observed using imaging (e.g., fluoroscopy).\",\n \"The observed movement may be used to confirm successful and/or stable anchoring (e.g., relatively little movement may indicate firm anchoring in firm tissue) or to determine sub-optimal anchoring (e.g., relatively large movement may indicate weak anchoring and/or anchoring in weak tissue).\",\n \"Thus, at least in part responsively to the observed movement, the operating physician may decouple manipulator 54 from anchor 48, or may de-anchor the anchor from the tissue using the manipulator.\",\n \"State C of FIGS.\",\n \"1A and 1B show anchor manipulator 54 having been decoupled from anchor 48, and the manipulator and tube 52 being withdrawn proximally into catheter 50.Each anchor 48 is provided pre-coupled to a guide member 56 (e.g., a first guide member 56a, and a second guide member 56b), described in more detail hereinbelow (e.g., with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1D and 4A-C).\",\n \"As manipulator 54 and tube 52 are withdrawn, guide member 56 is exposed from tube 52.Typically, and as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"1A-B, the same catheter 50 is used to deliver both anchors 48.For such applications, and as shown in states B and C of FIG.\",\n \"1B, when delivering second tissue anchor 48b, anchor-delivery tube 52 fits alongside first guide member 56a within catheter 50.Alternatively, and as described hereinbelow with reference to FIG.\",\n \"5, a separate catheter is used for each anchor, in which case the second catheter fits alongside first guide member 56a within sheath 46.State D of FIGS.\",\n \"1A and 1B show catheter 50 having been withdrawn proximally, into atrium 6.For some applications, catheter 50 is withdrawn completely from the body of the subject.\",\n \"For some applications, catheter 50 is used for delivery of components during later steps in the procedure.\",\n \"Guide members 56 extend from atrium 6, between leaflets 14, and to respective ventricular sites.\",\n \"Typically, guide members 56 do not eliminate functioning of leaflets 14 and/or valve 10.For some applications, guide members 56 are configured to automatically move toward respective commissures 16 (e.g., into the joining corners at the commissures of leaflets 14).\",\n \"For some applications, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1C, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., deployment thereof) pushes guide members 56 toward the respective commissures.\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIG.\",\n \"1C, which shows prosthetic valve support being delivered to, and deployed at, native valve 10.Prosthetic valve support 42 is advanced through sheath 46 and into atrium 6.Typically, support 42 is delivered in a compressed configuration thereof within a housing, such as a delivery tube 80.For some applications, catheter 50 is used to facilitate delivery of prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80 (e.g., the support and delivery tube are advanced through catheter 50).\",\n \"For some applications, a different catheter is used to facilitate delivery of prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80.For some applications, prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80 are advanced directly through sheath 46.Prosthetic valve support 42 comprises an annular upstream support portion 43 which, in the delivery configuration of the prosthetic valve support, is generally cylindrical, and which, once the prosthetic valve is deployed and expands to an uncompressed configuration thereof is generally annular.\",\n \"For some applications, upstream support portion 43 is generally frustoconical in the uncompressed configuration thereof.\",\n \"Typically, a distal end of upstream support portion 43 in the compressed, cylindrical configuration, defines an inner perimeter of the upstream support portion in the uncompressed configuration, the inner perimeter defining an opening through the upstream support portion.\",\n \"State A of FIG.\",\n \"1C shows delivery tube 80, containing support 42, having been delivered to atrium 6 over guide members 56, and support 42 starting to be subsequently exposed from the delivery tube, and automatically expanding.\",\n \"Upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42 is shaped to define holes 82 through which guide members 56 are slidable, thereby facilitating sliding of the prosthetic valve support over guide members 56.Typically, holes 82 are disposed opposite each other around the generally annular shape of upstream support portion 43.For some applications, holes 82 are defined and/or reinforced by an eyelet 84 or pledget (visible in states B and C of FIG.\",\n \"1C).\",\n \"Guide members 56 extend proximally from delivery tube 80, e.g., via holes in a proximal end of the delivery tube, such that the delivery tube, and prosthetic valve support 42, in the compressed state within the delivery tube, are slidable over the guide members, the guide members thereby facilitating delivery of the prosthetic valve support within the delivery tube.\",\n \"Introduction of guide members 56 through the prosthetic valve support and delivery tube are described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"3A-C. State B of FIG.\",\n \"1C shows prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) having been completely deployed from delivery tube 80, and having automatically expanded to the uncompressed configuration thereof.\",\n \"Guide members 56 are typically pushed toward commissures 16 by the expansion of support 42.For some applications, delivery tube 80 is subsequently removed from the body of the subject.\",\n \"A tubular control rod 86 is advanced over each guide member 56 toward prosthetic valve support 42, and is used to push prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) toward the annulus of valve 10.Control rods 86 have a cross-sectional diameter that is larger than that of holes 82, and may thereby be used to push against upstream support portion 43 without passing through the holes.\",\n \"Typically, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) is provided with one or more (e.g., two) control filaments 88 reversibly coupled thereto.\",\n \"Typically, filaments 88 are coupled to upstream support portion 43 at sites that are disposed opposite each other around the generally annular shape of the upstream support portion, and disposed evenly between holes 82.That is, in the expanded configuration of upstream support portion 43, a straight line between holes 82 is typically perpendicular to a straight line between the sites at which filaments 88 are coupled to the upstream support portion.\",\n \"It should be noted that other numbers and arrangements of control filaments may also be used.\",\n \"Typically, each control filament 88 (1) comprises two portions of a loop of filament that passes through upstream support portion 43, loops around a downstream surface of the upstream support portion (i.e., the surface that is placed in contact with the annulus of the native valve), and passes back through the upstream support portion, and (2) is decouplable from the upstream support portion by releasing a first end of the filament and pulling a second end, thereby unthreading and/or unlooping the control filament from the upstream support portion.\",\n \"Control filaments 88 facilitate some manipulation of prosthetic valve support 42 following deployment from delivery tube 80.Typically, control rods 86 further facilitate such manipulation.\",\n \"State C of FIG.\",\n \"1C shows such manipulation of prosthetic valve support 42.For example, it may be desirable to rotate the prosthetic valve support (e.g., to position and/or orient the upstream support portion correctly with respect to native valve 10, to control the order in which different regions of upstream support portion 43 contact the native valve, and/or to uncoil control rods 86 and/or control filaments 88 from each other).\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIG.\",\n \"1D, which show steps in securing prosthetic valve support 42 against the upstream surface (e.g., the atrial surface) of native valve 10.Each guide member 56 typically comprises a tether (e.g., a longitudinal member 102), a pull-wire 104 reversibly coupled to the longitudinal member, and a tubular member 100 in which the longitudinal member and the pull-wire are disposed, the tubular member fitting snugly over the longitudinal member and the pull-wire so as to inhibit the pull-wire from becoming decoupled from the longitudinal member (e.g., to maintain a state of coupling therebetween).\",\n \"Pull-wire 104 may or may not be metallic and may have various cross-sectional shapes (e.g., circular or rectangular).\",\n \"Typically, (1) longitudinal member 102 defines a loop (e.g., a closed loop) (2) a portion (e.g., a distal portion) of pull-wire 104 is threaded through the loop defined by member 102 (e.g., is looped through the loop), and (3) the snug fitting of tubular member 100 over member 102 and pull-wire 104 inhibits the portion of the pull-wire from unthreading from the loop.\",\n \"It is to be noted that, although longitudinal member 102 is shown as defining a loop that extends most (e.g., all) of the length of the longitudinal member, the loop may alternatively be defined only at a proximal end of the longitudinal member.\",\n \"For some applications, longitudinal member 102 and pull-wire 104 are coupled via complementary screw threads.\",\n \"For example, longitudinal member 102 may comprise, or be coupled to, a screw at a proximal end thereof, and pull-wire 104 may comprise, or be coupled to, a socket at a distal end thereof.\",\n \"For some applications, tubular member 100 is used to decouple (e.g., unscrew) pull-wire 104 from longitudinal member 102.Tubular member 100 is typically more rigid than pull-wire 104 and/or longitudinal member 102 (although it is still sufficiently flexible to be transluminally delivered).\",\n \"This rigidity reduces a likelihood of twisting, kinking, snagging, and/or other undesirable phenomenon or interactions within the transluminal delivery system (e.g., within sheath 46, catheter 50, and/or anchor-delivery tube 52).\",\n \"For some applications tubular member 100 has a smoother surface than does pull-wire 104 or longitudinal member 102.For some applications, tubular member 100, which is necessarily wider than pull-wire 104 and/or longitudinal member 102, is also more visible using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy.\",\n \"This advantageously allows an operating physician to monitor the intracorporeal juxtaposition of the tubular members and, if necessary, to intervene, such as by revolving the tubular members (e.g., proximal ends thereof) around each other.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, control rods 86 are used to push prosthetic valve support 42 toward the annulus of valve 10 by sliding the control rod over a respective guide member 56 (i.e., over the tubular member 100 of the respective guide member).\",\n \"Each control rod 86 is reversibly coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective locking member 110 that, in an unlocked state thereof, is slidable over guide member 56.Thereby, the pushing of prosthetic valve support 42 is typically performed by pushing with both control rod 86 and locking member 110.State A of FIG.\",\n \"1D shows control rods 86 and respective locking members 110 having been slid over respective tubular members 100 of respective guide members 56, such that prosthetic valve support 42 has been pushed against the annulus of valve 10.Typically, a counter force (e.g., a proximal pulling force) is applied to guide member 56 (e.g., to tubular member 100, longitudinal member 102, and pull-wire 104) so as to facilitate such sliding.\",\n \"State B of FIG.\",\n \"1D shows tubular member 110 having been pulled proximally such that the distal end of the tubular member is disposed proximal to locking member 110, thereby exposing, from the tubular member, progressive portions of longitudinal member 102, at least until the tubular member is not disposed between the longitudinal member and the locking member (e.g., such that the locking member can directly contact the longitudinal member).\",\n \"Typically, and as shown in state B of FIG.\",\n \"1D, tubular member 100 is pulled proximally such that the distal end thereof is disposed distal to the point at which longitudinal member 102 and pull-wire 104 are coupled, thereby retaining the coupling therebetween.\",\n \"While in this state, locking member 110 is locked to longitudinal member 102 (e.g., to a portion of the longitudinal member that is disposed within a channel of the locking member).\",\n \"For some applications, locking member 110 locks automatically in response to withdrawal of tubular member 100.For some applications, locking of locking member 110 is independent of the withdrawal of the tubular member.\",\n \"An embodiment of locking member 110 and control thereof is described in more detail hereinbelow with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"4A-C.\",\n \"It is to be noted that the scope of the invention also comprises the use of other locking members such as crimp-based locking members, and also comprises other locking techniques such as tying.\",\n \"Subsequently, and as shown in state C of FIG.\",\n \"1D, tubular member 100 is pulled further proximally, such that the distal end of the tubular member is disposed proximal to the point at which longitudinal member 102 and pull-wire 104 are coupled, such that the pull-wire is decouplable from the longitudinal member (e.g., unthreadable from the loop defined by the longitudinal member).\",\n \"Typically, anchors 48 and longitudinal members 102 are configured to withstand a pulling force of at least 500 g, so as to withstand forces within the beating heart.\",\n \"The apparatus is typically configured such that a pulling force required to pull tubular member 100 proximally, is less than 500 g, such as less than 300 g. For some applications, such a configuration is achieved at least in part by reducing friction between tubular member 100 and pull-wire 104, such as by thermally treating the pull-wire 104.Subsequently, control rod 86, tubular member 100, and pull-wire 104 are pulled proximally, as shown in state D of FIG.\",\n \"1D, thereby separating the control rod from locking member 110, and the pull-wire from longitudinal member 102.In order for control rod 86 to be pulled proximally, the control rod is decoupled from locking member 110 prior to said pulling.\",\n \"For some applications, the decoupling of control rod 86 from locking member 110 is synchronous with the locking of the locking member (e.g., the same action locks the locking member and decouples the control rod from the locking member, such as described hereinbelow with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"4A-C).\",\n \"For some applications, the decoupling of the control rod from the locking member is independent of the locking of the locking member.\",\n \"It is to be noted that, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"1D, for some applications, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) is secured to the upstream surface of the annulus of native valve 10, only by anchors 48 that are anchored to tissue in ventricle 8 of the subject.\",\n \"It is also to be noted that prosthetic valve support 42 is coupled to longitudinal members 102 in atrium 6 of the subject.\",\n \"Typically, a distance L1 between each anchor 48 and the point of upstream support portion 43 to which it is coupled (e.g., to a respective hole 82 and/or locking member 110) is greater than 0.5 cm, e.g., greater than 1 cm, such as greater than 2 cm.\",\n \"That is, the length of each longitudinal member 102 that is disposed between a respective anchor and upstream support portion 43 is typically greater than 0.5 cm, e.g., greater than 1 cm, such as greater than 2 cm.\",\n \"The length of each longitudinal member 102 that is disposed between the respective anchor and the upstream support portion is typically less than 10 cm (e.g., less than 7 cm, such as less than 5 cm).\",\n \"Thereby, the ventricular sites at which anchors 48 are anchored are typically more than 0.5 cm (e.g., more than 1 cm, such as more than 2 cm) away from prosthetic valve support 42.Reference is now made to FIG.\",\n \"1E-F, which show steps in the delivery and implantation of prosthetic valve 44 at native valve 10, facilitated by prosthetic valve support 42.Prosthetic valve 44 is advanced in a delivery configuration (e.g., in a compressed state), through sheath 46, typically within a delivery tube 120.Prosthetic valve 44 comprises a stent-like valve body 122, typically comprising an expandable frame that typically contains a shape-memory material such as nitinol.\",\n \"Valve body 122 is shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and an inner surface of the valve body is typically lined with a covering, such as a fabric.\",\n \"One or more prosthetic valve members (not shown for clarity), such as prosthetic leaflets, are coupled to valve body 122 and disposed within the lumen thereof.\",\n \"Prosthetic valve 44 further comprises one or more tissue-engaging elements 124.Typically, and as shown, valve 44 comprises two tissue-engaging elements 124 coupled to valve body 122 at sites that are on opposite sides of the circumference of the valve body.\",\n \"Each tissue-engaging element 124 typically comprises two arms 126 (e.g., a first clip arm 126a and a second clip arm 126b).\",\n \"For some applications, and as shown, each arm 126 defines an arc that is coupled to valve body 122 at the base of the arc.\",\n \"For example, and as shown, each arm 126 may comprise a single arc of the same shape-memory material as the frame of valve body 122.For some applications, one or both arms 126 of each tissue-engaging element 124 may be covered in a covering, such as a fabric.\",\n \"When valve 44 is in the compressed state thereof within delivery tube 120, arms 126 are held against valve body 122 with a tip 127 of each arm disposed proximally to a site at which that arm is coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"Each tissue-engaging element 124 is configured such that a tip 127a of arm 126a is disposed distal to a tip 127b of arm 126b.\",\n \"For example, arm 126a may be shorter than arm 126b.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, arm 126a may be coupled to valve body 122 at a site that is distal to a site at which arm 126b is coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"Prosthetic valve 44, within delivery tube 120, is advanced distally between leaflets 14 of native valve 10, and the prosthetic valve is progressively advanced distally out of a distal end of the delivery tube, as shown in states A-B of FIG.\",\n \"1E.\",\n \"It is to be noted that leaflets 14 typically continue to function following implantation of prosthetic valve support 42, and may further continue to function while delivery tube 120 is disposed therebetween; the leaflets typically coapt around the delivery tube.\",\n \"At a given degree of advancement of prosthetic valve 44 out of delivery tube 120, first arm 126a is deployed: tip 127a of each first arm 126a becomes exposed from the delivery tube and each arm 126a responsively deflects radially outward from valve body 122, toward a pre-set position (state B of FIG.\",\n \"1E).\",\n \"Tip 127b of each arm 126b remains within delivery tube 120.Throughout the procedure, as distal portions of valve body 122 are progressively exposed from delivery tube 120, they typically automatically expand toward an expanded state Subsequently, and as shown in state D of FIG.\",\n \"1E, prosthetic valve 44 and delivery tube 120 are moved proximally (e.g., atrially) such that arm 126a of each tissue-engaging element 124 engages (e.g., captures) a leaflet 14 of native valve 10, e.g., such that a portion of each leaflet is disposed between (1) each arm 126a and (2) a respective second arm 126b and valve body 122.Optionally, subsequently to deployment of first arm 126a and prior to moving prosthetic valve 44 proximally, the first arm is deflected further from valve body 122 than its pre-set position by applying a force to the first arm using the delivery tube.\",\n \"That is, an angle between the first arm and an outer surface of the valve body is increased by applying the force to the first arm using the delivery tube.\",\n \"Typically, the force is applied by moving delivery tube 120 distally with respect to the prosthetic valve (e.g., sliding the delivery tube over at least part of the prosthetic valve), so as to push the arm, as shown in state C of FIG.\",\n \"1E.\",\n \"It is hypothesized that such “opening” of tissue-engaging element 124 facilitates engagement of leaflets 14 (e.g., engagement of a larger portion of leaflets 14).\",\n \"Subsequently, delivery tube 120 is returned proximally with respect to prosthetic valve 44, such that arm 126a returns toward its pre-set position (state D of FIG.\",\n \"1E).\",\n \"For some applications, until at least the step shown in state D of FIG.\",\n \"1E, prosthetic valve 44 is retrievable into delivery tube 120 and removable from the body of the subject, e.g., as described hereinbelow with respect to FIG.\",\n \"2.Subsequently, delivery tube 120 is pulled further proximally with respect to prosthetic valve 44, such that tip 127b of second arm 126b of each tissue-engaging element 124 becomes exposed from the delivery tube, and each arm 126b responsively deflects radially outward from valve body 122, toward a pre-set position (state A of FIG.\",\n \"1F), thereby coupling the tissue-engaging element to the leaflet by sandwiching a portion of a leaflet 14 between the first and second arms of each tissue-engaging element.\",\n \"Second arm 126b is typically configured, when completely unrestricted (e.g., in the absence of leaflet 14) to have a pre-set position that is close to that of first arm 126a, planar with that of first arm 126a, and/or further from valve body 122 than is arm 126a.\",\n \"For some applications, the difference in size and/or position of the arc of second arm 126b to that of first arm 126a facilitates the second arm to move into plane with, and/or beyond the plane of, the first arm.\",\n \"Subsequently, prosthetic valve 44 is fully deployed by a proximal end of the prosthetic valve (e.g., valve body 122 thereof) being exposed from delivery tube 120 (e.g., by further withdrawing the delivery tube proximally with respect to the prosthetic valve) (state C of FIG.\",\n \"1F).\",\n \"The proximal end of prosthetic valve 44 responsively (e.g., automatically) expands toward the expanded state thereof.\",\n \"Expansion of the prosthetic valve (e.g., of valve body 122 thereof) applies a radially-expansive force against prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., against an inner perimeter of upstream support portion 43 thereof), thereby coupling the prosthetic valve to the prosthetic valve support.\",\n \"Typically, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., the inner perimeter of upstream support portion 43) restricts expansion of prosthetic valve 44, at least in part.\",\n \"For some applications, and as shown in state B of FIG.\",\n \"1F, subsequently to the coupling of tissue-engaging elements 124 to leaflets 14, and prior to coupling of prosthetic valve 44 to prosthetic valve support 42, the prosthetic valve is pulled proximally, e.g., so as to align a portion of valve body 122 with upstream support portion 43 and/or to draw leaflets 14 toward the upstream support portion.\",\n \"It is to be noted that, for some applications, each tissue-engaging element 124 comprises only one arm 126.For some such applications, the one arm 126 comprises and/or functions like first arm 126a described herein.\",\n \"For some such applications, the one arm 126 is configured to couple to the leaflet by sandwiching a portion of the leaflet between the one arm and valve body 122.For some such applications, the one arm 126 is configured, when the prosthetic valve is pulled proximally as shown in state B of FIG.\",\n \"1F, to sandwich a portion of the leaflet between the one arm and prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof).\",\n \"State D of FIG.\",\n \"1F shows the implanted (e.g., final) state of prosthetic valve support 42 and prosthetic valve 44, following implantation thereof at native valve 10.For some applications, in this implanted state, prosthetic valve support 42 and prosthetic valve 44 are inhibited from moving upstream (e.g., atrially) both by tissue anchors 48 and by tissue-engaging elements 124.That is, for some applications, resistance to forces on support 42 and valve 44 from the functioning of the heart of the subject, is provided in part by anchors 48 and in part by elements 124.For some applications, in this implanted state, prosthetic valve support 42 and prosthetic valve 44 are inhibited from moving upstream mostly (e.g., solely) by tissue-engaging elements 124.That is, for some applications, resistance to forces on support 42 and valve 44 from the functioning of the heart of the subject, is provided mostly (e.g., solely) by elements 124.For some such applications, anchors 48 and longitudinal members 102 are thereby only required until prosthetic valve 44 has been implanted.\",\n \"It is to be noted that in both cases, prosthetic valve support 42 (e.g., upstream support portion 43 thereof) inhibits movement ventricularly of prosthetic valve 44, and of the prosthetic valve support itself.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"1D-F. For some applications, locking of locking members 110 to longitudinal members 102 and/or decoupling of pull-wires 104 from longitudinal members 102 (FIG.\",\n \"1D) is not performed until after implantation of prosthetic valve 44 (FIGS.\",\n \"1E-F).\",\n \"For such applications, it is thereby possible to adjust the length of the portion of longitudinal members 102 (e.g., tension on the longitudinal members) after implantation of prosthetic valve 44.For some applications, a similar advantage is conferred by locking members being reversibly lockable, being locked before implantation of prosthetic valve 44, and subsequently to implantation of the prosthetic valve, being unlocked to allow re-adjustment of longitudinal members 102.Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-F. For some applications, anatomical dimensions of native valve 10 and/or surrounding tissues are determined (e.g., measured), and prosthetic valve support 42 and/or prosthetic valve 44 are selected accordingly (e.g., from a selection of prosthetic valve supports and/or prosthetic valves of different sizes).\",\n \"For example, an optimal lumen size (e.g., transverse cross-sectional area) for a prosthetic valve may be determined according to an area of the lumen defined by the annulus of the native valve of the subject.\",\n \"Responsively, a prosthetic valve having a lumen of that particular size may be selected.\",\n \"Similarly, a prosthetic valve support having an inner perimeter that defines an opening having a particular cross-sectional area may be selected, so as to restrict the expansion of a prosthetic valve to have a lumen of that particular size.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, a prosthetic valve support having an outer perimeter of a particular size may be selected according to determined dimensions of the annulus of the valve and/or walls of the atrium.\",\n \"It is to be noted that selecting a size according to determined anatomical dimensions may only in some cases comprise selecting a size that matches the anatomical dimensions.\",\n \"For example, an optimal size for the transverse cross-sectional area of a prosthetic valve is typically less than 90% of the area defined by the annulus of the native valve, so as to allow the leaflets of the native valve to coapt around the prosthetic valve and facilitate sealing.\",\n \"Because prosthetic valve support 42 is typically implantable without eliminating functioning of the native leaflets, for some applications, the prosthetic valve support is implantable without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.\",\n \"For some applications, prosthetic valve 44 is also implantable without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIG.\",\n \"2, which is a schematic illustration of prosthetic valve 44 being retrieved into delivery tube 120, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, for some applications, until at least the step shown in state D of FIG.\",\n \"1E, prosthetic valve 44 is retrievable into delivery tube 120 and removable from the body of the subject.\",\n \"Delivery tube 120 is moved distally with respect to prosthetic valve 44, in a manner similar to that used to push arms 126a, described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1E (state C), but such that delivery tube 120 is slid over the site at which arms 126a are coupled to valve body 122, thereby pushing arms 126a to deflect distally.\",\n \"Prosthetic valve 44, including at least part of arms 126a, is drawn into delivery tube 120 (e.g., by sliding the prosthetic valve distally and/or the delivery tube proximally), and is typically subsequently removed from the body of the subject.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"3A-C, which are schematic illustrations of the introduction of guide members 56 through prosthetic valve support 42 and delivery tube 80, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"As described hereinabove (e.g., with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1C), prosthetic valve support 42 is slidable toward native valve 10, over guide members 56, including while the prosthetic valve support is compressed within delivery tube 80.Following coupling of anchors 48 to the ventricular sites, guide members 56 extend from the anchors to outside of the body of the subject, and have respective free proximal ends 57.Before introduction of support 42 within tube 80 into the body of the subject (e.g., into sheath 46), guide members 56 are threaded through holes 82 in upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42, and through delivery tube 80, e.g., by the operating physician.\",\n \"Typically, prosthetic valve support 42 is provided in the compressed state thereof, within delivery tube 80, e.g., as a unit 140, coupled to a distal end of a controller 142 that is used to move the unit transluminally (e.g., within sheath 46).\",\n \"Unit 140 comprises (e.g., is provided having) one or more introducer tubes 144, each introducer tube being shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and having an open distal end 143 and an open proximal end 145.Distal end 143 of each tube is disposed outside a distal end of support 42 and/or tube 80, and proximal end 145 of each tube is disposed outside a proximal end of the support and/or tube 80.Each introducer tube 144 passes (1) from the distal end thereof, (2) through a respective hole 82 in upstream support portion 43 from the downstream surface of the support portion (which defines an outer surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof) to an upstream surface of the support portion (which defines an inner surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof), and (3) to the proximal end thereof.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"3A, free proximal end 57 of each guide member 56 is advanced through a respective introducer tube 144, thereby threading the guide member through upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42.Typically, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"3B, introducer tubes 144 are subsequently removed, prior to introduction of unit 140 into the body of the subject.\",\n \"That is, introducer tubes 144 are typically temporary.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3C shows upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42 having been partially exposed from delivery tube 80, in order to illustrate the resulting threading of guide members 56 through upstream support portion 43.Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"4A-C, which are schematic illustrations of locking member 110, and control thereof, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, locking member 110 is slidable over guide member 56 (e.g., over tubular member 100 thereof).\",\n \"As also described hereinabove, locking member 110 is configured to lock to longitudinal member 102.FIG.\",\n \"4A shows locking member 110 in the unlocked state thereof, in which the locking member typically defines a channel therethrough through which tubular member 100 and longitudinal member 102, either within the tubular member or outside of the tubular member, are slidable.\",\n \"The channel of locking member 110 is defined by a generally tubular portion 160 of the locking member.\",\n \"Tubular portion 160 defines one or more, such as two, oblique slits 162 in the lateral walls thereof.\",\n \"Locking member 110 comprises locking element, such as a locking bar 164, that is disposed generally orthogonally to the channel of the locking member, and passes through the slits (e.g., through both slits) of the tubular member.\",\n \"When locking bar 164 is slid distally and/or proximally, the locking bar thereby moves across at least part of the channel defined by tubular portion 160.Locking member 110 further comprises a spring 166 that is configured to push locking bar 164 in a given direction (e.g., distally), thereby transitioning the locking member into the locked configuration thereof (i.e., locking the locking member) (FIG.\",\n \"4B).\",\n \"Locking member 110 is typically controllable using a holding member 112 that inhibits (e.g., prevents) the locking member from locking, such as by inhibiting movement of locking bar 164.As described hereinabove, each control rod 86, used to push prosthetic valve support 42 toward the annulus of valve 10, is reversibly coupled at a distal end thereof to a respective locking member 110, such that the pushing is typically performed by pushing with control rod 86 and locking member 110.For some applications, and as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"4A-C, holding member 112 comprises and/or is defined by control rod 86.For such applications, control rod 86 defines one or more slits 168 in a lateral wall thereof (e.g., two slits 168 on opposite sides of the lateral wall of the control rod).\",\n \"Typically, slits 168 are L-shaped, thereby providing (1) a holding region 170 that is generally orthogonal to the proximal-distal (e.g., longitudinal) axis of control rod 86, and (2) a release region 172 that is generally parallel with the proximal-distal axis of the control rod, and that is open to the distal end of the control rod.\",\n \"Locking bar 164 is configured such that ends thereof extend at least into (e.g., through) slits 168.In the unlocked state in which locking member 110 is advanced over guide member 56 toward upstream support portion 43 and the annulus of the native valve, the ends of locking bar 164 are disposed in holding region 170 of each slit 168, and the locking bar is thereby inhibited from moving distally and locking the locking member (FIG.\",\n \"4A).\",\n \"In order to lock the locking member, control rod 86 is rotated with respect to locking member 110, such that the ends of locking bar 164 move into release region 172 of each slit 168.In this position, spring 166 is thereby able to move locking bar toward the distal end of release region 172, thereby locking the locking member (FIG.\",\n \"4B).\",\n \"As described hereinabove, tubular member 100 is typically withdrawn from locking member 110 before the locking member is locked, and the locking member is locked to longitudinal member 102, e.g., by locking bar 164 sandwiching longitudinal member 102 against the inner surface of the channel of the locking member (e.g., effectively narrowing the channel at the site of the locking bar).\",\n \"Movement of the ends of locking bar 164 into and through release region 172 also decouples control rod 86 from the locking member, allowing the control rod to be removed from the body of the subject (typically along with tubular member 100) (FIG.\",\n \"4C).\",\n \"For some applications, longitudinal member 102 comprises suture.\",\n \"For some applications, long member 102 comprises a polymer, such as polyester.\",\n \"For some applications, longitudinal member 102 comprises a metal.\",\n \"For example, the longitudinal member may comprise one or more wires, such as a plurality of wires twisted or braided into a cable.\",\n \"It is hypothesized that for some applications, a metallic composition reduces compressibility of longitudinal member 102 and/or facilitates locking of locking member 110 to the longitudinal member.\",\n \"It is to be noted that locking member 110 thereby (1) when unlocked, facilitates sliding therethrough of a relatively wide element, tubular member 100, and (2) when locked, locks to a relatively narrow element, longitudinal member 102.To facilitate this, between the locked and unlocked states, locking bar 164 thereby moves a sufficient distance across the channel defined by locking member 110.That is, locking bar 164 moves a larger distance than would be necessary to lock a similar locking member that does not facilitate, in the unlocked state thereof, sliding therethrough of a tubular member that is wider than the longitudinal element.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"1D and 4A-C.\",\n \"It is to be noted that locking member 110 is typically configured to lock to longitudinal member 102 independently of (e.g., in the absence of) a complementary element, such as teeth, on the longitudinal member.\",\n \"For some applications, locking member 110 is configured to be coupled to any part of longitudinal member 102.Reference is made to FIG.\",\n \"5, which is a schematic illustration of steps in the delivery of tissue anchors 48 to ventricle 8, and anchoring of the anchors in the ventricle, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"For some applications, the steps shown in FIG.\",\n \"5 (and/or states A-D thereof) can be used in place of the steps shown in FIG.\",\n \"1B (and/or states A/D thereof), mutatis mutandis (e.g., after the steps shown in FIG.\",\n \"1A and/or before the steps shown in FIG.\",\n \"1C).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1B shows one delivery catheter 50 being used to deliver both anchors 48, and when delivering second tissue anchor 48b, anchor-delivery tube 52 fitting alongside first guide member 56a within catheter 50.As stated hereinabove, for some applications, a separate catheter is used for each anchor.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 shows one such application.\",\n \"Typically, first anchor 48a is delivered and anchored as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1A, wherein catheter 50 in FIG.\",\n \"1A comprises a first catheter 50a.\",\n \"Subsequently, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, a second catheter 50b is advanced through sheath 46, such that second catheter 50b is disposed alongside first guide member 56a within sheath 46.It is to be noted that, in both FIG.\",\n \"1B and FIG.\",\n \"5, two anchors 48 are anchored at respective ventricular sites, and two respective guide members 56, extend from the anchors, through atrium 6, and typically out of the body of the subject.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIG.\",\n \"6, which is a schematic illustration of a system 180 for use with prosthetic valve support 42, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"For such applications of the invention, prosthetic valve support 42 is slidable toward native valve 10 over guide members 56, including while the prosthetic valve support is compressed within delivery tube 80.Following coupling of anchors 48 to the ventricular sites, guide members 56 extend from the anchors to outside of the body of the subject, and have respective free proximal ends 57.Before introduction of support 42 within tube 80 into the body of the subject (e.g., into sheath 46), guide members 56 are threaded through holes 82 in upstream support portion 43 of prosthetic valve support 42, and through delivery tube 80, e.g., by the operating physician.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"3A-C and the descriptions thereof describe prosthetic valve support 42 being provided as a unit 140 comprising introducer tubes 144, which are removed subsequently to advancement of guide members 56 through upstream support portion 43 and prior to introduction of the unit into the body of the subject.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 shows system 180, in which prosthetic valve support is provided within delivery tube 80, e.g., as a unit 182, coupled to a distal end of controller 142, described hereinabove.\",\n \"Unit 182 comprises (e.g., is provided having) one or more introducer tubes 184, each introducer tube being shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and having an open distal end 183.Distal end 183 of each tube is disposed outside a distal end of support 42 and/or tube 80, and each introducer tube 184 extends out of a proximal end of the support and/or tube 80.Similarly to unit 140 described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"3A-C, each introducer tube 144 of system 180 passes from the distal end thereof, through a respective hole in upstream support portion 43 from the downstream surface of the support portion (which defines an outer surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof) to an upstream surface of the support portion (which defines an inner surface of the support portion in the compressed state thereof).\",\n \"In contrast to unit 140, introducer tubes 184 extend from a proximal end of delivery tube 80 to a proximal end portion of the apparatus.\",\n \"In further contrast to unit 140, tubes 184 remain in place as unit 182 is advanced transluminally over guide members 56.Tubes 184 are typically flexible to facilitate transluminal advancement thereof.\",\n \"A locking member 190 is disposed over each introducer tube 184, such that the introduction of guide member 56 through the introducer tube also introduces the guide member through the locking member.\",\n \"Locking member 190 is slidable over guide member 56 (e.g., over tubular member 100 thereof), and is configured to lock to longitudinal member 102.Typically, locking member 190 is identical to locking member 110, described hereinabove, except that locking member 190 is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to be slidable also over introducer tube 184.Each locking member 190 is disposed at the distal end of a respective tubular control rod 192, which is typically identical to control rod 86, described hereinabove, except that control rod 192 is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to be slidable also over introducer tube 184.The use of system 180, including introducer tubes 184, advantageously (1) removes the requirement for two separate introductions of proximal end 57 of guide member 56 (i.e., through an introducer tube and subsequently through a locking member and control rod); and (2) facilitates control rods 192 (and locking members 190) being present in the atrium of the subject during expansion of prosthetic valve support 42, thereby reducing an interval between the expansion of the prosthetic valve support and pressing of the prosthetic valve support against the annulus of the native valve.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"7A-C, which are schematic illustrations of a system 200 for facilitating transluminal delivery of a prosthetic valve assembly 202, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7A shows prosthetic valve assembly 202 in an expanded state thereof.\",\n \"Prosthetic valve assembly comprises (1) a prosthetic valve body 204, which comprises a first frame 206 (e.g., a wire frame), and is shaped to define a lumen 208 therethrough, (2) an annular upstream support 210, which comprises a second frame 212 (e.g., a wire frame), is shaped to define an opening through the upstream support, and is configured to be placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of native valve 10 (e.g., of an annulus thereof), and (3) a flexible sheet 214 that couples the first frame to the second frame.\",\n \"In the expanded state of assembly 202 (and thereby of body 204), frame 206 of body 204 is generally cylindrical, and has a diameter d1.In the expanded state of assembly 202 (and thereby of upstream support 210), frame 212 of support 210 is typically generally annular, and has an outer perimeter 213 that has a diameter d2, which is greater than diameter d1.Sheet 214 may be a fabric, a film, and/or another sheet-like structure, and may comprise a natural material, a polymer, a biomaterial, and/or any other suitable material.\",\n \"Typically, sheet 214 comprises polyester, PTFE, and/or pericardial tissue.\",\n \"For some applications, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7A, in the expanded state of assembly 202, and in the absence of external forces (e.g., if the assembly were resting on a table surface), sheet 214 is generally annular and flat, and an upstream end 218 of frame 206 is disposed generally on a plane defined by support 210.For such applications, an inner perimeter 211 of frame 212 defines an opening that has a diameter d3 that is greater than diameter d1.For some applications, in such an expanded and unconstrained state, sheet 214 is generally frustoconical or funnel-shaped, and upstream end 218 of frame 206 is disposed below the plane defined by support 210.\",\n \"(For some such frustoconical or funnel-shaped arrangements, the sheet may also be considered to be annular.)\",\n \"For some applications, in such an expanded and unconstrained state, sheet 214 is generally tubular, upstream end 218 of frame 206 is disposed below the plane defined by support 210.For such applications, diameter d3 is typically generally equal to diameter d1.Typically, one or both of frames 206 and 212 is covered on at least one side by a covering 220.For some applications, sheet 214 comprises a portion of covering 220, e.g., the sheet is defined by a portion of the covering that is disposed between frames 206 and 212.For some applications, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7A, covering 220 is disposed (1) on a tissue-facing side of frame 212 (e.g., defines a tissue-contacting surface of support 210), and (2) on an inner surface of frame 206 (i.e., lines the frame, and defines lumen 208).\",\n \"A valve member 205 (e.g., comprising one or more prosthetic leaflets; shown in FIGS.\",\n \"8D-G) is coupled to frame 206, is disposed within lumen 208, and provides valve (e.g., one-way) functionality to assembly 202.Valve member 205 may alternatively or additionally comprise a different valve member, such as a mechanical valve member.\",\n \"At least two eyelets 222 are disposed on an outer surface of body 204 (i.e., protrude radially outward from body 204).\",\n \"Typically, eyelets 222 are pivotably coupled to body 204, e.g., such that the eyelets can pivot (e.g., rotate) in both directions by at least 5 degrees (e.g., more than 5 degrees and/or less than 90 degrees, such as between 5 and 90 degrees, e.g., between 5 and 60 degrees, such as between 5 and 45 degrees).\",\n \"For some applications, the eyelets can pivot in a plane parallel to a plane defined by a tangent of the valve body at the site to which the eyelet is coupled, as shown in the blowup box.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, the eyelets can pivot in a plane that is orthogonal to the plane defined by the tangent, e.g., such that the eyelets can point toward and/or away from the valve body.\",\n \"For some applications, eyelets 222 are sutured to body 204.Eyelets 222 are arranged in at least one pair; each eyelet of the pair being disposed on the opposite side of body 204 from the other eyelet of the pair.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7B shows system 200 in a delivery configuration thereof.\",\n \"System 200 comprises a delivery tool 230, which comprises a first housing 232 (e.g., a proximal housing) and a second housing 234 (e.g., a distal housing), which are articulatably coupled to each other via a flexible control rod assembly 240 disposed through the housings.\",\n \"In the delivery configuration of system 200, assembly 202 is in a compressed state thereof, in which prosthetic valve body 204 (in a compressed state thereof) is generally cylindrical, and upstream support 210 (in a compressed state thereof) is also generally cylindrical.\",\n \"Typically, in the delivery configuration of system 200, sheet 214 is also generally cylindrical.\",\n \"Assembly 202, in the compressed configuration thereof, (1) has a central longitudinal axis, at one zone (e.g., at one end) of which body 204 is disposed, and at another zone (e.g., the other end) of which support 210 is disposed, and (2) defines an articulation zone 236 in which (a) at least part of sheet 214 is disposed, and (b) neither frame 206 of body 204 nor frame 212 of support 210 is disposed, and about which body 204 and support 210 are articulatable with respect to each other.\",\n \"In the delivery configuration of system 200, at least part of support 210 is disposed within housing 232 (which maintains the at least part of the support in the compressed state thereof), and at least part of body 204 is disposed within housing 234 (which maintains the at least part of the support in the compressed state thereof).\",\n \"Housing 232 defines an orifice 233 through which support 210 is introducible into the housing, and removable from the housing.\",\n \"Housing 234 defines an orifice 235 that faces orifice 233, and through which body 204 is introducible into the housing, and removable from the housing.\",\n \"In the delivery configuration, eyelets 222 protrude radially outward beyond the surface of delivery tool 230 (e.g., beyond a lateral wall of housing 234).\",\n \"Typically, housing 234 (e.g., the lateral wall thereof) is shaped to define a respective slit 237 for each eyelet, through which the eyelet protrudes beyond the surface of the housing.\",\n \"Each slit 237 is continuous with (i.e., is in communication with) orifice 235 such that, as described hereinbelow, during deployment of valve body 204, eyelet 222 can slide out of the slit at the orifice.\",\n \"In the delivery configuration of system 200, tool 230 is in a contracted state, in which housing 232 is disposed at a distance d4 from housing 234 (e.g., orifice 233 is disposed at distance d4 from orifice 235).\",\n \"Distance d4 is typically greater than 1.5 mm and/or less than 30 mm, such as between 1.5 mm and 30 mm (e.g., between 10 and 15 mm).\",\n \"In this state, at least part of sheet 214 is exposed between the housings.\",\n \"The at least part of sheet 214 (and thereby of articulation zone 236) that is exposed between housings 232 and 234 facilitates articulation of housing 234 containing body 204 with respect to housing 232 containing support 210, and thereby defines an articulation zone 238 of system 200 in the delivery configuration thereof.\",\n \"Typically at least part of control rod assembly 240 is flexible, so as to facilitate articulation at articulation zone 238.For example, although assembly 240 as a whole is typically sufficiently flexible so as to facilitate its transluminal delivery to the heart, control rods 244 and 246 may be more flexible than control rod 242 (e.g., more flexible than required for transluminal delivery to the heart alone), so as to facilitate articulation at articulation zone 238.For some such applications, respective portions of control rods 244 and 246 that are disposed within articulation zone 238 when tool 230 is in the contracted state (FIG.\",\n \"7C) are more flexible than adjacent portions of the control rods (e.g., portions disposed within housings 232 and 234 when tool 230 is in the contracted state).\",\n \"For example, and as shown, a portion 245 of control rod 244 may be narrower than adjacent portions of the control rod.\",\n \"Control rod assembly 240 comprises (1) a first housing-control rod 242, coupled to first housing 232, (2) a second housing-control rod 244, coupled to second housing 234, and (3) a prosthesis-control rod 246, coupled to a mount 248 that is reversibly couplable to valve assembly 202, e.g., via a plurality of recesses 250 in the mount which receive respective portions of assembly 202.Typically, assembly 202 is couplable to mount 248 by valve body 204 being coupled to the mount, and further typically by a plurality of protrusions 252 of frame 206 being disposed within respective recesses 250.Housing 234 retains this coupling by inhibiting body 204 from expanding radially away from mount 248.Typically, at least part of second housing-control rod 244 is disposed within and slidable through prosthesis-control rod 246, and at least part of the prosthesis-control rod is disposed within and slidable through first housing-control rod 242 (e.g., coaxially).\",\n \"System 200 (e.g., tool 230 thereof) further comprises at least two flexible reference-force tubes 260, which extend, (a) from a proximal end of the system (e.g., from an extracorporeal portion of the system, such as from a handle of tool 230), (b) through a proximal end of housing 232, (c) through a lumen 254 defined by support 210 in the compressed state thereof, (d) through sheet 214, (e) along the outside of at least part of body 204, and typically (f) until a distal portion of body 204.A locking member 262 is disposed between each eyelet 222 and a respective tube 260.Typically, locking members 262 are not directly coupled to body 204, but are instead each held in position between eyelet 222 and tube 260 by a guide member 256 being disposed through the eyelet, the tube, and the locking member.\",\n \"For some applications, locking member 262 is integral with eyelet 222 (e.g., eyelet 222 is configured to and/or shaped to define locking member 262).\",\n \"For some applications, guide members 256 are identical to guide members 56, described hereinabove.\",\n \"Guide members 256 are described in more detail hereinbelow.\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIGS.\",\n \"8A-H, which are schematic illustrations of a technique for use with system 200, to transluminally implant prosthetic valve assembly 202, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Typically, sheath 46 is advanced transluminally (e.g., transfemorally) to right atrium 12 of heart 4, through the fossa ovalis, and into left atrium 6 using standard transseptal techniques, as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-B.\",\n \"Subsequently, first tissue anchor 48a and second tissue anchor 48b are anchored at respective ventricular sites, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-B and/or 5, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"A guide member 256 is coupled to each tissue anchor (e.g., the tissue anchors are provided pre-coupled to the guide members), such that after anchoring of the tissue anchors, each guide member extends from the anchor, out of the body of the subject, e.g., as described hereinabove with respect to guide member 56, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"A proximal end of each guide member 256 is introduced through a respective eyelet 222, locking member 262, and reference-force tube 260, such that system 200 appears as shown in FIG.\",\n \"7B.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, each guide member 256 typically holds each locking member 262 in place between its respective eyelet 222 and reference-force tube 260.System 200 (e.g., assembly 202 within delivery tool 230) is subsequently advanced along guide members 256 and via sheath 46 to left atrium 6 (FIG.\",\n \"8A).\",\n \"Once exposed outside of the distal end of sheath 46, system 200 is guided by guide members 256 generally toward the ventricular sites at which anchors 48 are anchored.\",\n \"Articulation of system 200 (e.g., at articulation zone 238, and/or at another articulation zone 239 proximal to housing 232) facilitates transluminal advancement of the system past curves in the vasculature.\",\n \"The articulation also facilitates movement of system 200 from the distal end of sheath 46 and between leaflets 14 of valve 10, e.g., by facilitating steering of the system along a path defined by guide members 256.This steering is typically further facilitated by (1) the position of eyelets 222 at a distal portion of system 200 (e.g., at a distal portion of housing 234), which turns the housing in response to encountering a turn in members 256, and/or (2) the pivotable coupling of eyelets 222 to body 204, described hereinabove; pivoting of eyelet 222 reduces a likelihood of the eyelet snagging on guide member 256 when encountering a turn in the guide member.\",\n \"For some applications, eyelets 222 are internally coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, to further facilitate sliding of the eyelet over guide member 256.It is to be noted that, due to the described articulation, a distance d5 between a proximal end of housing 232 and a distal end of housing 234 may be greater than for a similar system that does not articulate.\",\n \"For example, distance d5 may be greater than a distance d6 along an atrioventricular axis between (a) a height on the atrioventricular axis of the upstream surface of native valve 10, and (b) a height on the atrioventricular axis of the transseptal entry point into left atrium 6 (e.g., the fossa ovalis).\",\n \"For some applications, distance d5 may be greater than the overall height of left atrium 6.Distance d5 is typically greater than 25 mm and/or less than 100 mm, such as between 25 mm and 100 mm (e.g., 35-60 mm, such as 40-50 mm).\",\n \"Reference is made to FIG.\",\n \"8B.\",\n \"System 200 is advanced such that distal housing 234, containing valve body 204 in the compressed state thereof, passes between leaflets 14 of native valve 10.Valve body 204 is withdrawn out of orifice 235 of housing 234 by moving control rod 244 with respect to control rod 246.For example, and as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"8B-C, control rod 244 (and thereby housing 234) may be moved distally into ventricle 8, while control rod 246 (and thereby mount 248 and valve body 204) remains stationary, thereby increasing the distance between housing 232 and housing 234.When protrusions 252 of frame 206 become withdrawn from housing 234, the portion of valve body 204 coupled to the mount expands (e.g., automatically), thereby disengaging the protrusions from recesses 250 of mount 248, and decoupling the valve body from the mount (FIG.\",\n \"8C).\",\n \"For clarity, FIGS.\",\n \"8C-D show the distal portion of valve body 204 expanding before the proximal portion of the valve body.\",\n \"It is to be noted, however, that portions of the valve body typically expand as they become exposed from housing 234, and therefore the proximal portion of the valve body typically expands while the distal portion of the valve body is still disposed within housing 234.FIG.\",\n \"8D shows valve body 204 having been completely removed from housing 234, and support 210 having been removed from proximal housing 232 by control rod 242 (and thereby housing 232) being withdrawn proximally, thereby further increasing the distance between housing 232 and housing 234.Typically, an opposing reference force is provided by reference-force tubes 260, so as to hold assembly 202 in place at the native valve while housing 232 is withdrawn.\",\n \"During the withdrawal of valve body 204 from housing 234, eyelets 222 typically slide through slits 237, and out of the slits at orifice 235.For some applications, support 210 is deployed from housing 232 before valve body 204 is deployed from housing 234.Subsequently, tension is applied to guide members 256 while an opposing reference force is provided to assembly 202 by tubes 260, thereby reducing a length of each guide member 256 that is disposed between eyelet 222 and its respective tissue anchor 48 (FIG.\",\n \"8E).\",\n \"That is, each guide member 256 is slid proximally with respect to its respective reference-force tube 260.Typically, the reference-force is provided to assembly 202 by a distal end of each reference-force tube 260 abutting a respective locking member; the reference force being transferred via the locking member (and typically further via eyelet 222 to valve body 204).\",\n \"For some applications this tensioning moves valve body 204 at least slightly distally into ventricle 8, such that sheet 214 becomes at least slightly frustoconical (e.g., as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8E).\",\n \"For some applications this tensioning deforms support 210 and/or deflects the support with respect to body 204, e.g., such that the support becomes less flat (e.g., less planar).\",\n \"For example, before tensioning, support 210 may be flat annular (as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8D), and after tensioning the support may be frustoconical (as shown in FIG.\",\n \"8E).\",\n \"Alternatively, and as described in more detail with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"14A-B, mutatis mutandis, the prosthetic valve assembly may be configured such that the upstream support is frustoconical before tensioning, and the tensioning changes a slant of the frustoconical shape.\",\n \"For example, before tensioning, the upstream support may be frustoconical with the larger base of the frustum closer to a ventricular end of an atrioventricular axis than is the smaller base of the frustum, and after tensioning the support may become flatter, or may even invert, such that it becomes frustoconical with the smaller base closer to the ventricular end of the atrioventricular axis (e.g., the conformation shown in FIG.\",\n \"8E, mutatis mutandis).\",\n \"For some applications, tensioning is performed before deployment of support 210 from housing 232.Each guide member 256 typically comprises a tether 282 (e.g., a longitudinal member), a pull-wire 284, and a tubular member 280 in which the pull-wire and the tether are disposed.\",\n \"A distal portion of pull-wire 284 is reversibly coupled to a proximal portion of tether 282, and tubular member 280 fits snugly over at least the distal portion of the pull-wire and the proximal portion of the tether so as to inhibit the pull-wire from becoming decoupled from the tether (e.g., to maintain a state of coupling therebetween).\",\n \"For some applications, and as shown, the reversible coupling is provided by pull-wire 284 and tether 282 defining respective mating surfaces.\",\n \"For some applications, the reversible coupling is provided as described hereinabove for guide member 56.When each guide member 256 (e.g., the tether 282 thereof) is tensioned, the guide member is withdrawn proximally until at least part of tether 282 (within tubular member 280) is disposed within locking member 262 (e.g., at least until the proximal portion of the tether has passed through the locking member; FIG.\",\n \"8E state B).\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIG.\",\n \"8F.\",\n \"Once a desired tension is obtained, the tension is fixed.\",\n \"Tubular member 280 is withdrawn proximally with respect to tether 282, pull-wire 284 and locking member 262 (FIG.\",\n \"8F).\",\n \"State A of FIG.\",\n \"8F shows tubular member 280 having been withdrawn until eyelet 222.State B of FIG.\",\n \"8F shows tubular member 280 having been withdrawn until a distal end of the tubular member is disposed proximal to locking member 262, thereby exposing tether 282 to the locking member.\",\n \"Typically, locking member 262 is biased (e.g., shape-set) to assume a locked state, and while tubular member 280 is disposed within the locking member, the tubular member inhibits locking of the locking member to tether 282 (or to pull-wire 284), and the removal of the tubular member from within the locking member facilitates automatic locking of the locking member to the tether (i.e., transitioning of the locking member into a locked state).\",\n \"Tubular member 280 is slidable through locking member 262 despite such biasing of the locking member, e.g., due to (a) the tubular member having a smooth surface, and/or (b) the tubular member retaining locking elements 263 of the locking member at an angle alpha_1 with respect to the tubular member, which is shallower than an angle alpha_2 with respect to tether 282 that the locking elements assume when the tubular element is withdrawn (compare FIG.\",\n \"8F state A to state B).\",\n \"Typically, tether 282 defines a plurality of nodules 286, which facilitate locking of locking member 262 to the tether.\",\n \"For some applications, locking elements 263 and nodules 286 function as a ratchet.\",\n \"For some such applications, subsequently to transitioning of locking member 262 into the locked state thereof, one-way movement of tether 282 through the locking member is possible, thereby facilitating further increase, but not reduction, of tension.\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIG.\",\n \"8G.\",\n \"Tubular member 280 and pull-wire 284 are decoupled from tether 282 and prosthetic valve assembly 202, and delivery tool 230 is withdrawn proximally (e.g., into sheath 46, and out of the body of the subject).\",\n \"Typically, housing 234 and mount 248 are withdrawn via the lumen of valve body 204 (e.g., between the prosthetic leaflets disposed therein).\",\n \"For some applications, housing 234, rods 244 and 246, and mount 248 are withdrawn prior to the tensioning step (e.g., prior to withdrawal of reference-force tubes 260, such as between the step shown in FIG.\",\n \"8D and the step shown in FIG.\",\n \"8E, mutatis mutandis).\",\n \"Typically, tubular member 280 and pull-wire 284 are decoupled from tether 282 by withdrawing the tubular member further proximally, such that the distal portion of pull-wire 284 and the proximal portion of tether 282 are exposed from the tubular member (state A of FIG.\",\n \"8G).\",\n \"Reference force for this withdrawal is provided by the anchored tether 282, and optionally also by reference-force tubes 260.Tubular member 280, pull-wire 284, and reference-force tube 260 are then withdrawn (state B of FIG.\",\n \"8H).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8H is a schematic illustration of prosthetic valve assembly 202 following implantation at native valve 10 of heart 4.Assembly 202 provides replacement one-way valve functionality in which blood flows from atrium 6, through the opening defined by upstream support 210, past sheet 214, through lumen 208 of valve body 204, and into ventricle 8.Sheet 214 thereby defines and/or serves as a conduit that provides fluid communication between the opening defined by upstream support 210 (e.g., by frame 212 thereof) and lumen 208 of valve body 204.Further typically, this conduit is uninterrupted except for holes (not shown) that may remain where reference-force tubes 260 originally extended through the sheet.\",\n \"Regurgitation through these holes is typically minimal or absent due to their small size.\",\n \"The holes may be slit-like (rather than punched holes), such that in the absence of reference-force tubes 260 the holes become generally closed.\",\n \"Additionally, coaptation of leaflets 14 and tissue growth over the holes may further facilitate sealing.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, the holes may be defined by tubular protrusions 215 that extend from sheet 214 (shown in the “optional” box, FIG.\",\n \"7B).\",\n \"Tubular protrusions 215 may comprise the same material as sheet 214, or may comprise a different material.\",\n \"Tubular protrusions 215 may be flexible or rigid.\",\n \"The tubular protrusions are configured to provide a channel through which tubes 260 may pass, but which, in the absence of tubes 260, inhibit movement of fluid therethrough.\",\n \"For example, tubular protrusions 215 may inhibit fluid flow due to the ratio between their length and lumen diameter, and/or may act as duckbill valves.\",\n \"Therefore, sheet 214 typically provides a generally sealed conduit between upstream support 210 and valve body 204.The positioning of prosthetic valve assembly 202 at the native valve typically results in leaflets 14 of the native valve coapting around valve body 204, thereby providing sealing that inhibits (e.g., prevents) perivalvular leakage.\",\n \"The positioning of prosthetic valve assembly typically also places sheet 214 in contact with the annulus and/or leaflets of the native valve.\",\n \"In general, a prosthetic valve implanted at a native valve encounters forces due to beating of the heart and/or the resulting flow of blood.\",\n \"Small movements (e.g., oscillations) resulting from these forces may inhibit tissue growth (e.g., fibrosis) that would otherwise facilitate sealing between the prosthetic valve and the native valve.\",\n \"For some applications, such movements are reduced (e.g., dampened) at sites at which the contact between assembly 202 and the surrounding tissue is provided by sheet 214, e.g., due to flexibility of the sheet.\",\n \"Thereby sheet 214 typically provides stabilized (e.g., more constant) contact with tissue than would a less flexible structure in the same position; this is hypothesized to improve tissue growth and thereby sealing.\",\n \"Furthermore, sheet 214 itself may be configured to promote tissue growth thereon, e.g., due to surface treatments and/or impregnation, and/or structure, such as weave and/or porosity, thereby further facilitating sealing.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"9A-14B, which are schematic illustrations of prosthetic valve assemblies, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Each prosthetic valve assembly shown in FIGS.\",\n \"9A-14B comprises a valve body, an upstream support, and a sheet, which are typically identical, mutatis mutandis, to valve body 204, upstream support 210 and sheet 214 described hereinabove, except for where noted.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"9A-B show, prosthetic valve assembly 202 described hereinabove, in a simplified (e.g., two-dimensional) schematic manner that illustrates the arrangement of valve body 204, upstream support 210 and sheet 214, in the compressed state (FIG.\",\n \"9A) and the expanded (e.g., implanted) state (FIG.\",\n \"9B).\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"9A-B are included at least in part in order to facilitate interpretation of the simplified schematic illustrations of the prosthetic valve assemblies of FIGS.\",\n \"10A-14B.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9A, like FIGS.\",\n \"10A, 11A, 12A and 13A, shows the prosthetic valve assembly in the compressed state as if it were contained in the delivery tool thereof (e.g., tool 230), but for clarity does not show the delivery tool.\",\n \"Typically, sheet 214 is attached at least to inner perimeter 211 of upstream support 210, and to an upstream end 207 of frame 206 of valve body 204.FIGS.\",\n \"10A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 302, which comprises a valve body 304 comprising a first frame 306, an upstream support 310 comprising a second frame 312, and a flexible sheet 314.In the expanded state of support 310 (FIG.\",\n \"10B), frame 312 defines an outer perimeter 313 and an inner perimeter 311 that defines an opening through the support.\",\n \"During implantation, support 310 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve, and valve body 304 is subsequently intracorporeally coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to the support by being expanded within the opening of the support, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1F, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Sheet 314 is not attached to inner perimeter 311 of frame 312, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 312 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"For example, sheet 314 may be attached to frame 312 at outer perimeter 313.Sheet 314 is also not attached to an upstream end 307 of valve body 304.Thereby a pocket region 316 is defined between sheet 314 and at least inner perimeter 311, in which sheet 314 is not attached to frame 312 or frame 306.In the compressed state (FIG.\",\n \"10A), sheet 314 is disposed alongside and outside at least part of frame 312 and at least part of frame 306.Frame 312 is configured such that when the frame is in the compressed state, inner perimeter 311 defines a downstream end of the frame (e.g., of the cylindrical shape of the frame), and outer perimeter 313 defines an upstream end.\",\n \"Therefore, when frame 312 expands, the upstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the downstream end of the frame.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"11A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 342, which comprises a valve body 344 comprising a first frame 346, an upstream support 350 comprising a second frame 352, and a flexible sheet 354.In the expanded state of support 350 (FIG.\",\n \"11B), frame 352 defines an outer perimeter 353 and an inner perimeter 351 that defines an opening through the support.\",\n \"During implantation, support 350 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve, and valve body 344 is subsequently intracorporeally coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to the support by being expanded within the opening of the support, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1F, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Sheet 354 is not attached to inner perimeter 351 of frame 352, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 352 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"For example, sheet 354 may be attached to frame 352 at outer perimeter 353.Sheet 354 is also not attached to an upstream end 347 of valve body 344.Thereby a pocket region 356 is defined between sheet 354 and at least inner perimeter 351, in which sheet 354 is not attached to frame 352 or frame 346.Frame 352 is configured such that when the frame is in the compressed state, the frame has a generally cylindrical shape that defines a lumen therethrough, inner perimeter 351 defines an upstream end of the frame (e.g., of the cylindrical shape of the frame), and outer perimeter 353 defines a downstream end.\",\n \"Therefore, when frame 352 expands, the downstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the upstream end of the frame.\",\n \"In the compressed state (FIG.\",\n \"11A), sheet 354 is disposed alongside and outside of at least part of frame 346, and through at least part of the lumen defined by frame 352.FIGS.\",\n \"12A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 382, which comprises a valve body 384 comprising a first frame 386, an upstream support 390 comprising a second frame 392, and a flexible sheet 394.In the expanded state of support 390 (FIG.\",\n \"12B), frame 392 defines an outer perimeter 393 and an inner perimeter 391 that defines an opening through the support.\",\n \"Frame 392 is coupled to frame 386 prior to implantation (e.g., assembly 382 is provided with frame 392 coupled to frame 386).\",\n \"For some applications, frames 392 and 386 are integral, e.g., are defined by respective regions of a single frame.\",\n \"During implantation, valve body 384 is advanced between leaflets of the native valve, and support 390 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"8B-D, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Sheet 394 is not attached to inner perimeter 391 of frame 392, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 392 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"For example, sheet 394 may be attached to frame 392 at outer perimeter 393.Sheet 394 is also not attached to an upstream end 387 of valve body 384.Thereby a pocket region 396 is defined between sheet 394 and at least inner perimeter 391, in which sheet 394 is not attached to frame 392 or frame 386.Assembly 382 is configured such that, in the compressed state thereof (FIG.\",\n \"12A), frames 386 and 392 are generally collinear, and form a generally continuous cylinder.\",\n \"Frame 392 is configured such that in the compressed state, outer perimeter 393 defines an upstream end of the frame (and thereby of assembly 382).\",\n \"Therefore, when frame 392 expands, the upstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the downstream end of the frame.\",\n \"In the compressed state, sheet 394 is disposed alongside and outside of at least part of frame 386, and at least part of frame 392.FIGS.\",\n \"13A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 402, which comprises a valve body 404 comprising a first frame 406, an upstream support 410 comprising a second frame 412, and a flexible sheet 414.In the expanded state of support 410 (FIG.\",\n \"13B), frame 412 defines an outer perimeter 413 and an inner perimeter 411 that defines an opening through the support.\",\n \"Frame 412 is coupled to frame 406 prior to implantation (e.g., assembly 402 is provided with frame 412 coupled to frame 406).\",\n \"For some applications, frames 412 and 406 are integral, e.g., are defined by respective regions of a single frame.\",\n \"During implantation, valve body 404 is advanced between leaflets of the native valve, and support 410 is placed against the upstream surface of the native valve (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"8B-D, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Sheet 414 is not attached to inner perimeter 411 of frame 412, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 412 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"For example, sheet 414 may be attached to frame 412 at outer perimeter 413.Sheet 414 is also not attached to an upstream end 407 of valve body 404.Thereby a pocket region 416 is defined between sheet 414 and at least inner perimeter 411, in which sheet 414 is not attached to frame 412 or frame 406.Assembly 402 is configured such that, in the compressed state thereof (FIG.\",\n \"13A), frame 412 is disposed generally alongside at least a portion of frame 406.Frame 412 is configured such that in the compressed state, outer perimeter 413 defines a downstream end of the frame.\",\n \"Therefore, when frame 412 expands, the downstream end of the frame expands radially outward more than does the upstream end of the frame.\",\n \"In the compressed state, sheet 414 is disposed alongside and outside of at least part of frame 406.FIGS.\",\n \"14A-B show a prosthetic valve assembly 422 an expanded state thereof, implanted at native valve 10, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Assembly 422 comprises a valve body 424 comprising a first frame 426, an upstream support 430 comprising a second frame 432, and a sheet 434.Frame 426 of valve body 424 has an upstream end 427 and a downstream end 429.In the expanded state, in the absence of external forces, an outer perimeter 433 of second frame 432 of upstream support 430 is disposed closer to downstream end 429 than is an inner perimeter 431 of the second frame.\",\n \"For example, upstream support 430 may define a frustum, the larger base of which is disposed closer to downstream end 429 (and closer to a ventricular end of an atrioventricular axis) than is the smaller base of the frustum.\",\n \"For some applications, the assembly is thus configured such that, when placed at the native valve, outer perimeter 433 of the upstream support contacts the upstream surface of the native valve (e.g., the valve annulus), and the inner perimeter of the upstream support does not (FIG.\",\n \"14A).\",\n \"For some such applications, frame 432 may be flat annular in the absence of external forces, and in the expanded state, sheet 434 retains the second frame in the frustoconical shape by inhibiting expansion of the second frame (e.g., expansion of at least outer perimeter 433 thereof).\",\n \"For some applications, frame 432 curves downward toward the tissue that outer perimeter 433 contacts (configuration not shown).\",\n \"Sheet 434 is not attached to inner perimeter 431 of frame 432, but rather is circumferentially attached to frame 432 at a radius that is greater than that of the inner perimeter.\",\n \"For example, sheet 434 may be attached to frame 432 at outer perimeter 433.Sheet 434 is also not attached to upstream end 427 of valve body 424.Thereby a pocket region 436 is defined between sheet 434 and at least inner perimeter 431, in which sheet 434 is not attached to frame 432 or frame 426.For some such applications, such a configuration provides a spring functionality that allows valve body 424 to move along an atrioventricular axis while outer perimeter 433 and/or portions of sheet 434 remain in contact with tissue (FIG.\",\n \"14B).\",\n \"For example, assembly 422 may be implanted using techniques described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"8A-H, mutatis mutandis, and the spring functionality may allow movement of valve body 424 ventricularly during tensioning of tethers 282 while maintaining contact between outer perimeter 433 and the atrial surface.\",\n \"Similarly, such a configuration may allow oscillation of valve body 424 along the atrioventricular axis (e.g., caused by beating of the heart and the resulting blood flow), while maintaining constant contact between outer perimeter 433 and the tissue.\",\n \"For some applications, a compressed state of assembly 422 is as described for one or more of the prosthetic valve assemblies described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"10A-13B, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For example, for some applications frame 426 of body 424 is coupled to frame 432 of support 430 prior to implantation (e.g., assembly 422 is provided with frame 426 coupled to frame 432), such as described for assembly 382 and/or assembly 402, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Alternatively, frame 426 is intracorporeally coupled to frame 432, e.g., as described for assembly 302 and/or assembly 342, and/or with reference to FIG.\",\n \"1F, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For some applications, assembly 422 is implanted as described for one or more of the prosthetic valve assemblies described with respect to FIGS.\",\n \"10A-13B, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, in its compressed state, assembly 202 defines an articulation zone in which (a) at least part of sheet 214 is disposed, and (b) neither frame 206 of body 204 nor frame 212 of support 210 is disposed, and about which body 204 and support 210 are articulatable with respect to each other.\",\n \"It is to be noted that in their compressed states, assemblies 302 and 342 also define respective articulation zones 336, 376.For each assembly, at least part of the respective sheet is disposed in the articulation zone, neither the respective frame of the valve body nor the respective frame of the support is disposed in the articulation zone, and the respective valve body and support are articulatable with respect to each other, about the articulation zone.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"10A-B, 11A-B, 12A-B, 13A-B, and 14A-B.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, assemblies 302, 342, 382, 402 and 422 each define a respective pocket region between the respective sheet and at least the inner perimeter of the frame of the upstream support.\",\n \"As also described hereinabove, (e.g., with reference to assembly 202), placement of the flexible sheet of the prosthetic valve assembly in contact with tissue provides stabilized contact with the tissue, and thereby improves tissue growth and sealing.\",\n \"Provision of a pocket region such as those described hereinabove is hypothesized to further improve sealing (e.g., by further facilitating tissue growth).\",\n \"For example, such configurations (1) may provide a greater surface area of the flexible sheet and/or a greater tissue-contact area of the sheet (e.g., due to an angle of the sheet), and/or (2) may hold the flexible sheet under less tension (e.g., compared to assembly 202), such that the sheet is freer to move with movement of the valve assembly and/or tissue, thereby dampening movements that may otherwise inhibit tissue growth and/or sealing.\",\n \"This is illustrated in FIGS.\",\n \"14A-B, which show an example of the contact between flexible sheet 434 and tissue (e.g., leaflets 14).\",\n \"For some applications, the sheet is elastic, so as to further facilitate maintenance of contact despite movement of the frames of the prosthetic valve assembly with respect to the native valve.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, the respective pocket region of each assembly 302, 342, 382, 402 and 422 is defined by the manner in which the sheet of the assembly is coupled to the frames of the assembly.\",\n \"When the assembly is in the expanded state thereof, the sheet is typically frustoconical and/or funnel-shaped.\",\n \"This shape is defined by a lateral wall (i.e., the sheet itself), and first and second apertures (at either end of the shape), the first aperture being larger than the second aperture.\",\n \"A portion of the sheet that defines the first aperture is circumferentially attached to the frame of the upstream support at a radius that is greater than a radius of the inner perimeter of the support.\",\n \"A portion of the sheet that defines the second aperture is circumferentially attached to the frame of the valve body at a longitudinal site that is closer to a downstream end of the valve body than is the longitudinal site at which the upstream support is coupled to the valve body.\",\n \"For some applications, the sheet extends radially past the radius at which it is coupled to the upstream support.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, for some applications the sheet is coupled to the upstream support at an outer perimeter of the upstream support.\",\n \"For some applications, the sheet extends radially past the outer perimeter of the upstream support.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C, which are schematic illustrations of a tool 460 for facilitating application of force between prosthetic valve assembly 202 and guide members 256 (e.g., tethers 282 thereof), in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"For some applications, tool 460 serves as a tension-detector tool.\",\n \"For some applications, tool 460 alternatively or additionally serves as a tension-applicator tool.\",\n \"The boxes on the right-hand side of FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C shows assembly 202 being implanted at native valve 10, as described hereinabove.\",\n \"The box of FIG.\",\n \"15A shows assembly 202 having been deployed (e.g., delivered and expanded) at the native valve, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8D.\",\n \"The box of FIG.\",\n \"15B shows tethers 282 of guide members 256 having been tensioned with respect to assembly 202, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8E.\",\n \"The box of FIG.\",\n \"15C shows tubular member 280 of each guide member 256 having been withdrawn proximally so as to (1) facilitate locking of the respective locking member 262 to its respective tether 282, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8F, and (2) decouple pull-wire 284 from tether 282, e.g., as described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8G.\",\n \"The left-hand side of FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C shows (1) a proximal end of system 200 (e.g., a proximal end of delivery tool 230 thereof, e.g., including a handle 231 thereof), including a proximal portion of pull-wire 284, a proximal portion of tubular member 280, and a proximal portion of reference-force tube 260, and (2) tool 460 coupled to the proximal portion of pull-wire 284 and the proximal portion of reference-force tube 260.The left-hand side of FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C shows one tool 460 being used with one pull-wire 284, tubular member 280, tube 260 and tool 460 (and one handle 231).\",\n \"However it is to be noted that tool 460 is typically used with each guide member (e.g., each tether 282), either sequentially, or by providing more than one tool 460 for use at generally the same time.\",\n \"Tool 460 comprises a pull-wire-coupling element 462, configured to be coupled to the proximal portion of pull-wire 284 (e.g., to a grip 464 of the pull-wire), and a reference-force-tube-coupling element 466, configured to be coupled to the proximal portion of reference-force tube 260 (e.g., to a grip 468 of the tubular member).\",\n \"Coupling elements 462 and 466 are coupled to each other via an adjustment member 470 that facilitates adjustment of a distance between the coupling elements.\",\n \"Adjustment member 470 may comprise screw threads, a ratchet mechanism, or any other suitable adjustment mechanism.\",\n \"Pull-wire-coupling element 462 is coupled to the proximal portion of pull-wire 284 (e.g., to a grip 464 of the pull-wire), and reference-force-tube-coupling element 466 is coupled to the proximal portion of reference-force tube 260 (e.g., to a grip 468 of the tubular member), typically subsequently to delivery of prosthetic valve assembly 202 to the native valve (FIG.\",\n \"15A).\",\n \"A distance d7 exists between coupling elements 462 and 466.Subsequently, adjustment member 470 is used (e.g., actuated) so as to change (e.g., increase) the distance between coupling elements 462 and 466 (FIG.\",\n \"15B; distance d8).\",\n \"This reduces the length of tether 282 that is disposed distal to the distal end of reference-force tube 260, (and thereby the length of the tether that is disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48), thereby applying tension to the tether).\",\n \"Typically, a length indicator 471 (e.g., a rule) is provided on tool 460 that indicates the change in length that has been made.\",\n \"Further typically, tool 460 comprises a force detector 472 that detects and displays a force differential (e.g., a linear force differential) between coupling elements 462 and 466, and thereby provides an indication of the tensile state of tether 282.When a desired tensile state of tether 282 has been achieved (e.g., an absolute value and/or a value relative to other detected forces, such as the tensile state of the other tether 282), the tension is fixed, and pull-wire 284 is decoupled from tether 282 (FIG.\",\n \"15C).\",\n \"As described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8F, this is achieved by withdrawing tubular member 280 proximally with respect to tether 282, pull-wire 284 and locking member 262.FIG.\",\n \"15C shows a proximal portion of tubular member 280 (e.g., a grip 474 thereof) being withdrawn proximally with respect to (1) pull-wire 284 (and therefore with respect to tether 282 to which the pull-wire is coupled), and (2) reference-force tube 260 (and therefore with respect to locking member 262 which the distal end of the reference-force tube abuts).\",\n \"This is illustrated by a distance d10 between grips 468 and 474 in FIG.\",\n \"15C, which is greater than a distance d9 between grips 468 and 474 in FIG.\",\n \"15B.\",\n \"This thereby facilitates (1) locking of locking member 262 to tether 282, and (2) subsequently (i.e., after further proximal withdrawal of the tubular member), decoupling of pull-wire 284 from the tether.\",\n \"For some applications, this is performed by one continuous movement of tubular member 280.For some applications, visual and/or tactile indicators allow the operating physician to lock locking member 262 to tether 282 without decoupling pull-wire 284 from the tether.\",\n \"This may advantageously allow the physician to further increase the tension on the tether (e.g., by using the ratchet functionality described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"8F) before decoupling the pull-wire from the tether.\",\n \"Although tool 460 is described hereinabove for facilitating implantation of assembly 202, the tool may also be used, mutatis mutandis, in combination with other systems described herein, such as system 40 described hereinabove and/or assembly 552 described hereinbelow (e.g., for tensioning tethers 582 thereof).\",\n \"Reference is now made to FIG.\",\n \"16, which is a schematic illustration of a system 480 comprising a prosthetic valve assembly 482 and one or more springs 484 via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors 48, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"For illustrative purposes, system 480 is shown as comprising system 200 (e.g., comprising prosthetic valve assembly 202), described hereinabove, with the addition of springs 484.However it is to be noted that the techniques described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"16 may alternatively or additionally be used to facilitate implantation of other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein, mutatis mutandis (e.g., springs 484 may be added to other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein).\",\n \"Each spring 484 is disposed outside of valve body 204, typically laterally outside the valve body, and further typically between eyelet 222 and locking member 262 (e.g., coupling the eyelet to the locking member).\",\n \"For example, and as shown, spring 484 may have a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with lumen 208 of the valve body.\",\n \"When reference-force tube 260 provides the reference force to locking member 262 during tensioning of guide member 256 (e.g., tether 282 thereof), the reference force is transferred via spring 484.Typically spring 484 serves as a compression spring, such that increasing tension on guide member 256 (e.g., the tether 282 thereof) compresses the spring.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 484 provides an indication of a state of the spring that is observable and recognizable using imaging techniques (e.g., fluoroscopy).\",\n \"That is, spring 484 is configured to change shape in response to a force applied to it, in a manner that is observable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.\",\n \"This functionality therefore provides intracorporeal measurement of tension on tether 282 (in a manner that is itself observable extracorporeally).\",\n \"It is hypothesized that for some applications, this intracorporeal measurement advantageously detects the tension with reduced interference (e.g., noise) that may be present in extracorporeal measurement techniques.\",\n \"For example, for some applications, extracorporeal measurement of the tension by extracorporeally measuring tension on pull-wire 284 (e.g., tension with respect to reference-force tube 260) may be inhibited by interference by inherent elasticity of the pull-wire and other elements of the system, and by friction between elements of the system.\",\n \"For some applications, the shape of spring 484 alone provides the tension indication.\",\n \"For such applications, spring 484 may be coated with a radiopaque material such as tantalum.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 484 has (e.g., comprises and/or is coupled to) one or more radiopaque markers 486, and the juxtaposition of the markers facilitates extracorporeal detection of the shape of the spring.\",\n \"For example, when spring 484 serves as a compression spring, a reduction of a distance d11 (compare d11 to d11′) between adjacent markers 486 indicates an increase in tension on tether 282.For some applications, an intracorporeal reference (e.g., a scale) 488 is provided, to facilitate identification of shape change of spring 484 (e.g., to facilitate quantification of the shape change by (1) comparing the position of markers 486 to reference 488, and/or (2) comparing the juxtaposition of markers 486 to the juxtaposition of elements of the scale.\",\n \"For example, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"16, scale 488 may itself also comprise a plurality of radiopaque markers 490 disposed on valve body 204 (e.g., coupled to frame 206) at known (e.g., regular) intervals, and distance d11 (observed using fluoroscopy) is compared to a distance d12 between adjacent markers 490 (observed using fluoroscopy) in order to determine the actual change in distance d11.That is, an observed relative change between d11 and d12 is used to determine an actual absolute change in d11.For some applications, spring 484 also alters the relationship between (a) changes in the length of tether 282 disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48 and (b) tension on the tether.\",\n \"For example, for system 200 described hereinabove (i.e., in the absence of spring 484), starting with slack on tether 282 between the eyelet and the anchor, as the length of the tether between the eyelet and the anchor is reduced, tension on tether 282 may remain constant and low despite the reduction in the length of the tether, until the tether encounters resistance provided by tissue anchor 48, at which point tension increases relatively quickly for every unit reduction in length.\",\n \"For system 480 (i.e., using spring 484), the relationship between (a) the length of tether 282 disposed between the eyelet and the anchor, and (b) the tension on the tether, is smoother (e.g., the transition between before and after resistance from the anchor is encountered is smoother).\",\n \"That is, spring 484 absorbs some of the applied tensile force and in exchange provides additional length to the tether.\",\n \"This is hypothesized to advantageously provide more flexibility to the operating physician to adjust the length of tether 282 disposed between the eyelet and the anchor, with reduced changes to tension on the tether.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 484 is configured so as to provide a desired tension (e.g., a desired resistance) over a range of lengths of tether 282 (e.g., over a range of compression states of the spring).\",\n \"That is, the spring constant of the spring is sufficiently low that a change in resistance is minimized per unit length change.\",\n \"For example, the spring constant may be less than 50 g/mm.\",\n \"For some applications, the desired tension is above 300 g force and/or below 700 g force, e.g., above 400 g force, and/or below 600 g force, such as between 400 g force and 600 g force, e.g., about 500 g force.\",\n \"For example, a desired target tether tension may be 500 g force, and spring 484 may be configured to provide, over a range of compression states of the spring, resistance that results in a tether tension that is within a margin tension (e.g., within 200 g force, such as within 100 g force) of the target force.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 484 is configured to provide a distinct indication, observable using fluoroscopy, when the spring experiences a force that is within a margin force (i.e., a force that corresponds to being within the margin tension).\",\n \"For example, spring 484 may undergo (e.g., suddenly undergo) a more obvious shape change when such a force is experienced.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 484 is configured to act as a constant-force spring or similar, so as to facilitate the behavior described above.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 484 is pre-loaded (e.g., pre-tensioned or pre-compressed).\",\n \"Reference is made to FIG.\",\n \"17, which is a schematic illustration of a system 500 comprising a prosthetic valve assembly 502 and one or more springs 504 via which the prosthetic valve assembly is elastically coupled to one or more tissue anchors 48, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"For illustrative purposes, system 500 is shown as comprising system 200 (e.g., comprising prosthetic valve assembly 202), described hereinabove, with the addition of springs 504.However it is to be noted that the techniques described with reference to FIG.\",\n \"17 may alternatively or additionally be used to facilitate implantation of other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein, mutatis mutandis (e.g., springs 504 may be added to other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein).\",\n \"Each spring 504 is disposed outside of valve body 204, typically laterally outside the valve body, and further typically is disposed functionally between locking member 262 and anchor 48 (e.g., between locking member 262 and eyelet 222, or between eyelet 222 and anchor 48.For some applications, and as shown, spring 504 is a cantilever spring, and may be defined by a protrusion of frame 206 that extends away (e.g., laterally away) from valve body 204.That is, spring 504 may comprise an elastically-deformable appendage.\",\n \"For some applications, the protrusion is shaped to define a loop 506 that provides spring 504 with constant-force-spring functionality.\",\n \"Typically, spring 504 provides similar functionality to spring 484, described hereinabove, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For example, for some applications, spring 504 provides an indication of a state of the spring that is observable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.\",\n \"That is, spring 504 is configured to change shape in response to a force applied to it, in a manner that is detectable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 504 also alters the relationship between (a) the length of tether 282 disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48 and (b) tension on the tether, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to spring 484, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"18A-B, which are schematic illustrations of springs coupled to tether 282 so as to elastically couple tissue anchor 48 (e.g., a tissue-engaging element 49 thereof) to prosthetic valve assembly 202 (e.g., to valve body 204 thereof), in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18A shows a spring 520 disposed partway along tether 282.FIG.\",\n \"18B shows a spring 530, one end of which is coupled to anchor 48 (e.g., to an anchor head 47 thereof) and the other end of which is coupled to tether 282.Springs 520 and 530 are typically tension springs.\",\n \"For some applications, spring 530 is rigidly coupled to anchor head 47.For illustrative purposes, springs 520 and 530 are shown being used with system 200 (e.g., with prosthetic valve assembly 202), described hereinabove.\",\n \"However it is to be noted that the techniques described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"18A-B may alternatively or additionally be used to facilitate implantation of other prosthetic valves and/or prosthetic valve assemblies described herein, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Typically, springs 520 and 530 provide similar functionality to springs 484 and 504, described hereinabove, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For example, for some applications, springs 520 and 530 provide an indication of a state of the spring that is observable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.\",\n \"That is, the springs are configured to change shape in response to a force applied to them, in a manner that is detectable and recognizable using fluoroscopy.\",\n \"For some applications, springs 520 and 530 also alter the relationship between (a) the length of tether 282 disposed between eyelet 222 and anchor 48 and (b) tension on the tether, e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to springs 484 and 504, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"16, and 18A-B.\",\n \"Springs 484, 520 and 530 are shown as helical springs.\",\n \"However it is to be noted that each of these springs may have a shape other than a helix.\",\n \"For example, each of these springs may have a zigzag shape.\",\n \"For some applications, the use of a spring that defines a repeating (e.g., oscillating) pattern such as a helix or a zigzag facilitates fluoroscopic identification of the state of the spring.\",\n \"For example, whereas a linear elastically-stretchable member (e.g., a strip of elastic rubber) remains linear when stretched, the shape of a helical or zigzag spring changes as force increases.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B, which are schematic illustrations of a system 700 for facilitating delivery of a prosthetic valve body 702, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"System 700 comprises a delivery tool 704 that comprises a distal housing 706, configured to house valve body 702 in a compressed state thereof, a proximal portion 708, and a flexible longitudinal portion 710 (e.g., a catheter) therebetween.\",\n \"Proximal portion 708 typically comprises a handle 712.Housing 706 is configured to be transluminally advanced to the heart of the subject (e.g., as described herein, mutatis mutandis, while proximal portion 708 remains outside the body of the subject.\",\n \"Proximal portion 708 (e.g., handle 712 thereof) comprises a force detector 716 that detects a force between (a) the proximal portion, and (b) housing 706 and/or valve body 702 coupled thereto.\",\n \"Typically, force detector 716 detects tension.\",\n \"That is, the force detector detects resistance of valve body 702 to a proximally-directed force applied by tool 704 (e.g., when tool 704 is moved proximally).\",\n \"Housing 706 is advanced through native valve 10 and into ventricle 8, and valve body 702 is partly advanced out of the housing, and automatically expands toward an expanded state (FIG.\",\n \"19A).\",\n \"Valve body 702 is coupled to a plurality of tissue-engaging elements (e.g., tissue-engaging legs) 714 that protrude radially out from the valve body when exposed from housing 706.Tissue-engaging elements 714 are configured to engage leaflets 14 of the native valve, thereby facilitating anchoring of the valve body.\",\n \"Typically system 700 is used for implantation of valve body 702 at a native valve at which a prosthetic valve support (e.g., an upstream support) has already been delivered, and to which the valve body is intracorporeally coupled (e.g., as described elsewhere herein).\",\n \"For example, and as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B, system 700 may be used to implant valve body at native valve 10 after implantation of support 42 at the native valve.\",\n \"As described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-D, support 42 is secured against the upstream surface of native valve 10 by being anchored, via tethers (e.g., longitudinal members 102), to ventricular muscle tissue.\",\n \"(The tethers are not visible in FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B.)\",\n \"Pulling housing 706 and valve body 702 proximally (i.e., atrially) while tissue-engaging elements 714 are protruding pushes the tissue-engaging elements against leaflets 14, reducing a height of a gap between the tissue-engaging elements and support 42, and sandwiching the leaflets against the support (FIG.\",\n \"19B).\",\n \"Resistance to proximal movement of valve body 702 (e.g., due to support 42 and leaflets 14) is detected and displayed by force detector 716.The operating physician is thereby able to couple valve body 702 to support 42 (e.g., by fully deploying the valve body within the opening defined by the support) while a desired degree of tension is observed.\",\n \"The coupling of the valve body to the support fixes the degree of tension, such that leaflets 14 remain sandwiched, and the valve body remains secured to the native valve.\",\n \"For some applications, alternatively or additionally to using extracorporeal force detector 716, the force encountered by tissue-engaging elements 714 is observed using fluoroscopy (e.g., by observing a shape and/or position of the tissue-engaging elements).\",\n \"For such applications, the tissue-engaging elements are typically configured to facilitate such observation, as described herein for various springs.\",\n \"For some applications, elements 714 are configured (e.g., shaped) to define a loop, e.g., as described hereinabove for springs 504, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For some applications, valve body 702 is coupled via tethers to tissue anchors that are anchored to ventricular muscle tissue, as described elsewhere herein.\",\n \"For some such applications, a spring couples the valve body to each tissue anchor (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"16-18B, mutatis mutandis).\",\n \"For some applications in which a spring couples the valve body to each tissue anchor, reducing the height of the gap automatically (and typically immediately) alters a force on the spring (e.g., when the valve body is locked to the tether before reducing the height of the gap).\",\n \"For some applications in which a spring couples the valve body to each tissue anchor, reducing the height of the gap does not necessarily alter the force on the spring (e.g., when the valve body is slidably couplable to the tether until after the height is reduced, and is subsequently locked to the tether.\",\n \"For example, tool 230 and/or tool 460 may be used, mutatis mutandis, to measure and control tension and length of the tether until the valve body is locked to the tether.\",\n \"It is to be noted that the above technique may be used for prosthetic valve assemblies in which the valve body is pre-coupled to the upstream support, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For such applications, the proximal pulling force is not a sandwiching force, but rather is a testing force, typically used in combination with another testing force, e.g., as described hereinbelow, e.g., with reference to FIG.\",\n \"20.Reference is made to FIG.\",\n \"20, which is a schematic illustration showing examples in which force measurements described herein may be combined to facilitate implantation of a prosthetic valve, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Each apparatus and technique described herein for measuring force (e.g., tension) is described in a particular context (e.g., with reference to a particular prosthetic valve assembly, prosthetic valve body, and/or support) for the purpose of clarity.\",\n \"It is to be understood that the apparatus and techniques described in one context may be used to measure force in another context (e.g., to facilitate controlled implantation of a different prosthetic valve assembly, prosthetic valve body, and/or support), and may be combined with one or more of the other apparatus and/or techniques.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"20 shows examples of combinations of apparatus and techniques described herein, which include: (1) Extracorporeal detection of tension on tethers (box 722).\",\n \"This is described, for example, with reference to force detector 472 of tool 460 of FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C. (2) Extracorporeal detection of atrially-directed force of valve-mounted tissue-engaging elements against tissue (e.g., leaflets or annulus) of the native valve (box 742).\",\n \"This is described, for example, with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B.\",\n \"(3) Extracorporeal detection of sandwiching force (box 720).\",\n \"That is, extracorporeal detection of the force of tissue-engaging elements coupled to the valve body against the native valve tissue and/or the upstream support.\",\n \"This is described, for example, (a) with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B, and (b) with reference to force detector 472 of tool 460 (FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C) being used to augment the apparatus and facilitate the techniques described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B.\",\n \"(4) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of tension on tethers (724).\",\n \"This is described, for example, with reference to the springs described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"16, 17, and 18A-B.\",\n \"(5) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of atrially-directed force of valve-mounted tissue-engaging elements against tissue (e.g., leaflets or annulus) of the native valve (box 744).\",\n \"This is described, for example, with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B.\",\n \"(6) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of sandwiching force (box 726).\",\n \"This is described, for example, with reference to one or more of the springs described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"16, 17, and 18A-B being used to augment the apparatus and facilitate the techniques described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B.\",\n \"(7) Intracorporeal detection (observed using imaging) of ventricularly-directed force of the upstream support against the native annulus (box 728).\",\n \"For some applications, this is achieved by using imaging (e.g., fluoroscopy) to extracorporeally observe intracorporeal changes in the shape of the upstream support (e.g., changes described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"8D-E, 14A-B, and/or 15A-B), in a similar manner to that described for extracorporeally observing changes in the shape of springs (e.g., described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"16, 17, and 18A-B), mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"It is hypothesized that combining two or more of the force-measurement techniques described herein may provide synergistic benefits when implanting an implant (e.g., a prosthetic valve assembly, prosthetic valve body, and/or prosthetic valve support), so as to facilitate controlled implantation (box 730).\",\n \"The ability to control various forces that secure the implant allows, inter alia, the forces to be spread as desired by the operating physician.\",\n \"For example, it may be desirable: that tension is equally (or otherwise) distributed between the tethers, that tension on a given tether is optimized (discussed hereinbelow), that, during operation of the valve, resistance to a force that pushes the valve body in an atrial direction (e.g., during ventricular systole) is optimally balanced between the various anchoring elements, such as between (a) tissue anchors 48 and tethers coupled thereto and (b) other tissue-engaging elements (e.g., tissue-engaging elements 714 (FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B) or tissue-engaging elements 580 (FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B), thereby balancing the anchoring forces between different tissue sites, and/or that sandwiching forces are greater than, equal to, or less than the tensile force provided by the tethers.\",\n \"It is to be noted that the example combinations provided hereinabove are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, it may be desirable to that tension on a given tether is optimized.\",\n \"For example, it may be desirable that tension on the given tether to be maximized within a tension range that is known to be supported by (1) the tissue anchor to which the tether is coupled, and (2) the tissue to which the tissue anchor is anchored.\",\n \"For some applications, subsequently to anchoring the tissue anchor, the operating physician applies a testing pulling force to the tissue anchor.\",\n \"The testing pulling force is used to confirm that the anchored tissue anchor is capable of supporting an overload tension that is greater than an expected tension that it is expected that the anchor will encounter during operation.\",\n \"The expected tension may be determined at least in part based on possible ventricular blood pressure and the cross-sectional area of the lumen of the valve body.\",\n \"For some applications, the testing pulling force is applied (e.g., via the tether or via the anchor manipulator), and movement of the tissue anchor is observed using imaging, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-B).\",\n \"For some applications, the testing pulling force is applied while measuring tension using an extracorporeal force detector such as detector 472 (FIGS.\",\n \"15A-C), mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For some applications, the testing pulling force is applied by applying tension to the tether, and the tension is measured using intracorporeal springs and fluoroscopy, as described hereinabove, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"It is to be noted that, for such applications, the same technique is used (1) to confirm that the anchored tissue anchor is capable of supporting the overload tension, and (2) to facilitate the application of the tension (e.g., the anchoring tension) that will be fixed when the locking member is locked to the tether.\",\n \"As described hereinabove, it may be desirable that, during operation of the valve, resistance to a force that pushes the valve body in an atrial direction (e.g., during ventricular systole) is optimally balanced between the various anchoring elements.\",\n \"For some applications, the following technique is used: (1) Anchor at least one tissue anchor coupled to a respective at least one tether (e.g., within guide members).\",\n \"(2) Advance a valve body that comprises at least one tissue-engaging element (e.g., a tissue-engaging leg) over at least part of the tether (e.g., by advancing over a guide member), such that a length of the tether is disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchor.\",\n \"Examples of such tissue-engaging elements are described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"19A-B and 21A-B.\",\n \"The valve body may or may not be pre-coupled to an upstream support.\",\n \"(3) Apply a first tension to the tether (measured intracorporeally or extracorporeally).\",\n \"(4) Apply proximal pulling force to the valve body such that the tissue-engaging element applies force against tissue of the native valve, such as leaflets and/or annulus.\",\n \"This pulling typically automatically increases the tension on the tether.\",\n \"(5) While applying the proximal pulling force, intracorporeally and/or extracorporeally measure (a) force of tissue-engaging element against tissue, and (b) tension on the tether (e.g., the change in tension on the tether caused by the proximal pulling.\",\n \"(6) At least in part based on measurements (a) and (b) of step 5, adjust the length of the tether disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchor, and/or lock the valve body to the tether (i.e., fix the length of the tether disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchor).\",\n \"It is hypothesized that the above technique provides a prediction of the force distribution between the various anchoring elements that will exist during operation of the prosthetic valve assembly (e.g., during the lifetime thereof).\",\n \"For example, the technique provides a prediction of force distribution between the ventricular anchors and the valve-mounted tissue-engaging elements if/when atrially-directed force increases (e.g., as will be encountered during ventricular systole and/or increases in systemic blood pressure).\",\n \"Based on this indication, the technique facilitates adjustment of this distribution, via adjustment of the length of tethers disposed between the valve body and the tissue anchors.\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B, which are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly 552, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Prosthetic valve assembly 552 comprises (1) a prosthetic valve body 554, which comprises a first frame 556 (e.g., a wire frame), and is shaped to define a lumen therethrough, (2) an annular upstream support 560, which comprises a second frame 562 (e.g., a wire frame), is shaped to define an opening through the upstream support, and is configured to be placed against an upstream surface (e.g., an atrial surface) of native valve 10 (e.g., of an annulus thereof), and (3) a flexible sheet 564 that couples the first frame to the second frame.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21A shows assembly 552 in an expanded state thereof (e.g., in the absence of external forces, such as if the assembly were resting on a table surface).\",\n \"In the expanded state of assembly 552 (and thereby of body 554), frame 556 of body 554 is generally cylindrical, and has a diameter d13.In the expanded state of assembly 552 (and thereby of upstream support 560), frame 562 of support 560 is typically generally annular, and has an outer perimeter 563 that has a diameter d14, which is greater than diameter d13.Assembly 552 comprises one or more tissue-engaging elements 580 (e.g., legs) that protrude radially outward from valve body 554 so as to define a diameter d15, which is greater than diameter d13.Typically, and as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"21A-B, frame 556 of body 554 is shaped to define tissue-engaging elements 580.Assembly 552 further comprises one or more tensioning elements (e.g., contraction wires) such as one or more tethers 582, a first portion (e.g., a distal end) of each tether being coupled to valve body 554, and a second portion of each tether being coupled (e.g., slidably coupled) to a portion of assembly 552 that is configured to be placed upstream of valve body 554.For example, and as shown, the second portion of each tether 582 may be slidably coupled to an upstream region of sheet 564.Alternatively or additionally, the second portion of each tether 582 may be slidably coupled to frame 562 of support 560.For some applications, this is facilitated by frame 562 being shaped to define one or more respective protrusions that protrude radially inward from the annular shape of the frame, to the site at which each tether 582 is shown in FIG.\",\n \"21A passing through the sheet.\",\n \"For some applications, except for (1) the presence of tissue-engaging elements 580 and tethers 582, and (2) the absence of eyelets 222, assembly 552 is identical to (e.g., comprises the same components as, and/or has identical functionality to) assembly 202, described hereinabove.\",\n \"Identically-named components of system 202 and system 552 are typically identical in structure and/or function.\",\n \"For some applications, assembly 202 comprises tissue-engaging elements 580 and/or tethers 582.For some applications, assembly 552 comprises eyelets 222 and/or locking members 262 for sliding over and locking to guide members.\",\n \"Both support 560 of assembly 552 and support 210 of assembly 202 may be flat annular (e.g., as shown for support 210) or frustoconical (as shown for support 560).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"21B shows assembly 552 being implanted.\",\n \"Following transluminal delivery to native heart valve 10, valve body 554 is typically deployed first (i.e., before support 560), as shown in state A of FIG.\",\n \"21B.\",\n \"For some applications, valve body is deployed sufficiently far into the ventricle that tissue-engaging elements 580 can expand freely without interfering with leaflets 14 of the native valve, and valve assembly is subsequently moved atrially into the position shown in state A of FIG.\",\n \"21B.\",\n \"Subsequently, upstream support 560 is deployed, e.g., by a delivery housing 584 thereof being retracted (state B of FIG.\",\n \"21B).\",\n \"Support 560 becomes placed against the upstream (e.g., atrial) surface of native valve 10, such as against the annulus of the valve and/or against the upstream surface of native leaflets 14.Typically, immediately subsequently to deployment of body 554 and support 560, assembly 552 has a total height d16 from a proximal end of support 560 to a distal end of body 554 (e.g., a height along an atrioventricular axis), and a distance d17 (e.g., a gap) measured along the height exists between a distal end of frame 562 and a proximal-most part of frame 556 (e.g., tissue-engaging elements 580 defined by the frame).\",\n \"Subsequently, tethers 582 are tensioned so as to draw support 560 and body 554 closer to each other, thereby reducing the total height of assembly 552 to height d18, and reducing the distance between the distal end of frame 562 and the proximal-most part of frame 556 to a distance d19 (state C of FIG.\",\n \"21B).\",\n \"This moves body 554 and tissue-engaging elements 580 closer to leaflets 14, thereby sandwiching the leaflets between the tissue-engaging elements and support 560, and thereby anchoring assembly 552 at the native valve.\",\n \"Sheet 564 maintains fluid communication (e.g., sealed fluid communication) through assembly 202, while also allowing the described contraction of the assembly.\",\n \"Typically, this characteristic is due to sheet 564 having tensile strength, but not compressive strength, and therefore rumpling when tethers 582 are tensioned.\",\n \"Tensioning of tethers 582 may be accomplished by any suitable technique.\",\n \"For some applications, the tensioning is performed using control rods 86 and locking members 110, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1C-D, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For some applications, the tensioning is performed using reference-force tubes and locking members, e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"7B-8H, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For some applications, support 560 comprises a ratchet mechanism that facilitates the tensioning by allowing only one-way movement of tether 582 through the support.\",\n \"For some applications, assembly 552 comprises a spool mechanism for each tether, and tensioning is performed by rotating the spool mechanism.\",\n \"For some applications, assembly 552 has a compressed state (e.g., for transluminal delivery) in which the assembly defines an articulation zone between frames 556 and 562, e.g., as described hereinabove for assembly 202, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"For some application, one or more of the techniques described hereinabove may be used to (1) control applied to tethers 582, and/or (2) facilitate intracorporeal measurement of tension on the tethers (and optionally fluoroscopic detection of that measurement).\",\n \"For example, assembly 552 may comprise a tension spring midway along each tether 582, and/or may comprise a compression spring at the coupling point of support 560 and the tether (e.g., between the support and a locking member 262 configured to lock a respective tether to the support).\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, for applications in which the tensioning is performed using reference-force tubes and locking members (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"7B-8H), tool 460 may be used, mutatis mutandis, to extracorporeally detect the tension applied to tethers 582.Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"22A-B, which are schematic illustrations of a prosthetic valve assembly 602, comprising a prosthetic valve 603 having a tubular valve body 604 that comprises an upstream portion 606, a downstream portion 608, and an elastic portion 610 disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Prosthetic valve 603 (e.g., valve body 604 thereof) is shaped to define a continuous lumen through portions 606, 610, and 608.Prosthetic valve 603 is configured to be implanted at native valve 10 such that upstream portion 606 is disposed in atrium 6 of the heart of the subject, and such that downstream portion 608 is disposed in ventricle 8 of the heart of the subject.\",\n \"For example, prosthetic valve 603 may be coupled to a prosthetic valve support 612 that has been previously placed against (e.g., coupled to) to the native valve, and that defines an opening.\",\n \"Support 612 may comprise (1) a support described elsewhere herein (e.g., support 42 described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-F and 19A-B, support 310 described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"10A-B, and/or support 350, described with reference to FIGS.\",\n \"11A-B, and/or (2) a support described in U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Patent application 61/756,034 to HaCohen et al., from which the present application claims priority, and which is incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"For some applications, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22B, prosthetic valve support 612 comprises one or more tissue-engaging elements 618, an annular upstream support portion 620, and a flexible stabilizing member 622, such as a stabilizing band, coupled to the tissue-engaging elements, and configured to form a ring that is shaped to define an opening therethrough.\",\n \"Tissue-engaging elements 618 may comprise, as shown in FIGS.\",\n \"22A-B, clips configured to be coupled to leaflets 14 of the native valve.\",\n \"Tubular valve body 604 typically comprises a frame 614, such as a stent-like wire frame.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"22A, prosthetic valve 603 typically further comprises a covering 616, disposed over (e.g., covering) an inner surface of frame 614, thereby providing a sealed lumen from an upstream end to a downstream end of the tubular valve body.\",\n \"Typically, an excess of covering 616 is provided in the vicinity of elastic portion 610, so as to facilitate elastic stretching of the elastic portion.\",\n \"Typically, prosthetic valve 603 comprises an expandable prosthetic valve, and is deployed such that it (1) expands within the opening defined by upstream support portion 620 and/or the opening defined by stabilizing member 622, (2) applies a radially-expansive force against the upstream support portion and/or the stabilizing member, and (3) thereby becomes coupled thereto.\",\n \"Typically, and as shown in FIG.\",\n \"22B, downstream portion 608 is expanded and coupled to stabilizing member 622 before upstream portion 606 is expanded and coupled to upstream support portion 620.While downstream portion 608 is coupled to member 622, and before upstream portion 606 is coupled to portion 620, elastic portion 610 may be stretched and compressed e.g., such as by moving upstream portion 606 further upstream and downstream.\",\n \"Such stretching and compressing changes a length of prosthetic valve 603, and for some applications, facilitates the coupling of a pre-determined portion of the prosthetic valve (e.g., of upstream portion 606) to upstream support portion 620, irrespective, to some degree, of (a) a distance between tissue-engaging elements 618 and upstream support portion 620, and/or (b) a dimension of native valve 10 (e.g., a length of leaflets 14).\",\n \"For some applications, such stretching and compressing adjusts a degree of tension of elastic portion 610, and may alternatively or additionally facilitate “tightening” of leaflets 14 against the implanted apparatus, such as drawing of the leaflets toward upstream support portion 620.For some applications, prosthetic valve 603 may be used in combination with other apparatus and techniques described herein.\",\n \"For example, valve body 604 may be substituted for another valve body described herein, mutatis mutandis, including valve bodies that are described herein as being intracorporeally coupled to an upstream support, and valve bodies that are described herein as being provided pre-coupled to an upstream support (either directly, or via a flexible sheet).\",\n \"Reference is made to FIGS.\",\n \"23-24, which are schematic illustrations of respective systems for facilitating anchoring of a tissue anchor in the heart of a subject, in accordance with some applications of the invention.\",\n \"Each system comprises a delivery tool that comprises (1) a steerable catheter configured to be transluminally advanced to the heart of the subject (e.g., via sheath 46), and (2) an obstructing element disposed at a longitudinal site of the catheter, and configured to extend laterally (e.g., radially) outward from the catheter so as to inhibit movement of at least the longitudinal site of the catheter through the heart valve by abutting tissue of the heart valve.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"23 shows a system 640, comprising a delivery tool 642 that comprises a catheter 644 and an obstructing element 646.Obstructing element 646 is typically collapsible for transluminal delivery (e.g., via sheath 46), and expandable in atrium 6 of the heart.\",\n \"For some applications, element 646 is configured to expand automatically upon becoming exposed from the distal end of sheath 46.Obstructing element 646 is disposed at a longitudinal site 648 of catheter 644, and is dimensioned, when in the expanded state thereof, to not pass through native valve 10 (i.e., between leaflets 14 of the native valve).\",\n \"When a distal end 645 of the catheter is extended through native valve 10, obstructing element 646 abuts the atrial surface of the native valve (e.g., one or more leaflets, or the annulus), and thereby inhibits movement of at least longitudinal site 648 of the catheter from passing through the valve.\",\n \"Therefore a known length d20 of catheter 644 (i.e., the length between longitudinal site 648 and distal end 645) is disposed downstream of the atrial surface of valve 10.Distal end 645 is thereby placeable against ventricular tissue at ventricular sites that are disposed at a distance from the atrial surface (e.g., from a portion of the atrial surface that element 646 abuts) that is generally equal to d20.A distal portion 652 of catheter 644, disposed distal to longitudinal site 648, is typically steerable, so as to facilitate placement of distal end 645 against many (e.g., any) ventricular site that is disposed at that distance from the atrial surface.\",\n \"A tissue anchor 48 is advanced through catheter 644 using an anchor manipulator 650, and anchored to tissue at the ventricular site at which distal end 645 is disposed.\",\n \"Typically, little or none of anchor 48 or manipulator 650 becomes exposed from distal end 645 during anchoring.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"24 shows a system 660, comprising a delivery tool 662 that comprises a catheter 664 and an obstructing element 666.Obstructing element 666 is typically collapsible for transluminal delivery (e.g., via sheath 46), and expandable in atrium 6 of the heart, and may be identical to obstructing element 646, described hereinabove.\",\n \"For some applications, element 666 is configured to expand automatically upon becoming exposed from the distal end of sheath 46.Obstructing element 666 is disposed at a longitudinal site 668 of catheter 664, and is dimensioned, when in the expanded state thereof, to not pass through native valve 10 (i.e., between leaflets 14 of the native valve).\",\n \"When a distal end 665 of the catheter is extended through native valve 10, obstructing element 666 abuts the atrial surface of the native valve (e.g., one or more leaflets, or the annulus), and thereby inhibits movement of at least longitudinal site 668 of the catheter from passing through the valve.\",\n \"Therefore a known length d21 of catheter 664 (i.e., the length between longitudinal site 668 and distal end 665) is disposed downstream of the atrial surface of valve 10.Length d21 of system 660 is typically shorter than length d20 of system 640, and in contrast to system 640, for system 660, catheter 664 is not configured for distal end 665 to be placed against ventricular tissue.\",\n \"Rather, an anchor manipulator 670 advances tissue anchor 48 through catheter 664, out of the distal end 665, and toward a ventricular site at which it anchors the tissue anchor.\",\n \"Typically, anchor manipulator 670 is slidably coupled to catheter 664 such that a distal end of the anchor manipulator is slidable distally no more than a pre-determined distance d22 from longitudinal site 668 (and thereby no more than a pre-determined distance from distal end 665 of catheter 664).\",\n \"Anchor manipulator 670 is thereby used to anchor anchor 48 at a ventricular site that is disposed at a distance from the atrial surface (e.g., from a portion of the atrial surface that element 666 abuts) that is generally equal to d22.Typically, anchor manipulator 670 (or at least a distal portion 672 thereof that is exposable from distal end 665 of catheter 664) is steerable independently of catheter 664.It is to be noted that, for systems 640 and 660, the distance from the atrial surface at which anchor 48 is anchored is generally equal, but not necessarily exactly equal, to d20 or d22.For example, anchor 48 may be anchored at a site that is closer to another portion of the atrial surface than to the portion of the atrial surface that the obstructing element abuts.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, curvature of the catheter and/or the anchor manipulator may result in a direct distance between the atrial surface and the tissue anchor being smaller than d20 or d22.Typically, anchor 48 is coupled to a tether, guide member, and/or other longitudinal member (e.g., as described hereinabove with reference to other systems).\",\n \"When the anchor driver is decoupled from the anchor and withdrawn proximally, the tether extends proximally from the anchor (e.g., out of the body of the subject) so that an implant, such as a prosthetic valve, prosthetic valve support, and/or a prosthetic valve assembly (e.g., those described hereinabove) may be advanced therealong and/or locked thereto, e.g., as described hereinabove for other systems, mutatis mutandis.\",\n \"Because the distance between the tissue anchor and the atrial surface is known, for some applications the tether coupled to the tissue anchor may comprise fewer locking sites for locking to the implant, a relatively shorter locking site, and/or only one locking site.\",\n \"It is hypothesized that this may provide the possibility of using simpler, smaller and/or more effective mechanisms to lock the implant to the tether.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"7A-C, 8A-H, 9A-B, 15A-C, 16, 17, 18A-B, and 21A-B.\",\n \"The flexible sheets described hereinabove typically have tensile strength but very low compressive strength along the longitudinal axis of assembly 202.Due to this characteristic, inter alia, implant-control rod 246 is coupled (via mount 248) to assembly 202 by being coupled to valve body 204, such that when the valve body is pushed distally, the valve body pulls upstream support 210 via sheet 214.\",\n \"(It is hypothesized that it would be less effective for the implant-control rod to be coupled to the support, because in such a case sheet 214 may rumple and the support may move toward the valve body, possibly reducing articulation at the articulation zone.\",\n \"Nevertheless, for applications in which such reduced articulation is in any case sufficient, the implant-control rod may be coupled to the support).\",\n \"This characteristic of the flexible sheet also facilitates the height-adjustment of assembly 552 and its sandwiching of the native leaflets by tensioning tethers 582.Although each of the prosthetic valve assemblies is shown implanted in a generally symmetrical state, it is to be noted that for some applications this characteristic of the sheet facilitates asymmetrical implantation.\",\n \"For example, the assembly may better conform to the native anatomy, and/or one tether of assembly 552 may be tensioned more than another so as to alter the anchoring, sealing, and/or flow characteristics of the assembly, e.g., in response to the native anatomy.\",\n \"For some applications it may be advantageous for the valve body to be disposed at a particular rotational orientation within ventricle 8, and for the upstream support to be disposed at a particular rotational orientation within atrium 6.For example, for prosthetic valve assemblies such as assembly 202 that are tethered to ventricular anchors, it may be advantageous for each eyelet to be aligned with a respective anchor, and for the point at which each guide members passes through the upstream support to be aligned with a respective commissure.\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, the upstream support may be geometrically asymmetric, and a particular rotational orientation with respect to atrial tissue may be advantageous.\",\n \"(Examples of such upstream supports are described in PCT patent application publication WO/2013/021374 to Gross et. al, which is incorporated herein by reference.)\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, the upstream support may be asymmetric with respect to rigidity (i.e., some regions of the support may be more rigid than others).\",\n \"Alternatively or additionally, it may be advantageous to place the holes in sheet 214 through which tubes 260 pass in a particular rotational orientation with respect to the native valve.\",\n \"For some applications, the sheet facilitates implantation of the upstream support in a different rotational position to its valve body, e.g., by twisting.\",\n \"For example, the upstream support may be implanted at more than 5 degrees (e.g., more than 10 degrees, such as more than 20 degrees) rotational offset with respect to the valve body.\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"7A-14B, 16-18B, and 21A-B.\",\n \"For some applications the first frame of the valve body is coupled to the second frame of the upstream support by the sheet (e.g., generally only by the sheet) in the compressed state (e.g., assemblies 202, 302, 342 and 552) and/or in the expanded state (e.g., assemblies 202 and 552).\",\n \"As used in the present application, including in the claims, (a) the first and second frames being “coupled by the sheet”, and/or (b) the sheet “coupling the first frame to the second frame”, do not include applications in which the frames are primarily and/or independently coupled to each other by a different means, and the covering extends over both frames.\",\n \"For example, the first and second frames are not “coupled to each other by the sheet” (1) in assemblies 382, 402 and 422, in which the frames are provided pre-coupled directly to each other, or (2) in the expanded state of assemblies 302 and 342, in which the frames are intracorporeally coupled directly to each other.\",\n \"For applications in which the first frame of the valve body is coupled to the second frame of the upstream support by the sheet, a gap typically exists between the first frame and the second frame.\",\n \"For some such applications, no metallic structure is disposed within the gap.\",\n \"For some applications (including some applications in which the first and second frames are coupled independently of the sheet), the flexible sheet comprises, in addition to the sheet-like structure, one or more flexible longitudinal members, such as metallic or polymer wires (e.g., embedded within or attached to a surface of the sheet-like structure).\",\n \"These flexible longitudinal members may provide a small amount of rigidity to the sheet without detracting from the general nature of the sheet.\",\n \"For example, the flexible longitudinal members may facilitate opening of the sheet during deployment of the prosthetic valve assembly.\",\n \"It is to be noted that for applications in which the first and second frames are coupled by the sheet, even when the sheet comprises flexible longitudinal members that are metallic wires, the frame of the valve body and the frame of the upstream support are typically distinct from each other, and can be considered to be coupled to each other by the sheet (e.g., generally only by the sheet).\",\n \"For some applications, within the total height of the prosthetic valve assembly, a distance exists within which no rigid and/or metallic structure is disposed.\",\n \"For example, for assembly 552, typically no rigid and/or metallic structure is disposed within distance d17 and/or distance d19.It is to be noted that a similar distance exists for assembly 202 between frames 212 and 206 (e.g., when implanted; see FIGS.\",\n \"8F-G).\",\n \"For some applications, for assembly 552, only sheet 564 and tethers 582 are disposed within distances d17 and d19.However, for some applications, tissue-engaging elements 580 extend proximally toward frame 562 such that the distance in which no rigid and/or metallic structure is disposed is reduced and/or absent (e.g., when tethers 582 are tensioned).\",\n \"Reference is again made to FIGS.\",\n \"1A-F, 3A-C, 6 and 7A-8H.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, tissue anchor 48 and/or the guide member coupled thereto (e.g., guide member 56, guide member 256, and/or the components thereof) are included as components of the provided apparatus.\",\n \"That is, they are typically provided with the prosthetic valve assembly.\",\n \"For some applications of the invention, the tissue anchor and/or the guide member coupled thereto are not included as components of the provided apparatus (e.g., they are obtained separately).\",\n \"It will be understood that, although the terms “first, “second,” etc.\",\n \"may be used in the present application (including the specification and the claims) to describe various elements and/or directions, these terms should not be limiting.\",\n \"These terms are only used to distinguish one element and/or direction from another.\",\n \"Thus, a “first” element described herein could also be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.\",\n \"As used in the present application, including in the claims, a “central longitudinal axis” of a structure (e.g., an elongate structure) is the set of all centroids of transverse cross-sectional sections of the structure along the structure.\",\n \"Thus the cross-sectional sections are locally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, which runs along the structure.\",\n \"(If the structure is circular in cross-section, the centroids correspond with the centers of the circular cross-sectional sections.)\",\n \"It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove.\",\n \"Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872501"}}},{"rowIdx":4494091,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["FUEL DELIVERY PUMP","A fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that is driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged, wherein an electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage, and/or an electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage."],["1.A fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor, comprising: a pump impeller that is driven by the electric motor; a pump stage, the pump impeller being arranged in the pump stage; a rotor being part of the electric motor; a shaft, the pump impeller connected to the shaft, and the rotor of the electric motor connected to the shaft such that rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller; and at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, the at least one bearing located in the pump stage; at least one electrical insulation element arranged between the at least one bearing and the pump stage, such that the at least one electrical insulation element electrically insulates the shaft from the pump stage.","2.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the at least one bearing further comprising a radial bearing.","3.The fuel delivery pump of claim 2, the wherein the shaft is mounted by the radial bearing in a radial direction relative to the pump stage, and the electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.","4.The fuel delivery pump of claim 2, wherein the radial bearing is formed as an electrical insulation element.","5.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the at least one bearing further comprising an axial bearing.","6.The fuel delivery pump of claim 5, wherein the shaft is mounted by the axial bearing in an axial direction relative to the pump stage, and the electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage.","7.The fuel delivery pump of claim 5, the electrical insulation element between the axial bearing and the pump stage further comprising a pot-shaped electrical insulation element.","8.The fuel delivery pump of claim 7, the axial bearing further comprising a spherical body, wherein the spherical body is arranged in the pot-shaped electrical insulation element.","9.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the electrical insulation element further comprising an electrically non-conductive coating.","10.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical insulation element is formed from a plastic material.","11.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical insulation element is formed from a ceramic material.","12.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the electrical insulation element further comprising a thermoplastic material.","13.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, further comprising an electrically non-conductive seal element arranged between the shaft and the pump stage."],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fuel delivery pumps are both flowed through by the fuel for delivery and flowed around by the fuel.","Fuel delivery pumps used in motor vehicles have electric motors which are used for driving the delivery stage, which is formed for example by a pump impeller.","To ensure safety with regard to electrostatic discharges (ESD), the electrically conductive elements of a fuel delivery pump must be grounded.","This serves for preventing short-circuits and thus the formation of sparks, which could lead to ignition of the fuel.","Furthermore, the functionality of the fuel delivery pump may be impaired as a result of the generation of electrostatic discharges.","The parts that must be grounded include in particular the pump stage, the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing, in which the rotor and the stator of the electric motor are arranged.","At the same time, it is necessary to prevent the shaft of the fuel delivery pump, on which the delivery stage is arranged, from being short-circuited with the negative pole of the voltage supply or with the ground potential, and thus likewise being grounded.","Such a short circuit may lead to failure of the fuel delivery pump or to undesired deposits on the shaft or on the rotor, in particular in the vicinity of the carbon brushes.","This may lead to an impairment of the service life of the fuel delivery pump.","Various devices are known in the prior art which present possible solutions to the problem.","Accordingly, fuel delivery pumps are known which have additional resistances for realizing adequate grounding or decoupling.","Fuel delivery pumps are also known which have a pump stage composed of plastic, whereby insulation of the shaft may be achieved.","Furthermore, fuel delivery pumps are known which provide grounding of the motor housing and thus also grounding of the shaft.","A disadvantage of the devices in the prior art is in particular that either no sufficient safety with respect to electrostatic discharges may be achieved, or the grounding of the motor housing also generates grounding of the shaft, whereby deposits may form in the interior of the electric motor.","The embodiment of the pump stage as a plastics component leads to lower stability and thus a shortened service life."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of providing a fuel delivery pump which exhibits adequate safety with respect to electrostatic discharges and which simultaneously exhibits electrical decoupling of the shaft with respect to the grounded elements.","The problem is solved, with regard to the fuel delivery pump, by means of a fuel delivery pump having the features of claim 1 .","An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that is driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged, wherein an electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage, and/or an electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.","As a result of the arrangement of electrical insulation elements between the axial bearing and the pump stage and/or between the radial bearing and the pump stage, electrical insulation of the shaft with respect to the pump stage and thus with respect to the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing is generated.","This is particularly advantageous for preventing deposits in the region of the shaft owing to a polarity of the shaft.","By means of the electrical insulation, the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the motor housing and the pump stage is connected to the negative pole of the voltage supply or to the ground potential, and thus grounding of the stated elements is achieved.","This is advantageous for preventing short-circuits and electrostatic discharges.","The motor housing may be formed for example by the stator of the electric motor.","Likewise, a cage-like structure may be arranged around the stator, which structure functions as a motor housing.","As a result of the insertion of the electric motor into the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the electric motor is adequately protected against mechanical disturbance influences even without a closed, dedicated housing.","An electrical insulation element is preferably arranged both between the radial bearing and the pump stage and between the axial bearing and the pump stage.","In this way, comprehensive electrical insulation of the shaft is achieved.","It is particularly advantageous if the radial bearing is formed as an electrical insulation element.","To eliminate an additional insulation element, the radial bearing may perform not only the bearing function but also the electrical insulation function.","For this purpose, the radial bearing may particularly preferably be formed from an electrically non-conductive material.","For example, the bearing shells may be formed from plastic or from a non-conductive ceramic.","The radial bearing may also be coated with an electrically non-conductive coating.","It is also advantageous if the electrical insulation element between the axial bearing and the pump stage is formed by a pot-shaped element.","A pot-shaped element is advantageous for ensuring a secure seat of the axial bearing and also permitting simple installation of the insulation element.","For this purpose, an accurately fitting cutout may be provided in the lower section of the pump stage, into which cutout the insulation element is inserted or pressed.","The pump stage is preferably formed by a two-part housing, which forms the lower termination of the housing of the fuel delivery pump.","The pump impeller is arranged in the pump stage.","The pump stage additionally has openings for the drawing-in and expulsion of the fluid for delivery.","It is also preferable if the axial bearing is formed by a spherical body, wherein the spherical body is arranged in the pot-shaped electrical insulation element.","A spherical body is advantageous because the shaft is supported and mounted in an axial direction, wherein only a very small contact area exists between the shaft and the spherical body.","The spherical body may preferably be pressed into the cutout of the pump stage, into which the insulation element has already been inserted, such that the spherical body is received fixedly in the pump stage.","Alternatively, provision may also be made for the spherical body to slide on the insulation element, whereby the axial bearing is ultimately formed both by the spherical body and by the pot-shaped insulation element.","It is furthermore advantageous if the electrical insulation element is formed by an electrically non-conductive coating.","An electrically non-conductive coating of the pump stage in the region of the axial bearing and/or of the radial bearing is advantageous, because it is thus likewise possible to achieve electrical insulation.","The coating is preferably formed by electrically non-conductive materials, such as for example plastic or ceramic.","It is furthermore advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a plastic and/or a ceramic.","Here, it is particularly advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a thermoplastic material.","It is furthermore advantageous if an electrically non-conductive seal element is arranged between the shaft and the pump stage.","The seal element may for example be a ceramic or a rubber element.","Advantageous refinements of the present invention are described in the subclaims and in the following figure description.","Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.","It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of PCT Application PCT/EP2016/065687, filed Jul.","4, 2016, which claims priority to German Patent Application 10 2015 213 420.2, filed Jul.","16, 2015.The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that may be driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fuel delivery pumps are both flowed through by the fuel for delivery and flowed around by the fuel.","Fuel delivery pumps used in motor vehicles have electric motors which are used for driving the delivery stage, which is formed for example by a pump impeller.","To ensure safety with regard to electrostatic discharges (ESD), the electrically conductive elements of a fuel delivery pump must be grounded.","This serves for preventing short-circuits and thus the formation of sparks, which could lead to ignition of the fuel.","Furthermore, the functionality of the fuel delivery pump may be impaired as a result of the generation of electrostatic discharges.","The parts that must be grounded include in particular the pump stage, the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing, in which the rotor and the stator of the electric motor are arranged.","At the same time, it is necessary to prevent the shaft of the fuel delivery pump, on which the delivery stage is arranged, from being short-circuited with the negative pole of the voltage supply or with the ground potential, and thus likewise being grounded.","Such a short circuit may lead to failure of the fuel delivery pump or to undesired deposits on the shaft or on the rotor, in particular in the vicinity of the carbon brushes.","This may lead to an impairment of the service life of the fuel delivery pump.","Various devices are known in the prior art which present possible solutions to the problem.","Accordingly, fuel delivery pumps are known which have additional resistances for realizing adequate grounding or decoupling.","Fuel delivery pumps are also known which have a pump stage composed of plastic, whereby insulation of the shaft may be achieved.","Furthermore, fuel delivery pumps are known which provide grounding of the motor housing and thus also grounding of the shaft.","A disadvantage of the devices in the prior art is in particular that either no sufficient safety with respect to electrostatic discharges may be achieved, or the grounding of the motor housing also generates grounding of the shaft, whereby deposits may form in the interior of the electric motor.","The embodiment of the pump stage as a plastics component leads to lower stability and thus a shortened service life.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of providing a fuel delivery pump which exhibits adequate safety with respect to electrostatic discharges and which simultaneously exhibits electrical decoupling of the shaft with respect to the grounded elements.","The problem is solved, with regard to the fuel delivery pump, by means of a fuel delivery pump having the features of claim 1.An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that is driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged, wherein an electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage, and/or an electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.","As a result of the arrangement of electrical insulation elements between the axial bearing and the pump stage and/or between the radial bearing and the pump stage, electrical insulation of the shaft with respect to the pump stage and thus with respect to the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing is generated.","This is particularly advantageous for preventing deposits in the region of the shaft owing to a polarity of the shaft.","By means of the electrical insulation, the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the motor housing and the pump stage is connected to the negative pole of the voltage supply or to the ground potential, and thus grounding of the stated elements is achieved.","This is advantageous for preventing short-circuits and electrostatic discharges.","The motor housing may be formed for example by the stator of the electric motor.","Likewise, a cage-like structure may be arranged around the stator, which structure functions as a motor housing.","As a result of the insertion of the electric motor into the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the electric motor is adequately protected against mechanical disturbance influences even without a closed, dedicated housing.","An electrical insulation element is preferably arranged both between the radial bearing and the pump stage and between the axial bearing and the pump stage.","In this way, comprehensive electrical insulation of the shaft is achieved.","It is particularly advantageous if the radial bearing is formed as an electrical insulation element.","To eliminate an additional insulation element, the radial bearing may perform not only the bearing function but also the electrical insulation function.","For this purpose, the radial bearing may particularly preferably be formed from an electrically non-conductive material.","For example, the bearing shells may be formed from plastic or from a non-conductive ceramic.","The radial bearing may also be coated with an electrically non-conductive coating.","It is also advantageous if the electrical insulation element between the axial bearing and the pump stage is formed by a pot-shaped element.","A pot-shaped element is advantageous for ensuring a secure seat of the axial bearing and also permitting simple installation of the insulation element.","For this purpose, an accurately fitting cutout may be provided in the lower section of the pump stage, into which cutout the insulation element is inserted or pressed.","The pump stage is preferably formed by a two-part housing, which forms the lower termination of the housing of the fuel delivery pump.","The pump impeller is arranged in the pump stage.","The pump stage additionally has openings for the drawing-in and expulsion of the fluid for delivery.","It is also preferable if the axial bearing is formed by a spherical body, wherein the spherical body is arranged in the pot-shaped electrical insulation element.","A spherical body is advantageous because the shaft is supported and mounted in an axial direction, wherein only a very small contact area exists between the shaft and the spherical body.","The spherical body may preferably be pressed into the cutout of the pump stage, into which the insulation element has already been inserted, such that the spherical body is received fixedly in the pump stage.","Alternatively, provision may also be made for the spherical body to slide on the insulation element, whereby the axial bearing is ultimately formed both by the spherical body and by the pot-shaped insulation element.","It is furthermore advantageous if the electrical insulation element is formed by an electrically non-conductive coating.","An electrically non-conductive coating of the pump stage in the region of the axial bearing and/or of the radial bearing is advantageous, because it is thus likewise possible to achieve electrical insulation.","The coating is preferably formed by electrically non-conductive materials, such as for example plastic or ceramic.","It is furthermore advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a plastic and/or a ceramic.","Here, it is particularly advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a thermoplastic material.","It is furthermore advantageous if an electrically non-conductive seal element is arranged between the shaft and the pump stage.","The seal element may for example be a ceramic or a rubber element.","Advantageous refinements of the present invention are described in the subclaims and in the following figure description.","Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.","It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be discussed in detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG.","1 shows a diagrammatic sketch showing an arrangement of a fuel delivery pump in a fuel tank; FIG.","2 shows a detailed view of the lower section of the pump stage, with in particular the pot-shaped insulation element and the spherical body, which serves as axial bearing, being shown; and FIG.","3 shows a sectional view through a fuel delivery pump, wherein an electrically non-conductive radial bearing is arranged between the shaft and the pump stage, and an electrically non-conductive, pot-shaped insulation element is arranged between the downwardly directed axial end region of the shaft and the pump stage.","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.","FIG.","1 shows a schematic view of a fuel tank 1 in a motor vehicle (not illustrated).","In the fuel tank 1 there is arranged a fuel delivery unit 2 which is formed from a swirl pot 3, a fuel delivery pump 4 and a flange 5.The flange 5 serves for the fastening of the fuel delivery unit 2 to the fuel tank 1.The swirl pot 3, which constitutes a reservoir for the fuel and from which the fuel is delivered by the fuel delivery pump 4 to the internal combustion engine, is connected by means of connecting elements 6 to the flange 5.The swirl pot 3 is furthermore supported with respect to the lower wall of the fuel tank 1.The fuel delivery pump 4 is arranged within the swirl pot 3 and is connected by means of electrical conductors 7 to a voltage source.","Both the fuel delivery pump 4 and the electrical conductors 7 are washed around by the fuel in the fuel tank 1.Therefore, to ensure operational reliability, grounding of the metallic elements that are in contact with the fuel is necessary.","FIG.","2 shows a detailed view of the lower section 10 of a pump stage 11.The pump stage 11 is generally formed in two parts and has, in its interior, a recess for receiving the pump impeller.","The pump stage 11 additionally has openings through which fuel is delivered into the pump stage 11 and delivered out of the pump stage.","The section 10 has a spherical body 12 which serves as an axial bearing seat for a shaft (not shown in FIG.","2) arranged thereabove.","The spherical body 12 is preferably produced from a wear-resistant material.","The spherical body 12 is preferably formed from a metallic material.","The spherical body 12 is arranged in a pot-shaped element 13 which spaces the spherical body 12 apart from the section 10.The pot-shaped element 13 is preferably formed from an electrically non-conductive material, and serves in particular for the electrical insulation of the spherical body 12 and of the shaft (not shown), which is connected in electrically conductive fashion to the spherical body 12 and on which the pump impeller is arranged.","The pot-shaped element 13 thus forms an electrical insulation element.","FIG.","3 shows a sectional view through a fuel delivery pump 15.Arranged centrally in the fuel delivery pump 15 is a shaft 16 which is connected to the rotor 17 of the electric motor 18 and which is rotatably mounted in the housing 19 of the fuel delivery pump 15.The shaft 16 is mounted both by means of a radial bearing 20 and by means of an axial bearing, which is formed by the spherical body 12 that has already been shown in FIG.","2.In particular, the housing 19 of the fuel delivery pump 15, the pump stage 11 and the stator 22 are connected to the negative pole of the voltage supply or in particular to the ground potential, in order to ensure grounding of the elements.","The radial bearing 20 is integrated into the upper section 21 of the pump stage 11 and is preferably formed by an electrically insulating material.","In this way, an electrically conductive connection between the shaft 16 and the pump stage 11 is prevented.","Alternatively, it is also possible for an electrically insulating layer or an electrical insulation element to be arranged between the radial bearing 20 and the pump stage 11 or the upper section 21.By means of the combination of an electrically non-conductive radial bearing 20 or of an insulation element between the radial bearing 20 and the pump stage 11 and the pot-shaped body 13 composed of an electrically insulating material, electrical insulation of the shaft 16 relative to the grounded elements of the fuel delivery pump 15 is achieved.","This prevents in particular the formation of deposits on the shaft 16 and in particular in the region of the carbon brushes 23 of the electric motor 18, which contributes to an improved service life of the fuel delivery pump 15 as a whole.","The exemplary embodiment of FIGS.","1 to 3 is in particular not of a limiting nature, and serves for illustrating the concept of the invention.","Numerous structural designs and forms that deviate therefrom may be realized within the scope encompassed by the invention, without departing from the basic concept of the invention.","The embodiment of FIGS.","2 and 3 is exemplary and illustrates a particularly advantageous possibility for achieving insulation of the shaft with respect to the electrically grounded elements of the fuel delivery pump, without the service life of the fuel delivery pump at the same time being adversely affected as a result of an adverse material selection, for example owing to plastics for the housing and/or the pump stage.","The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.","Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"FUEL DELIVERY PUMP\",\n \"A fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that is driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged, wherein an electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage, and/or an electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor, comprising: a pump impeller that is driven by the electric motor; a pump stage, the pump impeller being arranged in the pump stage; a rotor being part of the electric motor; a shaft, the pump impeller connected to the shaft, and the rotor of the electric motor connected to the shaft such that rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller; and at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, the at least one bearing located in the pump stage; at least one electrical insulation element arranged between the at least one bearing and the pump stage, such that the at least one electrical insulation element electrically insulates the shaft from the pump stage.\",\n \"2.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the at least one bearing further comprising a radial bearing.\",\n \"3.The fuel delivery pump of claim 2, the wherein the shaft is mounted by the radial bearing in a radial direction relative to the pump stage, and the electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.\",\n \"4.The fuel delivery pump of claim 2, wherein the radial bearing is formed as an electrical insulation element.\",\n \"5.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the at least one bearing further comprising an axial bearing.\",\n \"6.The fuel delivery pump of claim 5, wherein the shaft is mounted by the axial bearing in an axial direction relative to the pump stage, and the electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage.\",\n \"7.The fuel delivery pump of claim 5, the electrical insulation element between the axial bearing and the pump stage further comprising a pot-shaped electrical insulation element.\",\n \"8.The fuel delivery pump of claim 7, the axial bearing further comprising a spherical body, wherein the spherical body is arranged in the pot-shaped electrical insulation element.\",\n \"9.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the electrical insulation element further comprising an electrically non-conductive coating.\",\n \"10.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical insulation element is formed from a plastic material.\",\n \"11.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical insulation element is formed from a ceramic material.\",\n \"12.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, the electrical insulation element further comprising a thermoplastic material.\",\n \"13.The fuel delivery pump of claim 1, further comprising an electrically non-conductive seal element arranged between the shaft and the pump stage.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fuel delivery pumps are both flowed through by the fuel for delivery and flowed around by the fuel.\",\n \"Fuel delivery pumps used in motor vehicles have electric motors which are used for driving the delivery stage, which is formed for example by a pump impeller.\",\n \"To ensure safety with regard to electrostatic discharges (ESD), the electrically conductive elements of a fuel delivery pump must be grounded.\",\n \"This serves for preventing short-circuits and thus the formation of sparks, which could lead to ignition of the fuel.\",\n \"Furthermore, the functionality of the fuel delivery pump may be impaired as a result of the generation of electrostatic discharges.\",\n \"The parts that must be grounded include in particular the pump stage, the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing, in which the rotor and the stator of the electric motor are arranged.\",\n \"At the same time, it is necessary to prevent the shaft of the fuel delivery pump, on which the delivery stage is arranged, from being short-circuited with the negative pole of the voltage supply or with the ground potential, and thus likewise being grounded.\",\n \"Such a short circuit may lead to failure of the fuel delivery pump or to undesired deposits on the shaft or on the rotor, in particular in the vicinity of the carbon brushes.\",\n \"This may lead to an impairment of the service life of the fuel delivery pump.\",\n \"Various devices are known in the prior art which present possible solutions to the problem.\",\n \"Accordingly, fuel delivery pumps are known which have additional resistances for realizing adequate grounding or decoupling.\",\n \"Fuel delivery pumps are also known which have a pump stage composed of plastic, whereby insulation of the shaft may be achieved.\",\n \"Furthermore, fuel delivery pumps are known which provide grounding of the motor housing and thus also grounding of the shaft.\",\n \"A disadvantage of the devices in the prior art is in particular that either no sufficient safety with respect to electrostatic discharges may be achieved, or the grounding of the motor housing also generates grounding of the shaft, whereby deposits may form in the interior of the electric motor.\",\n \"The embodiment of the pump stage as a plastics component leads to lower stability and thus a shortened service life.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of providing a fuel delivery pump which exhibits adequate safety with respect to electrostatic discharges and which simultaneously exhibits electrical decoupling of the shaft with respect to the grounded elements.\",\n \"The problem is solved, with regard to the fuel delivery pump, by means of a fuel delivery pump having the features of claim 1 .\",\n \"An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that is driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged, wherein an electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage, and/or an electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.\",\n \"As a result of the arrangement of electrical insulation elements between the axial bearing and the pump stage and/or between the radial bearing and the pump stage, electrical insulation of the shaft with respect to the pump stage and thus with respect to the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing is generated.\",\n \"This is particularly advantageous for preventing deposits in the region of the shaft owing to a polarity of the shaft.\",\n \"By means of the electrical insulation, the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the motor housing and the pump stage is connected to the negative pole of the voltage supply or to the ground potential, and thus grounding of the stated elements is achieved.\",\n \"This is advantageous for preventing short-circuits and electrostatic discharges.\",\n \"The motor housing may be formed for example by the stator of the electric motor.\",\n \"Likewise, a cage-like structure may be arranged around the stator, which structure functions as a motor housing.\",\n \"As a result of the insertion of the electric motor into the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the electric motor is adequately protected against mechanical disturbance influences even without a closed, dedicated housing.\",\n \"An electrical insulation element is preferably arranged both between the radial bearing and the pump stage and between the axial bearing and the pump stage.\",\n \"In this way, comprehensive electrical insulation of the shaft is achieved.\",\n \"It is particularly advantageous if the radial bearing is formed as an electrical insulation element.\",\n \"To eliminate an additional insulation element, the radial bearing may perform not only the bearing function but also the electrical insulation function.\",\n \"For this purpose, the radial bearing may particularly preferably be formed from an electrically non-conductive material.\",\n \"For example, the bearing shells may be formed from plastic or from a non-conductive ceramic.\",\n \"The radial bearing may also be coated with an electrically non-conductive coating.\",\n \"It is also advantageous if the electrical insulation element between the axial bearing and the pump stage is formed by a pot-shaped element.\",\n \"A pot-shaped element is advantageous for ensuring a secure seat of the axial bearing and also permitting simple installation of the insulation element.\",\n \"For this purpose, an accurately fitting cutout may be provided in the lower section of the pump stage, into which cutout the insulation element is inserted or pressed.\",\n \"The pump stage is preferably formed by a two-part housing, which forms the lower termination of the housing of the fuel delivery pump.\",\n \"The pump impeller is arranged in the pump stage.\",\n \"The pump stage additionally has openings for the drawing-in and expulsion of the fluid for delivery.\",\n \"It is also preferable if the axial bearing is formed by a spherical body, wherein the spherical body is arranged in the pot-shaped electrical insulation element.\",\n \"A spherical body is advantageous because the shaft is supported and mounted in an axial direction, wherein only a very small contact area exists between the shaft and the spherical body.\",\n \"The spherical body may preferably be pressed into the cutout of the pump stage, into which the insulation element has already been inserted, such that the spherical body is received fixedly in the pump stage.\",\n \"Alternatively, provision may also be made for the spherical body to slide on the insulation element, whereby the axial bearing is ultimately formed both by the spherical body and by the pot-shaped insulation element.\",\n \"It is furthermore advantageous if the electrical insulation element is formed by an electrically non-conductive coating.\",\n \"An electrically non-conductive coating of the pump stage in the region of the axial bearing and/or of the radial bearing is advantageous, because it is thus likewise possible to achieve electrical insulation.\",\n \"The coating is preferably formed by electrically non-conductive materials, such as for example plastic or ceramic.\",\n \"It is furthermore advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a plastic and/or a ceramic.\",\n \"Here, it is particularly advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a thermoplastic material.\",\n \"It is furthermore advantageous if an electrically non-conductive seal element is arranged between the shaft and the pump stage.\",\n \"The seal element may for example be a ceramic or a rubber element.\",\n \"Advantageous refinements of the present invention are described in the subclaims and in the following figure description.\",\n \"Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.\",\n \"It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of PCT Application PCT/EP2016/065687, filed Jul.\",\n \"4, 2016, which claims priority to German Patent Application 10 2015 213 420.2, filed Jul.\",\n \"16, 2015.The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that may be driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fuel delivery pumps are both flowed through by the fuel for delivery and flowed around by the fuel.\",\n \"Fuel delivery pumps used in motor vehicles have electric motors which are used for driving the delivery stage, which is formed for example by a pump impeller.\",\n \"To ensure safety with regard to electrostatic discharges (ESD), the electrically conductive elements of a fuel delivery pump must be grounded.\",\n \"This serves for preventing short-circuits and thus the formation of sparks, which could lead to ignition of the fuel.\",\n \"Furthermore, the functionality of the fuel delivery pump may be impaired as a result of the generation of electrostatic discharges.\",\n \"The parts that must be grounded include in particular the pump stage, the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing, in which the rotor and the stator of the electric motor are arranged.\",\n \"At the same time, it is necessary to prevent the shaft of the fuel delivery pump, on which the delivery stage is arranged, from being short-circuited with the negative pole of the voltage supply or with the ground potential, and thus likewise being grounded.\",\n \"Such a short circuit may lead to failure of the fuel delivery pump or to undesired deposits on the shaft or on the rotor, in particular in the vicinity of the carbon brushes.\",\n \"This may lead to an impairment of the service life of the fuel delivery pump.\",\n \"Various devices are known in the prior art which present possible solutions to the problem.\",\n \"Accordingly, fuel delivery pumps are known which have additional resistances for realizing adequate grounding or decoupling.\",\n \"Fuel delivery pumps are also known which have a pump stage composed of plastic, whereby insulation of the shaft may be achieved.\",\n \"Furthermore, fuel delivery pumps are known which provide grounding of the motor housing and thus also grounding of the shaft.\",\n \"A disadvantage of the devices in the prior art is in particular that either no sufficient safety with respect to electrostatic discharges may be achieved, or the grounding of the motor housing also generates grounding of the shaft, whereby deposits may form in the interior of the electric motor.\",\n \"The embodiment of the pump stage as a plastics component leads to lower stability and thus a shortened service life.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of providing a fuel delivery pump which exhibits adequate safety with respect to electrostatic discharges and which simultaneously exhibits electrical decoupling of the shaft with respect to the grounded elements.\",\n \"The problem is solved, with regard to the fuel delivery pump, by means of a fuel delivery pump having the features of claim 1.An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a fuel delivery pump for delivering fuel, having an electric motor and having a pump impeller that is driven by means of the electric motor, wherein the pump impeller is connected by means of a shaft to a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted via the shaft to the pump impeller, wherein the shaft is mounted by means of an axial bearing in an axial direction and/or by means of a radial bearing in a radial direction relative to a pump stage in which the pump impeller is arranged, wherein an electrical insulation element is arranged between the axial bearing and the pump stage, and/or an electrical insulation element is arranged between the radial bearing and the pump stage.\",\n \"As a result of the arrangement of electrical insulation elements between the axial bearing and the pump stage and/or between the radial bearing and the pump stage, electrical insulation of the shaft with respect to the pump stage and thus with respect to the housing of the fuel delivery pump and the motor housing is generated.\",\n \"This is particularly advantageous for preventing deposits in the region of the shaft owing to a polarity of the shaft.\",\n \"By means of the electrical insulation, the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the motor housing and the pump stage is connected to the negative pole of the voltage supply or to the ground potential, and thus grounding of the stated elements is achieved.\",\n \"This is advantageous for preventing short-circuits and electrostatic discharges.\",\n \"The motor housing may be formed for example by the stator of the electric motor.\",\n \"Likewise, a cage-like structure may be arranged around the stator, which structure functions as a motor housing.\",\n \"As a result of the insertion of the electric motor into the housing of the fuel delivery pump, the electric motor is adequately protected against mechanical disturbance influences even without a closed, dedicated housing.\",\n \"An electrical insulation element is preferably arranged both between the radial bearing and the pump stage and between the axial bearing and the pump stage.\",\n \"In this way, comprehensive electrical insulation of the shaft is achieved.\",\n \"It is particularly advantageous if the radial bearing is formed as an electrical insulation element.\",\n \"To eliminate an additional insulation element, the radial bearing may perform not only the bearing function but also the electrical insulation function.\",\n \"For this purpose, the radial bearing may particularly preferably be formed from an electrically non-conductive material.\",\n \"For example, the bearing shells may be formed from plastic or from a non-conductive ceramic.\",\n \"The radial bearing may also be coated with an electrically non-conductive coating.\",\n \"It is also advantageous if the electrical insulation element between the axial bearing and the pump stage is formed by a pot-shaped element.\",\n \"A pot-shaped element is advantageous for ensuring a secure seat of the axial bearing and also permitting simple installation of the insulation element.\",\n \"For this purpose, an accurately fitting cutout may be provided in the lower section of the pump stage, into which cutout the insulation element is inserted or pressed.\",\n \"The pump stage is preferably formed by a two-part housing, which forms the lower termination of the housing of the fuel delivery pump.\",\n \"The pump impeller is arranged in the pump stage.\",\n \"The pump stage additionally has openings for the drawing-in and expulsion of the fluid for delivery.\",\n \"It is also preferable if the axial bearing is formed by a spherical body, wherein the spherical body is arranged in the pot-shaped electrical insulation element.\",\n \"A spherical body is advantageous because the shaft is supported and mounted in an axial direction, wherein only a very small contact area exists between the shaft and the spherical body.\",\n \"The spherical body may preferably be pressed into the cutout of the pump stage, into which the insulation element has already been inserted, such that the spherical body is received fixedly in the pump stage.\",\n \"Alternatively, provision may also be made for the spherical body to slide on the insulation element, whereby the axial bearing is ultimately formed both by the spherical body and by the pot-shaped insulation element.\",\n \"It is furthermore advantageous if the electrical insulation element is formed by an electrically non-conductive coating.\",\n \"An electrically non-conductive coating of the pump stage in the region of the axial bearing and/or of the radial bearing is advantageous, because it is thus likewise possible to achieve electrical insulation.\",\n \"The coating is preferably formed by electrically non-conductive materials, such as for example plastic or ceramic.\",\n \"It is furthermore advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a plastic and/or a ceramic.\",\n \"Here, it is particularly advantageous if at least one of the electrical insulation elements is formed from a thermoplastic material.\",\n \"It is furthermore advantageous if an electrically non-conductive seal element is arranged between the shaft and the pump stage.\",\n \"The seal element may for example be a ceramic or a rubber element.\",\n \"Advantageous refinements of the present invention are described in the subclaims and in the following figure description.\",\n \"Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.\",\n \"It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be discussed in detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a diagrammatic sketch showing an arrangement of a fuel delivery pump in a fuel tank; FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a detailed view of the lower section of the pump stage, with in particular the pot-shaped insulation element and the spherical body, which serves as axial bearing, being shown; and FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a sectional view through a fuel delivery pump, wherein an electrically non-conductive radial bearing is arranged between the shaft and the pump stage, and an electrically non-conductive, pot-shaped insulation element is arranged between the downwardly directed axial end region of the shaft and the pump stage.\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 shows a schematic view of a fuel tank 1 in a motor vehicle (not illustrated).\",\n \"In the fuel tank 1 there is arranged a fuel delivery unit 2 which is formed from a swirl pot 3, a fuel delivery pump 4 and a flange 5.The flange 5 serves for the fastening of the fuel delivery unit 2 to the fuel tank 1.The swirl pot 3, which constitutes a reservoir for the fuel and from which the fuel is delivered by the fuel delivery pump 4 to the internal combustion engine, is connected by means of connecting elements 6 to the flange 5.The swirl pot 3 is furthermore supported with respect to the lower wall of the fuel tank 1.The fuel delivery pump 4 is arranged within the swirl pot 3 and is connected by means of electrical conductors 7 to a voltage source.\",\n \"Both the fuel delivery pump 4 and the electrical conductors 7 are washed around by the fuel in the fuel tank 1.Therefore, to ensure operational reliability, grounding of the metallic elements that are in contact with the fuel is necessary.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 shows a detailed view of the lower section 10 of a pump stage 11.The pump stage 11 is generally formed in two parts and has, in its interior, a recess for receiving the pump impeller.\",\n \"The pump stage 11 additionally has openings through which fuel is delivered into the pump stage 11 and delivered out of the pump stage.\",\n \"The section 10 has a spherical body 12 which serves as an axial bearing seat for a shaft (not shown in FIG.\",\n \"2) arranged thereabove.\",\n \"The spherical body 12 is preferably produced from a wear-resistant material.\",\n \"The spherical body 12 is preferably formed from a metallic material.\",\n \"The spherical body 12 is arranged in a pot-shaped element 13 which spaces the spherical body 12 apart from the section 10.The pot-shaped element 13 is preferably formed from an electrically non-conductive material, and serves in particular for the electrical insulation of the spherical body 12 and of the shaft (not shown), which is connected in electrically conductive fashion to the spherical body 12 and on which the pump impeller is arranged.\",\n \"The pot-shaped element 13 thus forms an electrical insulation element.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 shows a sectional view through a fuel delivery pump 15.Arranged centrally in the fuel delivery pump 15 is a shaft 16 which is connected to the rotor 17 of the electric motor 18 and which is rotatably mounted in the housing 19 of the fuel delivery pump 15.The shaft 16 is mounted both by means of a radial bearing 20 and by means of an axial bearing, which is formed by the spherical body 12 that has already been shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.In particular, the housing 19 of the fuel delivery pump 15, the pump stage 11 and the stator 22 are connected to the negative pole of the voltage supply or in particular to the ground potential, in order to ensure grounding of the elements.\",\n \"The radial bearing 20 is integrated into the upper section 21 of the pump stage 11 and is preferably formed by an electrically insulating material.\",\n \"In this way, an electrically conductive connection between the shaft 16 and the pump stage 11 is prevented.\",\n \"Alternatively, it is also possible for an electrically insulating layer or an electrical insulation element to be arranged between the radial bearing 20 and the pump stage 11 or the upper section 21.By means of the combination of an electrically non-conductive radial bearing 20 or of an insulation element between the radial bearing 20 and the pump stage 11 and the pot-shaped body 13 composed of an electrically insulating material, electrical insulation of the shaft 16 relative to the grounded elements of the fuel delivery pump 15 is achieved.\",\n \"This prevents in particular the formation of deposits on the shaft 16 and in particular in the region of the carbon brushes 23 of the electric motor 18, which contributes to an improved service life of the fuel delivery pump 15 as a whole.\",\n \"The exemplary embodiment of FIGS.\",\n \"1 to 3 is in particular not of a limiting nature, and serves for illustrating the concept of the invention.\",\n \"Numerous structural designs and forms that deviate therefrom may be realized within the scope encompassed by the invention, without departing from the basic concept of the invention.\",\n \"The embodiment of FIGS.\",\n \"2 and 3 is exemplary and illustrates a particularly advantageous possibility for achieving insulation of the shaft with respect to the electrically grounded elements of the fuel delivery pump, without the service life of the fuel delivery pump at the same time being adversely affected as a result of an adverse material selection, for example owing to plastics for the housing and/or the pump stage.\",\n \"The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.\",\n \"Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872502"}}},{"rowIdx":4494092,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["ST-246 LIQUID FORMULATIONS AND METHODS","The present invention provides for a novel liquid formulation for solubilizing poorly soluble ST-246 in cyclodextrins and a novel process of making the formulation."],["1-21.","(canceled) 22.A process of making a liquid formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients comprising the steps of: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).","23.The process of claim 22, wherein said ST-246 is selected from a group consisting of ST-246 polymorph Form I, ST-246 polymorph Form II, ST-246 polymorph Form III, ST-246 polymorph Form IV, ST-246 polymorph Form V and ST-246 polymorph Form VI.","24.The process of claim 22, wherein said cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.","25.The process of claim 22, wherein said hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is present in amounts from about 20% to about 40% by weight.","26.The process of claim 22, wherein said liquid formulation is adjusted to a pH between about 3 and 10.27.The process of claim 24, wherein said hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4.0 to about 8.0.28.The process of claim 22, wherein the mixture of step (a) is brought to solubility equilibrium at a temperature of about 25° C. 29.The process of claim 22, wherein the mixture of step (a) is brought to solubility equilibrium at a temperature of about 37° C. 30.The process of claim 22, wherein said ST-246 is mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for about 72 hours.","31-40.","(canceled)"],[" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Throughout this application, various publications are referenced within the text.","The disclosure of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled in therein as of the date of the invention described and claimed herein.","Historically, variola virus, the etiologic agent of smallpox, has been estimated to have killed, crippled, or disfigured nearly 10% of the human population prior to eradication (1).","Smallpox is highly communicable and carries exceptionally high morbidity.","Secondary attack rates among unvaccinated members of households in which someone had smallpox have been reported to range from 30% to 80%.","Mortality rates range from 1% for variola minor to 30% for variola major.","With the advent of biowarfare as an instrument of terrorism, smallpox can no longer be thought of as a disease of historic impact only.","There are currently no therapies other than early vaccination that can alter the outcome of disease or potentially prevent disease in a population that has been exposed to smallpox.","Vaccination carries an inherent risk of adverse events for certain immunosuppressed recipients and even some healthy recipients (2).","Moreover, vaccination is effective only if administered within 4 days post-exposure.","Thus, antiviral drugs used alone or potentially in combination with vaccination can be used to treat individuals during the window of vulnerability which occurs prior to development of protective immunity.","Additionally, antiviral drugs could also be used in the treatment of zoonotic poxvirus disease in humans, such as monkeypox.","ST-246 (4-trifluoromethyl-N-(3,3a,4,4a,5,5a,6,6a-octahydro-1,3-dioxo-4,6-ethenocycloprop[f]isoindol-2(1H)-yl)-benzamide), has recently emerged as a potent candidate against orthopoxvirus.","Several studies evaluating ST-246 for activity against orthopoxviruses have demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo efficacy (3, 4).","When evaluated in vitro against vaccinia virus (VV), cowpox virus (CV), ectromelia virus (ECTV), monkeypox, camelpox, and variola viruses, ST-246 inhibited virus replication by 50% (50% effective concentration [EC50]) at or below a concentration of 0.07 μM.","With animal models using lethal infections with ECTV, VV, or CV, ST-246 was reported to be nontoxic and highly effective in preventing or reducing mortality even when treatments were delayed up to 72 h post-viral inoculation (3, 4).","ST-246 was also evaluated with the nonlethal mouse tail lesion model using intravenous VV.","When ST-246 was administered orally twice a day at 15 or 50 mg/kg of body weight for 5 days, the tail lesions were significantly reduced (4).","Most recently, an infant was given ST-246 as an FDA-authorized emergency treatment for eczema vaccinatum which developed after exposure to the parent's predeployment military smallpox immunization (5).","Given the high efficacy of ST-246 antiviral therapy against smallpox and a lack of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of smallpox infection, there is clearly a need for developing safe and effective ST-246 formulations that can be administered by various routes of administration.","However, the poor solubility of ST-246 in water and in pharmaceutically acceptable pH buffers creates an impediment to making safe and effective ST-246 liquid formulations.","Thus, there is a critical need in the pharmaceutical and other biological based industries to formulate water insoluble ST-246 into liquid formulations for oral, parenteral, or topical administration."],[" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients.","The present invention also provides methods of treating orthopoxvirus infections and/or eczema vaccinatum comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a liquid pharmaceutical formulation according to the present invention.","The present invention further provides a process of making a liquid formulation according to the present invention comprising the steps of: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).","The present invention also provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 content ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-(β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.","The present invention further provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.","The present invention also provides a process for preparing a water-soluble solid ST-246 pharmaceutical formulation comprising: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a); and c) lyophilizing said mixture."],["CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/370,971, filed Aug. 5, 2010 and U.S.","Provisional Application No.","61/450,359, filed Mar.","8, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.","STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT This invention was made with U.S. government support under Contract No.","HHSN272200800041C awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the National Institute of Health (NIH).","The U.S. Government has certain rights in the invention.","FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to novel liquid formulations of ST-246 and processes for making the liquid formulation.","BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Throughout this application, various publications are referenced within the text.","The disclosure of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled in therein as of the date of the invention described and claimed herein.","Historically, variola virus, the etiologic agent of smallpox, has been estimated to have killed, crippled, or disfigured nearly 10% of the human population prior to eradication (1).","Smallpox is highly communicable and carries exceptionally high morbidity.","Secondary attack rates among unvaccinated members of households in which someone had smallpox have been reported to range from 30% to 80%.","Mortality rates range from 1% for variola minor to 30% for variola major.","With the advent of biowarfare as an instrument of terrorism, smallpox can no longer be thought of as a disease of historic impact only.","There are currently no therapies other than early vaccination that can alter the outcome of disease or potentially prevent disease in a population that has been exposed to smallpox.","Vaccination carries an inherent risk of adverse events for certain immunosuppressed recipients and even some healthy recipients (2).","Moreover, vaccination is effective only if administered within 4 days post-exposure.","Thus, antiviral drugs used alone or potentially in combination with vaccination can be used to treat individuals during the window of vulnerability which occurs prior to development of protective immunity.","Additionally, antiviral drugs could also be used in the treatment of zoonotic poxvirus disease in humans, such as monkeypox.","ST-246 (4-trifluoromethyl-N-(3,3a,4,4a,5,5a,6,6a-octahydro-1,3-dioxo-4,6-ethenocycloprop[f]isoindol-2(1H)-yl)-benzamide), has recently emerged as a potent candidate against orthopoxvirus.","Several studies evaluating ST-246 for activity against orthopoxviruses have demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo efficacy (3, 4).","When evaluated in vitro against vaccinia virus (VV), cowpox virus (CV), ectromelia virus (ECTV), monkeypox, camelpox, and variola viruses, ST-246 inhibited virus replication by 50% (50% effective concentration [EC50]) at or below a concentration of 0.07 μM.","With animal models using lethal infections with ECTV, VV, or CV, ST-246 was reported to be nontoxic and highly effective in preventing or reducing mortality even when treatments were delayed up to 72 h post-viral inoculation (3, 4).","ST-246 was also evaluated with the nonlethal mouse tail lesion model using intravenous VV.","When ST-246 was administered orally twice a day at 15 or 50 mg/kg of body weight for 5 days, the tail lesions were significantly reduced (4).","Most recently, an infant was given ST-246 as an FDA-authorized emergency treatment for eczema vaccinatum which developed after exposure to the parent's predeployment military smallpox immunization (5).","Given the high efficacy of ST-246 antiviral therapy against smallpox and a lack of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of smallpox infection, there is clearly a need for developing safe and effective ST-246 formulations that can be administered by various routes of administration.","However, the poor solubility of ST-246 in water and in pharmaceutically acceptable pH buffers creates an impediment to making safe and effective ST-246 liquid formulations.","Thus, there is a critical need in the pharmaceutical and other biological based industries to formulate water insoluble ST-246 into liquid formulations for oral, parenteral, or topical administration.","SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients.","The present invention also provides methods of treating orthopoxvirus infections and/or eczema vaccinatum comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a liquid pharmaceutical formulation according to the present invention.","The present invention further provides a process of making a liquid formulation according to the present invention comprising the steps of: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).","The present invention also provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 content ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-(β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.","The present invention further provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.","The present invention also provides a process for preparing a water-soluble solid ST-246 pharmaceutical formulation comprising: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a); and c) lyophilizing said mixture.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.","1 depicts ST-246 solubility in aqueous solutions of excipients.","FIG.","2 depicts solubility ST-246 in aqueous solution of excipients.","FIG.","3 depicts solubility of ST-246 in aqueous solutions of excipients FIG.","4 depicts hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) structure.","FIG.","5 depicts ST-246 aqueous solution of HP-ß-CD at 25° C. FIG.","6 depicts concentration of ST-246 as a function of HP-ß-CD at 25° C. FIG.","7 depicts ST-246 solubility as a function of HP-ß-CD concentration.","FIG.","8 depicts solubility of ST-246 in the presence of co-solvents as function of varying temperature.","FIG.","9 depicts effect of pH on the solubility of ST-246 at 25° C. and 5° C. FIG.","10 depicts effect of dilution stability of intravenous formulations containing HP-ß-CD.","FIG.","11 depicts pharmokinetic profile of intravenous administration of ST-246 as compared to oral administration of ST-246.FIG.","12 shows three X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns of Form II (from three different samples).","FIG.","13 shows two X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns of Form IV (from two different samples).","FIG.","14 shows an X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern of Form V. FIG.","15 shows an X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD)patterns of Form VI (from two different samples).","FIG.","16 shows plasma concentration time curves for oral and IV administration of ST-246 in mice.","The means and standard deviations of the plasma concentrations over time are shown after oral administration of ST-246 to female BALB/c mice at doses of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg.","The means and standard deviations of the plasma concentrations over time after 10 minute IV infusions to female CD-1 mice at 3, 10, 30, and 75 mg/kg.","Each time point is the mean value from three individual mice.","FIG.","17 shows plasma concentrations over time after IV and oral administration in New Zealand White Rabbits.","Plasma concentrations of ST-246 over time are shown after oral administration of 100 mg/kg; bolus IV administration of 1 mg/kg; or a 5-minute IV slow push of 3, 30, or 60 mg/kg.","A 15-minute IV infusion of 3 mg/kg is also shown.","Each curve is the mean with standard deviations from two male and two female rabbits.","FIG.","18 shows ST-246 plasma concentrations over time after oral administration compared to 4 hour IV infusions in cynomolgus monkeys.","Plasma concentration of ST-246 after a single oral dose of 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg compared to the plasma concentration time curves after 4 hour IV infusion of 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg in cynomolgus monkeys.","Each curve shows the means and standard deviations.","For oral administration there were 3 males and 3 females in each dose group while for the IV infusion there were 2 males and 2 females in each dose group.","FIG.","19 shows calculated clearance values from IV infusion studies.","The means and standard deviations of the calculated clearance for each dose group administered to cynomolgus monkeys as either 4 or 6 hour IV infusions.","FIGS.","20A and 20B show plasma concentration time curves for different regimens of administration of either 20 or 30 mg/kg ST-246 to cynomolgus monkeys.","The mean and standard deviation values for the plasma concentrations over time are shown for different dosing regimens of (FIG.","20 A) 20 mg/kg or (FIG.","20B) 30 mg/kg.","The dosing regimens included oral administration (3 males and 3 females in each dose group), 4 hour IV infusion (2 males and 2 females in each dose group), 6 hour IV infusion (2 males and 2 females in each dose group), and BID two 4 hour IV infusions initiated 12 hours apart (4 males and 4 females in each dose group).","DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a safe and effective liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and optionally further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients selected from the group consisting of carrier, excipient, diluent, additive, filler, lubricant, solubilizer, preservative and binder.","In one embodiment, cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.","In another embodiment, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4 to about 8.In yet another embodiment, said cyclodextrin is sufobutyl ether-β-cylodextrin.","In one aspect of the invention, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is present in amounts ranging from about 10% to about 50% by weight, more preferably about 20% to about 40% by weight.","In yet another aspect of the invention, the liquid pharmaceutical formulation is adjusted to have pH between about 3 and 12, more preferably between about 3 and 10.In yet another aspect of the invention, the instant liquid pharmaceutical formulations are suitable for oral, parenteral, mucosal, transdermal or topical administration.","The invention also provides for methods of treating orthopoxvirus infections comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients selected from the group consisting of carrier, excipient, diluent, additive, filler, lubricant and binder.","In one embodiment, cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.","In another embodiment, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4 to about 8.In yet another embodiment, cyclodextrin is sufobutyl ether-β-cylodextrin.","The instant methods also include a method of treating eczema vaccinatum comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of instant liquid formulation.","According to the instant invention, the instant liquid pharmaceutical formulation can be administered via oral, parenteral, mucosal, transdermal or topical route of administration.","The instant invention also provides for a process of making instant liquid formulation comprising the steps of a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).","The instant process comprises ST-246 which is selected from the group consisting of polymorphic Form I, Form II, Form III, Form IV, Form V and Form VI.","In one embodiment, cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.","In another embodiment, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4 to about 8.In yet another embodiment, cyclodextrin is sufobutyl ether-β-cylodextrin.","[000042] In one aspect of the invention, the instant process comprises mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier for about 15 min to 72 hours.","In another aspect of the invention, the instant process comprising mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier at a temperature range from about 28° C. to about 70° C. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier is water.","[000043] In yet another aspect of the invention, a unit dosage liquid formulation is provided comprising: a) ST-246 content ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml; and c) optionally comprising mannitol, trehalose dehydrate, lactose monohydrate, and purified water such that the total volume of the liquid formulation is about 100 ml.","In one embodiment, the pH is adjusted to a range from about 3.0 to about 5.0 using 0.1 HCL/NaOH.","In another embodiment, the pH is adjusted to a range from about 3.0 to about 5.0 using citrate buffer.","In yet another aspect of the invention, a unit dosage liquid formulation is provided comprising: a) ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml; and c) optionally comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredient selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 300, and purified water such that preferably, the total volume of the liquid formulation is about 100 ml.","In one embodiment, a pH is adjusted to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1 HCL/NaOH.","In another embodiment, the pH is adjusted to a range from about 3.0 to about 5.0 using citrate buffer.","Definitions In accordance with this detailed description, the following abbreviations and definitions apply.","It must be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.","The term “pharmaceutical composition” or “pharmaceutical formulation” is intended to encompass a drug product including the active ingredient(s), pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients.","Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing the active ingredient, active ingredient dispersion or composite, additional active ingredient(s), and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.","The term “half-life” is a pharmacokinetic term used to indicate the length of time necessary to eliminate 50% of the remaining amount of drug present in the body.","The term “AUC” (i.e., “area under the curve,” “area under the concentration curve,” or “area under the concentration-time curve”) is a pharmacokinetic term used to refer a method of measurement of bioavailability or extent of absorption of a drug based on a plot of an individual or pool of individual's blood plasma concentrations sampled at frequent intervals; the AUC is directly proportional to the total amount of unaltered drug in the patient's blood plasma.","For example, a linear curve for a plot of the AUC versus dose (i.e., straight ascending line) indicates that the drug is being released slowly into the blood stream and is providing a steady amount of drug to the patient; if the AUC versus dose is a linear relationship this generally represents optimal delivery of the drug into the patient's blood stream.","By contrast, a non-linear AUC versus dose curve indicates rapid release of drug such that some of the drug is not absorbed, or the drug is metabolized before entering the blood stream.","The term “C-max” (i.e., “maximum concentration”) is a pharmacokinetic term used to indicate the peak concentration of a particular drug in the blood plasma of a patient.","The term “Tmax” (i.e., “time of maximum concentration” or “time of Cmax”) is a pharmacokinetic term used to indicate the time at which the Cmax is observed during the time course of a drug administration.","As would be expected, a dosage form that would include an immediate release as well as a gastric retentive component would have a Tmax that is higher than the Cmax for an immediate release dosage form, but lower than the Tmax for a purely gastric retentive dosage form.","As used herein, the term “subject” for purposes of treatment includes any subject, and preferably is a subject who is in need of treatment of an orthopoxvirus infection or related condition.","The subject is typically an animal, more typically is a mammal.","Preferably, the mammal is a human.","The term “chemically modified cyclodextrin” refers to one or more chemically modified cyclodextrins where there is independently more than one degree of substitution that can vary from about 0.5 to about 10.0.The degree of substitution (the mean number of functional groups per glucose unit) of the chemically modified cyclodextrin can vary as need to provide the necessary solubility and stability of the ST-246.For example, the degree of substitution can be between from about 0.5 to about 10.0.For a chemically modified cyclodextrin such as 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin, the degree of substitution (of substituted hydroxy functional groups per glucose unit) can be, for example, between about 4.0 and 8.0.Degree of substitution can be determined by mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using known techniques.","The term “poorly soluble therapeutic agent” refers to a compound having biological activity and a solubility in water of less than about 1 mg/mL in buffer of pH 1.2 to 7 at 20° C.25 C and 37 degree.","In certain embodiments, the poorly soluble therapeutic agent is an organic compound that has a molecular weight of less than 1500 g/mol, and preferably less than 500 g/mol.","In certain embodiments, the poorly soluble therapeutic agent is a compound, for example, an organic compound, having an aqueous solubility of less than about 0.5 mg/mL, less than about 0.3 mg/mL, or less than about 0.1 mg/mL, at pH 7 and 20° C. As used herein, “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount of ST-246 that is nontoxic but sufficient in preventing or ameliorating the severity of orthopoxvirus infection or related condition.","As used herein, “percent,” “percentage” or the symbol “%” means the percent of the component indicated in the composition based on the amount of the carrier present in the composition, on a weight/weight (w/w), weight/volume (w/v) or volume/volume (v/v) concentration, as indicated with respect to any particular component, all based on the amount of the carrier present in the composition.","Thus, different types of carriers can be present in an amount of up to 100% as indicated, which does not preclude the presence of the API, the amount of which can be indicated as a % or as a certain number of mg present in the composition or a certain number of mg/mL present, where the % or mg/mL is based on the amount of the total carrier present in the composition.","Certain types of carriers can be present in combination to make up 100% of the carrier.","A term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein is non-toxic or has certain toxic attributes that are not dose limiting to achieve therapeutic advantages to recipients at the dosages and concentrations required and is compatible with other ingredients of the formulation.","The term “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,” includes vehicles, adjuvants, or diluents or other auxiliary substances, such as those conventional in the art, which are readily available to the public, and which are non-toxic or have acceptable toxicities to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and is compatible with other ingredients of the formulation.","For example, pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances include pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, preservatives, solubilzers, wetting agents and the like.","Cyclodextrins Cylodextrins are water soluble sugar oligomers.","Many different cyclodextrins exist and are distinguished from each other by the number of glucopyranose units.","The most common cyclodextrins are composed of six, seven or eight alpha-D-glucose units.","Cyclodextrins form structures having cavities which are hydrophilic on the outside and lipophilic on the inside.","The number of glucose units determines the size of the cavity.","The hydrophilic exterior gives cyclodextrins their solubility in aqueous solutions while the lipophilic interior or cavity provides an environment which is often attractive to other hydrophobic molecules.","By sequestering the drug in the hydrophobic core, it is solubilized with the cyclodextrin molecule so forming an aqueous soluble complex.","Cyclodextrins can take up the entirety of a molecule or only a part thereof into the cavity.","The stability of the resulting complex depends on how well the drug molecule fits into the cyclodextrin cavity.","There is still a high degree of unpredictability with regards to whether cyclodextrins will improve the solubility of a particular drug, such as for example ST-246.Unexpectedly, a novel liquid formulation comprising cyclodextrins has been identified which is shown to provide adequate solubility of ST-246 and which could be delivered to subjects in safe and effective manner.","Cyclodextrins suitable for use in the compositions, formulations, and methods herein disclosed are generally cyclic oligosaccharides with a cone-like shape.","The interior of the cone acts as a hydrophobic cavity, while the exterior of the cone is hydrophilic.","The former property enables cyclodextrins to form inclusion complexes with a wide variety of lipophilic molecules or portions thereof, which “fit” into the cavity while the latter property facilitates aqueous solubility.","Cyclodextrin derivatives have been extensively studied for use as parenteral drug carriers owing to their high water solubility and low toxicity.","(Fromming & Szejtli, J.","(1994).","Chemically Modified Cyclodextrins The cyclodextrin suitable for use in the compositions, formulations, and methods herein disclosed preferably are chemically modified cyclodextrins.","The chemically modified cyclodextrins can include derivatives of a-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, Gamma cyclodextrin or δ-cyclodextrin.","The chemically modified cyclodextrins can include, but are not limited to methyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin, randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin, ethyl-β-cyclodextrin, carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin, diethylaminoethyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-hydroxypropyl-β cyclodextrin, 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin.","Preferably, the chemically modified cyclodextrin is 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin.","More preferably, the chemically modified cyclodextrin is 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin.","Preferably, the degree of substitution for 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is between 4 and 8.The preparation of pharmaceutical formulations as herein disclosed involves dissolving the chemically modified cyclodextrin in a suitable volume of aqueous carrier medium (for example, water for injection), removal of oxygen (for example, with nitrogen, inert gas, or freeze-thaw under vacuum), followed by the gradual addition of ST-246 to the cyclodextrin solution under vigorous stirring until essentially all of the ST-246 has been complexed and is in solution.","The temperature of the cyclodextrin solution can be between 0° C.-80° C. Preferably the temperature of the cyclodextrin solution is maintained between about 2° C.-70° C. degrees.","After addition of the ST-246, the solution can be brought to a final volume with de-oxygenated aqueous carrier medium.","The solution can then be sterilized, for example, by filtration and/or aseptically transferred to vials or ampoules.","The solution can be transferred directly to ampoules for sterilization by autoclaving or irradiation.","The vials or ampoules can be sealed under an inert gas, such as nitrogen.","The molar ratio of ST-246 to chemically modified cyclodextrin can be for example about 0.03 mol/mol.","Preferably, the molar ratio of ST-246 to chemically modified cyclodextrin is about 0.01 to about 1.0.More preferably, the molar ratio of ST-246 to chemically modified cyclodextrin is about 0.03 to 0.15 mol/mol.","Pharmaceutical Compositions Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms comprising a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable polymorph, prodrug, salt, solvate, hydrate, or clathrate thereof, are also encompassed by the invention.","Individual dosage forms of the invention can be suitable for oral, mucosal (including sublingual, buccal, rectal or nasal), parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, bolus injection, intraarterial, or intravenous), transderal, and topical administration.","Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention comprise a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, polymorph, salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.","Specifically, it had been previously shown in USSN 61/316,747, which is incorporated herein by reference, that ST-246 exists in different crystalline forms denominated Form I, Form II, Form III, Form IV, Form V, and Form VI.","It had also been discovered that Form I is a monohydrate crystalline form of ST-246 which shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks at a reflection angle 2θof about: 7.63,10.04,11.47,14.73,15.21,15.47,16.06,16.67,16.98,18.93,19.96,20.52,20.79,22.80,25.1 6,26.53,27.20,27.60,29.60,30.23,30.49,30.68,31.14,33.65,34.33,35.29,35.56,36.30,37.36,3 8.42,38.66 degrees.","It had also been shown that Form II is an anhydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form II shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.","12.It had been further shown that Form III is a monohydrate crystalline form of ST-246 which shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks at a reflection angle 2θof about: 6.71,9.05,12.49, 13.03, 13.79, 14.87, 15.72, 16.26, 16.74, 18.10, 18.43,19.94,21.04,21.51,23.15,23.51,25.32,26.24,26.87,27.32,27.72,28.55,29.08,29.50,29.84,31.27,33.48, 35.36,39.56 degrees.","[000068] It had been further show that Form IV is an anhydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form IV shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.","13.Further, it had been shown that Form V is a hemihydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form VI shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.","14.It had also been shown that Form VI is a monohydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form VI shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.","15.ST-246 Form I is the preferred polymorph of ST-246.It appears to be the thermodynamically most stable form, as all other get converted to Form-I.","ST-246 Form I is stable and hence can be stored at ambient conditions.","Form I has not been shown to convert to another polymorphic form under several environmental and process conditions that a drug could experience during various stages of manufacturing and storage.","Some of the conditions tested include storage at high temperature and high humidity, room temperature and high humidity, low humidity, up to 60° C., capsule manufacturing using wet granulation and drying, during milling or micronization process, in suspension, long term storage at room temperature.","Further, Form-I is non hygroscopic and hence does not absorb moisture even at 90% relative humidity conditions.","Form I is reliably manufactured by the commercial crystallization process with more than 99.0% purity and with any single impurities not more than 0.15%.","The instant Examples describe experiments with ST-246 Form I.","However, ST-246 Form II, Form III, Form IV and Form V can be used to obtain similarly stable liquid ST-246 formulations.","Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention that are suitable for oral administration can be presented as discrete dosage forms, such as, but are not limited to capsules and liquids (e.g., flavored syrups).","Such dosage forms contain predetermined amounts of active ingredients, and can be prepared by methods of pharmacy well known to those skilled in the art.","See generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).","Typical oral dosage forms of the invention are prepared by combining the active ingredient(s) in an intimate admixture with at least one excipient according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques.","Excipients can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration.","For example, excipients suitable for use in oral liquid or aerosol dosage forms include, but are not limited to, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, and coloring agents.","Liquid preparations for oral administration can take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they can be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use.","Such liquid preparations can be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid).","The preparations can also contain buffer salts, flavoring, coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.","Disintegrants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, agar-agar, alginic acid, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, polacrilin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, potato or tapioca starch, pre-gelatinized starch, other starches, clays, other algins, other celluloses, gums, and mixtures thereof.","Lubricants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, light mineral oil, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, other glycols, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil), zinc stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl laureate, agar, and mixtures thereof.","Parenteral dosage forms can be administered to patients by various routes including, but not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous (including bolus injection), intramuscular, and intra-arterial.","Because their administration typically bypasses patients' natural defenses against contaminants, parenteral dosage forms are preferably sterile or capable of being sterilized prior to administration to a patient.","Examples of parenteral dosage forms include, but are not limited to, solutions ready for injection, dry products ready to be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for injection, suspensions ready for injection, and emulsions.","Suitable vehicles that can be used to provide parenteral dosage forms of the invention are well known to those skilled in the art.","Examples include, but are not limited to: Water for Injection USP; aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles such as, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.","Compounds that increase the solubility of one or more of the active ingredients disclosed herein can also be incorporated into the parenteral dosage forms of the invention.","Transdermal and topical dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, or other forms known to one of skill in the art.","See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990); and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 4th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia (1985).","Transdermal dosage forms include “reservoir type” or “matrix type” patches, which can be applied to the skin and worn for a specific period of time to permit the penetration of a desired amount of active ingredients.","Suitable excipients (e.g., carriers and diluents) and other materials that can be used to provide transdermal and topical dosage forms encompassed by this invention are well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts, and depend on the particular tissue to which a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form will be applied.","With that fact in mind, typical excipients include, but are not limited to, water, acetone, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof to form lotions, tinctures, creams, emulsions, gels or ointments, which are non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable.","Moisturizers or humectants can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms if desired.","Examples of such additional ingredients are well known in the art.","See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).","The pH of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form, or of the tissue to which the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is applied, can also be adjusted to improve delivery of one or more active ingredients.","Similarly, the polarity of a solvent carrier, its ionic strength, or tonicity can be adjusted to improve delivery.","Compounds such as stearates can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms to advantageously alter the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity of one or more active ingredients so as to improve delivery.","In this regard, stearates can serve as a lipid vehicle for the formulation, as an emulsifying agent or surfactant, and as a delivery-enhancing or penetration-enhancing agent.","Different salts, hydrates or solvates of the active ingredients can be used to further adjust the properties of the resulting composition.","Intravenous Administration, Dosage and Duration As indicated below in Example 4, a population PK model was developed to assess the disposition of ST-246 following IV infusion in male and female uninfected cynomolgus monkeys.","A three-compartment model with dose as covariate described the nonlinear PK (reduced clearances at higher doses) of IV ST-246.Diagnostic plots and a visual predictive check confirmed that the observed data were reasonably well described by the proposed model.","Allometric scaling of PK parameters in monkeys was performed to determine PK parameters in humans.","A targeted range of exposure was determined a priori based on observed concentration-time profiles in human subjects treated with oral ST-246.Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine candidate dosing levels of IV ST-246 that would results in similar AUC, Cmax, and Cmin values as those previously observed in healthy uninfected humans following repeated oral administration of 400 and 600 mg ST-246.Numerous different possible dosing regimens were simulated.","Predicted AUC and Cmax values were compared first to those observed after oral doses.","Cmin values were compared thereafter.","In general, a regimen that can generate equivalent Cmin would require longer infusion time with higher AUC values than the regimen that generates equivalent AUC and Cmax.","Repeated IV infusion of 115 mg QD over 5 hours or 65 mg BID over 1 hour would provide AUC and Cmax values at steady state very similar to those observed after oral doses of 400 mg.","Repeated IV infusion of 80 mg BID over 2 hours resulted in Cmin values at 12 and 24 hours similar to those observed following oral administration of 400 mg QD in healthy uninfected humans.","Similarly, repeated IV infusion of 145 mg QD over 4 hours or 95 mg BID over 1 hour would provide AUC and Cmax values at steady state very similar to those observed after oral doses of 600 mg.","Finally, repeated IV infusion of 85 mg BID over 1 hour resulted in Cmin values at 12 and 24 hours similar to those observed following oral administration of 600 mg QD in healthy uninfected humans.","Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the instant liquid pharmaceutical formulation can be administered intravenously.","Preferably, about 50 to about 500 mg, more preferably about 200 mg to about 400 mg, most preferably about 300 mg of ST-246 is infused per single session of intravenous administration.","In another embodiment, the treatment is carried out for a period ranging from about 7 to about 30 days, preferably, about 7 to about 15 days.","In yet another embodiment, the duration of each session of intravenous administration is from about 2 to about 24 hours.","In a further embodiment, the treatment carried out continuously over the course of treatment at a dosage of about 50 to about 500 mg of ST-246 per day.","Alternatively, the treatment may be carried out during two sessions per day, wherein the duration of each session is from about 2 to about 12 hours.","EXAMPLE 1 ST-246 Solubility Studies in Various Excipients—Solubility in Water, Oily Vehicles, Surfactants and Co-Solvents ST-246, an anti-smallpox small molecule and is intended to be administered by various routes of administration, is poorly soluble in water and in pharmaceutically acceptable pH buffers in the range of 2-11.The preferred formulation for injectable formulation is a liquid formulation prepared using pharmaceutically acceptable additives.","To obtain liquid formulation, the solubility of the drug should be such that therapeutically effective amount of drug can be delivered safely.","Further, the formulation should be able to withstand dilution in commonly used intravenous dilution fluids such as normal saline and in blood upon injection.","Since ST-246 is an insoluble drug, it poses challenges to development of safe and effective IV solution formulation.","Unexpectedly, a composition has been identified which provides adequate solubility of ST-246 and can be delivered to subjects in safe and effective manner.","For these experiments, varies cosolvents and surfactants were investigated for solubilization of ST-246.For these experiments, ST-246 polymorphic Form I was used.","The solutions of cosolvents included polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, propylene glycol, ethanol; the solutions of surfactants included polyethoxylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor® EL and RH 40) polysorbates (Tween® series of surfactants) and Solutol® HS, a polyethoxylated fatty alcohol and the polyglycolysed glyceride, Labrasol®.","In addition, the solubility of ST-246 in several oils including sesame oil, soybean oil and corn oil was investigated.","The results of the solubilization experiments are shown in Table 1 and summarized below.","TABLE 1 Solubility of ST246 Form I Monohydrate in Various Excipients ST-246 Solubility Excipients (mg/mL) Excipient Description Phosphate Buffer, <0.1, Insoluble pH 6.8 Water <0.1, Insoluble 0.01N HCl <0.1, Insoluble PEG 400 127 Polyethylene glycol Labrasol 82 Caprylocaproyl Polyoxylglycerides Ethanol 75 Propylene Glycol 43 Tween 80 22 Polysorbate 80 Cremophor EL 17 Polyoxyethylated castor oil Cremophor RH-40 17 Glycerol-polyethylene glycol oxystearate Castor oil Plurol Oleique 6 Polyglyceryl Oleate Lauroglycol FCC 4 Propylene glycol monolaurate Labrafil IL M 3 Lauroyl polyoxylglycerides Labrafac Lipophile 2 Medium Chain Triglycerides Sesame oil 1 Soy oil 1 Oils <1 Flax, Corn, Olive As shown in Table 1, PEG 400 demonstrated the greatest ST-246 solubilization followed by Labrasol®, ethanol, Propylene Glycol, Tween 80, Cremophor EL and Cremophor RH-40, all of which were identified as potential intravenous formulation candidates.","Thus, based upon the solubility data, PEG 400 and ethanol were selected for cosolvent combination analysis.","The absolute solubility of ST-246 in oils was less than 5 mg/ml eliminating them as possible IV formulation candidates.","Based on the results of these experiments, a multitude of formulations containing the selected excipients at varying concentrations were created.","Thus, the instant formulations were diluted with IV dilution fluid, 5% dextrose and 0.05 mM, pH 7.5, Phosphate buffer to make sure that formulation withstand dilution at least for 12 hours.","The results obtained established that all of the combinations tested were sub-optimal for a prolonged IV infusion.","Even when the quantity of ST-246 was reduced from 10 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL the solution stability was extended by less than 2 hrs indicating that cosolvents and surfactants likely would not yield an IV formulation suitable for ST-246.These results can be found in Table 2.TABLE 2 Co-solvent Combinations Containing 5 mg/ml ST-246 in 5% w/v Dextrose and in PBS Dilution Shelf Dilution Shelf ST-246 Life Stability Life Stability % concen- Hours in Hours in 50 mM Sample Total Density Weight tration 5% Dextrose PBS, pH 7.4 ID Volume Excipient (g/cc) (g) mg/ml 1:1 1:5 1:10 1:1 1:2 1:15 A 50% Cremophor EL 1.05 2.625 5 3 3 3 1 0.5 1 50% Ethanol 0.789 1.973 B 20% Cremophor 1.06 1.060 5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 1 RH 40 80% Ethanol 0.789 3.156 C 60% PEG-400 1.127 3.381 5 ND ND ND 0.25 0.25 0.25 30% Ethanol 0.789 1.184 10% Tween-80 1.064 0.532 D 60% Cremophor EL 1.05 3.150 5 3 3 3 0.17 0.5 0.5 35% Ethanol 0.789 1.381 5% Tween-80 1.064 0.266 E 60% Cremophor 1.06 3.180 5 3 18 18 0.25 0.5 0.5 RH 40 35% PEG-400 1.127 1.972 5% Ethanol 0.789 0.197 F 35% Cremophor 1.06 1.855 RH 40 60% PEG-400 1.127 3.381 5 3 3 3 0.08 0.5 0.5 5% Ethanol 0.789 0.197 G 30% Cremophor 1.06 1.590 RH 40 30% PEG-400 1.127 1.691 5 3 3 3 0.17 0.33 0.33 40% Ethanol 0.789 1.578 H 30% Cremophor 1.06 1.590 RH 40 40% PEG-400 1.127 2.254 5 3 3 1 0.08 0.5 0.5 30% Ethanol 0.789 1.184 I 40% Cremophor 1.06 2.120 RH 40 30% PEG-400 1.127 1.691 5 3 3 3 ND 0.25 0.5 30% Ethanol 0.789 1.184 EXAMPLE 2 Composition of ST-246 in Various Concentrations of Cosolvents/Surfactant in Water Based upon the solubility data obtained from the neat formulation as described in Example 1, further formulation studies of ST-246 were performed in conjunction with selected excipients diluted to various concentrations.","These results are summarized in Table 3.For these experiments, the analyzed excipients included Cremophor EL, Cremophor RH-40, Ethanol and PEG 400.The concentrations were determined by HPLC analysis at 24 hours and 48 hours.","TABLE 3 Composition of ST-246 in Aqueous Solutions of Excipients (0.5 to 10% w/v) μg/ml ST-246 μg/ml ST-246 Excipient % w/v in H2O 24 hrs 48 hrs Cremophor EL 0.5 10 8 2.0 28 26 4.0 48 49 6.0 71 74 8.0 92 98 10.0 115 116 Cremophor RH 40 0.5 12 10 2.0 26 25 4.0 47 46 6.0 71 72 8.0 96 101 10.0 120 120 Ethanol 0.5 8 3 2.0 12 8 4.0 10 2 6.0 22 14 8.0 10 4 10.0 15 5 0.5 6 8 2.0 8 7 4.0 2 2 6.0 2 2 8.0 2 2 10.0 3 3 Further, additional excipients investigated included two types of cyclodextrins (HP-ß-CD and SBECD), two types of pegylated phospholipids with different molecular weights (i.e PEG-Phospholipid-2000 and PEG Phospholipid-5000) as well as the surfactants Tween 80 and Solutol HS and the solvents Propylene glycol and Dimethyl acetamide (DMA).","Aqueous solutions of these excipients were prepared at a concentration range of 0.5 to 10% w/v in water and solubility of ST-246 in these solutions was determined by HPLC analysis at 24 and 48 hours.","The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 4 and FIGS.","1, 2 and 3.TABLE 4 Composition of ST-246 in Aqueous Solutions of Excipients (0.5 to 10% w/v) μg/ml ST-246 μg/ml ST-246 Excipient % w/v in H2O 24 hrs 48 hrs DMA 0.5 9 7 2.0 12 10 4.0 2 2 6.0 6 5 8.0 2 2 10.0 3 3 Sulfylbutylether CD 0.5 22 19 2.0 45 43 4.0 66 65 6.0 99 96 8.0 138 148 10.0 186 177 PEG Phospholipid-2000 0.5 8 8 2.0 21 21 4.0 38 40 6.0 ND ND 8.0 ND ND 10.0 103 97 PEG Phospholipid-2000 0.5 5 4 2.0 11 10 4.0 25 27 6.0 ND ND 8.0 ND ND 10.0 66 60 Further, the data obtained from solubility of ST-246 in various vehicles in water was used to analyze solubilization efficiency of each excipient.","Table 5 below is a summary of the solubilization efficiency as measured by the slope of the trend lines of ST-246 concentration plotted against % w/v of the excipients in water; the larger the slope, the greater the solubilization efficiency.","The excipients are ranked in order based upon the magnitude of the solubilization efficiency with the excipient with the highest ST-246 solubilization efficiency in aqueous solutions ranked as number one.","Column 5 represents the solubility of ST-246 determined in mg/ml in pure (neat 100%) excipients.","TABLE 5 Summary of ST-246 Solubilization in Aqueous Solutions of Excipients Solubilization ST-246 Efficiency Solubility Solubility Solubility Rank Order in Neat Curve Slope Curve Slope (slope of Excipient Excipient (24 hrs) (48 hrs) trend line) (mg/ml) HPBCD y = 79.909x − y = 81.46x − 1 ~0.8/ml 69.594 77.217 in 10% R2 = 0.97 R2 = 0.97 w/w HPBCD solution in water SBECD y = 13.627x + y = 16.884x = 2 ~0.18 in 15.477 5.359 10% R2 = 0.99 R2 = 0.98 SBECD solution in water Cremophor y = 11.485x + y = 11.953x + 3 17 RH 40 3.64 1.4409 R2 = 0.998 R2 = 0.997 Cremophor y = 10.979x + y = 11.503x + 4 17 EL 4.8813 3.4726 R2 = 0.999 R2 = 0.998 Tween80 y = 10.338x + y = 9.905x + 5 22 0.8229 0.816 R2 = 0.9985 R2 = 0.9995 PEG y = 10.138x + y = 9.425x + 6 NA Phospholipid - 0.7815 2.606 (solid) 2000 R2 = 0.998 R2 = 1.00 Solutol HS 15 y = 9.4708x + y = 9.217x + 7 Not 1.105 0.6869 done R2 = 0.9993 R2 = 0.9994 PEG y = 6.5811x − y = 6.0211x + 8 NA Phospholipid - 0.5495 0.2705 (solid) 5000 R2 = 0.996 R2 = 0.9954 Ethanol y = 0.5619x + y = 0.1022x + 9 75 10.025 5.3352 R2 = 0.1676 R2 = 0.0079 PG y = −0.004x + y = 0.0235x + 10 43 3.0472 1.4007 R2 = 0 R2 = 0.0291 PEG 400 y = −0.4758x + y = −0.5856x + 11 127 6.1872 6.8136 R2 = 0.4717 R2 = 0.5844 DMA y = −0..8313x + y = −0.6674 = 12 ND 10.026 8.256 R2 = 0.566 R2 = 0.5437 ND = Not done Comparison of columns 4 and 5 in Table 5 reveals that the excipient in which ST-246 has the highest solubility (column 5) does not necessarily correspond to the solubility of ST-246 of that excipient diluted with water (column 4).","The data obtained from the solubilization experiments demonstrated the highest solubilization efficiency was demonstrated by the two cyclodextrins with HP-ß-CD being the most efficient followed by SBECD.","Among all the surfactants tested, the CremophorEL and Cremophor RH-40 exhibited maximum solubilization capacity followed by Polysorbate 80.Between the two PEG phospholipids, PEG phospholipid-2000 was a better solubilizer than PEG phospholipid-5000.EXAMPLE 3 ST-246 Solubility with Complexing Agents Further experiments investigated solubility of ST-246 in cyclodextrins.","Cyclodextrins contain a torus-shaped ring with a polar hydrophilic outside and an apolar hydrophobic cavity.","FIG.","4 illustrates the structure of one type of cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and Table 6 provides characteristics summary of cyclodextrins.","TABLE 6 Characteristics of cyclodextrins Generic name 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin Appearance White amorphous powder Average molecular weight 1380-1480 daltons Aqueous solubility (g/100 mL): at 25° C. 65% at 50° C. 80% Decomposition temperature Above 300° C. Sterilization Autoclaving at 121° C. possible Further, Table 7 summarizes solubility of ST-246 in aqueous solutions of various grades of cyclodextrins at concentrations ranging from 20 to 40%.","As shown in Table 7, the range of ST-246 solubilized by cyclodextrin was 1.5 to 11 mg/ml at 37° C., with HP-ß-CD out-performing sulfobutylether-derivatized cyclodextrin (SBECD).","The data obtained from the complexation experiments supported HP-ß-CD as a potential candidate for the intravenous formulation.","TABLE 8 Solubility of ST-246 in Aqueous Solutions of Substituted β-Cyclodextrins at 37° C. Type and number of ST-246 solubility substituent (mg/mL) at 37° C. Substituted groups per CD concentration beta-CD CD molecule ST-246 lot # 20% 32% 40% Cavitron ® 4.1 to 5.1 SG-08HO5M 3.2 7.4 11.0 W7 HP5 HP-βCD SG-08HO6M 3.3 7.3 11.5 (ISP) SG-08KO7M 3.1 7.4 11.0 Cavitron ® 6.0 to 8.0 SG-08HO5M 1.6 4.5 7.4 W7 HP7 HP-βCD SG-08HO6M 1.6 4.5 7.5 (ISP) SG-08KO7M 1.5 4.4 7.4 Captisol ® 7 SBECD SG-08HO5M — 1.0 1.6 (CyDex) SG-08HO6M — 1.0 1.5 SG-08HO7M — 1.0 1.5 Further, FIG.","5 summarizes solubility of ST-246 as a function of cyclodextrin concentration.","As shown in FIG.","5, the solubility of ST-246 increases with increased HP-ß-CD concentration.","Further, HP-ß-CD provided for higher ST-246 solubility as compared to SBECD.","Thus, data obtained from the solubilization experiments demonstrated that the highest ST-246 solubilization efficiency was achieved by both SBECD and HP-ß-CD, whereas HP-ß-CD outperforms the SBECD in terms of ST-246 solubilization efficiency.","Further studies were performed to determine the solubility of ST-246 in varying concentration of HP-β-CD at room temperature.","For these experiments, the contents of the vials were brought to solubility equilibrium at a constant temperature of 25° C. while mixing the contents of the vial on a roto-mixer.","Further, following 72 hours of mixing, the contents of the vial were filtered and the resulting filtrate was analyzed for the concentration of ST-246 using RP-HPLC.","The concentrations of HP-β-CD used for the study are listed in Table 9.Further, the solubility of ST-246 by varying the concentration of HP-β-CD following HPLC analysis are listed in Table 9.TABLE 9 Solubility of ST-246 as a function of HP-β-CD concentration at 25° C. following 72 hours shaking HP-β-CD ST-246 HP-β-CD ST-246 HP-β-CD ST-246 (% w/v) (mg/mL) (mM) (mM) (M) (M) 0 0.01 0.0 0.04 0.00 3.9E−05 0.1 0.02 0.7 0.05 0.001 4.6E−05 0.5 0.04 3.6 0.11 0.004 1.1E−04 1 0.07 7.2 0.17 0.007 1.7E−04 2 0.13 14.4 0.33 0.01 3.3E−04 2.5 0.15 18.0 0.37 0.02 3.7E−04 5 0.32 35.9 0.81 0.04 8.1E−04 10 0.9 71.9 2.28 0.07 2.3E−03 12.5 1.35 89.8 3.42 0.09 3.4E−03 20 3.07 143.8 7.79 0.14 7.8E−03 30 6.33 215.6 16.05 0.22 1.6E−02 40 10.93 287.5 27.72 0.29 2.8E−02 The next series of experiments were done to determine solubility of ST-246 in 40% w/v HP-ß-CD composition as a function of temperature.","These experiments determined that the concentration of ST-246 in composition increased with increasing temperature.","As summarized in FIG.","7, a maximum solubility of 21.23 mg/mL was obtained with a 40% w/v HP-β-CD concentration at 70° C. The next series of experiments investigated the solubility of ST-246 in HP-ß-CD composition in presence of co-solvents/surfactants.","The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 10 and FIG.","8.As evident from the results of the experiments, presence of cosolvents/surfactant can improve solution properties of drug in HP-ß-CD upon dilution and also helps dissolve drug much faster in HP-ß-CD.","TABLE 10 Solubility of ST-246 in the presence of cosolvents at various temperatures Temperature 40%(w/v) HPBCD + 40%(w/v) HPBCD + 40%(w/v) (° C.) 2.5%(w/v) tween 80 2.5%(w/v) PEG-400 HPBCD 4 6.29 5.47 6.05 25 7.57 9.21 10.59 40 11.16 12.99 12.23 60 16.24 17.41 16.21 Solubility data presented in Table 10 suggest that presence of cosolvent (PEG 400) or non-ionic surfactant (tween 80) does not improve ST-246 solubility in HP-ß-CD and hence no further work was done to evaluate ternary complexation.","Further series of experiments were carried out to identify a pH range for maximum solubility of ST-246 in HPBCD composition.","For these experiments, various composition of ST-246 in 40% HPBCD was prepared with pH ranging from 4.0 to 10.5.The composition was prepared at 25° C. and 2° C.-8° C. The following table consists of the composition studied and the buffer evaluated in the pH range of 4.0 through 10.5.The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 11.TABLE 11 Compositions of formulations tested for the effect of pH on solubility of ST-246 Kleptose HP-β-CD Sample # (% w/v) pH Buffer ST246-027-1 40 4.0 50 mM ST246-027-2 4.5 Citrate/Phosphate ST246-027-3 5.0 ST246-027-4 5.5 ST246-027-5 6.0 50 mM Phosphate ST246-027-6 6.5 ST246-027-7 7.0 ST246-027-8 7.5 ST246-027-9 8.0 ST246-027-10 9.0 50 mM Glycine ST246-027-11 9.5 ST246-027-12 10.0 ST246-027-13 10.5 For these experiments, an excess of ST-246 was added to vials containing 5 mL of the pH buffered HP-ß-CD solutions.","The samples vials were rotomixed for more than 72 hours at 2-8° C. and 25° C. Samples were filtered using a 0.2 um PVDF membrane filter and the filtrate was diluted appropriately and analyzed for ST-246 content using RP-HPLC.","Further, the pH of the samples was monitored before and after the solubility study was initiated.","pH measurements indicated that there were no significant changes before and after the samples have reached equilibrium.","The solubility of ST-246 achieved in 40% HPBCD composition as a function of varying pH is depicted in FIG.","9.As shown in FIG.","9, an increase in solubility was observed with an increase in pH from 4.0 to 10.5 at both 2° C.-8° C. and 25° C. For the next series of experiments, scale-up studies of injectable ST-246 (have been initiated to understand the effect of batch size on complexation of ST-246 with HP-ß-CD.","For these experiments, formulations have been prepared using parenteral grade HP-ß-CD.","Samples from these studies have been placed on stability at cold storage temperature (2° C. to 8° C.), controlled room temperature (25° C.) and warm temperature (40° C.).","At regular time intervals samples are removed, observed for any physical changes (precipitation, color change, etc.)","and assayed for purity using HPLC to detect any degradation of ST-246.ST-246, Form I, II, III, IV, V and VI were formulated for liquid administration.","Suitable dosage forms comprises ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml and HPBCD, ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.","Optionally, the formulations further comprises mannitol, trehalose dehydrate, lactose monohydrate, and purified water such that the total volume of the liquid formulation is about 100 ml.","For these formulations, the pH may be adjusted and maintained form 2.5 to 6.0, by using HCL/NaOH, citric acid/Na citrate buffer, and other buffers including but not limited to acetate, tartarate, glycine, glucoronic acid.","The above described liquid formulations are summarized in Tables 12-16.TABLE 12 Examples of compositions of 5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) TABLE 13 Examples of compositions of 10 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) TABLE 14 Examples of compositions of 12.5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water Q.S.","(mL) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 TABLE 15 Examples of compositions of 15 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) TABLE 16 Examples of compositions of 20 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Dihydrate Lactose — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 Monohydrate pH adjusted — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water.","100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S (mL) Further liquid formulations comprising ST-246, Form I, II, III, IV, V and VI are summarized in Tables 17-21.Suitable dosage forms comprises ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml and HPBCD, ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.","Optionally, the formulations further comprise polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 300, and purified water up to 100 ml.","For these formulations, the pH may be adjusted and maintained form 2.5 to 6.0, by using HCL/NaOH, citric acid/Na citrate buffer, and other buffers including but not limited to acetate, tartarate, glycine, glucoronic acid.","TABLE 17 Examples of compositions of 5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing cosolvents/surfactants Composition # 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted to 3.0 — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) TABLE 18 Compositions of 7.5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) TABLE 19 Compositions of 10 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene Glycol 400 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene Glycol 300 — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to 5.0 — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water Q.S.","(mL) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 TABLE 20 Compositions of 15 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted to 3.0 — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) TABLE 21 Compositions of 20 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","— — q.s.","3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) Further, Table 22 summarizes ranges for ST-246 and HPBCD in various formulations.","TABLE 22 Compositions of ST-246 IV formulations by varying the HPBCD concentrations Composition # 121 122 123 124 125 126 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 2 2 2 5 10 20 HPBCD 12.5 20 30 40 40 40 Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.","(mL) Further, for these experiments, the compatibility of ST-246 prototype formulations with 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, a commonly used infusion fluid, was evaluated.","Five formulations of ST-246 were prepared at various concentrations using 40% (w/v) HP-ß-CD.","The formulations were diluted with 0.9% (w/v) NaCl in the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 1:10.The diluted solutions were stored at RT and 5° C. and were monitored for their physical stability by visual inspection, microscopy and per USP guidelines at regular time intervals.","The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 23.TABLE 23 Stability and Compatibility of ST-246 IV Formulations Following Dilution ST-246 (mg/mL) Stability/Compatibility following dilution 5 More than 48 hours at all dilutions when stored at RT or 5° C. 7.5 More than 48 hours at all dilutions when stored at RT or 5° C. 10 More than 48 hours at 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 dilutions when stored at RT or 5° C. 12.5 more than 48 hours at 1:1 and 1:2 when stored at RT or 5° C. More than 48 hours at 1:5 dilution when stored at 5° C. More than 24 hours at 1:5 dilution when stored at RT 15 More than 48 hours at 1:1 and 1:2 when stored at RT or 5° C. More than 48 hours at 1:5 dilution when stored at 5° C. 24 hours at 1:10 dilution when stored at 5° C. Intravenous formulations of ST-246 at 5-20 mg/mL were found to be compatible with 0.9% NaCl for at least 48 hours at 1:2 dilution (expected dilution in clinical situation) when stored at RT and refrigerated conditions.","The results obtained indicate that solutions diluted 1:1 and 1:2 containing ST-246 concentrations ranging from 5-20 mg/mL were found to be compatible with 0.9% NaCl for at least 48 hours when stored at RT and refrigerated conditions.","Pharmacokinetics of ST-246 IV Formulations in Mouse, Rabbits and Non-Human Primates (NHP) Intravenous (IV) administration of ST-246 formulation, comprising HPBCD, were evaluated in mice, rabbits and NHP.","The resulting pharmacokinetic parameters have been compared with those obtained after oral administration.","The results of these studies suggest that intravenous ST-246 formulations exhibit similar pharmacokinetic parameters as compared to oral ST-246 formulations when administered in subjects in need thereof.","Furthermore the ST-246 formulations comprising HP-ß-CD appeared to be safe and the pharmacokinetic parameters were acceptable.","Pharmacokinetic (PK) profile in Mouse: Three preliminary mouse studies (ASM246, ASM250 and ASM257) unequivocally demonstrated that short infusions of ST-246 intravenous formulations provided exposure similar to that obtained after ST-246 oral dosing, but at much lower doses.","Specifically, ten-minute ST-246 infusion at four doses (3, 10, 30 and 75 mg/kg) were evaluated in female CD-1 mice and the plasma concentrations were measured at the end of these infusions.","Further, those concentrations were, as expected, the peak plasma concentrations and the average plasma concentration at the end of the 10-minute infusion of 75 mg/kg was 238, 333 ng/mL.","Table 24 summarizes the Cmax (ng/mL) plasma concentrations and the AUC0-24 (hr*ng/mL) for the ST-246 intravenous formulation and the pivotal oral formulation parameters.","TABLE 24 Comparison of Cmax and AUC Values Cmax AUC Dose Cmax AUC0-24 Ratio* Ratio* (mg/kg) Formulation Route (ng/mL) (hr*ng/mL) IV/PO IV/PO M F M F F F Study ASM246 2.3 32% IV 19977 22403 73327 87757 0.2 0.08 7.6 HPBCD Bolus 53834 37589 170100 218136 0.4 0.2 34.3 191174 162327 797725 873097 1.6 0.8 Study ASM250 3 40% Slow IV Bolus 78428* 100000* — — 30 HPBCD (5-min) 148918* 300000* — — Study ASM257 30 40% 5-min ND 120051 — — 1.15 — HPBCD Infusion 30 10-min ND 126639 — — 1.22 — Infusion Study ASM260 3 40% 10-min ND 16700 ND 67907 0.16 0.06 10 HPBCD Infusion ND 63500 ND 407609 0.6 0.4 30 ND 147333 ND 709202 1.4 0.7 75 ND 238333 ND 1252858 2.3 1.2 Pivotal Oral Formulation Studies-Day 1 Values 246-TX 001 30 HPMC PO (oral) 30395 37502 241467 292094 — — 100 Suspension 38360 43798 342855 455830 — — 300 48450 63976 484162 668735 — — 1000 61076 66271 719348 851749 — — 246-TX-006 (28-Day Study) 500 HPMC** PO (oral) 36648 56595 413416 515473 — — 1000 Suspension 49125 56561 416003 537466 — — 2000 50933 69874 507951 607250 — — 2083-003 001-SN3 (3-Month Study) 300 HPMC** PO (oral) 89400 89200 669961 688685 — — 600 Suspension 82800 95300 765268 853935 — — 1000 94200 104000 1249135 1090088 — — *Value compared to highest value obtained from PO study-1000 mg/kg in 3-month study.","The results unequivocally demonstrate that ST-246 compositions comprising HP-ß-CD formulation are safe and effective and provide plasma concentration time profiles that closely mimicked those obtained after oral administration of ST-246.PK profile in Rabbits: Intravenous ST-246 formulations comprising HP-ß-CD were administered to rabbits.","Further, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated after 5-minute slow IV push injections via the marginal ear vein in two male and two female naïve New Zealand White rabbits at doses of 3, 30, and 60 mg/kg ST-246.As shown in Table 25, the peak plasma concentration using a 15-minute infusion at 3 mg/kg were 7225 ng/mL and 4345 ng/mL for male and female rabbits, respectively.","In general the observed Cmax plasma concentrations and the AUC values were higher and the plasma elimination half-lives was longer for oral administration.","The summary of the pharmacokinetic parameters in rabbits after oral and intravenous administartion are shown in Table 25.TABLE 25 Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Rabbits after PO and IV Doses Cmax AUC 0-24 T1/2 Dose Formul- (ng/mL) (hr*ng/mL) (hr) (mg/kg) ation Route M F M F M F 246-TX-012 1 PEG IV 769 679 1712 1150 1.1 0.69 100 1% PO 4480 1227 26396 8179 6 1.3 HPMC E5/0.5% Tween80/ 97.5% H2O ASM253 3 32% Slow IV a2720 a3335 1868 3214 3.2 3.2 30 HPBCD Push 39950 37050 16220 14867 8.1 16.3 60 (5 min) 99850 88250 72327 60058 5.7 4.6 ASM258 3 32% Slow IV b7225 b4345 3622 3154 1.7 0.7 HPBCD Push (15 min) aFirst sampling time at 5 minutes after End of Infusion bFirst sampling time point at End of Infusion PK profile in Cynomolgus monkeys: The study design included three groups of two male and two female monkeys.","For these experiments, ST-246 was administered at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg over a 4-hr intravenous infusion period by way of an implanted Vascular Access Port (VAP).","For these experiments, the concentration of HP-ß-CD in the infusion fluid was 13.3% w/v.","Plasma samples were collected pre-dose, and at 0.5, 1, and 2 hours after the start of the infusion as well as at the end of infusion (EOI) (4.0 hour±10 minutes), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 hour after the EOI and at 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 48 hours after the start of the infusion to accurately determine the terminal elimination half-life.","The pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax (ng/mL) plasma concentrations and the AUC0-24 (hr*ng/mL)) in cynomolus monkeys at 1, 3 and 10 mg/Kg and the Oral formulation at 3, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg over time are shown in the Table 26.The four hour intravenous infusions of ST-246 was dose proportional and the plasma concentration time curves appeared to be biphasic with terminal elimination half-life values ranging from 6.6 hrs to 8.6 hours for the 1 to 10 mg/kg dose.","The apparent volume of distribution (Vz as well as Vss) values did not change significantly over the dose range and neither did the clearance, which remained approximately 0.5 L/hr/kg over the dose range.","TABLE 26 IV ST-246 Study 246-TX-018 vs.","Oral ST-246 Study 1151-065 Dose HL_Lambda_z Tmax Cmax AUClast AUCINF_obs mg/kg hr hr ng/mL hr*ng/mL hr*ng/mL 4 Hr-IV Infusion (246-TX-018) 1 6.6 ± 6.0 4.0 384 ± 112 1880 ± 455 1935 ± 459 3 8.5 ± 3.2 4.0 1053 ± 185 5652 ± 784 5828 ± 870 10 8.6 ± 1.3 4.0 4400 ± 935 21126 ± 3449 21273 ± 3395 PO Administration (MPI 1151-065) 3 9.9 ± 6.0 3.3 496 ± 145 3863 ± 862 4527 ± 490 10 7.0 ± 0.9 3.8 1077 ± 279 10312 ± 3064 11802 ± 3669 20 7.2 ± 2.3 3.2 1475 ± 864 13389 ± 8018 15523 ± 9146 30 17.7 ± 13.8 3.6 1988 ± 873 20502 ± 8054 31901 ± 7362 Further, as shown in FIG.","11, The ST-246 IV and the oral formulations show comparable pharmacokinetic profile.","Furthermore these results suggest that the IV route of ST-246 administration can provide stable and predictable pharmacokinetics over the potential therapeutic dose range.","EXAMPLE 4 Comparison of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of ST-246®after IV Infusion or Oral Administration in Mice, Rabbits and Monkeys A liquid formulation has been developed for IV administration of ST-246 containing hydroxoy-propyl beta cyclodextrin in aqueous solution.","The tolerability and pharmacokinetics of this formulation have been evaluated in mice, rabbits and NHP in order to determine the optimal administration strategy.","The results are compared with the pharmacokinetics observed after oral administration.","Study Designs and Animal In-Life Studies Oral Studies ST-246 was administered by oral gavage as a methylcellulose suspension formulation with 1% Tween 80 to BALB/c mice (Charles River), New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits (Harlan), and cynomolgus monkeys (NHP, Charles River).","NHP were administered ST-246 immediately after feeding to increase the bioavailability (6).","Female BALB/c mice were administered the suspension formulation via oral gavage at doses of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg.","Concentrations of ST-246 were measured by taking blood samples from three mice at each of the following time points: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours post dose.","Three male and three female NZW rabbits were administered ST-246 orally as a suspension formulation at a dose of 100 mg/kg.","Blood was collected at the following time points for determination of ST-246 concentration: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after administration.","Three male and three female NHP per dose group were administered the following oral doses of ST-246 in the fed state: 0.3, 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg.","Blood samples were collected predose and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after dose administration to measure ST-246 concentration.","IV Infusion Studies The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a solution formulation of ST-246 administered by IV infusion were evaluated in three animal species: female BALB/c (Charles River) and CD-1 mice (Charles River), NZW rabbits (Harlan), and cynomolgus monkeys (Charles River).","A slow push (5 minute) IV injection of a solution formulation of ST-246 was administered to a small number of catheterized female BALB/c mice at doses of 3, 30, and 100 mg/kg.","Blood samples were collected at 5, 15, 30 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after IV administration for the 10 and 30 mg/kg dose, but only at 2 and 4 hours after dose administration for the 100 mg/kg dose.","Patency difficulties in the catheters limited the number of mice per time point to no more than two.","A 10-minute IV infusion of ST-246 was given via a surgically implanted jugular cannula at doses of 3, 10, 30, and 75 mg/kg to catheterized naïve female CD-1 mice.","Blood samples were collected at 5, 10 (end of infusion), 20, 30 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 hours post dose.","Blood samples for each time point were collected from three animals as terminal bleeds.","In rabbits, ST-246 was infused via the marginal ear vein at doses of 3, 30, and 60 mg/kg over a 5-minute period and at 3 mg/kg over a 15-minute period followed by blood sampling at multiple times in order to generate complete plasma concentration time curves.","Two male and two female rabbits were used for each dose group.","For the 5-minute slow push IV injection, blood samples were collected at 10 minutes (5 minutes after the end of the injection), 20 and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after administration.","Blood samples for the 15-minute IV infusion were taken at the end of the infusion (15 minutes), 25 and 45 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after the beginning of the infusion.","Nonhuman primates (NHP) were prepared for ST-246 administration by surgical implantation of a catheter in the femoral vein that was routed to a subcutaneous port.","Doses of 1, 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg were infused over 4 hours to groups consisting of two male and two female NHP.","Two additional groups were administered the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses over 6 hours.","For the 4 hour IV infusion group, blood was collected for ST-246 analysis at the following time points: 0.5, 1, 2, 4 (end of infusion), 4.25, 4.5, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 hours after the start of the infusion.","For the 6-hour IV infusion, the samples were collected at the following time points: 1, 2, 4, 6 (end of infusion), 6.25, 6.5, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 hours after initiation of dose administration.","Blood samples were collected at multiple time points to allow complete characterization of the plasma concentration time curve and estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters.","Two groups of 4 males and 4 females were used in a second study that was conducted after a 10 day washout.","In the second phase, the pharmacokinetic parameters were characterized over the course of a twice daily (BID) regimen for doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg that were infused over two 4 hour infusion periods initiated 12 hours apart.","The total daily doses were 20 and 30 mg/kg, equivalent to the two highest doses that had been evaluated during both 4 and 6 hour IV infusions.","For the BID study, blood was collected at the following time points for ST-246 concentration determination: 0.5, 2, 4 (end of first infusion), 4.5, 6, 8, 12, 12.5, 14, 16 (end of second infusion), 16.5, 18, 20, 24, 32, 36 and 60 hours after the beginning of infusion of the first dose.","Tolerability and Toxicological Evaluation Cage-side observations were made throughout all of these studies for general appearance, behavior, mortality and moribundity.","Preclinical evaluations for adverse events (AEs) such as vital sign measurements, physical examinations, and neurologic exams were assessed throughout the studies in NHP.","Bioanalytical Methods ST-246 concentrations in mice, rabbit and NHP plasma were measured using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.","Blank plasma for calibration curves and quality control samples were purchased from Bioreclamation, Inc. (Westbury, N.Y.).","Two different extraction methods were used over the course of these studies.","Both methods were validated following the FDA bioanalytical validation guidelines (7).","In one method, the extraction of ST-246 from plasma was carried out by simple protein precipitation by the addition of 9 parts methanol (450 μL) containing the isotopic internal standard to 1 part (50 μL) plasma sample.","After high speed centrifugation 100 μL of supernatant was added to 200 μL of compensation solution (0.05% acetic acid in 0.05% ammonium hydroxide:methanol; 36:55, v/v) and directly injected onto the LC-MS.","The second extraction method was a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method.","Plasma samples were diluted 1:1 with methanol containing internal standard and three volumes of water added.","These mixtures were vortexed and the entire volume transferred to the extraction plate (Biotage SLE, 200 mg).","Minimal vacuum was applied to load the samples and then allowed to stand for 5 minutes.","Methyl tertiary-butyl ether was added to all wells (500 μL/well) and eluted with minimal vacuum.","The solvent was evaporated to dryness under nitrogen (set at 50° C. and 30-40 L/min).","The samples were reconstituted (0.05% acetic acid and 0.05% ammonium hydroxide in methanol/water; 65:35, v/v) by gently vortexing the plate afterwards.","The chromatographic separation was performed using a Phenyl-Hexyl column (50×2.0 mm, 5 μm, Phenomenex) with a Securityguard column, using 0.05% ammonium hydroxide and 0.05% acetic acid in MeOH/H2O (65:35,v/v) at a flow rate of 400 μL/min for the mobile phase.","A 3200 (or 4000) Qtrap (AB Sciex) mass spectrometer was tuned to the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the m/z transitions, 375.0/283.2 for ST-246 and m/z 341.1/248.8 for the internal standard, in negative ion mode.","The MS/MS response was (1/x2) weighted linearly over the concentration range from 5.00 to 2000 ng/mL.","The accuracy and precision of the method were within the acceptable limits of ±20% at the lower limit (5.0 ng/mL) of quantitation and ±15% at other concentrations.","Pharmacokinetic Analysis Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed with WinNonlin Phoenix version 6.1 (Pharsight, Mountain View, Calif.) software initially using noncompartmental analysis, with compartmental analysis conducted later for some of the studies.","The following parameters were estimated: terminal elimination half-life (t1/2), the area under the curve (AUClast), the area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf), clearance (CL), and the steady state volume of distribution (Vss).","The peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and the time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) were determined graphically from the experimental values.","Statistical Analysis Untransformed and dose-normalized data for Cmax and AUC0-inf were analyzed using the JMP8.0 program (SAS Corporation, Cary, N.C.), which is based on the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) regression model, in order to evaluate dose linearity and dose proportionality.","Gender differences within the same dose group were evaluated using Student's t-test.","A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.","Mouse Studies Preliminary bolus IV injections of ST-246 in BALB/c mice resulted in some dose-related toxicity and mortality at the highest dose of 34 mg/kg.","A slower (5-minute push) IV injection resulted in some clinical signs of labored breathing and lethargy at the 100 mg/kg dose, but was well-tolerated at both 3 and 30 mg/kg.","These observations suggested that the toxicity was related to the peak plasma concentration and that slower infusions would allow safe administration of higher doses.","Further increasing the duration of administration to mice required changing the mouse strain from BALB/c to the slightly larger CD-1 strain, as significant numbers of catheters in BALB/c mice failed to remain patent.","After a study confirmed that this change in mouse strains did not result in significant changes in exposure or pharmacokinetics (data not shown), catheterized female CD-1 mice were administered 10-minute IV infusions at doses of 3, 10, 30 and 75 mg/kg.","Although mice that received the highest dose, 75 mg/kg, had an unsteady gait after the end of infusion, they recovered within 2-3 hours.","All other doses were well-tolerated when administered as 10-minute IV infusions.","The correlation between the clinical signs and the end of the infusions suggests, but does not prove, that the high Cmax concentrations were responsible for the clinical signs in mice after IV administration at higher doses.","The results (Table 27 and FIG.","16) show that IV infusion over 10 minutes resulted in very high Cmax plasma concentrations of ST-246.The mean Cmax concentration after the 10-minute IV infusion of 75 mg/kg in female CD-1 mice was 238 μg/mL, 3.6-fold higher than the Cmax observed following a single oral administration of 1000 mg/kg, a 13-fold higher dose, in female BALB/c mice.","Although the maximum plasma concentrations after these short IV infusions were much higher than after administration of much higher oral doses (Table 27), the exposure (AUC0-24 hr) was only 1.5-fold higher for the same two dose groups.","Comparison of the exposure for the 30 mg/kg oral dose to the 10-minute IV infusion of the same dose showed that ST-246 had approximately 41% bioavailability for that dose.","Dose-normalized exposure after oral administration declined with increasing dose, but the same trend was not observed after IV administration.","TABLE 27 Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters for ST-246 after oral administration to female BALB/c mice and 10-minute IV infusion in female CD-1 mice Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg 10-min IV Infusion 3 4.5 17 68 43 10 2.8 64 408 25 30 2.5 147 709 42 75 2.8 238 1253 60 Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL/F Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg PO 30 2.4 38 292 102 100 2.2 44 456 219 300 4.1 64 669 438 1000 4.5 66 852 1133 IV, intravenous PO, per oral The elimination half-lives were similar for the IV infusion and oral doses, those for the IV infusions doses ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 hours, while those for the oral doses ranged from 2.2 to 4.5 hours.","These values were very close to what has been consistently observed throughout the oral nonclinical safety toxicokinetics studies in BALB/c mice.","Clearance was relatively consistent after IV infusion over the 3-75 mg/kg dose range, while the apparent clearance after oral dosing increased approximately 10-fold over the approximately 30-fold dose range.","FIG.","1 clearly illustrates that even short IV-infusions in mice provided plasma exposure over time similar to that observed after oral administration, albeit with higher maximum plasma concentrations.","Rabbit Studies The tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IV administration of ST-246 was compared to that of oral administration in NZW rabbits.","Although a preliminary study had shown that IV bolus administration of 1 mg/kg was well tolerated, the IV infusion studies results in mice indicated a potential for a lack of tolerability after rapid IV administration of the highest doses.","Therefore, ST-246 was administered as 5-minute slow push IV injections at doses of 3, 30, and 60 mg/kg in NZW rabbits via the marginal ear vein.","Whereas the 3 and 30 mg/kg doses were well-tolerated, rabbits administered the 60 mg/kg dose exhibited lethargy, labored breathing and narcosis immediately following injection.","These animals appeared to recover fully 30-60 minutes after the injections.","A slower (15 minute) infusion of the 3 mg/kg dose was also well-tolerated.","The 15-minute IV infusion of 3 mg/kg resulted in a mean Cmax concentration of 5.79 μg/mL, only two-fold higher than the 2.86 μg/mL observed after oral administration of 100 mg/kg (Table 2).","However, the AUC0-24 value for the 3 mg/kg IV dose was only 2.38 hr*μg/mL while AUC0-24 value for the 100 mg/kg oral dose was 19.8 hr*μg/mL, only 8.3-fold higher exposure for a 33-fold higher dose.","Clinical signs in the rabbits were observed only at the 60 mg/kg dose, where the mean Cmax plasma ST-246 concentration was 94.1 μg/mL, while the mean maximum plasma concentration observed for the well-tolerated 30 mg/kg dose of ST-246 was lower, at 38.5 μg/mL.","Whereas the Cmax values for short IV infusions were much higher than that of a much higher oral dose, 100 mg/kg, the exposures, as determined by the AUC measurements, were much lower.","The AUC0-24 values observed after the 30 mg/kg dose via intravenous slow push in both genders were comparable to that recorded for the 100 mg/kg oral dosing and notwithstanding the high Cmax; it was evident from the cage side observations that the test article and delivery rate at this dose was well tolerated in rabbits.","As was observed with mice, short intravenous infusions in rabbits produced very high maximal ST-246 concentrations, which corresponded with the times of the observed clinical signs in the animals.","The AUC values, although higher than corresponding oral dosing, did not correlate with clinical signs observed in these studies.","The pharmacokinetic parameters in rabbits were evaluated using a 15-minute IV infusion of 3 mg/kg ST-246.In the 15-minute IV infusion study, blood samples were taken immediately at the end of infusion instead of 5 minutes after the end of infusion as in the initial IV infusion study.","The Cmax from the second study was therefore a more accurate reflection of Cmax than that of the initial 5-minute IV infusion study and, in fact, the Cmax values were substantially higher (See Table 2).","The results from the single longer infusion confirmed what was observed in the multi-dose study, that the Cmax values after short IV infusions were much higher than the values observed after equivalent oral doses.","The semi-logarithmic graph of the plasma concentration time curves in rabbit IV infusion studies show biphasic distribution and elimination (FIG.","17).","There appeared to be an initial rapid distribution phase that was followed by a slower terminal elimination phase.","There was no clear dose-related trend in the elimination half-lives after IV infusion in rabbits.","The elimination half-lives ranged from approximately 1 hour to 12.2 hours for the IV infusion dose group, while the elimination half-life for the 100 mg/kg oral dose was 3.7 hours (Table 28).","TABLE 28 Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters for ST-246 after oral administration and IV administration to New Zealand White rabbits.","Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg IV Bolus 1 0.9 ± 0.2 1.67 ± 2.27 1.43 ± 0.40 1660 ± 2166 15-min IV 3 1.2 ± 1.1 5.79 ± 3.67 3.39 ± 1.07 966 ± 363 Infusion *IV Slow Push 3 3.2 ± 0.0 3.03 ± 0.37 2.38 ± 0.93 1339 ± 521 (5-min) *IV Slow Push 30 12.2 ± 5.8 38.5 ± 3.7 13.3 ± 0.7 2229 ± 134 (5-min) *IV Slow Push 60 5.2 ± 0.8 94.1 ± 11.1 61.8 ± 8.7 987 ± 138 (5-min) *Blood draw at taken 5 minutes after actual EOI Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL/F Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg PO 100 3.7 ± 3.2 2.86 ± 2.03 19.8 ± 16.6 7207 ± 6251 EOI, end of infusion IV, intravenous PO, per oral NHP Studies ST-246 was administered via IV infusion over 4 hours via surgically implanted vascular access ports in NHP at doses of 1, 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg.","The plasma concentrations increased throughout the 4-hour IV infusion of ST-246, reaching maximum concentrations at the end of the infusion (Table 29, FIG.","18).","The maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were higher after the IV infusions than after oral administration of equivalent doses (Table 29).","At higher doses, the differences between the oral and IV Cmax concentrations increased.","The Cmax concentrations after oral administration increased less than dose-proportionally, while the peak plasma concentrations after IV infusion increased more than would be expected based on dose-proportionality.","TABLE 29 Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters for ST-246 after oral administration and IV infusions in cynomolgus monkeys.","Dose T1/2 Tmax Cmax AUCINF_obs CL (mg/kg) (hr) (hr) (μg/mL) (hr*μg/mL) (mL/hr/kg) 4 Hr-IV Infusion 1 6.6 ± 6.0 4 0.384 ± 0.112 1.94 ± 0.46 537 ± 117 3 8.5 ± 3.2 4 1.05 ± 0.19 5.83 ± 0.87 523 ± 77 10 8.6 ± 1.3 4 4.40 ± 0.94 21.3 ± 3.4 478 ± 71 4 Hr-IV Infusion 20 8.7 ± 2.5 4 11.8 ± 2.0 59.6 ± 10.1 353 ± 59 30 7.8 ± 0.7 4 20.1 ± 4.2 100 ± 18 307 ± 59 6 Hr-IV Infusion 20 6.6 ± 2.3 6 7.48 ± 0.40 47.9 ± 6.1 433 ± 53 30 6.9 ± 0.8 6 13.9 ± 1.3 87.2 ± 14.6 362 ± 61 BID Study 4 Hr IV Infusions SOI 12 Hours Apart Values from First Dose 10 N/A 4 4.59 ± 1.29 21.0 ± 5.0 N/A 15 N/A 4 7.36 ± 1.47 32.5 ± 5.7 N/A BID Study 4 Hr IV Infusions SOI 12 Hours Apart Values from Second Dose 10 8.9 ± 2.5 4 5.18 ± 0.89 26.8 ± 5.0 429 ± 74 15 9.1 ± 2.6 4 9.08 ± 0.95 48.7 ± 7.5 351 ± 44 Dose T1/2 Tmax Cmax AUCINF_obs CL/F (mg/kg) (hr) (hr) (μg/mL) (hr*μg/mL) (mL/hr/kg) PO Administration 0.3 4.0 ± 1.3 2.5 0.0538 ± 0.0275 0.380 ± 0.149 920 ± 437 3 9.9 ± 6.0 3.3 0.496 ± 0.145 4.53 ± 0.49 669 ± 65 10 7.0 ± 0.9 3.8 1.08 ± 0.28 11.8 ± 3.7 918 ± 275 20 7.2 ± 2.3 3.2 1.71 ± 0.71 18.3 ± 7.0 12084 ± 385 30 17.7 ± 13.8 3.6 1.99 ± 0.87 31.9 ± 7.4 992 ± 281 SOT, start of infusion IV, intravenous PO, per oral BID: twice a day The maximum plasma concentration after oral administration of ST-246 increased only 37-fold as the dose was increased 100-fold, from 0.3 to 30 mg/kg, while the exposure (AUCinf-obs) increased closer to the proportional increase in dose, or 84-fold.","The elimination was also biphasic after oral administration, with plasma concentration time curves similar to those observed for rabbits.","The plasma elimination after IV infusion appeared to have at least two distinct phases, with a rapid distribution phase observed at the end of the infusion followed by a much slower terminal elimination phase (FIG.","18).","The plasma concentrations fell below the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ=5.0 ng/mL) before 24 hours for most of the animals in the 1 mg/kg dose group, but ST-246 was above the LLOQ for all other animals in the higher dose groups through the last time point at 48 hours.","The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated using non-compartmental analysis for individual animals.","For the IV infusions, each dose group consisted of two males and two females, while for the oral dose administration; each dose group had three males and three females.","Student's t-test was performed in order to evaluate potential gender differences on the PK parameters of Cmax and AUCinf.","There were no statistically significant gender differences (p>0.05) with respect to the Cmax or AUCinf values at each dose level tested with a 95% confidence interval.","Therefore, the mean and standard deviation values were calculated by including all animals from both genders of each dose group.","The variability of individual Cmax or AUCinf values within each dose group was quite small, with the exception of one or two animals that had inadvertent and obvious subcutaneous injections and whose values were excluded from group means.","Although the Cmax and AUCinf values increased dose-proportionally as the 4 hour IV-infused doses increased from 1 to 10 mg/kg, the increases in these values were greater than dose-proportional at the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses (Table 29).","The Cmax values for the 3 and 10 mg/kg doses were 2.7-fold and 11.5-fold higher, respectively, than that of the 1 mg/kg dose, while the corresponding values for the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses were 31-fold and 52-fold higher, respectively.","The AUCinf values increased 3.0, 11.0, 32, and 53-fold higher for the 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg doses, respectively, compared to the 1 mg/kg dose.","The increase in exposure above dose-proportionality was also reflected in the strong trend of decreased clearance (C1=Dose/AUC) as the dose infused over 4 hours was increased, indicating saturation of either a distribution or elimination mechanism (FIG.","19).","Extending the IV infusion length to 6 hours for the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses increased the clearance (and decreased exposure) relative to the shorter infusions.","The clearance values for the longer infusions of the higher doses, however, were still lower than the 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg doses.","For the 4 hour infusions, the clearance values were not statistically significantly different when evaluated by ANOVA for the dose groups.","The Cmax plasma concentrations were higher for the 4 hour infusions compared to the 6 hour infusions by approximately 50%, and the exposures calculated for shorter infusions were also higher, although only by approximately 20%.","Plasma concentrations after the end of infusions appeared to have at least two phases for all IV infusions, with a rapid distribution phase clearly observed just after the EOI followed by a slower terminal elimination phase.","The plasma concentration time curves appeared similar for the two infusion rates and doses, except for the Tmax and actual plasma concentrations.","The elimination half-lives after IV infusions were relatively constant over the dose range and different lengths of infusions, ranging from 6.6 to 9.1 hours (Table 29).","Oral administration of the 30 mg/kg dose resulted in a 17.7 hour terminal elimination half-life, compared to a 9.9 hour half-life for the orally administered 3 mg/kg dose.","Oral administration of doses of up to 20 mg/kg had similar elimination half-lives; and these elimination half-lives were very similar to those observed after IV infusions (Table 29).","A twice-a-day (BID) administration study of the two highest total daily doses was conducted via two 4 hour IV infusions initiated 12 hours apart over a single 24 hour time period (FIGS.","20A and 20B).","The individual doses were 10 and 15 mg/kg, so that the total daily doses were 20 and 30 mg/kg/day for the two dose groups, respectively.","Plasma concentrations increased over each of the 4 hour IV infusion periods with the Cmax for most animals occurring at the end of the infusion.","After the end of the first infusion, the plasma ST-246 concentrations decreased until the 12 hour time point, when the second 4 hour IV infusion began.","As with the first infusion the plasma concentrations increased until the end of the infusion, and then declined over the remainder of the study.","At the last time point, 60 hours after the beginning of the first IV infusion dose, the ST-246 concentration was quite close to the lower limit of quantitation (5 ng/mL) for all of the animals in both dose groups.","The semi-logarithmic graphs (FIGS.","20A and 20B) suggest that ST-246 elimination from the plasma after the end of the second infusion was at least biphasic, with a rapid distribution after Tmax clearly observed, as well as a slower terminal elimination phase for both doses.","The BID administration study had 4 males and 4 females in each dose group, providing a larger number with which to evaluate any potential gender differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters after IV infusion.","Student's t-test analysis of the PK parameters (Cmax, AUClast or AUCinf, C1 and Vss) showed equivalence for the two genders, with the exception of the Cmax observed during the first phase of dosing at the 10 mg/kg/dose level (p<0.05).","Because there were no consistent differences between the pharmacokinetic parameters for the two genders, the final mean and standard deviation values for ST-246 were calculated by combining the data from both genders for each dose group.","The Cmax and AUClast values for the 15 mg/kg dose were 1.6-fold higher than those of the 10 mg/kg dose during the first 4 hour IV infusion.","During the second IV infusion the increase was slightly more, approximately 1.8-fold for the both Cmax and AUC values.","The terminal elimination half-lives, calculated from the second infusion, were essentially identical, 8.9 and 9.1 hours for the two doses, respectively.","Clearance was also essentially equivalent for these two doses and within the range observed for the single IV infusions.","As was also observed in the IV infusions studies in mice and rabbits, rapid infusions of the highest doses in NHP, 30 mg/kg infused over 4 hours, resulted in clinical signs, coincident with the end of the infusion.","Three out of four animals that received the 30 mg/kg dose of ST-246 over the 4-hour infusion duration exhibited slight generalized tremors.","These tremors were observed within 13 minutes of the end of the infusion on the day of dosing and resolved approximately 2 hours after the end of the infusion, indicating reversibility of this toxicity.","Tremors were not observed in animals dosed at 30 mg/kg over 6 hours or in any of the animals that received the 20 mg/kg dose via either infusion duration.","In addition, no clinical signs were observed throughout the BID study in any of the NHP.","The mean peak plasma concentration for the 30 mg/kg 4-hour infusion group was 20.0 μg/mL, while the mean peak plasma concentration for the same dose infused over 6 hours was approximately 13.0 μg/mL.","The peak plasma concentrations were much lower in both 20 mg/kg dose groups, as well as the BID study (Table 29).","Discussion The antiviral efficacy of ST-246 against poxviruses has been demonstrated after oral administration in mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and NHP (3, 8-13).","The pharmacokinetics of ST-246 after oral administration has been thoroughly characterized in mice, NHP and humans, with limited information in rabbits, rats, and dogs.","A complete understanding of the pharmacokinetics is important in species in which the efficacy is also being evaluated, as the selection of the human therapeutic dose will necessarily be chosen based on the animal PK/PD relationship, due to the lack of evaluable orthopox disease in humans.","The most relevant animal species for human dose calculation is NHP.","The plasma concentration time curves in rabbits dropped very rapidly after the end of the infusion compared to what had been observed after oral administration, where apparently prolonged absorption provided a long terminal elimination phase with relatively high concentrations after a single oral administration of 100 mg/kg (FIG.","17).","Interestingly, as the IV infused dose was increased from 30 to 60 mg/kg, the concentration observed during the terminal elimination phase increased, indicating that higher doses may have, as was observed in NHP, saturated some mechanism of clearance.","Additional infusions studies would be needed to confirm the potential relationship between administered dose and clearance in rabbits.","The oral ST-246 study in NHP evaluated the pharmacokinetics over a dose range which encompassed those used in efficacy studies, from 0.3 to 30 mg/kg.","The results demonstrated that absorption appeared to be saturated as the orally administered dose was increased, and this was reflected in both the Cmax concentrations as well as the exposure.","Although the Cmax as well as the exposure increased over this oral dose range, they increased less than dose-proportionally.","The Cmax increased only 37-fold over the 100-fold dose increase, while the exposure, as measured by the AUCinf, increased 84-fold, much closer to the 100-fold dose increase.","The saturation of absorption, which led to decreased plasma concentrations and exposure with increasing oral doses, was not observed at similar doses after IV infusions.","The bioavailability of ST-246 in NHP based on comparison of identical oral and IV doses ranged from 77% at 3 mg/kg to 31% at 20 and 30 mg/kg doses.","After IV infusions, the exposure at these high doses was actually higher than would be expected based on dose-proportional exposure.","The exposure for the 4 hour IV infusions of 20 and 30 mg/kg were 30-fold and 50-fold higher, respectively, than the exposure observed after the 1 mg/kg IV infused dose (Table 29).","Longer infusions reduced the Cmax values closer to dose-proportional for the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses, while the AUC values decreased to 25-fold and 45-fold higher than the exposure observed for the 4 hour 1 mg/kg IV infusion (Table 29).","The BID dose regimen confirmed the observation that slower infusions decreased not only the Cmax, but reduced the total exposure values to close to dose proportional.","These results suggest that a rapid rate of infusion of ST-246 saturated some clearance mechanism.","Over a similar dose range, oral absorption may have decreased with increasing dose, so that clearance remained relatively constant, or even increased slightly.","Visual inspection of plasma concentration time curves after oral administration of ST-246 indicates that absorption was prolonged and may have some impact on the apparent elimination half-lives.","However, the elimination half-lives did not change significantly for any of the three species studies between oral and IV administration.","Given these similar elimination half-lives across all three species examined by oral and IV infusions, it appears that longer IV infusions should be administered in order to reduce the high plasma concentrations, and to avoid the coinciding toxicity, while continuing the once daily dosing regimen that is currently being used in oral studies.","REFERENCES 1.Fenner et al., The epidemiology of smallpox.","In: Smallpox and its eradication.","Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1988) 2.Bray et al., Antiviral Research 58: 101-114 (2003).","3.Quenelle et al.","2007.Efficacy of delayed treatment with ST-246 given orally against systemic orthopoxvirus infections in mice.","Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy February; 51(2):689-95 4.Smee et al.","(2002) Antimicrob.","Agents Chemother.","46:1329-1335) 5.Vora et al., 2008, Severe eczema vaccinatum in a household contact of a smallpox vaccine.","Clinical Infectious Disease 15; 46(10):1555-61).","6.Jordan R, Tien D, Bolken T C, Jones K F, Tyavanagimatt S R, Strasser J, Frimm A, Corrado M L, Strome P G, Hruby D E. (2008) Single-dose safety and pharmacokinetics of ST-246, a novel orthopoxvirus egress inhibitor.","Antimicrob Agents Chemother.","52(5): 1721-7.7.Guidance for Industry, Bioanalytical Method Validation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, May 2001.8.Yang G, Pevear D C, Davies M H, Collett M S, Bailey T, Rippen S, Barone L, Burns C, Rhodes G, Tohan S, Huggins J W, Baker R O, Buller R L, Touchette E, Waller K, Schriewer J, Neyts J, DeClercq E, Jones K, Hruby D, Jordan R. (2005) An orally bioavailable antipoxvirus compound (ST-246) inhibits extracellular virus formation and protects mice from lethal orthopoxvirus Challenge.","J Virol.","79(20): 13139-49.9 Sbrana E, Jordan R, Hruby D E, Mateo R I, Xiao S Y, Siirin M, Newman P C, D A Rosa A P, Tesh R B.","(2007) Efficacy of the antipoxvirus compound ST-246 for treatment of severe orthopoxvirus infection.” Am.","J. Trop.","Med.","Hyg., 76(4): 768-773.10.Nalca A, Hatkin J M, Garza N L, Nichols D K, Norris S W, Hruby D E, Jordan R. (2008) Evaluation of orally delivered ST-246 as postexposure prophylactic and antiviral therapeutic in an aerosolized rabbitpox rabbit model.” Antiviral Res.","79 (2): 121-7.11.Huggins J, Goff A, Hensley L, Mucker E, Shamblin J, Wlazlowski C, Johnson W, Chapman J, Larsen T, Twenhafel N, Karem K, Damon I K, Byrd C M, Bolken T C, Jordan R, Hruby D. (2009) Nonhuman primates are protected from smallpox virus or monkeypox virus challenges by the antiviral drug ST-246.Antimicrob Agents Chemother.","53 (6): 2620-5.12.Jordan R, Goff A, Frimm A, Corrado M L, Hensley L E, Byrd C M, Mucker E, Shamblin J, Bolken T C, Wlazlowski C, Johnson W, Chapman J, Twenhafel N, Tyavanagimatt S, Amantana A, Chinsangaram J, Hruby D E, Huggins J.","(2009) ST-246 antiviral efficacy in a nonhuman primate monkeypox model: determination of the minimal effective dose and human dose justification.","Antimicrob Agents Chemother.","53 (5): 1817-22.13.Robert Jordan, Janet M. Leeds, Shanthakumar Tyavanagimatt and Dennis E. Hruby.","(2010) Development of ST-246® for Treatment of Poxvirus Infections.","Viruses 2: 2409-2435."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"ST-246 LIQUID FORMULATIONS AND METHODS\",\n \"The present invention provides for a novel liquid formulation for solubilizing poorly soluble ST-246 in cyclodextrins and a novel process of making the formulation.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1-21.\",\n \"(canceled) 22.A process of making a liquid formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients comprising the steps of: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).\",\n \"23.The process of claim 22, wherein said ST-246 is selected from a group consisting of ST-246 polymorph Form I, ST-246 polymorph Form II, ST-246 polymorph Form III, ST-246 polymorph Form IV, ST-246 polymorph Form V and ST-246 polymorph Form VI.\",\n \"24.The process of claim 22, wherein said cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"25.The process of claim 22, wherein said hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is present in amounts from about 20% to about 40% by weight.\",\n \"26.The process of claim 22, wherein said liquid formulation is adjusted to a pH between about 3 and 10.27.The process of claim 24, wherein said hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4.0 to about 8.0.28.The process of claim 22, wherein the mixture of step (a) is brought to solubility equilibrium at a temperature of about 25° C. 29.The process of claim 22, wherein the mixture of step (a) is brought to solubility equilibrium at a temperature of about 37° C. 30.The process of claim 22, wherein said ST-246 is mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for about 72 hours.\",\n \"31-40.\",\n \"(canceled)\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Throughout this application, various publications are referenced within the text.\",\n \"The disclosure of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled in therein as of the date of the invention described and claimed herein.\",\n \"Historically, variola virus, the etiologic agent of smallpox, has been estimated to have killed, crippled, or disfigured nearly 10% of the human population prior to eradication (1).\",\n \"Smallpox is highly communicable and carries exceptionally high morbidity.\",\n \"Secondary attack rates among unvaccinated members of households in which someone had smallpox have been reported to range from 30% to 80%.\",\n \"Mortality rates range from 1% for variola minor to 30% for variola major.\",\n \"With the advent of biowarfare as an instrument of terrorism, smallpox can no longer be thought of as a disease of historic impact only.\",\n \"There are currently no therapies other than early vaccination that can alter the outcome of disease or potentially prevent disease in a population that has been exposed to smallpox.\",\n \"Vaccination carries an inherent risk of adverse events for certain immunosuppressed recipients and even some healthy recipients (2).\",\n \"Moreover, vaccination is effective only if administered within 4 days post-exposure.\",\n \"Thus, antiviral drugs used alone or potentially in combination with vaccination can be used to treat individuals during the window of vulnerability which occurs prior to development of protective immunity.\",\n \"Additionally, antiviral drugs could also be used in the treatment of zoonotic poxvirus disease in humans, such as monkeypox.\",\n \"ST-246 (4-trifluoromethyl-N-(3,3a,4,4a,5,5a,6,6a-octahydro-1,3-dioxo-4,6-ethenocycloprop[f]isoindol-2(1H)-yl)-benzamide), has recently emerged as a potent candidate against orthopoxvirus.\",\n \"Several studies evaluating ST-246 for activity against orthopoxviruses have demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo efficacy (3, 4).\",\n \"When evaluated in vitro against vaccinia virus (VV), cowpox virus (CV), ectromelia virus (ECTV), monkeypox, camelpox, and variola viruses, ST-246 inhibited virus replication by 50% (50% effective concentration [EC50]) at or below a concentration of 0.07 μM.\",\n \"With animal models using lethal infections with ECTV, VV, or CV, ST-246 was reported to be nontoxic and highly effective in preventing or reducing mortality even when treatments were delayed up to 72 h post-viral inoculation (3, 4).\",\n \"ST-246 was also evaluated with the nonlethal mouse tail lesion model using intravenous VV.\",\n \"When ST-246 was administered orally twice a day at 15 or 50 mg/kg of body weight for 5 days, the tail lesions were significantly reduced (4).\",\n \"Most recently, an infant was given ST-246 as an FDA-authorized emergency treatment for eczema vaccinatum which developed after exposure to the parent's predeployment military smallpox immunization (5).\",\n \"Given the high efficacy of ST-246 antiviral therapy against smallpox and a lack of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of smallpox infection, there is clearly a need for developing safe and effective ST-246 formulations that can be administered by various routes of administration.\",\n \"However, the poor solubility of ST-246 in water and in pharmaceutically acceptable pH buffers creates an impediment to making safe and effective ST-246 liquid formulations.\",\n \"Thus, there is a critical need in the pharmaceutical and other biological based industries to formulate water insoluble ST-246 into liquid formulations for oral, parenteral, or topical administration.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods of treating orthopoxvirus infections and/or eczema vaccinatum comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a liquid pharmaceutical formulation according to the present invention.\",\n \"The present invention further provides a process of making a liquid formulation according to the present invention comprising the steps of: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).\",\n \"The present invention also provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 content ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-(β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.\",\n \"The present invention further provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.\",\n \"The present invention also provides a process for preparing a water-soluble solid ST-246 pharmaceutical formulation comprising: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a); and c) lyophilizing said mixture.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/370,971, filed Aug. 5, 2010 and U.S.\",\n \"Provisional Application No.\",\n \"61/450,359, filed Mar.\",\n \"8, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.\",\n \"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT This invention was made with U.S. government support under Contract No.\",\n \"HHSN272200800041C awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the National Institute of Health (NIH).\",\n \"The U.S. Government has certain rights in the invention.\",\n \"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to novel liquid formulations of ST-246 and processes for making the liquid formulation.\",\n \"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Throughout this application, various publications are referenced within the text.\",\n \"The disclosure of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled in therein as of the date of the invention described and claimed herein.\",\n \"Historically, variola virus, the etiologic agent of smallpox, has been estimated to have killed, crippled, or disfigured nearly 10% of the human population prior to eradication (1).\",\n \"Smallpox is highly communicable and carries exceptionally high morbidity.\",\n \"Secondary attack rates among unvaccinated members of households in which someone had smallpox have been reported to range from 30% to 80%.\",\n \"Mortality rates range from 1% for variola minor to 30% for variola major.\",\n \"With the advent of biowarfare as an instrument of terrorism, smallpox can no longer be thought of as a disease of historic impact only.\",\n \"There are currently no therapies other than early vaccination that can alter the outcome of disease or potentially prevent disease in a population that has been exposed to smallpox.\",\n \"Vaccination carries an inherent risk of adverse events for certain immunosuppressed recipients and even some healthy recipients (2).\",\n \"Moreover, vaccination is effective only if administered within 4 days post-exposure.\",\n \"Thus, antiviral drugs used alone or potentially in combination with vaccination can be used to treat individuals during the window of vulnerability which occurs prior to development of protective immunity.\",\n \"Additionally, antiviral drugs could also be used in the treatment of zoonotic poxvirus disease in humans, such as monkeypox.\",\n \"ST-246 (4-trifluoromethyl-N-(3,3a,4,4a,5,5a,6,6a-octahydro-1,3-dioxo-4,6-ethenocycloprop[f]isoindol-2(1H)-yl)-benzamide), has recently emerged as a potent candidate against orthopoxvirus.\",\n \"Several studies evaluating ST-246 for activity against orthopoxviruses have demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo efficacy (3, 4).\",\n \"When evaluated in vitro against vaccinia virus (VV), cowpox virus (CV), ectromelia virus (ECTV), monkeypox, camelpox, and variola viruses, ST-246 inhibited virus replication by 50% (50% effective concentration [EC50]) at or below a concentration of 0.07 μM.\",\n \"With animal models using lethal infections with ECTV, VV, or CV, ST-246 was reported to be nontoxic and highly effective in preventing or reducing mortality even when treatments were delayed up to 72 h post-viral inoculation (3, 4).\",\n \"ST-246 was also evaluated with the nonlethal mouse tail lesion model using intravenous VV.\",\n \"When ST-246 was administered orally twice a day at 15 or 50 mg/kg of body weight for 5 days, the tail lesions were significantly reduced (4).\",\n \"Most recently, an infant was given ST-246 as an FDA-authorized emergency treatment for eczema vaccinatum which developed after exposure to the parent's predeployment military smallpox immunization (5).\",\n \"Given the high efficacy of ST-246 antiviral therapy against smallpox and a lack of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of smallpox infection, there is clearly a need for developing safe and effective ST-246 formulations that can be administered by various routes of administration.\",\n \"However, the poor solubility of ST-246 in water and in pharmaceutically acceptable pH buffers creates an impediment to making safe and effective ST-246 liquid formulations.\",\n \"Thus, there is a critical need in the pharmaceutical and other biological based industries to formulate water insoluble ST-246 into liquid formulations for oral, parenteral, or topical administration.\",\n \"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients.\",\n \"The present invention also provides methods of treating orthopoxvirus infections and/or eczema vaccinatum comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a liquid pharmaceutical formulation according to the present invention.\",\n \"The present invention further provides a process of making a liquid formulation according to the present invention comprising the steps of: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).\",\n \"The present invention also provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 content ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-(β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.\",\n \"The present invention further provides a unit dosage liquid formulation comprising: a) ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; and b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.\",\n \"The present invention also provides a process for preparing a water-soluble solid ST-246 pharmaceutical formulation comprising: a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier; and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a); and c) lyophilizing said mixture.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 depicts ST-246 solubility in aqueous solutions of excipients.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"2 depicts solubility ST-246 in aqueous solution of excipients.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"3 depicts solubility of ST-246 in aqueous solutions of excipients FIG.\",\n \"4 depicts hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) structure.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"5 depicts ST-246 aqueous solution of HP-ß-CD at 25° C. FIG.\",\n \"6 depicts concentration of ST-246 as a function of HP-ß-CD at 25° C. FIG.\",\n \"7 depicts ST-246 solubility as a function of HP-ß-CD concentration.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"8 depicts solubility of ST-246 in the presence of co-solvents as function of varying temperature.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"9 depicts effect of pH on the solubility of ST-246 at 25° C. and 5° C. FIG.\",\n \"10 depicts effect of dilution stability of intravenous formulations containing HP-ß-CD.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"11 depicts pharmokinetic profile of intravenous administration of ST-246 as compared to oral administration of ST-246.FIG.\",\n \"12 shows three X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns of Form II (from three different samples).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"13 shows two X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns of Form IV (from two different samples).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"14 shows an X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern of Form V. FIG.\",\n \"15 shows an X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD)patterns of Form VI (from two different samples).\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"16 shows plasma concentration time curves for oral and IV administration of ST-246 in mice.\",\n \"The means and standard deviations of the plasma concentrations over time are shown after oral administration of ST-246 to female BALB/c mice at doses of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg.\",\n \"The means and standard deviations of the plasma concentrations over time after 10 minute IV infusions to female CD-1 mice at 3, 10, 30, and 75 mg/kg.\",\n \"Each time point is the mean value from three individual mice.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"17 shows plasma concentrations over time after IV and oral administration in New Zealand White Rabbits.\",\n \"Plasma concentrations of ST-246 over time are shown after oral administration of 100 mg/kg; bolus IV administration of 1 mg/kg; or a 5-minute IV slow push of 3, 30, or 60 mg/kg.\",\n \"A 15-minute IV infusion of 3 mg/kg is also shown.\",\n \"Each curve is the mean with standard deviations from two male and two female rabbits.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"18 shows ST-246 plasma concentrations over time after oral administration compared to 4 hour IV infusions in cynomolgus monkeys.\",\n \"Plasma concentration of ST-246 after a single oral dose of 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg compared to the plasma concentration time curves after 4 hour IV infusion of 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg in cynomolgus monkeys.\",\n \"Each curve shows the means and standard deviations.\",\n \"For oral administration there were 3 males and 3 females in each dose group while for the IV infusion there were 2 males and 2 females in each dose group.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"19 shows calculated clearance values from IV infusion studies.\",\n \"The means and standard deviations of the calculated clearance for each dose group administered to cynomolgus monkeys as either 4 or 6 hour IV infusions.\",\n \"FIGS.\",\n \"20A and 20B show plasma concentration time curves for different regimens of administration of either 20 or 30 mg/kg ST-246 to cynomolgus monkeys.\",\n \"The mean and standard deviation values for the plasma concentrations over time are shown for different dosing regimens of (FIG.\",\n \"20 A) 20 mg/kg or (FIG.\",\n \"20B) 30 mg/kg.\",\n \"The dosing regimens included oral administration (3 males and 3 females in each dose group), 4 hour IV infusion (2 males and 2 females in each dose group), 6 hour IV infusion (2 males and 2 females in each dose group), and BID two 4 hour IV infusions initiated 12 hours apart (4 males and 4 females in each dose group).\",\n \"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a safe and effective liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin, and optionally further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients selected from the group consisting of carrier, excipient, diluent, additive, filler, lubricant, solubilizer, preservative and binder.\",\n \"In one embodiment, cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"In another embodiment, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4 to about 8.In yet another embodiment, said cyclodextrin is sufobutyl ether-β-cylodextrin.\",\n \"In one aspect of the invention, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is present in amounts ranging from about 10% to about 50% by weight, more preferably about 20% to about 40% by weight.\",\n \"In yet another aspect of the invention, the liquid pharmaceutical formulation is adjusted to have pH between about 3 and 12, more preferably between about 3 and 10.In yet another aspect of the invention, the instant liquid pharmaceutical formulations are suitable for oral, parenteral, mucosal, transdermal or topical administration.\",\n \"The invention also provides for methods of treating orthopoxvirus infections comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ST-246 and cyclodextrin and further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients selected from the group consisting of carrier, excipient, diluent, additive, filler, lubricant and binder.\",\n \"In one embodiment, cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"In another embodiment, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4 to about 8.In yet another embodiment, cyclodextrin is sufobutyl ether-β-cylodextrin.\",\n \"The instant methods also include a method of treating eczema vaccinatum comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of instant liquid formulation.\",\n \"According to the instant invention, the instant liquid pharmaceutical formulation can be administered via oral, parenteral, mucosal, transdermal or topical route of administration.\",\n \"The instant invention also provides for a process of making instant liquid formulation comprising the steps of a) mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin and b) optionally filtering the mixture of step a).\",\n \"The instant process comprises ST-246 which is selected from the group consisting of polymorphic Form I, Form II, Form III, Form IV, Form V and Form VI.\",\n \"In one embodiment, cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"In another embodiment, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has a degree of substitution between about 4 to about 8.In yet another embodiment, cyclodextrin is sufobutyl ether-β-cylodextrin.\",\n \"[000042] In one aspect of the invention, the instant process comprises mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier for about 15 min to 72 hours.\",\n \"In another aspect of the invention, the instant process comprising mixing ST-246 with cyclodextrin in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier at a temperature range from about 28° C. to about 70° C. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier is water.\",\n \"[000043] In yet another aspect of the invention, a unit dosage liquid formulation is provided comprising: a) ST-246 content ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml; and c) optionally comprising mannitol, trehalose dehydrate, lactose monohydrate, and purified water such that the total volume of the liquid formulation is about 100 ml.\",\n \"In one embodiment, the pH is adjusted to a range from about 3.0 to about 5.0 using 0.1 HCL/NaOH.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the pH is adjusted to a range from about 3.0 to about 5.0 using citrate buffer.\",\n \"In yet another aspect of the invention, a unit dosage liquid formulation is provided comprising: a) ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml; b) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin content ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml; and c) optionally comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredient selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 300, and purified water such that preferably, the total volume of the liquid formulation is about 100 ml.\",\n \"In one embodiment, a pH is adjusted to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1 HCL/NaOH.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the pH is adjusted to a range from about 3.0 to about 5.0 using citrate buffer.\",\n \"Definitions In accordance with this detailed description, the following abbreviations and definitions apply.\",\n \"It must be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.\",\n \"The term “pharmaceutical composition” or “pharmaceutical formulation” is intended to encompass a drug product including the active ingredient(s), pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients.\",\n \"Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing the active ingredient, active ingredient dispersion or composite, additional active ingredient(s), and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.\",\n \"The term “half-life” is a pharmacokinetic term used to indicate the length of time necessary to eliminate 50% of the remaining amount of drug present in the body.\",\n \"The term “AUC” (i.e., “area under the curve,” “area under the concentration curve,” or “area under the concentration-time curve”) is a pharmacokinetic term used to refer a method of measurement of bioavailability or extent of absorption of a drug based on a plot of an individual or pool of individual's blood plasma concentrations sampled at frequent intervals; the AUC is directly proportional to the total amount of unaltered drug in the patient's blood plasma.\",\n \"For example, a linear curve for a plot of the AUC versus dose (i.e., straight ascending line) indicates that the drug is being released slowly into the blood stream and is providing a steady amount of drug to the patient; if the AUC versus dose is a linear relationship this generally represents optimal delivery of the drug into the patient's blood stream.\",\n \"By contrast, a non-linear AUC versus dose curve indicates rapid release of drug such that some of the drug is not absorbed, or the drug is metabolized before entering the blood stream.\",\n \"The term “C-max” (i.e., “maximum concentration”) is a pharmacokinetic term used to indicate the peak concentration of a particular drug in the blood plasma of a patient.\",\n \"The term “Tmax” (i.e., “time of maximum concentration” or “time of Cmax”) is a pharmacokinetic term used to indicate the time at which the Cmax is observed during the time course of a drug administration.\",\n \"As would be expected, a dosage form that would include an immediate release as well as a gastric retentive component would have a Tmax that is higher than the Cmax for an immediate release dosage form, but lower than the Tmax for a purely gastric retentive dosage form.\",\n \"As used herein, the term “subject” for purposes of treatment includes any subject, and preferably is a subject who is in need of treatment of an orthopoxvirus infection or related condition.\",\n \"The subject is typically an animal, more typically is a mammal.\",\n \"Preferably, the mammal is a human.\",\n \"The term “chemically modified cyclodextrin” refers to one or more chemically modified cyclodextrins where there is independently more than one degree of substitution that can vary from about 0.5 to about 10.0.The degree of substitution (the mean number of functional groups per glucose unit) of the chemically modified cyclodextrin can vary as need to provide the necessary solubility and stability of the ST-246.For example, the degree of substitution can be between from about 0.5 to about 10.0.For a chemically modified cyclodextrin such as 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin, the degree of substitution (of substituted hydroxy functional groups per glucose unit) can be, for example, between about 4.0 and 8.0.Degree of substitution can be determined by mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using known techniques.\",\n \"The term “poorly soluble therapeutic agent” refers to a compound having biological activity and a solubility in water of less than about 1 mg/mL in buffer of pH 1.2 to 7 at 20° C.25 C and 37 degree.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the poorly soluble therapeutic agent is an organic compound that has a molecular weight of less than 1500 g/mol, and preferably less than 500 g/mol.\",\n \"In certain embodiments, the poorly soluble therapeutic agent is a compound, for example, an organic compound, having an aqueous solubility of less than about 0.5 mg/mL, less than about 0.3 mg/mL, or less than about 0.1 mg/mL, at pH 7 and 20° C. As used herein, “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount of ST-246 that is nontoxic but sufficient in preventing or ameliorating the severity of orthopoxvirus infection or related condition.\",\n \"As used herein, “percent,” “percentage” or the symbol “%” means the percent of the component indicated in the composition based on the amount of the carrier present in the composition, on a weight/weight (w/w), weight/volume (w/v) or volume/volume (v/v) concentration, as indicated with respect to any particular component, all based on the amount of the carrier present in the composition.\",\n \"Thus, different types of carriers can be present in an amount of up to 100% as indicated, which does not preclude the presence of the API, the amount of which can be indicated as a % or as a certain number of mg present in the composition or a certain number of mg/mL present, where the % or mg/mL is based on the amount of the total carrier present in the composition.\",\n \"Certain types of carriers can be present in combination to make up 100% of the carrier.\",\n \"A term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein is non-toxic or has certain toxic attributes that are not dose limiting to achieve therapeutic advantages to recipients at the dosages and concentrations required and is compatible with other ingredients of the formulation.\",\n \"The term “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,” includes vehicles, adjuvants, or diluents or other auxiliary substances, such as those conventional in the art, which are readily available to the public, and which are non-toxic or have acceptable toxicities to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and is compatible with other ingredients of the formulation.\",\n \"For example, pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances include pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, preservatives, solubilzers, wetting agents and the like.\",\n \"Cyclodextrins Cylodextrins are water soluble sugar oligomers.\",\n \"Many different cyclodextrins exist and are distinguished from each other by the number of glucopyranose units.\",\n \"The most common cyclodextrins are composed of six, seven or eight alpha-D-glucose units.\",\n \"Cyclodextrins form structures having cavities which are hydrophilic on the outside and lipophilic on the inside.\",\n \"The number of glucose units determines the size of the cavity.\",\n \"The hydrophilic exterior gives cyclodextrins their solubility in aqueous solutions while the lipophilic interior or cavity provides an environment which is often attractive to other hydrophobic molecules.\",\n \"By sequestering the drug in the hydrophobic core, it is solubilized with the cyclodextrin molecule so forming an aqueous soluble complex.\",\n \"Cyclodextrins can take up the entirety of a molecule or only a part thereof into the cavity.\",\n \"The stability of the resulting complex depends on how well the drug molecule fits into the cyclodextrin cavity.\",\n \"There is still a high degree of unpredictability with regards to whether cyclodextrins will improve the solubility of a particular drug, such as for example ST-246.Unexpectedly, a novel liquid formulation comprising cyclodextrins has been identified which is shown to provide adequate solubility of ST-246 and which could be delivered to subjects in safe and effective manner.\",\n \"Cyclodextrins suitable for use in the compositions, formulations, and methods herein disclosed are generally cyclic oligosaccharides with a cone-like shape.\",\n \"The interior of the cone acts as a hydrophobic cavity, while the exterior of the cone is hydrophilic.\",\n \"The former property enables cyclodextrins to form inclusion complexes with a wide variety of lipophilic molecules or portions thereof, which “fit” into the cavity while the latter property facilitates aqueous solubility.\",\n \"Cyclodextrin derivatives have been extensively studied for use as parenteral drug carriers owing to their high water solubility and low toxicity.\",\n \"(Fromming & Szejtli, J.\",\n \"(1994).\",\n \"Chemically Modified Cyclodextrins The cyclodextrin suitable for use in the compositions, formulations, and methods herein disclosed preferably are chemically modified cyclodextrins.\",\n \"The chemically modified cyclodextrins can include derivatives of a-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, Gamma cyclodextrin or δ-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"The chemically modified cyclodextrins can include, but are not limited to methyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin, randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin, ethyl-β-cyclodextrin, carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin, diethylaminoethyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-hydroxypropyl-β cyclodextrin, 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"Preferably, the chemically modified cyclodextrin is 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"More preferably, the chemically modified cyclodextrin is 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin.\",\n \"Preferably, the degree of substitution for 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is between 4 and 8.The preparation of pharmaceutical formulations as herein disclosed involves dissolving the chemically modified cyclodextrin in a suitable volume of aqueous carrier medium (for example, water for injection), removal of oxygen (for example, with nitrogen, inert gas, or freeze-thaw under vacuum), followed by the gradual addition of ST-246 to the cyclodextrin solution under vigorous stirring until essentially all of the ST-246 has been complexed and is in solution.\",\n \"The temperature of the cyclodextrin solution can be between 0° C.-80° C. Preferably the temperature of the cyclodextrin solution is maintained between about 2° C.-70° C. degrees.\",\n \"After addition of the ST-246, the solution can be brought to a final volume with de-oxygenated aqueous carrier medium.\",\n \"The solution can then be sterilized, for example, by filtration and/or aseptically transferred to vials or ampoules.\",\n \"The solution can be transferred directly to ampoules for sterilization by autoclaving or irradiation.\",\n \"The vials or ampoules can be sealed under an inert gas, such as nitrogen.\",\n \"The molar ratio of ST-246 to chemically modified cyclodextrin can be for example about 0.03 mol/mol.\",\n \"Preferably, the molar ratio of ST-246 to chemically modified cyclodextrin is about 0.01 to about 1.0.More preferably, the molar ratio of ST-246 to chemically modified cyclodextrin is about 0.03 to 0.15 mol/mol.\",\n \"Pharmaceutical Compositions Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms comprising a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable polymorph, prodrug, salt, solvate, hydrate, or clathrate thereof, are also encompassed by the invention.\",\n \"Individual dosage forms of the invention can be suitable for oral, mucosal (including sublingual, buccal, rectal or nasal), parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, bolus injection, intraarterial, or intravenous), transderal, and topical administration.\",\n \"Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention comprise a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, polymorph, salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.\",\n \"Specifically, it had been previously shown in USSN 61/316,747, which is incorporated herein by reference, that ST-246 exists in different crystalline forms denominated Form I, Form II, Form III, Form IV, Form V, and Form VI.\",\n \"It had also been discovered that Form I is a monohydrate crystalline form of ST-246 which shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks at a reflection angle 2θof about: 7.63,10.04,11.47,14.73,15.21,15.47,16.06,16.67,16.98,18.93,19.96,20.52,20.79,22.80,25.1 6,26.53,27.20,27.60,29.60,30.23,30.49,30.68,31.14,33.65,34.33,35.29,35.56,36.30,37.36,3 8.42,38.66 degrees.\",\n \"It had also been shown that Form II is an anhydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form II shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.\",\n \"12.It had been further shown that Form III is a monohydrate crystalline form of ST-246 which shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks at a reflection angle 2θof about: 6.71,9.05,12.49, 13.03, 13.79, 14.87, 15.72, 16.26, 16.74, 18.10, 18.43,19.94,21.04,21.51,23.15,23.51,25.32,26.24,26.87,27.32,27.72,28.55,29.08,29.50,29.84,31.27,33.48, 35.36,39.56 degrees.\",\n \"[000068] It had been further show that Form IV is an anhydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form IV shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.\",\n \"13.Further, it had been shown that Form V is a hemihydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form VI shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.\",\n \"14.It had also been shown that Form VI is a monohydrate crystalline form of ST-246.Form VI shows an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristics according to FIG.\",\n \"15.ST-246 Form I is the preferred polymorph of ST-246.It appears to be the thermodynamically most stable form, as all other get converted to Form-I.\",\n \"ST-246 Form I is stable and hence can be stored at ambient conditions.\",\n \"Form I has not been shown to convert to another polymorphic form under several environmental and process conditions that a drug could experience during various stages of manufacturing and storage.\",\n \"Some of the conditions tested include storage at high temperature and high humidity, room temperature and high humidity, low humidity, up to 60° C., capsule manufacturing using wet granulation and drying, during milling or micronization process, in suspension, long term storage at room temperature.\",\n \"Further, Form-I is non hygroscopic and hence does not absorb moisture even at 90% relative humidity conditions.\",\n \"Form I is reliably manufactured by the commercial crystallization process with more than 99.0% purity and with any single impurities not more than 0.15%.\",\n \"The instant Examples describe experiments with ST-246 Form I.\",\n \"However, ST-246 Form II, Form III, Form IV and Form V can be used to obtain similarly stable liquid ST-246 formulations.\",\n \"Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention that are suitable for oral administration can be presented as discrete dosage forms, such as, but are not limited to capsules and liquids (e.g., flavored syrups).\",\n \"Such dosage forms contain predetermined amounts of active ingredients, and can be prepared by methods of pharmacy well known to those skilled in the art.\",\n \"See generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).\",\n \"Typical oral dosage forms of the invention are prepared by combining the active ingredient(s) in an intimate admixture with at least one excipient according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques.\",\n \"Excipients can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration.\",\n \"For example, excipients suitable for use in oral liquid or aerosol dosage forms include, but are not limited to, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, and coloring agents.\",\n \"Liquid preparations for oral administration can take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they can be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use.\",\n \"Such liquid preparations can be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid).\",\n \"The preparations can also contain buffer salts, flavoring, coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.\",\n \"Disintegrants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, agar-agar, alginic acid, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, polacrilin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, potato or tapioca starch, pre-gelatinized starch, other starches, clays, other algins, other celluloses, gums, and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"Lubricants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, light mineral oil, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, other glycols, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil), zinc stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl laureate, agar, and mixtures thereof.\",\n \"Parenteral dosage forms can be administered to patients by various routes including, but not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous (including bolus injection), intramuscular, and intra-arterial.\",\n \"Because their administration typically bypasses patients' natural defenses against contaminants, parenteral dosage forms are preferably sterile or capable of being sterilized prior to administration to a patient.\",\n \"Examples of parenteral dosage forms include, but are not limited to, solutions ready for injection, dry products ready to be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for injection, suspensions ready for injection, and emulsions.\",\n \"Suitable vehicles that can be used to provide parenteral dosage forms of the invention are well known to those skilled in the art.\",\n \"Examples include, but are not limited to: Water for Injection USP; aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles such as, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.\",\n \"Compounds that increase the solubility of one or more of the active ingredients disclosed herein can also be incorporated into the parenteral dosage forms of the invention.\",\n \"Transdermal and topical dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, or other forms known to one of skill in the art.\",\n \"See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990); and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 4th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia (1985).\",\n \"Transdermal dosage forms include “reservoir type” or “matrix type” patches, which can be applied to the skin and worn for a specific period of time to permit the penetration of a desired amount of active ingredients.\",\n \"Suitable excipients (e.g., carriers and diluents) and other materials that can be used to provide transdermal and topical dosage forms encompassed by this invention are well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts, and depend on the particular tissue to which a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form will be applied.\",\n \"With that fact in mind, typical excipients include, but are not limited to, water, acetone, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof to form lotions, tinctures, creams, emulsions, gels or ointments, which are non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable.\",\n \"Moisturizers or humectants can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms if desired.\",\n \"Examples of such additional ingredients are well known in the art.\",\n \"See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).\",\n \"The pH of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form, or of the tissue to which the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is applied, can also be adjusted to improve delivery of one or more active ingredients.\",\n \"Similarly, the polarity of a solvent carrier, its ionic strength, or tonicity can be adjusted to improve delivery.\",\n \"Compounds such as stearates can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms to advantageously alter the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity of one or more active ingredients so as to improve delivery.\",\n \"In this regard, stearates can serve as a lipid vehicle for the formulation, as an emulsifying agent or surfactant, and as a delivery-enhancing or penetration-enhancing agent.\",\n \"Different salts, hydrates or solvates of the active ingredients can be used to further adjust the properties of the resulting composition.\",\n \"Intravenous Administration, Dosage and Duration As indicated below in Example 4, a population PK model was developed to assess the disposition of ST-246 following IV infusion in male and female uninfected cynomolgus monkeys.\",\n \"A three-compartment model with dose as covariate described the nonlinear PK (reduced clearances at higher doses) of IV ST-246.Diagnostic plots and a visual predictive check confirmed that the observed data were reasonably well described by the proposed model.\",\n \"Allometric scaling of PK parameters in monkeys was performed to determine PK parameters in humans.\",\n \"A targeted range of exposure was determined a priori based on observed concentration-time profiles in human subjects treated with oral ST-246.Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine candidate dosing levels of IV ST-246 that would results in similar AUC, Cmax, and Cmin values as those previously observed in healthy uninfected humans following repeated oral administration of 400 and 600 mg ST-246.Numerous different possible dosing regimens were simulated.\",\n \"Predicted AUC and Cmax values were compared first to those observed after oral doses.\",\n \"Cmin values were compared thereafter.\",\n \"In general, a regimen that can generate equivalent Cmin would require longer infusion time with higher AUC values than the regimen that generates equivalent AUC and Cmax.\",\n \"Repeated IV infusion of 115 mg QD over 5 hours or 65 mg BID over 1 hour would provide AUC and Cmax values at steady state very similar to those observed after oral doses of 400 mg.\",\n \"Repeated IV infusion of 80 mg BID over 2 hours resulted in Cmin values at 12 and 24 hours similar to those observed following oral administration of 400 mg QD in healthy uninfected humans.\",\n \"Similarly, repeated IV infusion of 145 mg QD over 4 hours or 95 mg BID over 1 hour would provide AUC and Cmax values at steady state very similar to those observed after oral doses of 600 mg.\",\n \"Finally, repeated IV infusion of 85 mg BID over 1 hour resulted in Cmin values at 12 and 24 hours similar to those observed following oral administration of 600 mg QD in healthy uninfected humans.\",\n \"Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the instant liquid pharmaceutical formulation can be administered intravenously.\",\n \"Preferably, about 50 to about 500 mg, more preferably about 200 mg to about 400 mg, most preferably about 300 mg of ST-246 is infused per single session of intravenous administration.\",\n \"In another embodiment, the treatment is carried out for a period ranging from about 7 to about 30 days, preferably, about 7 to about 15 days.\",\n \"In yet another embodiment, the duration of each session of intravenous administration is from about 2 to about 24 hours.\",\n \"In a further embodiment, the treatment carried out continuously over the course of treatment at a dosage of about 50 to about 500 mg of ST-246 per day.\",\n \"Alternatively, the treatment may be carried out during two sessions per day, wherein the duration of each session is from about 2 to about 12 hours.\",\n \"EXAMPLE 1 ST-246 Solubility Studies in Various Excipients—Solubility in Water, Oily Vehicles, Surfactants and Co-Solvents ST-246, an anti-smallpox small molecule and is intended to be administered by various routes of administration, is poorly soluble in water and in pharmaceutically acceptable pH buffers in the range of 2-11.The preferred formulation for injectable formulation is a liquid formulation prepared using pharmaceutically acceptable additives.\",\n \"To obtain liquid formulation, the solubility of the drug should be such that therapeutically effective amount of drug can be delivered safely.\",\n \"Further, the formulation should be able to withstand dilution in commonly used intravenous dilution fluids such as normal saline and in blood upon injection.\",\n \"Since ST-246 is an insoluble drug, it poses challenges to development of safe and effective IV solution formulation.\",\n \"Unexpectedly, a composition has been identified which provides adequate solubility of ST-246 and can be delivered to subjects in safe and effective manner.\",\n \"For these experiments, varies cosolvents and surfactants were investigated for solubilization of ST-246.For these experiments, ST-246 polymorphic Form I was used.\",\n \"The solutions of cosolvents included polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, propylene glycol, ethanol; the solutions of surfactants included polyethoxylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor® EL and RH 40) polysorbates (Tween® series of surfactants) and Solutol® HS, a polyethoxylated fatty alcohol and the polyglycolysed glyceride, Labrasol®.\",\n \"In addition, the solubility of ST-246 in several oils including sesame oil, soybean oil and corn oil was investigated.\",\n \"The results of the solubilization experiments are shown in Table 1 and summarized below.\",\n \"TABLE 1 Solubility of ST246 Form I Monohydrate in Various Excipients ST-246 Solubility Excipients (mg/mL) Excipient Description Phosphate Buffer, <0.1, Insoluble pH 6.8 Water <0.1, Insoluble 0.01N HCl <0.1, Insoluble PEG 400 127 Polyethylene glycol Labrasol 82 Caprylocaproyl Polyoxylglycerides Ethanol 75 Propylene Glycol 43 Tween 80 22 Polysorbate 80 Cremophor EL 17 Polyoxyethylated castor oil Cremophor RH-40 17 Glycerol-polyethylene glycol oxystearate Castor oil Plurol Oleique 6 Polyglyceryl Oleate Lauroglycol FCC 4 Propylene glycol monolaurate Labrafil IL M 3 Lauroyl polyoxylglycerides Labrafac Lipophile 2 Medium Chain Triglycerides Sesame oil 1 Soy oil 1 Oils <1 Flax, Corn, Olive As shown in Table 1, PEG 400 demonstrated the greatest ST-246 solubilization followed by Labrasol®, ethanol, Propylene Glycol, Tween 80, Cremophor EL and Cremophor RH-40, all of which were identified as potential intravenous formulation candidates.\",\n \"Thus, based upon the solubility data, PEG 400 and ethanol were selected for cosolvent combination analysis.\",\n \"The absolute solubility of ST-246 in oils was less than 5 mg/ml eliminating them as possible IV formulation candidates.\",\n \"Based on the results of these experiments, a multitude of formulations containing the selected excipients at varying concentrations were created.\",\n \"Thus, the instant formulations were diluted with IV dilution fluid, 5% dextrose and 0.05 mM, pH 7.5, Phosphate buffer to make sure that formulation withstand dilution at least for 12 hours.\",\n \"The results obtained established that all of the combinations tested were sub-optimal for a prolonged IV infusion.\",\n \"Even when the quantity of ST-246 was reduced from 10 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL the solution stability was extended by less than 2 hrs indicating that cosolvents and surfactants likely would not yield an IV formulation suitable for ST-246.These results can be found in Table 2.TABLE 2 Co-solvent Combinations Containing 5 mg/ml ST-246 in 5% w/v Dextrose and in PBS Dilution Shelf Dilution Shelf ST-246 Life Stability Life Stability % concen- Hours in Hours in 50 mM Sample Total Density Weight tration 5% Dextrose PBS, pH 7.4 ID Volume Excipient (g/cc) (g) mg/ml 1:1 1:5 1:10 1:1 1:2 1:15 A 50% Cremophor EL 1.05 2.625 5 3 3 3 1 0.5 1 50% Ethanol 0.789 1.973 B 20% Cremophor 1.06 1.060 5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 1 RH 40 80% Ethanol 0.789 3.156 C 60% PEG-400 1.127 3.381 5 ND ND ND 0.25 0.25 0.25 30% Ethanol 0.789 1.184 10% Tween-80 1.064 0.532 D 60% Cremophor EL 1.05 3.150 5 3 3 3 0.17 0.5 0.5 35% Ethanol 0.789 1.381 5% Tween-80 1.064 0.266 E 60% Cremophor 1.06 3.180 5 3 18 18 0.25 0.5 0.5 RH 40 35% PEG-400 1.127 1.972 5% Ethanol 0.789 0.197 F 35% Cremophor 1.06 1.855 RH 40 60% PEG-400 1.127 3.381 5 3 3 3 0.08 0.5 0.5 5% Ethanol 0.789 0.197 G 30% Cremophor 1.06 1.590 RH 40 30% PEG-400 1.127 1.691 5 3 3 3 0.17 0.33 0.33 40% Ethanol 0.789 1.578 H 30% Cremophor 1.06 1.590 RH 40 40% PEG-400 1.127 2.254 5 3 3 1 0.08 0.5 0.5 30% Ethanol 0.789 1.184 I 40% Cremophor 1.06 2.120 RH 40 30% PEG-400 1.127 1.691 5 3 3 3 ND 0.25 0.5 30% Ethanol 0.789 1.184 EXAMPLE 2 Composition of ST-246 in Various Concentrations of Cosolvents/Surfactant in Water Based upon the solubility data obtained from the neat formulation as described in Example 1, further formulation studies of ST-246 were performed in conjunction with selected excipients diluted to various concentrations.\",\n \"These results are summarized in Table 3.For these experiments, the analyzed excipients included Cremophor EL, Cremophor RH-40, Ethanol and PEG 400.The concentrations were determined by HPLC analysis at 24 hours and 48 hours.\",\n \"TABLE 3 Composition of ST-246 in Aqueous Solutions of Excipients (0.5 to 10% w/v) μg/ml ST-246 μg/ml ST-246 Excipient % w/v in H2O 24 hrs 48 hrs Cremophor EL 0.5 10 8 2.0 28 26 4.0 48 49 6.0 71 74 8.0 92 98 10.0 115 116 Cremophor RH 40 0.5 12 10 2.0 26 25 4.0 47 46 6.0 71 72 8.0 96 101 10.0 120 120 Ethanol 0.5 8 3 2.0 12 8 4.0 10 2 6.0 22 14 8.0 10 4 10.0 15 5 0.5 6 8 2.0 8 7 4.0 2 2 6.0 2 2 8.0 2 2 10.0 3 3 Further, additional excipients investigated included two types of cyclodextrins (HP-ß-CD and SBECD), two types of pegylated phospholipids with different molecular weights (i.e PEG-Phospholipid-2000 and PEG Phospholipid-5000) as well as the surfactants Tween 80 and Solutol HS and the solvents Propylene glycol and Dimethyl acetamide (DMA).\",\n \"Aqueous solutions of these excipients were prepared at a concentration range of 0.5 to 10% w/v in water and solubility of ST-246 in these solutions was determined by HPLC analysis at 24 and 48 hours.\",\n \"The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 4 and FIGS.\",\n \"1, 2 and 3.TABLE 4 Composition of ST-246 in Aqueous Solutions of Excipients (0.5 to 10% w/v) μg/ml ST-246 μg/ml ST-246 Excipient % w/v in H2O 24 hrs 48 hrs DMA 0.5 9 7 2.0 12 10 4.0 2 2 6.0 6 5 8.0 2 2 10.0 3 3 Sulfylbutylether CD 0.5 22 19 2.0 45 43 4.0 66 65 6.0 99 96 8.0 138 148 10.0 186 177 PEG Phospholipid-2000 0.5 8 8 2.0 21 21 4.0 38 40 6.0 ND ND 8.0 ND ND 10.0 103 97 PEG Phospholipid-2000 0.5 5 4 2.0 11 10 4.0 25 27 6.0 ND ND 8.0 ND ND 10.0 66 60 Further, the data obtained from solubility of ST-246 in various vehicles in water was used to analyze solubilization efficiency of each excipient.\",\n \"Table 5 below is a summary of the solubilization efficiency as measured by the slope of the trend lines of ST-246 concentration plotted against % w/v of the excipients in water; the larger the slope, the greater the solubilization efficiency.\",\n \"The excipients are ranked in order based upon the magnitude of the solubilization efficiency with the excipient with the highest ST-246 solubilization efficiency in aqueous solutions ranked as number one.\",\n \"Column 5 represents the solubility of ST-246 determined in mg/ml in pure (neat 100%) excipients.\",\n \"TABLE 5 Summary of ST-246 Solubilization in Aqueous Solutions of Excipients Solubilization ST-246 Efficiency Solubility Solubility Solubility Rank Order in Neat Curve Slope Curve Slope (slope of Excipient Excipient (24 hrs) (48 hrs) trend line) (mg/ml) HPBCD y = 79.909x − y = 81.46x − 1 ~0.8/ml 69.594 77.217 in 10% R2 = 0.97 R2 = 0.97 w/w HPBCD solution in water SBECD y = 13.627x + y = 16.884x = 2 ~0.18 in 15.477 5.359 10% R2 = 0.99 R2 = 0.98 SBECD solution in water Cremophor y = 11.485x + y = 11.953x + 3 17 RH 40 3.64 1.4409 R2 = 0.998 R2 = 0.997 Cremophor y = 10.979x + y = 11.503x + 4 17 EL 4.8813 3.4726 R2 = 0.999 R2 = 0.998 Tween80 y = 10.338x + y = 9.905x + 5 22 0.8229 0.816 R2 = 0.9985 R2 = 0.9995 PEG y = 10.138x + y = 9.425x + 6 NA Phospholipid - 0.7815 2.606 (solid) 2000 R2 = 0.998 R2 = 1.00 Solutol HS 15 y = 9.4708x + y = 9.217x + 7 Not 1.105 0.6869 done R2 = 0.9993 R2 = 0.9994 PEG y = 6.5811x − y = 6.0211x + 8 NA Phospholipid - 0.5495 0.2705 (solid) 5000 R2 = 0.996 R2 = 0.9954 Ethanol y = 0.5619x + y = 0.1022x + 9 75 10.025 5.3352 R2 = 0.1676 R2 = 0.0079 PG y = −0.004x + y = 0.0235x + 10 43 3.0472 1.4007 R2 = 0 R2 = 0.0291 PEG 400 y = −0.4758x + y = −0.5856x + 11 127 6.1872 6.8136 R2 = 0.4717 R2 = 0.5844 DMA y = −0..8313x + y = −0.6674 = 12 ND 10.026 8.256 R2 = 0.566 R2 = 0.5437 ND = Not done Comparison of columns 4 and 5 in Table 5 reveals that the excipient in which ST-246 has the highest solubility (column 5) does not necessarily correspond to the solubility of ST-246 of that excipient diluted with water (column 4).\",\n \"The data obtained from the solubilization experiments demonstrated the highest solubilization efficiency was demonstrated by the two cyclodextrins with HP-ß-CD being the most efficient followed by SBECD.\",\n \"Among all the surfactants tested, the CremophorEL and Cremophor RH-40 exhibited maximum solubilization capacity followed by Polysorbate 80.Between the two PEG phospholipids, PEG phospholipid-2000 was a better solubilizer than PEG phospholipid-5000.EXAMPLE 3 ST-246 Solubility with Complexing Agents Further experiments investigated solubility of ST-246 in cyclodextrins.\",\n \"Cyclodextrins contain a torus-shaped ring with a polar hydrophilic outside and an apolar hydrophobic cavity.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"4 illustrates the structure of one type of cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and Table 6 provides characteristics summary of cyclodextrins.\",\n \"TABLE 6 Characteristics of cyclodextrins Generic name 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin Appearance White amorphous powder Average molecular weight 1380-1480 daltons Aqueous solubility (g/100 mL): at 25° C. 65% at 50° C. 80% Decomposition temperature Above 300° C. Sterilization Autoclaving at 121° C. possible Further, Table 7 summarizes solubility of ST-246 in aqueous solutions of various grades of cyclodextrins at concentrations ranging from 20 to 40%.\",\n \"As shown in Table 7, the range of ST-246 solubilized by cyclodextrin was 1.5 to 11 mg/ml at 37° C., with HP-ß-CD out-performing sulfobutylether-derivatized cyclodextrin (SBECD).\",\n \"The data obtained from the complexation experiments supported HP-ß-CD as a potential candidate for the intravenous formulation.\",\n \"TABLE 8 Solubility of ST-246 in Aqueous Solutions of Substituted β-Cyclodextrins at 37° C. Type and number of ST-246 solubility substituent (mg/mL) at 37° C. Substituted groups per CD concentration beta-CD CD molecule ST-246 lot # 20% 32% 40% Cavitron ® 4.1 to 5.1 SG-08HO5M 3.2 7.4 11.0 W7 HP5 HP-βCD SG-08HO6M 3.3 7.3 11.5 (ISP) SG-08KO7M 3.1 7.4 11.0 Cavitron ® 6.0 to 8.0 SG-08HO5M 1.6 4.5 7.4 W7 HP7 HP-βCD SG-08HO6M 1.6 4.5 7.5 (ISP) SG-08KO7M 1.5 4.4 7.4 Captisol ® 7 SBECD SG-08HO5M — 1.0 1.6 (CyDex) SG-08HO6M — 1.0 1.5 SG-08HO7M — 1.0 1.5 Further, FIG.\",\n \"5 summarizes solubility of ST-246 as a function of cyclodextrin concentration.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"5, the solubility of ST-246 increases with increased HP-ß-CD concentration.\",\n \"Further, HP-ß-CD provided for higher ST-246 solubility as compared to SBECD.\",\n \"Thus, data obtained from the solubilization experiments demonstrated that the highest ST-246 solubilization efficiency was achieved by both SBECD and HP-ß-CD, whereas HP-ß-CD outperforms the SBECD in terms of ST-246 solubilization efficiency.\",\n \"Further studies were performed to determine the solubility of ST-246 in varying concentration of HP-β-CD at room temperature.\",\n \"For these experiments, the contents of the vials were brought to solubility equilibrium at a constant temperature of 25° C. while mixing the contents of the vial on a roto-mixer.\",\n \"Further, following 72 hours of mixing, the contents of the vial were filtered and the resulting filtrate was analyzed for the concentration of ST-246 using RP-HPLC.\",\n \"The concentrations of HP-β-CD used for the study are listed in Table 9.Further, the solubility of ST-246 by varying the concentration of HP-β-CD following HPLC analysis are listed in Table 9.TABLE 9 Solubility of ST-246 as a function of HP-β-CD concentration at 25° C. following 72 hours shaking HP-β-CD ST-246 HP-β-CD ST-246 HP-β-CD ST-246 (% w/v) (mg/mL) (mM) (mM) (M) (M) 0 0.01 0.0 0.04 0.00 3.9E−05 0.1 0.02 0.7 0.05 0.001 4.6E−05 0.5 0.04 3.6 0.11 0.004 1.1E−04 1 0.07 7.2 0.17 0.007 1.7E−04 2 0.13 14.4 0.33 0.01 3.3E−04 2.5 0.15 18.0 0.37 0.02 3.7E−04 5 0.32 35.9 0.81 0.04 8.1E−04 10 0.9 71.9 2.28 0.07 2.3E−03 12.5 1.35 89.8 3.42 0.09 3.4E−03 20 3.07 143.8 7.79 0.14 7.8E−03 30 6.33 215.6 16.05 0.22 1.6E−02 40 10.93 287.5 27.72 0.29 2.8E−02 The next series of experiments were done to determine solubility of ST-246 in 40% w/v HP-ß-CD composition as a function of temperature.\",\n \"These experiments determined that the concentration of ST-246 in composition increased with increasing temperature.\",\n \"As summarized in FIG.\",\n \"7, a maximum solubility of 21.23 mg/mL was obtained with a 40% w/v HP-β-CD concentration at 70° C. The next series of experiments investigated the solubility of ST-246 in HP-ß-CD composition in presence of co-solvents/surfactants.\",\n \"The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 10 and FIG.\",\n \"8.As evident from the results of the experiments, presence of cosolvents/surfactant can improve solution properties of drug in HP-ß-CD upon dilution and also helps dissolve drug much faster in HP-ß-CD.\",\n \"TABLE 10 Solubility of ST-246 in the presence of cosolvents at various temperatures Temperature 40%(w/v) HPBCD + 40%(w/v) HPBCD + 40%(w/v) (° C.) 2.5%(w/v) tween 80 2.5%(w/v) PEG-400 HPBCD 4 6.29 5.47 6.05 25 7.57 9.21 10.59 40 11.16 12.99 12.23 60 16.24 17.41 16.21 Solubility data presented in Table 10 suggest that presence of cosolvent (PEG 400) or non-ionic surfactant (tween 80) does not improve ST-246 solubility in HP-ß-CD and hence no further work was done to evaluate ternary complexation.\",\n \"Further series of experiments were carried out to identify a pH range for maximum solubility of ST-246 in HPBCD composition.\",\n \"For these experiments, various composition of ST-246 in 40% HPBCD was prepared with pH ranging from 4.0 to 10.5.The composition was prepared at 25° C. and 2° C.-8° C. The following table consists of the composition studied and the buffer evaluated in the pH range of 4.0 through 10.5.The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 11.TABLE 11 Compositions of formulations tested for the effect of pH on solubility of ST-246 Kleptose HP-β-CD Sample # (% w/v) pH Buffer ST246-027-1 40 4.0 50 mM ST246-027-2 4.5 Citrate/Phosphate ST246-027-3 5.0 ST246-027-4 5.5 ST246-027-5 6.0 50 mM Phosphate ST246-027-6 6.5 ST246-027-7 7.0 ST246-027-8 7.5 ST246-027-9 8.0 ST246-027-10 9.0 50 mM Glycine ST246-027-11 9.5 ST246-027-12 10.0 ST246-027-13 10.5 For these experiments, an excess of ST-246 was added to vials containing 5 mL of the pH buffered HP-ß-CD solutions.\",\n \"The samples vials were rotomixed for more than 72 hours at 2-8° C. and 25° C. Samples were filtered using a 0.2 um PVDF membrane filter and the filtrate was diluted appropriately and analyzed for ST-246 content using RP-HPLC.\",\n \"Further, the pH of the samples was monitored before and after the solubility study was initiated.\",\n \"pH measurements indicated that there were no significant changes before and after the samples have reached equilibrium.\",\n \"The solubility of ST-246 achieved in 40% HPBCD composition as a function of varying pH is depicted in FIG.\",\n \"9.As shown in FIG.\",\n \"9, an increase in solubility was observed with an increase in pH from 4.0 to 10.5 at both 2° C.-8° C. and 25° C. For the next series of experiments, scale-up studies of injectable ST-246 (have been initiated to understand the effect of batch size on complexation of ST-246 with HP-ß-CD.\",\n \"For these experiments, formulations have been prepared using parenteral grade HP-ß-CD.\",\n \"Samples from these studies have been placed on stability at cold storage temperature (2° C. to 8° C.), controlled room temperature (25° C.) and warm temperature (40° C.).\",\n \"At regular time intervals samples are removed, observed for any physical changes (precipitation, color change, etc.)\",\n \"and assayed for purity using HPLC to detect any degradation of ST-246.ST-246, Form I, II, III, IV, V and VI were formulated for liquid administration.\",\n \"Suitable dosage forms comprises ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml and HPBCD, ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.\",\n \"Optionally, the formulations further comprises mannitol, trehalose dehydrate, lactose monohydrate, and purified water such that the total volume of the liquid formulation is about 100 ml.\",\n \"For these formulations, the pH may be adjusted and maintained form 2.5 to 6.0, by using HCL/NaOH, citric acid/Na citrate buffer, and other buffers including but not limited to acetate, tartarate, glycine, glucoronic acid.\",\n \"The above described liquid formulations are summarized in Tables 12-16.TABLE 12 Examples of compositions of 5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) TABLE 13 Examples of compositions of 10 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) TABLE 14 Examples of compositions of 12.5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 TABLE 15 Examples of compositions of 15 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose Dihydrate — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Lactose Monohydrate — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) TABLE 16 Examples of compositions of 20 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations Composition # 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Mannitol — — — 1 1 1 — — — — — — Trehalose — — — — — — 1 1 1 — — — Dihydrate Lactose — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 Monohydrate pH adjusted — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water.\",\n \"100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S (mL) Further liquid formulations comprising ST-246, Form I, II, III, IV, V and VI are summarized in Tables 17-21.Suitable dosage forms comprises ST-246 ranging from about 2 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml and HPBCD, ranging from about 12.5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml.\",\n \"Optionally, the formulations further comprise polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 300, and purified water up to 100 ml.\",\n \"For these formulations, the pH may be adjusted and maintained form 2.5 to 6.0, by using HCL/NaOH, citric acid/Na citrate buffer, and other buffers including but not limited to acetate, tartarate, glycine, glucoronic acid.\",\n \"TABLE 17 Examples of compositions of 5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing cosolvents/surfactants Composition # 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted to 3.0 — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) TABLE 18 Compositions of 7.5 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) TABLE 19 Compositions of 10 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene Glycol 400 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene Glycol 300 — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 pH adjusted to 3.0 to 5.0 — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to 3.0 to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 TABLE 20 Compositions of 15 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted to 3.0 — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) TABLE 21 Compositions of 20 mg/mL ST-246 IV formulations containing co-solvents Composition # 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 HPBCD 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Polyethylene 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — — — — Glycol 400 Polysorbate 80 — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 — — — Polyethylene — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 Glycol 300 pH adjusted — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— to 3.0 to 5.0 using 0.1N HCl/NaOH pH adjusted to — — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"— — q.s.\",\n \"3.0 to 5.0 using citrate buffer Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) Further, Table 22 summarizes ranges for ST-246 and HPBCD in various formulations.\",\n \"TABLE 22 Compositions of ST-246 IV formulations by varying the HPBCD concentrations Composition # 121 122 123 124 125 126 Ingredient Quantity for 100 mL (g) ST-246 2 2 2 5 10 20 HPBCD 12.5 20 30 40 40 40 Purified water 100 100 100 100 100 100 Q.S.\",\n \"(mL) Further, for these experiments, the compatibility of ST-246 prototype formulations with 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, a commonly used infusion fluid, was evaluated.\",\n \"Five formulations of ST-246 were prepared at various concentrations using 40% (w/v) HP-ß-CD.\",\n \"The formulations were diluted with 0.9% (w/v) NaCl in the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 1:10.The diluted solutions were stored at RT and 5° C. and were monitored for their physical stability by visual inspection, microscopy and per USP guidelines at regular time intervals.\",\n \"The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 23.TABLE 23 Stability and Compatibility of ST-246 IV Formulations Following Dilution ST-246 (mg/mL) Stability/Compatibility following dilution 5 More than 48 hours at all dilutions when stored at RT or 5° C. 7.5 More than 48 hours at all dilutions when stored at RT or 5° C. 10 More than 48 hours at 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 dilutions when stored at RT or 5° C. 12.5 more than 48 hours at 1:1 and 1:2 when stored at RT or 5° C. More than 48 hours at 1:5 dilution when stored at 5° C. More than 24 hours at 1:5 dilution when stored at RT 15 More than 48 hours at 1:1 and 1:2 when stored at RT or 5° C. More than 48 hours at 1:5 dilution when stored at 5° C. 24 hours at 1:10 dilution when stored at 5° C. Intravenous formulations of ST-246 at 5-20 mg/mL were found to be compatible with 0.9% NaCl for at least 48 hours at 1:2 dilution (expected dilution in clinical situation) when stored at RT and refrigerated conditions.\",\n \"The results obtained indicate that solutions diluted 1:1 and 1:2 containing ST-246 concentrations ranging from 5-20 mg/mL were found to be compatible with 0.9% NaCl for at least 48 hours when stored at RT and refrigerated conditions.\",\n \"Pharmacokinetics of ST-246 IV Formulations in Mouse, Rabbits and Non-Human Primates (NHP) Intravenous (IV) administration of ST-246 formulation, comprising HPBCD, were evaluated in mice, rabbits and NHP.\",\n \"The resulting pharmacokinetic parameters have been compared with those obtained after oral administration.\",\n \"The results of these studies suggest that intravenous ST-246 formulations exhibit similar pharmacokinetic parameters as compared to oral ST-246 formulations when administered in subjects in need thereof.\",\n \"Furthermore the ST-246 formulations comprising HP-ß-CD appeared to be safe and the pharmacokinetic parameters were acceptable.\",\n \"Pharmacokinetic (PK) profile in Mouse: Three preliminary mouse studies (ASM246, ASM250 and ASM257) unequivocally demonstrated that short infusions of ST-246 intravenous formulations provided exposure similar to that obtained after ST-246 oral dosing, but at much lower doses.\",\n \"Specifically, ten-minute ST-246 infusion at four doses (3, 10, 30 and 75 mg/kg) were evaluated in female CD-1 mice and the plasma concentrations were measured at the end of these infusions.\",\n \"Further, those concentrations were, as expected, the peak plasma concentrations and the average plasma concentration at the end of the 10-minute infusion of 75 mg/kg was 238, 333 ng/mL.\",\n \"Table 24 summarizes the Cmax (ng/mL) plasma concentrations and the AUC0-24 (hr*ng/mL) for the ST-246 intravenous formulation and the pivotal oral formulation parameters.\",\n \"TABLE 24 Comparison of Cmax and AUC Values Cmax AUC Dose Cmax AUC0-24 Ratio* Ratio* (mg/kg) Formulation Route (ng/mL) (hr*ng/mL) IV/PO IV/PO M F M F F F Study ASM246 2.3 32% IV 19977 22403 73327 87757 0.2 0.08 7.6 HPBCD Bolus 53834 37589 170100 218136 0.4 0.2 34.3 191174 162327 797725 873097 1.6 0.8 Study ASM250 3 40% Slow IV Bolus 78428* 100000* — — 30 HPBCD (5-min) 148918* 300000* — — Study ASM257 30 40% 5-min ND 120051 — — 1.15 — HPBCD Infusion 30 10-min ND 126639 — — 1.22 — Infusion Study ASM260 3 40% 10-min ND 16700 ND 67907 0.16 0.06 10 HPBCD Infusion ND 63500 ND 407609 0.6 0.4 30 ND 147333 ND 709202 1.4 0.7 75 ND 238333 ND 1252858 2.3 1.2 Pivotal Oral Formulation Studies-Day 1 Values 246-TX 001 30 HPMC PO (oral) 30395 37502 241467 292094 — — 100 Suspension 38360 43798 342855 455830 — — 300 48450 63976 484162 668735 — — 1000 61076 66271 719348 851749 — — 246-TX-006 (28-Day Study) 500 HPMC** PO (oral) 36648 56595 413416 515473 — — 1000 Suspension 49125 56561 416003 537466 — — 2000 50933 69874 507951 607250 — — 2083-003 001-SN3 (3-Month Study) 300 HPMC** PO (oral) 89400 89200 669961 688685 — — 600 Suspension 82800 95300 765268 853935 — — 1000 94200 104000 1249135 1090088 — — *Value compared to highest value obtained from PO study-1000 mg/kg in 3-month study.\",\n \"The results unequivocally demonstrate that ST-246 compositions comprising HP-ß-CD formulation are safe and effective and provide plasma concentration time profiles that closely mimicked those obtained after oral administration of ST-246.PK profile in Rabbits: Intravenous ST-246 formulations comprising HP-ß-CD were administered to rabbits.\",\n \"Further, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated after 5-minute slow IV push injections via the marginal ear vein in two male and two female naïve New Zealand White rabbits at doses of 3, 30, and 60 mg/kg ST-246.As shown in Table 25, the peak plasma concentration using a 15-minute infusion at 3 mg/kg were 7225 ng/mL and 4345 ng/mL for male and female rabbits, respectively.\",\n \"In general the observed Cmax plasma concentrations and the AUC values were higher and the plasma elimination half-lives was longer for oral administration.\",\n \"The summary of the pharmacokinetic parameters in rabbits after oral and intravenous administartion are shown in Table 25.TABLE 25 Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Rabbits after PO and IV Doses Cmax AUC 0-24 T1/2 Dose Formul- (ng/mL) (hr*ng/mL) (hr) (mg/kg) ation Route M F M F M F 246-TX-012 1 PEG IV 769 679 1712 1150 1.1 0.69 100 1% PO 4480 1227 26396 8179 6 1.3 HPMC E5/0.5% Tween80/ 97.5% H2O ASM253 3 32% Slow IV a2720 a3335 1868 3214 3.2 3.2 30 HPBCD Push 39950 37050 16220 14867 8.1 16.3 60 (5 min) 99850 88250 72327 60058 5.7 4.6 ASM258 3 32% Slow IV b7225 b4345 3622 3154 1.7 0.7 HPBCD Push (15 min) aFirst sampling time at 5 minutes after End of Infusion bFirst sampling time point at End of Infusion PK profile in Cynomolgus monkeys: The study design included three groups of two male and two female monkeys.\",\n \"For these experiments, ST-246 was administered at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg over a 4-hr intravenous infusion period by way of an implanted Vascular Access Port (VAP).\",\n \"For these experiments, the concentration of HP-ß-CD in the infusion fluid was 13.3% w/v.\",\n \"Plasma samples were collected pre-dose, and at 0.5, 1, and 2 hours after the start of the infusion as well as at the end of infusion (EOI) (4.0 hour±10 minutes), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 hour after the EOI and at 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 48 hours after the start of the infusion to accurately determine the terminal elimination half-life.\",\n \"The pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax (ng/mL) plasma concentrations and the AUC0-24 (hr*ng/mL)) in cynomolus monkeys at 1, 3 and 10 mg/Kg and the Oral formulation at 3, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg over time are shown in the Table 26.The four hour intravenous infusions of ST-246 was dose proportional and the plasma concentration time curves appeared to be biphasic with terminal elimination half-life values ranging from 6.6 hrs to 8.6 hours for the 1 to 10 mg/kg dose.\",\n \"The apparent volume of distribution (Vz as well as Vss) values did not change significantly over the dose range and neither did the clearance, which remained approximately 0.5 L/hr/kg over the dose range.\",\n \"TABLE 26 IV ST-246 Study 246-TX-018 vs.\",\n \"Oral ST-246 Study 1151-065 Dose HL_Lambda_z Tmax Cmax AUClast AUCINF_obs mg/kg hr hr ng/mL hr*ng/mL hr*ng/mL 4 Hr-IV Infusion (246-TX-018) 1 6.6 ± 6.0 4.0 384 ± 112 1880 ± 455 1935 ± 459 3 8.5 ± 3.2 4.0 1053 ± 185 5652 ± 784 5828 ± 870 10 8.6 ± 1.3 4.0 4400 ± 935 21126 ± 3449 21273 ± 3395 PO Administration (MPI 1151-065) 3 9.9 ± 6.0 3.3 496 ± 145 3863 ± 862 4527 ± 490 10 7.0 ± 0.9 3.8 1077 ± 279 10312 ± 3064 11802 ± 3669 20 7.2 ± 2.3 3.2 1475 ± 864 13389 ± 8018 15523 ± 9146 30 17.7 ± 13.8 3.6 1988 ± 873 20502 ± 8054 31901 ± 7362 Further, as shown in FIG.\",\n \"11, The ST-246 IV and the oral formulations show comparable pharmacokinetic profile.\",\n \"Furthermore these results suggest that the IV route of ST-246 administration can provide stable and predictable pharmacokinetics over the potential therapeutic dose range.\",\n \"EXAMPLE 4 Comparison of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of ST-246®after IV Infusion or Oral Administration in Mice, Rabbits and Monkeys A liquid formulation has been developed for IV administration of ST-246 containing hydroxoy-propyl beta cyclodextrin in aqueous solution.\",\n \"The tolerability and pharmacokinetics of this formulation have been evaluated in mice, rabbits and NHP in order to determine the optimal administration strategy.\",\n \"The results are compared with the pharmacokinetics observed after oral administration.\",\n \"Study Designs and Animal In-Life Studies Oral Studies ST-246 was administered by oral gavage as a methylcellulose suspension formulation with 1% Tween 80 to BALB/c mice (Charles River), New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits (Harlan), and cynomolgus monkeys (NHP, Charles River).\",\n \"NHP were administered ST-246 immediately after feeding to increase the bioavailability (6).\",\n \"Female BALB/c mice were administered the suspension formulation via oral gavage at doses of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg.\",\n \"Concentrations of ST-246 were measured by taking blood samples from three mice at each of the following time points: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours post dose.\",\n \"Three male and three female NZW rabbits were administered ST-246 orally as a suspension formulation at a dose of 100 mg/kg.\",\n \"Blood was collected at the following time points for determination of ST-246 concentration: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after administration.\",\n \"Three male and three female NHP per dose group were administered the following oral doses of ST-246 in the fed state: 0.3, 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg.\",\n \"Blood samples were collected predose and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after dose administration to measure ST-246 concentration.\",\n \"IV Infusion Studies The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a solution formulation of ST-246 administered by IV infusion were evaluated in three animal species: female BALB/c (Charles River) and CD-1 mice (Charles River), NZW rabbits (Harlan), and cynomolgus monkeys (Charles River).\",\n \"A slow push (5 minute) IV injection of a solution formulation of ST-246 was administered to a small number of catheterized female BALB/c mice at doses of 3, 30, and 100 mg/kg.\",\n \"Blood samples were collected at 5, 15, 30 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after IV administration for the 10 and 30 mg/kg dose, but only at 2 and 4 hours after dose administration for the 100 mg/kg dose.\",\n \"Patency difficulties in the catheters limited the number of mice per time point to no more than two.\",\n \"A 10-minute IV infusion of ST-246 was given via a surgically implanted jugular cannula at doses of 3, 10, 30, and 75 mg/kg to catheterized naïve female CD-1 mice.\",\n \"Blood samples were collected at 5, 10 (end of infusion), 20, 30 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 hours post dose.\",\n \"Blood samples for each time point were collected from three animals as terminal bleeds.\",\n \"In rabbits, ST-246 was infused via the marginal ear vein at doses of 3, 30, and 60 mg/kg over a 5-minute period and at 3 mg/kg over a 15-minute period followed by blood sampling at multiple times in order to generate complete plasma concentration time curves.\",\n \"Two male and two female rabbits were used for each dose group.\",\n \"For the 5-minute slow push IV injection, blood samples were collected at 10 minutes (5 minutes after the end of the injection), 20 and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after administration.\",\n \"Blood samples for the 15-minute IV infusion were taken at the end of the infusion (15 minutes), 25 and 45 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after the beginning of the infusion.\",\n \"Nonhuman primates (NHP) were prepared for ST-246 administration by surgical implantation of a catheter in the femoral vein that was routed to a subcutaneous port.\",\n \"Doses of 1, 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg were infused over 4 hours to groups consisting of two male and two female NHP.\",\n \"Two additional groups were administered the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses over 6 hours.\",\n \"For the 4 hour IV infusion group, blood was collected for ST-246 analysis at the following time points: 0.5, 1, 2, 4 (end of infusion), 4.25, 4.5, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 hours after the start of the infusion.\",\n \"For the 6-hour IV infusion, the samples were collected at the following time points: 1, 2, 4, 6 (end of infusion), 6.25, 6.5, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 hours after initiation of dose administration.\",\n \"Blood samples were collected at multiple time points to allow complete characterization of the plasma concentration time curve and estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters.\",\n \"Two groups of 4 males and 4 females were used in a second study that was conducted after a 10 day washout.\",\n \"In the second phase, the pharmacokinetic parameters were characterized over the course of a twice daily (BID) regimen for doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg that were infused over two 4 hour infusion periods initiated 12 hours apart.\",\n \"The total daily doses were 20 and 30 mg/kg, equivalent to the two highest doses that had been evaluated during both 4 and 6 hour IV infusions.\",\n \"For the BID study, blood was collected at the following time points for ST-246 concentration determination: 0.5, 2, 4 (end of first infusion), 4.5, 6, 8, 12, 12.5, 14, 16 (end of second infusion), 16.5, 18, 20, 24, 32, 36 and 60 hours after the beginning of infusion of the first dose.\",\n \"Tolerability and Toxicological Evaluation Cage-side observations were made throughout all of these studies for general appearance, behavior, mortality and moribundity.\",\n \"Preclinical evaluations for adverse events (AEs) such as vital sign measurements, physical examinations, and neurologic exams were assessed throughout the studies in NHP.\",\n \"Bioanalytical Methods ST-246 concentrations in mice, rabbit and NHP plasma were measured using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.\",\n \"Blank plasma for calibration curves and quality control samples were purchased from Bioreclamation, Inc. (Westbury, N.Y.).\",\n \"Two different extraction methods were used over the course of these studies.\",\n \"Both methods were validated following the FDA bioanalytical validation guidelines (7).\",\n \"In one method, the extraction of ST-246 from plasma was carried out by simple protein precipitation by the addition of 9 parts methanol (450 μL) containing the isotopic internal standard to 1 part (50 μL) plasma sample.\",\n \"After high speed centrifugation 100 μL of supernatant was added to 200 μL of compensation solution (0.05% acetic acid in 0.05% ammonium hydroxide:methanol; 36:55, v/v) and directly injected onto the LC-MS.\",\n \"The second extraction method was a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method.\",\n \"Plasma samples were diluted 1:1 with methanol containing internal standard and three volumes of water added.\",\n \"These mixtures were vortexed and the entire volume transferred to the extraction plate (Biotage SLE, 200 mg).\",\n \"Minimal vacuum was applied to load the samples and then allowed to stand for 5 minutes.\",\n \"Methyl tertiary-butyl ether was added to all wells (500 μL/well) and eluted with minimal vacuum.\",\n \"The solvent was evaporated to dryness under nitrogen (set at 50° C. and 30-40 L/min).\",\n \"The samples were reconstituted (0.05% acetic acid and 0.05% ammonium hydroxide in methanol/water; 65:35, v/v) by gently vortexing the plate afterwards.\",\n \"The chromatographic separation was performed using a Phenyl-Hexyl column (50×2.0 mm, 5 μm, Phenomenex) with a Securityguard column, using 0.05% ammonium hydroxide and 0.05% acetic acid in MeOH/H2O (65:35,v/v) at a flow rate of 400 μL/min for the mobile phase.\",\n \"A 3200 (or 4000) Qtrap (AB Sciex) mass spectrometer was tuned to the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the m/z transitions, 375.0/283.2 for ST-246 and m/z 341.1/248.8 for the internal standard, in negative ion mode.\",\n \"The MS/MS response was (1/x2) weighted linearly over the concentration range from 5.00 to 2000 ng/mL.\",\n \"The accuracy and precision of the method were within the acceptable limits of ±20% at the lower limit (5.0 ng/mL) of quantitation and ±15% at other concentrations.\",\n \"Pharmacokinetic Analysis Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed with WinNonlin Phoenix version 6.1 (Pharsight, Mountain View, Calif.) software initially using noncompartmental analysis, with compartmental analysis conducted later for some of the studies.\",\n \"The following parameters were estimated: terminal elimination half-life (t1/2), the area under the curve (AUClast), the area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf), clearance (CL), and the steady state volume of distribution (Vss).\",\n \"The peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and the time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) were determined graphically from the experimental values.\",\n \"Statistical Analysis Untransformed and dose-normalized data for Cmax and AUC0-inf were analyzed using the JMP8.0 program (SAS Corporation, Cary, N.C.), which is based on the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) regression model, in order to evaluate dose linearity and dose proportionality.\",\n \"Gender differences within the same dose group were evaluated using Student's t-test.\",\n \"A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.\",\n \"Mouse Studies Preliminary bolus IV injections of ST-246 in BALB/c mice resulted in some dose-related toxicity and mortality at the highest dose of 34 mg/kg.\",\n \"A slower (5-minute push) IV injection resulted in some clinical signs of labored breathing and lethargy at the 100 mg/kg dose, but was well-tolerated at both 3 and 30 mg/kg.\",\n \"These observations suggested that the toxicity was related to the peak plasma concentration and that slower infusions would allow safe administration of higher doses.\",\n \"Further increasing the duration of administration to mice required changing the mouse strain from BALB/c to the slightly larger CD-1 strain, as significant numbers of catheters in BALB/c mice failed to remain patent.\",\n \"After a study confirmed that this change in mouse strains did not result in significant changes in exposure or pharmacokinetics (data not shown), catheterized female CD-1 mice were administered 10-minute IV infusions at doses of 3, 10, 30 and 75 mg/kg.\",\n \"Although mice that received the highest dose, 75 mg/kg, had an unsteady gait after the end of infusion, they recovered within 2-3 hours.\",\n \"All other doses were well-tolerated when administered as 10-minute IV infusions.\",\n \"The correlation between the clinical signs and the end of the infusions suggests, but does not prove, that the high Cmax concentrations were responsible for the clinical signs in mice after IV administration at higher doses.\",\n \"The results (Table 27 and FIG.\",\n \"16) show that IV infusion over 10 minutes resulted in very high Cmax plasma concentrations of ST-246.The mean Cmax concentration after the 10-minute IV infusion of 75 mg/kg in female CD-1 mice was 238 μg/mL, 3.6-fold higher than the Cmax observed following a single oral administration of 1000 mg/kg, a 13-fold higher dose, in female BALB/c mice.\",\n \"Although the maximum plasma concentrations after these short IV infusions were much higher than after administration of much higher oral doses (Table 27), the exposure (AUC0-24 hr) was only 1.5-fold higher for the same two dose groups.\",\n \"Comparison of the exposure for the 30 mg/kg oral dose to the 10-minute IV infusion of the same dose showed that ST-246 had approximately 41% bioavailability for that dose.\",\n \"Dose-normalized exposure after oral administration declined with increasing dose, but the same trend was not observed after IV administration.\",\n \"TABLE 27 Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters for ST-246 after oral administration to female BALB/c mice and 10-minute IV infusion in female CD-1 mice Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg 10-min IV Infusion 3 4.5 17 68 43 10 2.8 64 408 25 30 2.5 147 709 42 75 2.8 238 1253 60 Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL/F Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg PO 30 2.4 38 292 102 100 2.2 44 456 219 300 4.1 64 669 438 1000 4.5 66 852 1133 IV, intravenous PO, per oral The elimination half-lives were similar for the IV infusion and oral doses, those for the IV infusions doses ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 hours, while those for the oral doses ranged from 2.2 to 4.5 hours.\",\n \"These values were very close to what has been consistently observed throughout the oral nonclinical safety toxicokinetics studies in BALB/c mice.\",\n \"Clearance was relatively consistent after IV infusion over the 3-75 mg/kg dose range, while the apparent clearance after oral dosing increased approximately 10-fold over the approximately 30-fold dose range.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"1 clearly illustrates that even short IV-infusions in mice provided plasma exposure over time similar to that observed after oral administration, albeit with higher maximum plasma concentrations.\",\n \"Rabbit Studies The tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IV administration of ST-246 was compared to that of oral administration in NZW rabbits.\",\n \"Although a preliminary study had shown that IV bolus administration of 1 mg/kg was well tolerated, the IV infusion studies results in mice indicated a potential for a lack of tolerability after rapid IV administration of the highest doses.\",\n \"Therefore, ST-246 was administered as 5-minute slow push IV injections at doses of 3, 30, and 60 mg/kg in NZW rabbits via the marginal ear vein.\",\n \"Whereas the 3 and 30 mg/kg doses were well-tolerated, rabbits administered the 60 mg/kg dose exhibited lethargy, labored breathing and narcosis immediately following injection.\",\n \"These animals appeared to recover fully 30-60 minutes after the injections.\",\n \"A slower (15 minute) infusion of the 3 mg/kg dose was also well-tolerated.\",\n \"The 15-minute IV infusion of 3 mg/kg resulted in a mean Cmax concentration of 5.79 μg/mL, only two-fold higher than the 2.86 μg/mL observed after oral administration of 100 mg/kg (Table 2).\",\n \"However, the AUC0-24 value for the 3 mg/kg IV dose was only 2.38 hr*μg/mL while AUC0-24 value for the 100 mg/kg oral dose was 19.8 hr*μg/mL, only 8.3-fold higher exposure for a 33-fold higher dose.\",\n \"Clinical signs in the rabbits were observed only at the 60 mg/kg dose, where the mean Cmax plasma ST-246 concentration was 94.1 μg/mL, while the mean maximum plasma concentration observed for the well-tolerated 30 mg/kg dose of ST-246 was lower, at 38.5 μg/mL.\",\n \"Whereas the Cmax values for short IV infusions were much higher than that of a much higher oral dose, 100 mg/kg, the exposures, as determined by the AUC measurements, were much lower.\",\n \"The AUC0-24 values observed after the 30 mg/kg dose via intravenous slow push in both genders were comparable to that recorded for the 100 mg/kg oral dosing and notwithstanding the high Cmax; it was evident from the cage side observations that the test article and delivery rate at this dose was well tolerated in rabbits.\",\n \"As was observed with mice, short intravenous infusions in rabbits produced very high maximal ST-246 concentrations, which corresponded with the times of the observed clinical signs in the animals.\",\n \"The AUC values, although higher than corresponding oral dosing, did not correlate with clinical signs observed in these studies.\",\n \"The pharmacokinetic parameters in rabbits were evaluated using a 15-minute IV infusion of 3 mg/kg ST-246.In the 15-minute IV infusion study, blood samples were taken immediately at the end of infusion instead of 5 minutes after the end of infusion as in the initial IV infusion study.\",\n \"The Cmax from the second study was therefore a more accurate reflection of Cmax than that of the initial 5-minute IV infusion study and, in fact, the Cmax values were substantially higher (See Table 2).\",\n \"The results from the single longer infusion confirmed what was observed in the multi-dose study, that the Cmax values after short IV infusions were much higher than the values observed after equivalent oral doses.\",\n \"The semi-logarithmic graph of the plasma concentration time curves in rabbit IV infusion studies show biphasic distribution and elimination (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"There appeared to be an initial rapid distribution phase that was followed by a slower terminal elimination phase.\",\n \"There was no clear dose-related trend in the elimination half-lives after IV infusion in rabbits.\",\n \"The elimination half-lives ranged from approximately 1 hour to 12.2 hours for the IV infusion dose group, while the elimination half-life for the 100 mg/kg oral dose was 3.7 hours (Table 28).\",\n \"TABLE 28 Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters for ST-246 after oral administration and IV administration to New Zealand White rabbits.\",\n \"Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg IV Bolus 1 0.9 ± 0.2 1.67 ± 2.27 1.43 ± 0.40 1660 ± 2166 15-min IV 3 1.2 ± 1.1 5.79 ± 3.67 3.39 ± 1.07 966 ± 363 Infusion *IV Slow Push 3 3.2 ± 0.0 3.03 ± 0.37 2.38 ± 0.93 1339 ± 521 (5-min) *IV Slow Push 30 12.2 ± 5.8 38.5 ± 3.7 13.3 ± 0.7 2229 ± 134 (5-min) *IV Slow Push 60 5.2 ± 0.8 94.1 ± 11.1 61.8 ± 8.7 987 ± 138 (5-min) *Blood draw at taken 5 minutes after actual EOI Dose T1/2 Cmax AUC0-24hr CL/F Route mg/kg hr μg/mL hr*μg/mL mL/hr/kg PO 100 3.7 ± 3.2 2.86 ± 2.03 19.8 ± 16.6 7207 ± 6251 EOI, end of infusion IV, intravenous PO, per oral NHP Studies ST-246 was administered via IV infusion over 4 hours via surgically implanted vascular access ports in NHP at doses of 1, 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg.\",\n \"The plasma concentrations increased throughout the 4-hour IV infusion of ST-246, reaching maximum concentrations at the end of the infusion (Table 29, FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"The maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were higher after the IV infusions than after oral administration of equivalent doses (Table 29).\",\n \"At higher doses, the differences between the oral and IV Cmax concentrations increased.\",\n \"The Cmax concentrations after oral administration increased less than dose-proportionally, while the peak plasma concentrations after IV infusion increased more than would be expected based on dose-proportionality.\",\n \"TABLE 29 Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters for ST-246 after oral administration and IV infusions in cynomolgus monkeys.\",\n \"Dose T1/2 Tmax Cmax AUCINF_obs CL (mg/kg) (hr) (hr) (μg/mL) (hr*μg/mL) (mL/hr/kg) 4 Hr-IV Infusion 1 6.6 ± 6.0 4 0.384 ± 0.112 1.94 ± 0.46 537 ± 117 3 8.5 ± 3.2 4 1.05 ± 0.19 5.83 ± 0.87 523 ± 77 10 8.6 ± 1.3 4 4.40 ± 0.94 21.3 ± 3.4 478 ± 71 4 Hr-IV Infusion 20 8.7 ± 2.5 4 11.8 ± 2.0 59.6 ± 10.1 353 ± 59 30 7.8 ± 0.7 4 20.1 ± 4.2 100 ± 18 307 ± 59 6 Hr-IV Infusion 20 6.6 ± 2.3 6 7.48 ± 0.40 47.9 ± 6.1 433 ± 53 30 6.9 ± 0.8 6 13.9 ± 1.3 87.2 ± 14.6 362 ± 61 BID Study 4 Hr IV Infusions SOI 12 Hours Apart Values from First Dose 10 N/A 4 4.59 ± 1.29 21.0 ± 5.0 N/A 15 N/A 4 7.36 ± 1.47 32.5 ± 5.7 N/A BID Study 4 Hr IV Infusions SOI 12 Hours Apart Values from Second Dose 10 8.9 ± 2.5 4 5.18 ± 0.89 26.8 ± 5.0 429 ± 74 15 9.1 ± 2.6 4 9.08 ± 0.95 48.7 ± 7.5 351 ± 44 Dose T1/2 Tmax Cmax AUCINF_obs CL/F (mg/kg) (hr) (hr) (μg/mL) (hr*μg/mL) (mL/hr/kg) PO Administration 0.3 4.0 ± 1.3 2.5 0.0538 ± 0.0275 0.380 ± 0.149 920 ± 437 3 9.9 ± 6.0 3.3 0.496 ± 0.145 4.53 ± 0.49 669 ± 65 10 7.0 ± 0.9 3.8 1.08 ± 0.28 11.8 ± 3.7 918 ± 275 20 7.2 ± 2.3 3.2 1.71 ± 0.71 18.3 ± 7.0 12084 ± 385 30 17.7 ± 13.8 3.6 1.99 ± 0.87 31.9 ± 7.4 992 ± 281 SOT, start of infusion IV, intravenous PO, per oral BID: twice a day The maximum plasma concentration after oral administration of ST-246 increased only 37-fold as the dose was increased 100-fold, from 0.3 to 30 mg/kg, while the exposure (AUCinf-obs) increased closer to the proportional increase in dose, or 84-fold.\",\n \"The elimination was also biphasic after oral administration, with plasma concentration time curves similar to those observed for rabbits.\",\n \"The plasma elimination after IV infusion appeared to have at least two distinct phases, with a rapid distribution phase observed at the end of the infusion followed by a much slower terminal elimination phase (FIG.\",\n \"18).\",\n \"The plasma concentrations fell below the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ=5.0 ng/mL) before 24 hours for most of the animals in the 1 mg/kg dose group, but ST-246 was above the LLOQ for all other animals in the higher dose groups through the last time point at 48 hours.\",\n \"The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated using non-compartmental analysis for individual animals.\",\n \"For the IV infusions, each dose group consisted of two males and two females, while for the oral dose administration; each dose group had three males and three females.\",\n \"Student's t-test was performed in order to evaluate potential gender differences on the PK parameters of Cmax and AUCinf.\",\n \"There were no statistically significant gender differences (p>0.05) with respect to the Cmax or AUCinf values at each dose level tested with a 95% confidence interval.\",\n \"Therefore, the mean and standard deviation values were calculated by including all animals from both genders of each dose group.\",\n \"The variability of individual Cmax or AUCinf values within each dose group was quite small, with the exception of one or two animals that had inadvertent and obvious subcutaneous injections and whose values were excluded from group means.\",\n \"Although the Cmax and AUCinf values increased dose-proportionally as the 4 hour IV-infused doses increased from 1 to 10 mg/kg, the increases in these values were greater than dose-proportional at the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses (Table 29).\",\n \"The Cmax values for the 3 and 10 mg/kg doses were 2.7-fold and 11.5-fold higher, respectively, than that of the 1 mg/kg dose, while the corresponding values for the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses were 31-fold and 52-fold higher, respectively.\",\n \"The AUCinf values increased 3.0, 11.0, 32, and 53-fold higher for the 3, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg doses, respectively, compared to the 1 mg/kg dose.\",\n \"The increase in exposure above dose-proportionality was also reflected in the strong trend of decreased clearance (C1=Dose/AUC) as the dose infused over 4 hours was increased, indicating saturation of either a distribution or elimination mechanism (FIG.\",\n \"19).\",\n \"Extending the IV infusion length to 6 hours for the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses increased the clearance (and decreased exposure) relative to the shorter infusions.\",\n \"The clearance values for the longer infusions of the higher doses, however, were still lower than the 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg doses.\",\n \"For the 4 hour infusions, the clearance values were not statistically significantly different when evaluated by ANOVA for the dose groups.\",\n \"The Cmax plasma concentrations were higher for the 4 hour infusions compared to the 6 hour infusions by approximately 50%, and the exposures calculated for shorter infusions were also higher, although only by approximately 20%.\",\n \"Plasma concentrations after the end of infusions appeared to have at least two phases for all IV infusions, with a rapid distribution phase clearly observed just after the EOI followed by a slower terminal elimination phase.\",\n \"The plasma concentration time curves appeared similar for the two infusion rates and doses, except for the Tmax and actual plasma concentrations.\",\n \"The elimination half-lives after IV infusions were relatively constant over the dose range and different lengths of infusions, ranging from 6.6 to 9.1 hours (Table 29).\",\n \"Oral administration of the 30 mg/kg dose resulted in a 17.7 hour terminal elimination half-life, compared to a 9.9 hour half-life for the orally administered 3 mg/kg dose.\",\n \"Oral administration of doses of up to 20 mg/kg had similar elimination half-lives; and these elimination half-lives were very similar to those observed after IV infusions (Table 29).\",\n \"A twice-a-day (BID) administration study of the two highest total daily doses was conducted via two 4 hour IV infusions initiated 12 hours apart over a single 24 hour time period (FIGS.\",\n \"20A and 20B).\",\n \"The individual doses were 10 and 15 mg/kg, so that the total daily doses were 20 and 30 mg/kg/day for the two dose groups, respectively.\",\n \"Plasma concentrations increased over each of the 4 hour IV infusion periods with the Cmax for most animals occurring at the end of the infusion.\",\n \"After the end of the first infusion, the plasma ST-246 concentrations decreased until the 12 hour time point, when the second 4 hour IV infusion began.\",\n \"As with the first infusion the plasma concentrations increased until the end of the infusion, and then declined over the remainder of the study.\",\n \"At the last time point, 60 hours after the beginning of the first IV infusion dose, the ST-246 concentration was quite close to the lower limit of quantitation (5 ng/mL) for all of the animals in both dose groups.\",\n \"The semi-logarithmic graphs (FIGS.\",\n \"20A and 20B) suggest that ST-246 elimination from the plasma after the end of the second infusion was at least biphasic, with a rapid distribution after Tmax clearly observed, as well as a slower terminal elimination phase for both doses.\",\n \"The BID administration study had 4 males and 4 females in each dose group, providing a larger number with which to evaluate any potential gender differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters after IV infusion.\",\n \"Student's t-test analysis of the PK parameters (Cmax, AUClast or AUCinf, C1 and Vss) showed equivalence for the two genders, with the exception of the Cmax observed during the first phase of dosing at the 10 mg/kg/dose level (p<0.05).\",\n \"Because there were no consistent differences between the pharmacokinetic parameters for the two genders, the final mean and standard deviation values for ST-246 were calculated by combining the data from both genders for each dose group.\",\n \"The Cmax and AUClast values for the 15 mg/kg dose were 1.6-fold higher than those of the 10 mg/kg dose during the first 4 hour IV infusion.\",\n \"During the second IV infusion the increase was slightly more, approximately 1.8-fold for the both Cmax and AUC values.\",\n \"The terminal elimination half-lives, calculated from the second infusion, were essentially identical, 8.9 and 9.1 hours for the two doses, respectively.\",\n \"Clearance was also essentially equivalent for these two doses and within the range observed for the single IV infusions.\",\n \"As was also observed in the IV infusions studies in mice and rabbits, rapid infusions of the highest doses in NHP, 30 mg/kg infused over 4 hours, resulted in clinical signs, coincident with the end of the infusion.\",\n \"Three out of four animals that received the 30 mg/kg dose of ST-246 over the 4-hour infusion duration exhibited slight generalized tremors.\",\n \"These tremors were observed within 13 minutes of the end of the infusion on the day of dosing and resolved approximately 2 hours after the end of the infusion, indicating reversibility of this toxicity.\",\n \"Tremors were not observed in animals dosed at 30 mg/kg over 6 hours or in any of the animals that received the 20 mg/kg dose via either infusion duration.\",\n \"In addition, no clinical signs were observed throughout the BID study in any of the NHP.\",\n \"The mean peak plasma concentration for the 30 mg/kg 4-hour infusion group was 20.0 μg/mL, while the mean peak plasma concentration for the same dose infused over 6 hours was approximately 13.0 μg/mL.\",\n \"The peak plasma concentrations were much lower in both 20 mg/kg dose groups, as well as the BID study (Table 29).\",\n \"Discussion The antiviral efficacy of ST-246 against poxviruses has been demonstrated after oral administration in mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and NHP (3, 8-13).\",\n \"The pharmacokinetics of ST-246 after oral administration has been thoroughly characterized in mice, NHP and humans, with limited information in rabbits, rats, and dogs.\",\n \"A complete understanding of the pharmacokinetics is important in species in which the efficacy is also being evaluated, as the selection of the human therapeutic dose will necessarily be chosen based on the animal PK/PD relationship, due to the lack of evaluable orthopox disease in humans.\",\n \"The most relevant animal species for human dose calculation is NHP.\",\n \"The plasma concentration time curves in rabbits dropped very rapidly after the end of the infusion compared to what had been observed after oral administration, where apparently prolonged absorption provided a long terminal elimination phase with relatively high concentrations after a single oral administration of 100 mg/kg (FIG.\",\n \"17).\",\n \"Interestingly, as the IV infused dose was increased from 30 to 60 mg/kg, the concentration observed during the terminal elimination phase increased, indicating that higher doses may have, as was observed in NHP, saturated some mechanism of clearance.\",\n \"Additional infusions studies would be needed to confirm the potential relationship between administered dose and clearance in rabbits.\",\n \"The oral ST-246 study in NHP evaluated the pharmacokinetics over a dose range which encompassed those used in efficacy studies, from 0.3 to 30 mg/kg.\",\n \"The results demonstrated that absorption appeared to be saturated as the orally administered dose was increased, and this was reflected in both the Cmax concentrations as well as the exposure.\",\n \"Although the Cmax as well as the exposure increased over this oral dose range, they increased less than dose-proportionally.\",\n \"The Cmax increased only 37-fold over the 100-fold dose increase, while the exposure, as measured by the AUCinf, increased 84-fold, much closer to the 100-fold dose increase.\",\n \"The saturation of absorption, which led to decreased plasma concentrations and exposure with increasing oral doses, was not observed at similar doses after IV infusions.\",\n \"The bioavailability of ST-246 in NHP based on comparison of identical oral and IV doses ranged from 77% at 3 mg/kg to 31% at 20 and 30 mg/kg doses.\",\n \"After IV infusions, the exposure at these high doses was actually higher than would be expected based on dose-proportional exposure.\",\n \"The exposure for the 4 hour IV infusions of 20 and 30 mg/kg were 30-fold and 50-fold higher, respectively, than the exposure observed after the 1 mg/kg IV infused dose (Table 29).\",\n \"Longer infusions reduced the Cmax values closer to dose-proportional for the 20 and 30 mg/kg doses, while the AUC values decreased to 25-fold and 45-fold higher than the exposure observed for the 4 hour 1 mg/kg IV infusion (Table 29).\",\n \"The BID dose regimen confirmed the observation that slower infusions decreased not only the Cmax, but reduced the total exposure values to close to dose proportional.\",\n \"These results suggest that a rapid rate of infusion of ST-246 saturated some clearance mechanism.\",\n \"Over a similar dose range, oral absorption may have decreased with increasing dose, so that clearance remained relatively constant, or even increased slightly.\",\n \"Visual inspection of plasma concentration time curves after oral administration of ST-246 indicates that absorption was prolonged and may have some impact on the apparent elimination half-lives.\",\n \"However, the elimination half-lives did not change significantly for any of the three species studies between oral and IV administration.\",\n \"Given these similar elimination half-lives across all three species examined by oral and IV infusions, it appears that longer IV infusions should be administered in order to reduce the high plasma concentrations, and to avoid the coinciding toxicity, while continuing the once daily dosing regimen that is currently being used in oral studies.\",\n \"REFERENCES 1.Fenner et al., The epidemiology of smallpox.\",\n \"In: Smallpox and its eradication.\",\n \"Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1988) 2.Bray et al., Antiviral Research 58: 101-114 (2003).\",\n \"3.Quenelle et al.\",\n \"2007.Efficacy of delayed treatment with ST-246 given orally against systemic orthopoxvirus infections in mice.\",\n \"Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy February; 51(2):689-95 4.Smee et al.\",\n \"(2002) Antimicrob.\",\n \"Agents Chemother.\",\n \"46:1329-1335) 5.Vora et al., 2008, Severe eczema vaccinatum in a household contact of a smallpox vaccine.\",\n \"Clinical Infectious Disease 15; 46(10):1555-61).\",\n \"6.Jordan R, Tien D, Bolken T C, Jones K F, Tyavanagimatt S R, Strasser J, Frimm A, Corrado M L, Strome P G, Hruby D E. (2008) Single-dose safety and pharmacokinetics of ST-246, a novel orthopoxvirus egress inhibitor.\",\n \"Antimicrob Agents Chemother.\",\n \"52(5): 1721-7.7.Guidance for Industry, Bioanalytical Method Validation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, May 2001.8.Yang G, Pevear D C, Davies M H, Collett M S, Bailey T, Rippen S, Barone L, Burns C, Rhodes G, Tohan S, Huggins J W, Baker R O, Buller R L, Touchette E, Waller K, Schriewer J, Neyts J, DeClercq E, Jones K, Hruby D, Jordan R. (2005) An orally bioavailable antipoxvirus compound (ST-246) inhibits extracellular virus formation and protects mice from lethal orthopoxvirus Challenge.\",\n \"J Virol.\",\n \"79(20): 13139-49.9 Sbrana E, Jordan R, Hruby D E, Mateo R I, Xiao S Y, Siirin M, Newman P C, D A Rosa A P, Tesh R B.\",\n \"(2007) Efficacy of the antipoxvirus compound ST-246 for treatment of severe orthopoxvirus infection.” Am.\",\n \"J. Trop.\",\n \"Med.\",\n \"Hyg., 76(4): 768-773.10.Nalca A, Hatkin J M, Garza N L, Nichols D K, Norris S W, Hruby D E, Jordan R. (2008) Evaluation of orally delivered ST-246 as postexposure prophylactic and antiviral therapeutic in an aerosolized rabbitpox rabbit model.” Antiviral Res.\",\n \"79 (2): 121-7.11.Huggins J, Goff A, Hensley L, Mucker E, Shamblin J, Wlazlowski C, Johnson W, Chapman J, Larsen T, Twenhafel N, Karem K, Damon I K, Byrd C M, Bolken T C, Jordan R, Hruby D. (2009) Nonhuman primates are protected from smallpox virus or monkeypox virus challenges by the antiviral drug ST-246.Antimicrob Agents Chemother.\",\n \"53 (6): 2620-5.12.Jordan R, Goff A, Frimm A, Corrado M L, Hensley L E, Byrd C M, Mucker E, Shamblin J, Bolken T C, Wlazlowski C, Johnson W, Chapman J, Twenhafel N, Tyavanagimatt S, Amantana A, Chinsangaram J, Hruby D E, Huggins J.\",\n \"(2009) ST-246 antiviral efficacy in a nonhuman primate monkeypox model: determination of the minimal effective dose and human dose justification.\",\n \"Antimicrob Agents Chemother.\",\n \"53 (5): 1817-22.13.Robert Jordan, Janet M. Leeds, Shanthakumar Tyavanagimatt and Dennis E. Hruby.\",\n \"(2010) Development of ST-246® for Treatment of Poxvirus Infections.\",\n \"Viruses 2: 2409-2435.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872505"}}},{"rowIdx":4494093,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["Life Cycle Management Method and Apparatus","A life cycle management method and an apparatus, where the method includes receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), where the resource operation request includes the instance ID."],["1.A life cycle management method, comprising: receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance, wherein the life cycle management operation request comprises an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type; determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance, wherein the life cycle management operation types in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject; and sending a resource operation request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), wherein the resource operation request comprises the instance ID of the first VNF instance.","2.The method according to claim 1, wherein before receiving the life cycle management operation request, the method further comprises: sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance; receiving proxy authorization policy information from the authorization subject, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates a type of an authorized life cycle management operation; and generating a correspondence based on the instance ID of the first VNF instance and the proxy authorization policy information.","3.The method according to claim 1, wherein before receiving the life cycle management operation request, the method further comprises sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, wherein the instantiation request comprises a proxy authorization request, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","4.The method according to claim 3, wherein after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject, the method further comprises: receiving a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship from the authorization subject, wherein the location relationship comprises a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF; and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM.","5.The method according to claim 1, wherein after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the method further comprises: obtaining a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of another VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, wherein the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNF manager (VNFM); and initiating an operation related to an operation type for an instance of the other VNF.","6.A proxy authorization policy determining method, comprising: receiving a proxy authorization request from a virtualized network function manager (VNFM), wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance; obtaining a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; determining, according to a dependency relationship or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, wherein the operation type does not affect the dependency relationship or the location relationship; and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates the operation type.","7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","8.The method according to claim 7, wherein after the instantiation request is received, the method further comprises: sending a query request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) according to the location relationship in order to request an identifier (ID) of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, wherein the query request comprises an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF; receiving the ID of the physical host from the VIM; and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","9.The method according to claim 6, wherein the dependency relationship comprises whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and wherein the location relationship comprises that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on the same physical host.","10.The method according to claim 9, wherein that the operation type does not affecting the dependency relationship or the location relationship comprises that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after the operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","11.The method according to claim 9, wherein determining the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within the all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance comprises: determining that the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed comprises another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs; determining that the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed comprises the all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM; and determining that the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed comprises another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","12.A network element used for life cycle management, comprising: a memory configured to store a computer executable program code comprising an instruction; a transceiver coupled to the memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the instruction causes the network element to be configured to: receive a life cycle management operation request for a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance using the transceiver, wherein the life cycle management operation request comprises an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type; determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance, wherein the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject; and send a resource operation request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) using the transceiver, wherein the resource operation request comprises the instance ID of the first VNF instance.","13.The network element according to claim 12, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configured to: send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance; receive, using the transceiver, proxy authorization policy information from the authorization subject, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates a type of an authorized life cycle management operation; and generate a correspondence based on the instance ID of the first VNF instance and the proxy authorization policy information.","14.The network element according to claim 12, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configure to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, wherein the instantiation request comprises a proxy authorization request, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","15.The network element according to claim 14, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configure to: receive, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship from the authorization subject after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, wherein the location relationship comprises a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF; and send the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver.","16.The network element according to claim 12, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configure to: obtain a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance; determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of another VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, wherein the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNF manager (VNFM); and initiate an operation related to an operation type for an instance of the other VNF.","17.A network element used to determine a proxy authorization policy, comprising: a memory configured to store a computer executable program code comprising an instruction; a transceiver coupled to the memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the instruction causes the network element to be configure to: receive, using the transceiver, a proxy authorization request from a virtualized network function manager (VNFM), wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance; obtain a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; determine, according to a dependency relationship or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, wherein the operation type does not affect the dependency relationship or the location relationship; and send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates the operation type.","18.The network element according to claim 17, wherein the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","19.The network element according to claim 18, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configured to: send a query request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver in order to request an identifier (ID) of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, wherein the query request comprises an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF; receive, using the transceiver, the ID of the physical host from the VIM; and provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","20.The network element according to claim 17, wherein the dependency relationship comprises whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and wherein the location relationship comprises that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on the same physical host."],[" BACKGROUND Network function virtualization (NFV) refers to a function of carrying a dedicated device in a conventional network using a general hardware device and a virtualization technology in order to reduce high costs for deploying the dedicated device.","Software is not bound to dedicated hardware such that a network device function no longer depends on the dedicated hardware.","In addition, a resource may be fully and flexibly shared using a feature of cloud computing in order to implement rapid development and deployment of a new service, and perform automatic deployment, scaling, fault isolation, self-healing, and the like based on an actual service requirement.","In an NFV architecture, a party that receives an instantiation request and performs instantiation processing (service deployment) on a corresponding service according to the request is referred to as a virtualized service provider (service provider), and a party that initiates the instantiation request is referred to as a service requester.","In the NFV, a virtualized network service (NS), for example, may be an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) NS, or an evolved packet core (EPC) NS.","One NS may include several virtualized network function (VNF) modules, which are also referred to as virtualized network elements.","A VNF may be implemented by network function software deployed in an NFV infrastructure.","When virtualized deployment is performed on an NS, a service requester needs to first submit a descriptor of the NS (NSD) to a service provider.","The descriptor mainly describes a topology structure of the NS and a descriptor of each included VNF (VNFD).","The VNFD describes composition of each VNF, for example, running software and information about a required virtual resource.","The virtual resource includes a central processing unit (CPU) resource, a storage resource, and the like.","Referring to FIG.","1 , FIG.","1 is a schematic architectural diagram of an NFV system 100 .","A network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) 102 is mainly responsible for processing life cycle management of a virtualized service, allocating and scheduling virtual resources in a virtualized infrastructure and a network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI), and the like.","The NFVO 102 may communicate with one or more VNF managers (VNFMs) 104 to execute a resource-related request, send configuration information to the VNFM 104 , and collect status information of a VNF 108 .","In addition, the NFVO 102 may also communicate with a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) 106 to execute resource allocation and/or reservation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.","The VNFM 104 is responsible for life cycle management of one or more VNFs 108 , for example, instantiating, updating, querying, scaling, or terminating the VNF 108 .","The VNFM 104 may communicate with the VNF 108 to complete VNF life cycle management and exchange of configuration and status information.","In an NFV architecture, there may be multiple VNFMs responsible for performing life cycle management on different types of VNFs.","The VIM 106 controls and manages interaction between the VNF 108 and computing hardware 112 , storage hardware 114 , network hardware 116 , virtual computing 118 , virtual storage 120 , and a virtual network 122 .","For example, the VIM 106 executes a resource management function, including infrastructure resource management, allocation (for example, adding a resource to a virtual container), and a running function (for example, collecting fault information of the NFVI).","The VNFM 104 and the VIM 106 may mutually communicate to request resource allocation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.","The NFVI, that is, an NFV infrastructure layer, includes a hardware component, a software component, or a combination of a hardware component and a software component in order to establish a virtualized environment, and deploy, manage, and implement the VNF 108 .","A hardware resource and a virtualization layer are used to provide virtualized resources for the VNF 108 , for example, a virtual machine and a virtual container in another form.","The hardware resource includes the computing hardware 112 , the storage hardware 114 , and the network hardware 116 .","In an implementation manner, resources of the computing hardware 112 and the storage hardware 114 may be integrated.","The virtualization layer in the NFVI may abstract the hardware resource, and decouple the VNF 108 and a lower physical network layer.","Multiple VNFs 108 are configured as virtualization of at least one network function.","Each VNF runs in a virtual container, and corresponds to a group of network functions that belong to one or more physical devices.","An equipment management system (EM) 110 is a system used for device configuration and management in a conventional telecommunications system.","In the NFV architecture, the EM 110 may also be used to configure and manage the VNF 108 , and initiate a life cycle management operation such as instantiation of a new VNF to the VNFM 104 .","An operations support system (OSS) and a business support system (BSS) 124 support various end-to-end telecommunications services.","A management function supported by the OSS includes network configuration, service providing, fault management, and the like.","The BSS processes an order, payment, revenues, and the like, and supports product management, order management, revenue management, and customer management.","In an existing NFV architecture, because an NFVO needs to globally control resources, after receiving a life cycle management operation request that is for a VNF instance and that is sent by an EM, a VNFM needs to first apply to the NFVO for authorization permission in response to the life cycle management operation request for the VNF instance.","Only after the NFVO agrees upon the operation request, the VNFM may apply to a VIM for a resource required for the operation request.","However, one NFVO needs to simultaneously manage multiple VNFMs, and each VNFM may manage multiple VNFs.","As a result, there is an extremely large quantity of operations related to life cycle management.","Therefore, the NFVO has relatively heavy load."],[" SUMMARY The present disclosure provides a life cycle management method and an apparatus in order to resolve a problem that an authorization subject has relatively heavy load because the authorization subject needs to be applied to for authorization of each life cycle management operation.","A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a life cycle management method, including receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, the method further includes receiving a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM.","With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the method further includes obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a proxy authorization policy determining method, including receiving a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, after the instantiation request is received, the method further includes sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance includes when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, a processing unit configured to determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and a sending unit configured to initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.","The receiving unit is further configured to receive proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and the processing unit is further configured to generate the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after the sending unit sends the instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and the sending unit is further configured to send the ID of the physical host to the VIM.","With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the processing unit is further configured to obtain a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiate an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, a processing unit configured to obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, and determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and a sending unit configured to send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after the receiving unit receives the instantiation request in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and the sending unit is further configured to provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used for life cycle management, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance using the transceiver, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM using the transceiver, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving, using the transceiver, proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","With reference to the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction further enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver.","With reference to any one of the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used to determine a proxy authorization policy, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the following operations receiving, using the transceiver, a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving, using the transceiver, the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","With reference to the sixth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure have at least the following technical effects or advantages.","In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance is received, it is determined, according to an instance ID and a correspondence between an instance ID and a life cycle management operation type, that an operation type carried in the operation request falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject.","Therefore, a resource operation request may be directly initiated to a VIM, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject.","In other words, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, for life cycle management operation types authorized by the authorization subject for the first VNF instance, a resource operation may be directly requested from the VIM provided that a subsequently requested operation type falls within the types authorized by the authorization subject, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject and request the resource operation from the VIM after authorization is obtained.","Therefore, load of the authorization subject can be reduced, a time for processing the life cycle management operation request is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved."],["CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No.","PCT/CN2016/080138 filed on Apr.","25, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.","201510429123.1 filed on Jul.","20, 2015.The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.","TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of cloud computing technologies, and in particular, to a life cycle management method and an apparatus.","BACKGROUND Network function virtualization (NFV) refers to a function of carrying a dedicated device in a conventional network using a general hardware device and a virtualization technology in order to reduce high costs for deploying the dedicated device.","Software is not bound to dedicated hardware such that a network device function no longer depends on the dedicated hardware.","In addition, a resource may be fully and flexibly shared using a feature of cloud computing in order to implement rapid development and deployment of a new service, and perform automatic deployment, scaling, fault isolation, self-healing, and the like based on an actual service requirement.","In an NFV architecture, a party that receives an instantiation request and performs instantiation processing (service deployment) on a corresponding service according to the request is referred to as a virtualized service provider (service provider), and a party that initiates the instantiation request is referred to as a service requester.","In the NFV, a virtualized network service (NS), for example, may be an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) NS, or an evolved packet core (EPC) NS.","One NS may include several virtualized network function (VNF) modules, which are also referred to as virtualized network elements.","A VNF may be implemented by network function software deployed in an NFV infrastructure.","When virtualized deployment is performed on an NS, a service requester needs to first submit a descriptor of the NS (NSD) to a service provider.","The descriptor mainly describes a topology structure of the NS and a descriptor of each included VNF (VNFD).","The VNFD describes composition of each VNF, for example, running software and information about a required virtual resource.","The virtual resource includes a central processing unit (CPU) resource, a storage resource, and the like.","Referring to FIG.","1, FIG.","1 is a schematic architectural diagram of an NFV system 100.A network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) 102 is mainly responsible for processing life cycle management of a virtualized service, allocating and scheduling virtual resources in a virtualized infrastructure and a network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI), and the like.","The NFVO 102 may communicate with one or more VNF managers (VNFMs) 104 to execute a resource-related request, send configuration information to the VNFM 104, and collect status information of a VNF 108.In addition, the NFVO 102 may also communicate with a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) 106 to execute resource allocation and/or reservation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.","The VNFM 104 is responsible for life cycle management of one or more VNFs 108, for example, instantiating, updating, querying, scaling, or terminating the VNF 108.The VNFM 104 may communicate with the VNF 108 to complete VNF life cycle management and exchange of configuration and status information.","In an NFV architecture, there may be multiple VNFMs responsible for performing life cycle management on different types of VNFs.","The VIM 106 controls and manages interaction between the VNF 108 and computing hardware 112, storage hardware 114, network hardware 116, virtual computing 118, virtual storage 120, and a virtual network 122.For example, the VIM 106 executes a resource management function, including infrastructure resource management, allocation (for example, adding a resource to a virtual container), and a running function (for example, collecting fault information of the NFVI).","The VNFM 104 and the VIM 106 may mutually communicate to request resource allocation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.","The NFVI, that is, an NFV infrastructure layer, includes a hardware component, a software component, or a combination of a hardware component and a software component in order to establish a virtualized environment, and deploy, manage, and implement the VNF 108.A hardware resource and a virtualization layer are used to provide virtualized resources for the VNF 108, for example, a virtual machine and a virtual container in another form.","The hardware resource includes the computing hardware 112, the storage hardware 114, and the network hardware 116.In an implementation manner, resources of the computing hardware 112 and the storage hardware 114 may be integrated.","The virtualization layer in the NFVI may abstract the hardware resource, and decouple the VNF 108 and a lower physical network layer.","Multiple VNFs 108 are configured as virtualization of at least one network function.","Each VNF runs in a virtual container, and corresponds to a group of network functions that belong to one or more physical devices.","An equipment management system (EM) 110 is a system used for device configuration and management in a conventional telecommunications system.","In the NFV architecture, the EM 110 may also be used to configure and manage the VNF 108, and initiate a life cycle management operation such as instantiation of a new VNF to the VNFM 104.An operations support system (OSS) and a business support system (BSS) 124 support various end-to-end telecommunications services.","A management function supported by the OSS includes network configuration, service providing, fault management, and the like.","The BSS processes an order, payment, revenues, and the like, and supports product management, order management, revenue management, and customer management.","In an existing NFV architecture, because an NFVO needs to globally control resources, after receiving a life cycle management operation request that is for a VNF instance and that is sent by an EM, a VNFM needs to first apply to the NFVO for authorization permission in response to the life cycle management operation request for the VNF instance.","Only after the NFVO agrees upon the operation request, the VNFM may apply to a VIM for a resource required for the operation request.","However, one NFVO needs to simultaneously manage multiple VNFMs, and each VNFM may manage multiple VNFs.","As a result, there is an extremely large quantity of operations related to life cycle management.","Therefore, the NFVO has relatively heavy load.","SUMMARY The present disclosure provides a life cycle management method and an apparatus in order to resolve a problem that an authorization subject has relatively heavy load because the authorization subject needs to be applied to for authorization of each life cycle management operation.","A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a life cycle management method, including receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, the method further includes receiving a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM.","With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the method further includes obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a proxy authorization policy determining method, including receiving a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, after the instantiation request is received, the method further includes sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance includes when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, a processing unit configured to determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and a sending unit configured to initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.","The receiving unit is further configured to receive proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and the processing unit is further configured to generate the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after the sending unit sends the instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and the sending unit is further configured to send the ID of the physical host to the VIM.","With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the processing unit is further configured to obtain a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiate an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, a processing unit configured to obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, and determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and a sending unit configured to send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after the receiving unit receives the instantiation request in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and the sending unit is further configured to provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used for life cycle management, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance using the transceiver, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM using the transceiver, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving, using the transceiver, proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","With reference to the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction further enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver.","With reference to any one of the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used to determine a proxy authorization policy, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the following operations receiving, using the transceiver, a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving, using the transceiver, the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","With reference to the sixth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure have at least the following technical effects or advantages.","In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance is received, it is determined, according to an instance ID and a correspondence between an instance ID and a life cycle management operation type, that an operation type carried in the operation request falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject.","Therefore, a resource operation request may be directly initiated to a VIM, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject.","In other words, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, for life cycle management operation types authorized by the authorization subject for the first VNF instance, a resource operation may be directly requested from the VIM provided that a subsequently requested operation type falls within the types authorized by the authorization subject, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject and request the resource operation from the VIM after authorization is obtained.","Therefore, load of the authorization subject can be reduced, a time for processing the life cycle management operation request is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.","BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.","1 is an architectural diagram of an NFV system; FIG.","2 is a flowchart of a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.","3 is a flowchart of a proxy authorization policy determining method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.","4A and FIG.","4B are schematic diagrams of a dependency relationship and a location relationship between VNFs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.","5A and FIG.","5B are an instance interaction diagram of a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.","6 is a simplified functional block diagram of a computer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG.","7 is a schematic structural diagram of a network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.","DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a life cycle management method and an apparatus in order to resolve a problem that an authorization subject has relatively heavy load because the authorization subject needs to be applied to for authorization of each life cycle management operation.","To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the following clearly and describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure.","The described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure.","All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.","Term “and/or” in this specification describes only an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist.","For example, A and/or B may represent the three cases, only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists.","In addition, the character “/” in this specification generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects.","In addition, terms “first” and “second” in this specification are merely for ease of description, are used to distinguish between different VNFs or different VNF instances, and do not have technical meanings.","In the following, the implementation manners of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.","Referring to FIG.","2, FIG.","2 is a flowchart of a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.","A network system to which the method may be applied is, for example, an NFV system 100 shown in FIG.","1.An execution body of the method may be a VNFM 104 shown in FIG.","1.The method includes the following content.","Step 101: Receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type.","Step 102: Determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject.","Step 103: Initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.","In step 101, the life cycle management operation request may be sent by an EM, or sent by an OSS and/or a BSS.","The operation type may include query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, migration, software update, and disablement.","A format of the request may be: Scale out: //the operation type is scale-out; VNF: VNF 1 instance ID //instance ID of a VNF 1; Resource: //resource required for scale-out; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 gigabytes (GB) memory.","The authorization subject is, for example, an NFVO 102.The correspondence is, for example, stored in the VNFM 104.In step 102, matching is performed in the correspondence using the instance ID of the first VNF instance, and the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID include the operation type in step 101.For example, it is assumed that the operation type in step 101 is scale-out, and authorized operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance include query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, and software update.","It can be learned that the requested operation type in step 101 falls within the authorized operation types, and therefore step 103 may be directly performed subsequently.","In step 103, the resource operation request is initiated to the VIM.","The resource operation request includes the instance ID.","The resource operation request is used to enable the VIM to perform a resource operation corresponding to the operation type on the first VNF instance.","Further, if the operation type in step 101 is not disablement but an operation in which a resource needs to be requested, the request may further include resource information of the resource required for the operation type, for example, four CPUs and 4 GB memory are required.","The VIM in this embodiment is, for example, a VIM 106 in FIG.","1.It can be learned that the execution body of the method shown in FIG.","2 can obtain the correspondence between the instance ID and the life cycle management operation type.","Therefore, a resource operation may be directly requested from the VIM provided that the operation type in the life cycle management operation request falls within the authorized operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance, and there is no need to send an authorization request to the authorization subject.","Therefore, load of the authorization subject is reduced, a time for processing the operation request is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.","Optionally, after step 103, a resource update success response sent by the VIM is received.","Then, the first VNF instance is configured based on an updated resource, for example, a service script is run on the updated resource.","Optionally, after the first VNF instance is configured, notification information is sent to the authorization subject in order to notify the authorization subject that a life cycle management operation is performed on the first VNF instance and of information about a resource currently occupied by the first VNF instance.","The notification information includes an operation type of the life cycle management operation, and the information about the resource currently occupied by the first VNF instance.","For example, a format of the notification information may be: Notification: //notification; Operation: scale out //the operation type is scale-out; Resource: //resource information; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.","It should be noted that when the operation type in step 101 does not fall within the authorized operation types, an authorization request is sent to the authorization subject in order to request the authorization subject to authorize the operation type in step 101.Content of this part is well known by a person skilled in the art, and therefore details are not described herein.","The following describes in detail a process of generating the correspondence in step 102.In a possible implementation manner, before step 101, the method further includes sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize a life cycle management operation of the first VNF instance, receiving proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","Further, the proxy authorization request may be included in an instantiation request.","The instantiation request includes an ID of a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance in order to obtain the first VNF instance.","The instantiation request further includes the proxy authorization request.","The proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","For example, a format of the instantiation request may be: Grant lifecycle operation: //representing that the message is a life cycle management authorization request; VNF: VNFD ID //representing VNF information related to the request, and in this embodiment, representing the ID of the VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; Operation: instantiate //a life cycle management operation related to the request is an instantiation operation; Required resource: //resource required for the instantiation operation; CPU: 2 //two CPUs; Memory: 2 GB //2 GB memory; Delegation: active //the proxy authorization request, which requests authorization of another life cycle management operation other than instantiation.","Certainly, in actual application, the proxy authorization request only needs to be sent before step 101.When the proxy authorization request is sent before the instantiation request is sent, the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.","When the proxy authorization request is sent after the first VNF instance is obtained, the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","In the two cases, the proxy authorization request includes the ID of the VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance such that the authorization subject determines an operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed for the first VNF instance.","The received proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate the type of the authorized life cycle management operation.","Therefore, in actual application, the proxy authorization policy information may be indication information, and may list an operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed, or an operation type on which proxy authorization is not allowed to be performed.","The indication information is, for example, “full delegated,” which indicates that proxy authorization is allowed to be performed on all life cycle management operation types.","After the proxy authorization policy information is received, the correspondence may be generated based on the instance ID of the first VNF instance and the proxy authorization policy information.","The correspondence may be stored in a form of a table.","Alternatively, the proxy authorization policy information may be written in attribute information of the first VNF instance.","In this embodiment, in one authorization process, the authorization subject simultaneously authorizes multiple operation types to the execution body of the method shown in FIG.","2, for example, the VNFM 104.Therefore, load of the authorization subject can be greatly reduced, and message interaction between the authorization subject and the VNFM 104 can also be reduced.","In actual application, the present disclosure does not exclude a manner of authorizing multiple operation types for multiple times.","For example, after a life cycle management operation request is received for the first time, the authorization subject is applied to for authorization.","If the authorization subject allows proxy authorization, in addition to continuing to execute an authorization procedure, the authorization subject returns proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM 104, where the proxy authorization policy information indicates that the VNFM 104 is allowed to perform proxy authorization on an operation type in the life cycle management operation request.","If an operation request of the operation type is received for the second time, a resource may be directly requested from the VIM, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject.","Compared with a solution in which authorization needs to be requested from the authorization subject each time when an operation request of a same type is received, this can reduce load of the authorization subject, and reduce message interaction between the authorization subject and the VNFM 104.After authorization of all life cycle management operations is requested from the authorization subject once, all operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed may be obtained, and further the correspondence is generated.","In another possible implementation manner of the correspondence in step 102, the correspondence is predetermined or agreed upon, or is determined by a third-party subject and then delivered to the authorization subject and the execution body of the method shown in FIG.","2.The following describes a process of generating proxy authorization policy information from a perspective of an authorization subject.","For details, refer to FIG.","3.The method includes the following steps.","Step 201: Receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance.","Step 202: Obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance.","Step 203: Determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship.","Step 204: Send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","Further, in step 202 of obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, manners of obtaining the VNFD are slightly different according to different occasions for sending the proxy authorization request in step 201.For example, in step 201, when the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, the instantiation request carries an ID of the VNFD of the VNF, and therefore the authorization subject may obtain the VNFD according to the ID of the VNFD.","If the proxy authorization request is sent after the first VNF instance is successfully instantiated, the proxy authorization request may carry an instance ID of the first VNF instance, and therefore the authorization subject may obtain the VNFD of the corresponding VNF according to the instance ID.","In the VNFD, the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship between the VNF and the other VNF are/is described.","The dependency relationship between the VNF and the other VNF means that normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, or normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF.","The dependency relationship further includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM.","The location relationship between the first VNF and the other VNF means that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","In step 203, the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance may be determined according to the dependency relationship, or the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance may be determined according to the location relationship.","Alternatively, the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance may be determined with reference to both the dependency relationship and the location relationship.","All the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance refer to all life cycle management operation types that can be supported by the first VNF instance, for example, query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, migration, software update, and disablement.","It should be noted that the determined operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship.","That the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","In a possible implementation manner, step 203 includes determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","The following uses an example to describe how to determine the operation type according to the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship.","As shown in FIG.","4A, a VNF 1 and a VNF 2 are managed by a VNFM 2.A VNF 3 and a VNF 4 are managed by a VNFM 1.The VNF 1 depends on the VNF 2, that is, normal running of the VNF 1 depends on running of the VNF 2.For example, the VNF 2 needs to exist, and an amount of resources needs to be greater than a specified value, for example, two CPUs and 2 GB memory.","Therefore, when the VNF 2 is disabled or scaled in, running of the VNF 1 is inevitably affected.","The VNF 3 depends on the VNF 1, that is, normal running of the VNF 3 depends on the normal running of the VNF 1.It is assumed that the first VNF instance in this embodiment is an instance of the VNF 2.Because the VNF 1 depends on the VNF 2, the running of the VNF 1 is inevitably affected when the first VNF instance is disabled or scaled in.","However, both the VNF 1 and the VNF 2 are managed by the VNFM 2, and therefore the VNFM 2 may perform an operation according to the dependency relationship when the operation type for the first VNF instance is disablement or scale-in.","For example, the VNF 1 is also scaled in when the first VNF instance is scaled in.","Therefore, in step 203, the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance is query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, software update, migration, and disablement.","That is, when these operations are subsequently performed on the first VNF instance, there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject, and a resource may be directly requested from a VIM.","In this case, after step 102, the method further includes obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to the VNFD, whether normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and determining whether the operation type in step 101 affects the normal running of the other VNF, and if the operation type in step 101 affects the normal running of the other VNF, initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","For example, when the operation type in step 101 is scale-in, a scale-in operation is also performed on the other VNF such that the dependency relationship between the other VNF and the VNF remains unchanged, and the other VNF does not fail to normally run due to a result of managing the first VNF instance.","It is assumed that the first VNF instance in this embodiment is an instance of the VNF 1.Because the VNF 3 depends on the VNF 1, and the VNF 1 and the VNF 3 are managed by different VNFMs, when the VNFM 2 performs a disablement or scale-in operation on the instance of the VNF 1, that is, the first VNF instance, the VNFM 1 cannot learn a related operation, and running of the VNF 3 is inevitably affected.","In this case, because all VNFMs are managed by an NFVO, when needing to perform a disablement or scale-in operation on the VNF 1, the VNFM 2 needs to first apply to the NFVO for authorization.","Therefore, in this case, the NFVO cannot allow the VNFM 2 to perform proxy authorization on all life cycle management operation types.","As a result, determined operation types that can be authorized include query, scale-out, healing, software update, and migration.","As shown in FIG.","4B, in this embodiment, there is a location dependency relationship between a VNF 1 and a VNF 2, that is, an instance of the VNF 1 and an instance of the VNF 2 are required to be deployed on a same physical host.","There is a location exclusion relationship between a VNF 3 and a VNF 4, that is, the VNF 3 and the VNF 4 are required to be deployed on different physical hosts.","Because there is the location dependency relationship between the VNF 1 and the VNF 2, migration operations for the instances of the VNF 1 and the VNF 2 may cause a change to the location dependency relationship between the VNF 1 and the VNF 2.Therefore, authorization of the migration operations needs to be requested from the authorization subject.","Similarly, migration operations for instances of the VNF 3 and the VNF 4 may also cause a change to the location exclusion relationship between the VNF 3 and the VNF 4.Therefore, authorization of the migration operations also needs to be requested from the authorization subject.","Therefore, in step 203, the determined operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed includes query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, software update, and disablement, and does not include a migration operation.","After the operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed is determined in step 203, the proxy authorization policy information is generated, and the proxy authorization policy information is sent to the VNFM.","The proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","In a further embodiment, in process of instantiating the first VNF instance, a query request is further sent to the VIM according to the location relationship, for example, a location dependency relationship or a location exclusion relationship in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance is deployed.","The query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF.","The VIM obtains, by means of querying according to the instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, the ID of the physical host on which the instance of the second VNF is deployed, and returns the ID of the physical host to the authorization subject.","Then, the authorization subject sends the ID of the physical host to the VNFM.","Optionally, the ID of the physical host and the proxy authorization policy information are sent to the VNFM by being carried in a same message.","For example, the format of the message is: Grant Type: Partial delegated {Scale-up/out, Scale-in/down, Query, heal, update} //a grant type is partial delegated, and operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed are scale-out, scale-in, query, healing, software update, and disablement; Available Policies: //available policies; Affinity {Host ID} //location dependency relationship: an ID of a physical host; Anti-affinity {Host ID} //location exclusion relationship: an ID of a physical host.","After receiving the ID of the physical host, the VNFM sends the ID of the physical host and the location relationship to the VIM such that the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.","Further, if the physical host is a physical host corresponding to the location dependency relationship, the VIM allocates, on the physical host, a resource to the first VNF instance.","If the physical host is a physical host corresponding to the location exclusion relationship, the VIM chooses to allocate, on another physical host other than the physical host, a resource to the first VNF instance.","The following uses a specific example to describe a process of implementing a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.","Referring to FIG.","5A and FIG.","5B, the method includes the following steps.","Step 301: An EM sends a scale-out operation request to a VNFM, where the request carries an instance ID of a first VNF instance.","A format of the request is: Scale out: //an operation type is scale-out; VNF: VNF 2 instance ID //instance ID of the first VNF instance that is an instance of a VNF 2; Resource: //resource required for scale-out; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.","Step 302: The VNFM searches a database according to the instance ID to determine whether scale-out falls within a range of operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed.","If scale-out does not fall within the range of operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed, perform step 303 to step 311.If scale-out falls within the range of operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed, perform step 308 to step 310, and step 312.Step 303: The VNFM sends a scale-out operation authorization request to an NFVO.","For example, a format of the request is: Grant lifecycle operation: //representing that the message is a life cycle management authorization request; VNF: VNF 2 instance ID //instance ID of the first VNF instance; Operation: scale out //a life cycle management operation related to the request is a scale-out operation; Required resource: //information about a resource required for the scale-out operation; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.","Step 304: The NFVO verifies whether the requested resource can be allocated.","If the requested resource can be allocated, perform step 305.Step 305: If the requested resources can be allocated, the NFVO applies to a VIM for resource reservation.","Step 306: The VIM returns a resource reservation success response to the NFVO.","Step 307: The NFVO returns an authorization success response to the VNFM.","Step 308: The VNFM requests, from the VIM, the resource required for scale-out.","Step 309: The VIM sends a resource update success response message to the VNFM.","Step 310: The VNFM configures the updated resource, for example, runs a service script on the updated resource.","Step 311: The VNFM notifies the NFVO of a resource update success.","Step 312: The VNFM notifies the NFVO that a scale-out operation is performed and of information about a resource currently occupied by the first VNF instance.","For example, a format of the notification message is: Notification: //representing that the message is a notification message; Operation: scale out //representing that an executed life cycle management operation is a scale-out operation; Resource: //the information about the resource occupied by the first VNF instance; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.","Step 303 to step 311 are procedures in other approaches, and are well known by a person skilled in the art, and therefore details are not described.","It can be learned from this embodiment that when a requested operation type in step 301 is an operation type on which a VNFM can perform proxy authorization, step 308 to step 310, and step 312 are directly performed, and step 303 to step 307 are omitted.","Therefore, load of an NFVO is greatly reduced, a time for processing a life cycle management operation is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.","FIG.","6 is a simplified functional block diagram of a computer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.","The computer apparatus includes a receiving unit 401, a processing unit 402, and a sending unit 403.It should be noted that the computer apparatus is presented in a form of a functional unit.","Without limitation, the term “unit” used in this specification may refer to an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a (shared, dedicated, or group) processor, and a memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or another appropriate component that provides the function.","Optionally, the computer apparatus is configured to implement the methods/method shown in FIG.","2 and/or FIG.","3.Specific configurations may be determined according to actual requirements.","Further, when the computer apparatus is configured to implement the life cycle management method shown in FIG.","2 of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 401 is configured to receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type.","The processing unit 402 is configured to determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and the sending unit 403 is configured to initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID such that the VIM performs, according to the instance ID, a resource operation corresponding to the operation type on the first VNF instance.","Optionally, the sending unit 403 is further configured to send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit 401 receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.","The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and the processing unit 402 is further configured to generate the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","Optionally, the sending unit 403 is further configured to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit 401 receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","Optionally, the receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after the sending unit 403 sends the instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and the sending unit 403 is further configured to send the ID of the physical host to the VIM such that the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.","Optionally, after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the processing unit 402 is further configured to obtain a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiate an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","Further, when the computer apparatus is configured to implement the life cycle management method shown in FIG.","3 of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 401 is configured to receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance.","The processing unit 402 is configured to obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, and determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and the sending unit 403 is configured to send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","Optionally, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","Optionally, the sending unit 403 is further configured to send a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after the receiving unit 401 receives the instantiation request in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF.","The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and the sending unit 403 is further configured to provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","Further, providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM includes that the ID of the physical host and the location relationship are sent to the VNFM, and the VNFM sends the ID of the physical host and the location relationship to the VIM.","Then, the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.","Optionally, the processing unit 402 is configured to determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","The various types of variations and specific instances in the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method in the embodiments shown in FIG.","2 and FIG.","3 are also applicable to the computer apparatus in this embodiment.","With the foregoing detailed descriptions of the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method, a person skilled in the art can clearly understand an implementation method of the computer apparatus in this embodiment.","Therefore, for brevity of the specification, details are not described herein.","FIG.","7 shows a schematic structural diagram of a network element 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.","The network element 500 is configured to transfer or process data in the NFV system 100 shown in FIG.","1.The network element 500 is configured to create, modify, relocate and/or migrate one or more virtual machines.","The network element 500 may be further configured to host, store, and/or execute one or more network functions.","The network element 500 may be a sub-component in the NFV system 100 in FIG.","1, for example, the NFVO 102 or the VNFM 104.The network element 500 may include one or more ports 512 (designated as port 1, port 2 and port 3) coupled to a transceiver 510.The transceiver 510 may be a transmitter, a receiver, or a combination of a transmitter and a receiver, and send or receive a data packet to or from another network node using the one or more ports 512.A processor 502 is coupled to the transceiver 510, and is configured to process a data packet, and determine nodes that send data packets.","The processor 502 may include one or more multi-core processors and/or memories 504.The processor 502 may be a general purpose processor, an ASIC, or a digital signal processor (DSP).","The memory 504 may be a non-transitory storage medium, is coupled to the processor 502, and is configured to store different types of data.","The memory 504 may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or another type of dynamic storage device that can store information and an instruction, or may be a disk memory.","The memory 504 may be configured to store an instruction used to implement an NFV system or a related method, for example, serve as the VNFM 104, the VNF 108, or the NFVO 102.In an implementation manner, the memory 504 may include an NFV module 506, and the NFV module 506 may be executed on the processor 502.The NFV module 506 may be configured to host, store, and implement network functions of one or more virtualized network devices.","In another implementation manner, the memory 504 may further include an NFV orchestration module 508 configured to create, modify, relocate, and/or migrate one or more virtual machines.","It may be understood that the network element 500 may be converted into a specific device such as a router or a switch by programming or loading an executable instruction onto at least one of the processor 502, a cache, or a long-term storage of the network element 500.The network element 500 may implement functions of one or more VNFs, and execute one or more instructions according to this embodiment of the present disclosure.","These instructions may be stored in the memory 504, or may be integrated into a kernel of an operating system of the network element 500 or a plug-in of a kernel.","Optionally, the network element 500 may implement the methods/method shown in FIG.","2 and/or FIG.","3.Specific configurations may be determined according to actual requirements.","Further, when the network element 500 is configured to implement the life cycle management method shown in FIG.","2, and when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to perform the operations of receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance using the transceiver 510, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM using the transceiver 510, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID such that the VIM performs, according to the instance ID, a resource operation corresponding to the operation type on the first VNF instance.","Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver 510 before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver 510, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving, using the transceiver 510, proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.","Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operation of sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver 510 before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver 510, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver 510, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver 510 such that the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.","Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.","Further, when the network element 500 is configured to implement the proxy authorization policy determining method shown in FIG.","3 of the present disclosure, and when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver 510, a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver 510, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.","Optionally, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.","Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver 510 in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving, using the transceiver 510, the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.","Further, the ID of the physical host and the location relationship are sent to the VNFM such that the VNFM sends the ID of the physical host and the location relationship to the VIM, and the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.","Optionally, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.","Optionally, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.","Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operation of determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.","The various types of variations and specific instances in the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method in the embodiments shown in FIG.","2 and FIG.","3 are also applicable to the network element 500 in this embodiment.","With the foregoing detailed descriptions of the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method, a person skilled in the art can clearly understand an implementation method of the network element 500 in this embodiment.","Therefore, for brevity of the specification, details are not described herein.","A person skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product.","Therefore, the present disclosure may use a form of hardware only embodiments, software only embodiments, or embodiments with a combination of software and hardware.","Moreover, the present disclosure may use a form of a computer program product that is implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to a disk memory, a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), an optical memory, and the like) that include computer-usable program code.","The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and/or block diagrams of the method, the device (system), and the computer program product according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.","It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and/or each block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams and a combination of a process and/or a block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams.","These computer program instructions may be provided for a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of any other programmable data processing device to generate a machine such that the instructions executed by a computer or a processor of any other programmable data processing device generate an apparatus for implementing a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.","These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readable memory that can instruct the computer or any other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory generate an artifact that includes an instruction apparatus.","The instruction apparatus implements a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.","These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or another programmable data processing device such that a series of operations and steps are performed on the computer or the other programmable device, thereby generating computer-implemented processing.","Therefore, the instructions executed on the computer or the other programmable device provide steps for implementing a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.","Obviously, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.","The present disclosure is intended to cover these modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies."]],"string":"[\n [\n \"Life Cycle Management Method and Apparatus\",\n \"A life cycle management method and an apparatus, where the method includes receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\"\n ],\n [\n \"1.A life cycle management method, comprising: receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance, wherein the life cycle management operation request comprises an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type; determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance, wherein the life cycle management operation types in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject; and sending a resource operation request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), wherein the resource operation request comprises the instance ID of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"2.The method according to claim 1, wherein before receiving the life cycle management operation request, the method further comprises: sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance; receiving proxy authorization policy information from the authorization subject, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates a type of an authorized life cycle management operation; and generating a correspondence based on the instance ID of the first VNF instance and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"3.The method according to claim 1, wherein before receiving the life cycle management operation request, the method further comprises sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, wherein the instantiation request comprises a proxy authorization request, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"4.The method according to claim 3, wherein after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject, the method further comprises: receiving a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship from the authorization subject, wherein the location relationship comprises a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF; and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM.\",\n \"5.The method according to claim 1, wherein after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the method further comprises: obtaining a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of another VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, wherein the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNF manager (VNFM); and initiating an operation related to an operation type for an instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"6.A proxy authorization policy determining method, comprising: receiving a proxy authorization request from a virtualized network function manager (VNFM), wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance; obtaining a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; determining, according to a dependency relationship or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, wherein the operation type does not affect the dependency relationship or the location relationship; and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates the operation type.\",\n \"7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"8.The method according to claim 7, wherein after the instantiation request is received, the method further comprises: sending a query request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) according to the location relationship in order to request an identifier (ID) of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, wherein the query request comprises an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF; receiving the ID of the physical host from the VIM; and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"9.The method according to claim 6, wherein the dependency relationship comprises whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and wherein the location relationship comprises that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on the same physical host.\",\n \"10.The method according to claim 9, wherein that the operation type does not affecting the dependency relationship or the location relationship comprises that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after the operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"11.The method according to claim 9, wherein determining the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within the all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance comprises: determining that the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed comprises another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs; determining that the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed comprises the all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM; and determining that the operation type on which the proxy authorization can be performed comprises another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"12.A network element used for life cycle management, comprising: a memory configured to store a computer executable program code comprising an instruction; a transceiver coupled to the memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the instruction causes the network element to be configured to: receive a life cycle management operation request for a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance using the transceiver, wherein the life cycle management operation request comprises an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type; determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance, wherein the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject; and send a resource operation request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) using the transceiver, wherein the resource operation request comprises the instance ID of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"13.The network element according to claim 12, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configured to: send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance; receive, using the transceiver, proxy authorization policy information from the authorization subject, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates a type of an authorized life cycle management operation; and generate a correspondence based on the instance ID of the first VNF instance and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"14.The network element according to claim 12, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configure to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, wherein the instantiation request comprises a proxy authorization request, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"15.The network element according to claim 14, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configure to: receive, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship from the authorization subject after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, wherein the location relationship comprises a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF; and send the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver.\",\n \"16.The network element according to claim 12, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configure to: obtain a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance; determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of another VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, wherein the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNF manager (VNFM); and initiate an operation related to an operation type for an instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"17.A network element used to determine a proxy authorization policy, comprising: a memory configured to store a computer executable program code comprising an instruction; a transceiver coupled to the memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the instruction causes the network element to be configure to: receive, using the transceiver, a proxy authorization request from a virtualized network function manager (VNFM), wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first virtualized network function (VNF) instance; obtain a VNF descriptor (VNFD) of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; determine, according to a dependency relationship or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, wherein the operation type does not affect the dependency relationship or the location relationship; and send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver, wherein the proxy authorization policy information indicates the operation type.\",\n \"18.The network element according to claim 17, wherein the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and wherein the proxy authorization request requests to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"19.The network element according to claim 18, wherein the instruction further causes the processor to be configured to: send a query request to a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver in order to request an identifier (ID) of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, wherein the query request comprises an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF; receive, using the transceiver, the ID of the physical host from the VIM; and provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"20.The network element according to claim 17, wherein the dependency relationship comprises whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and wherein the location relationship comprises that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on the same physical host.\"\n ],\n [\n \" BACKGROUND Network function virtualization (NFV) refers to a function of carrying a dedicated device in a conventional network using a general hardware device and a virtualization technology in order to reduce high costs for deploying the dedicated device.\",\n \"Software is not bound to dedicated hardware such that a network device function no longer depends on the dedicated hardware.\",\n \"In addition, a resource may be fully and flexibly shared using a feature of cloud computing in order to implement rapid development and deployment of a new service, and perform automatic deployment, scaling, fault isolation, self-healing, and the like based on an actual service requirement.\",\n \"In an NFV architecture, a party that receives an instantiation request and performs instantiation processing (service deployment) on a corresponding service according to the request is referred to as a virtualized service provider (service provider), and a party that initiates the instantiation request is referred to as a service requester.\",\n \"In the NFV, a virtualized network service (NS), for example, may be an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) NS, or an evolved packet core (EPC) NS.\",\n \"One NS may include several virtualized network function (VNF) modules, which are also referred to as virtualized network elements.\",\n \"A VNF may be implemented by network function software deployed in an NFV infrastructure.\",\n \"When virtualized deployment is performed on an NS, a service requester needs to first submit a descriptor of the NS (NSD) to a service provider.\",\n \"The descriptor mainly describes a topology structure of the NS and a descriptor of each included VNF (VNFD).\",\n \"The VNFD describes composition of each VNF, for example, running software and information about a required virtual resource.\",\n \"The virtual resource includes a central processing unit (CPU) resource, a storage resource, and the like.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"1 , FIG.\",\n \"1 is a schematic architectural diagram of an NFV system 100 .\",\n \"A network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) 102 is mainly responsible for processing life cycle management of a virtualized service, allocating and scheduling virtual resources in a virtualized infrastructure and a network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI), and the like.\",\n \"The NFVO 102 may communicate with one or more VNF managers (VNFMs) 104 to execute a resource-related request, send configuration information to the VNFM 104 , and collect status information of a VNF 108 .\",\n \"In addition, the NFVO 102 may also communicate with a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) 106 to execute resource allocation and/or reservation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.\",\n \"The VNFM 104 is responsible for life cycle management of one or more VNFs 108 , for example, instantiating, updating, querying, scaling, or terminating the VNF 108 .\",\n \"The VNFM 104 may communicate with the VNF 108 to complete VNF life cycle management and exchange of configuration and status information.\",\n \"In an NFV architecture, there may be multiple VNFMs responsible for performing life cycle management on different types of VNFs.\",\n \"The VIM 106 controls and manages interaction between the VNF 108 and computing hardware 112 , storage hardware 114 , network hardware 116 , virtual computing 118 , virtual storage 120 , and a virtual network 122 .\",\n \"For example, the VIM 106 executes a resource management function, including infrastructure resource management, allocation (for example, adding a resource to a virtual container), and a running function (for example, collecting fault information of the NFVI).\",\n \"The VNFM 104 and the VIM 106 may mutually communicate to request resource allocation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.\",\n \"The NFVI, that is, an NFV infrastructure layer, includes a hardware component, a software component, or a combination of a hardware component and a software component in order to establish a virtualized environment, and deploy, manage, and implement the VNF 108 .\",\n \"A hardware resource and a virtualization layer are used to provide virtualized resources for the VNF 108 , for example, a virtual machine and a virtual container in another form.\",\n \"The hardware resource includes the computing hardware 112 , the storage hardware 114 , and the network hardware 116 .\",\n \"In an implementation manner, resources of the computing hardware 112 and the storage hardware 114 may be integrated.\",\n \"The virtualization layer in the NFVI may abstract the hardware resource, and decouple the VNF 108 and a lower physical network layer.\",\n \"Multiple VNFs 108 are configured as virtualization of at least one network function.\",\n \"Each VNF runs in a virtual container, and corresponds to a group of network functions that belong to one or more physical devices.\",\n \"An equipment management system (EM) 110 is a system used for device configuration and management in a conventional telecommunications system.\",\n \"In the NFV architecture, the EM 110 may also be used to configure and manage the VNF 108 , and initiate a life cycle management operation such as instantiation of a new VNF to the VNFM 104 .\",\n \"An operations support system (OSS) and a business support system (BSS) 124 support various end-to-end telecommunications services.\",\n \"A management function supported by the OSS includes network configuration, service providing, fault management, and the like.\",\n \"The BSS processes an order, payment, revenues, and the like, and supports product management, order management, revenue management, and customer management.\",\n \"In an existing NFV architecture, because an NFVO needs to globally control resources, after receiving a life cycle management operation request that is for a VNF instance and that is sent by an EM, a VNFM needs to first apply to the NFVO for authorization permission in response to the life cycle management operation request for the VNF instance.\",\n \"Only after the NFVO agrees upon the operation request, the VNFM may apply to a VIM for a resource required for the operation request.\",\n \"However, one NFVO needs to simultaneously manage multiple VNFMs, and each VNFM may manage multiple VNFs.\",\n \"As a result, there is an extremely large quantity of operations related to life cycle management.\",\n \"Therefore, the NFVO has relatively heavy load.\"\n ],\n [\n \" SUMMARY The present disclosure provides a life cycle management method and an apparatus in order to resolve a problem that an authorization subject has relatively heavy load because the authorization subject needs to be applied to for authorization of each life cycle management operation.\",\n \"A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a life cycle management method, including receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, the method further includes receiving a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM.\",\n \"With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the method further includes obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a proxy authorization policy determining method, including receiving a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, after the instantiation request is received, the method further includes sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance includes when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, a processing unit configured to determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and a sending unit configured to initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The receiving unit is further configured to receive proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and the processing unit is further configured to generate the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after the sending unit sends the instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and the sending unit is further configured to send the ID of the physical host to the VIM.\",\n \"With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the processing unit is further configured to obtain a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiate an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, a processing unit configured to obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, and determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and a sending unit configured to send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after the receiving unit receives the instantiation request in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and the sending unit is further configured to provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used for life cycle management, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance using the transceiver, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM using the transceiver, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving, using the transceiver, proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"With reference to the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction further enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver.\",\n \"With reference to any one of the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used to determine a proxy authorization policy, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the following operations receiving, using the transceiver, a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving, using the transceiver, the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"With reference to the sixth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure have at least the following technical effects or advantages.\",\n \"In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance is received, it is determined, according to an instance ID and a correspondence between an instance ID and a life cycle management operation type, that an operation type carried in the operation request falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject.\",\n \"Therefore, a resource operation request may be directly initiated to a VIM, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject.\",\n \"In other words, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, for life cycle management operation types authorized by the authorization subject for the first VNF instance, a resource operation may be directly requested from the VIM provided that a subsequently requested operation type falls within the types authorized by the authorization subject, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject and request the resource operation from the VIM after authorization is obtained.\",\n \"Therefore, load of the authorization subject can be reduced, a time for processing the life cycle management operation request is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.\"\n ],\n [\n \"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No.\",\n \"PCT/CN2016/080138 filed on Apr.\",\n \"25, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.\",\n \"201510429123.1 filed on Jul.\",\n \"20, 2015.The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.\",\n \"TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of cloud computing technologies, and in particular, to a life cycle management method and an apparatus.\",\n \"BACKGROUND Network function virtualization (NFV) refers to a function of carrying a dedicated device in a conventional network using a general hardware device and a virtualization technology in order to reduce high costs for deploying the dedicated device.\",\n \"Software is not bound to dedicated hardware such that a network device function no longer depends on the dedicated hardware.\",\n \"In addition, a resource may be fully and flexibly shared using a feature of cloud computing in order to implement rapid development and deployment of a new service, and perform automatic deployment, scaling, fault isolation, self-healing, and the like based on an actual service requirement.\",\n \"In an NFV architecture, a party that receives an instantiation request and performs instantiation processing (service deployment) on a corresponding service according to the request is referred to as a virtualized service provider (service provider), and a party that initiates the instantiation request is referred to as a service requester.\",\n \"In the NFV, a virtualized network service (NS), for example, may be an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) NS, or an evolved packet core (EPC) NS.\",\n \"One NS may include several virtualized network function (VNF) modules, which are also referred to as virtualized network elements.\",\n \"A VNF may be implemented by network function software deployed in an NFV infrastructure.\",\n \"When virtualized deployment is performed on an NS, a service requester needs to first submit a descriptor of the NS (NSD) to a service provider.\",\n \"The descriptor mainly describes a topology structure of the NS and a descriptor of each included VNF (VNFD).\",\n \"The VNFD describes composition of each VNF, for example, running software and information about a required virtual resource.\",\n \"The virtual resource includes a central processing unit (CPU) resource, a storage resource, and the like.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"1, FIG.\",\n \"1 is a schematic architectural diagram of an NFV system 100.A network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) 102 is mainly responsible for processing life cycle management of a virtualized service, allocating and scheduling virtual resources in a virtualized infrastructure and a network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI), and the like.\",\n \"The NFVO 102 may communicate with one or more VNF managers (VNFMs) 104 to execute a resource-related request, send configuration information to the VNFM 104, and collect status information of a VNF 108.In addition, the NFVO 102 may also communicate with a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) 106 to execute resource allocation and/or reservation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.\",\n \"The VNFM 104 is responsible for life cycle management of one or more VNFs 108, for example, instantiating, updating, querying, scaling, or terminating the VNF 108.The VNFM 104 may communicate with the VNF 108 to complete VNF life cycle management and exchange of configuration and status information.\",\n \"In an NFV architecture, there may be multiple VNFMs responsible for performing life cycle management on different types of VNFs.\",\n \"The VIM 106 controls and manages interaction between the VNF 108 and computing hardware 112, storage hardware 114, network hardware 116, virtual computing 118, virtual storage 120, and a virtual network 122.For example, the VIM 106 executes a resource management function, including infrastructure resource management, allocation (for example, adding a resource to a virtual container), and a running function (for example, collecting fault information of the NFVI).\",\n \"The VNFM 104 and the VIM 106 may mutually communicate to request resource allocation, and exchange virtualized hardware resource configuration and status information.\",\n \"The NFVI, that is, an NFV infrastructure layer, includes a hardware component, a software component, or a combination of a hardware component and a software component in order to establish a virtualized environment, and deploy, manage, and implement the VNF 108.A hardware resource and a virtualization layer are used to provide virtualized resources for the VNF 108, for example, a virtual machine and a virtual container in another form.\",\n \"The hardware resource includes the computing hardware 112, the storage hardware 114, and the network hardware 116.In an implementation manner, resources of the computing hardware 112 and the storage hardware 114 may be integrated.\",\n \"The virtualization layer in the NFVI may abstract the hardware resource, and decouple the VNF 108 and a lower physical network layer.\",\n \"Multiple VNFs 108 are configured as virtualization of at least one network function.\",\n \"Each VNF runs in a virtual container, and corresponds to a group of network functions that belong to one or more physical devices.\",\n \"An equipment management system (EM) 110 is a system used for device configuration and management in a conventional telecommunications system.\",\n \"In the NFV architecture, the EM 110 may also be used to configure and manage the VNF 108, and initiate a life cycle management operation such as instantiation of a new VNF to the VNFM 104.An operations support system (OSS) and a business support system (BSS) 124 support various end-to-end telecommunications services.\",\n \"A management function supported by the OSS includes network configuration, service providing, fault management, and the like.\",\n \"The BSS processes an order, payment, revenues, and the like, and supports product management, order management, revenue management, and customer management.\",\n \"In an existing NFV architecture, because an NFVO needs to globally control resources, after receiving a life cycle management operation request that is for a VNF instance and that is sent by an EM, a VNFM needs to first apply to the NFVO for authorization permission in response to the life cycle management operation request for the VNF instance.\",\n \"Only after the NFVO agrees upon the operation request, the VNFM may apply to a VIM for a resource required for the operation request.\",\n \"However, one NFVO needs to simultaneously manage multiple VNFMs, and each VNFM may manage multiple VNFs.\",\n \"As a result, there is an extremely large quantity of operations related to life cycle management.\",\n \"Therefore, the NFVO has relatively heavy load.\",\n \"SUMMARY The present disclosure provides a life cycle management method and an apparatus in order to resolve a problem that an authorization subject has relatively heavy load because the authorization subject needs to be applied to for authorization of each life cycle management operation.\",\n \"A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a life cycle management method, including receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance identifier (ID) of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, the method further includes sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject, the method further includes receiving a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM.\",\n \"With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the method further includes obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a proxy authorization policy determining method, including receiving a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, after the instantiation request is received, the method further includes sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance includes when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, a processing unit configured to determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and a sending unit configured to initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The receiving unit is further configured to receive proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and the processing unit is further configured to generate the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after the sending unit sends the instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and the sending unit is further configured to send the ID of the physical host to the VIM.\",\n \"With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the processing unit is further configured to obtain a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiate an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer apparatus, including a receiving unit configured to receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, a processing unit configured to obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, and determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and a sending unit configured to send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after the receiving unit receives the instantiation request in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and the sending unit is further configured to provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured to determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used for life cycle management, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance using the transceiver, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM using the transceiver, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving, using the transceiver, proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"With reference to the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction further enables the network element to perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver.\",\n \"With reference to any one of the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a network element used to determine a proxy authorization policy, including a memory configured to store computer executable program code, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, where the program code includes an instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to perform the following operations receiving, using the transceiver, a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operations of sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving, using the transceiver, the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"With reference to the sixth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect or the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element to further perform the operation of determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure have at least the following technical effects or advantages.\",\n \"In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance is received, it is determined, according to an instance ID and a correspondence between an instance ID and a life cycle management operation type, that an operation type carried in the operation request falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject.\",\n \"Therefore, a resource operation request may be directly initiated to a VIM, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject.\",\n \"In other words, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, for life cycle management operation types authorized by the authorization subject for the first VNF instance, a resource operation may be directly requested from the VIM provided that a subsequently requested operation type falls within the types authorized by the authorization subject, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject and request the resource operation from the VIM after authorization is obtained.\",\n \"Therefore, load of the authorization subject can be reduced, a time for processing the life cycle management operation request is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.\",\n \"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.\",\n \"1 is an architectural diagram of an NFV system; FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flowchart of a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.\",\n \"3 is a flowchart of a proxy authorization policy determining method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.\",\n \"4A and FIG.\",\n \"4B are schematic diagrams of a dependency relationship and a location relationship between VNFs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.\",\n \"5A and FIG.\",\n \"5B are an instance interaction diagram of a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.\",\n \"6 is a simplified functional block diagram of a computer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG.\",\n \"7 is a schematic structural diagram of a network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a life cycle management method and an apparatus in order to resolve a problem that an authorization subject has relatively heavy load because the authorization subject needs to be applied to for authorization of each life cycle management operation.\",\n \"To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the following clearly and describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Term “and/or” in this specification describes only an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist.\",\n \"For example, A and/or B may represent the three cases, only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists.\",\n \"In addition, the character “/” in this specification generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects.\",\n \"In addition, terms “first” and “second” in this specification are merely for ease of description, are used to distinguish between different VNFs or different VNF instances, and do not have technical meanings.\",\n \"In the following, the implementation manners of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"2, FIG.\",\n \"2 is a flowchart of a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"A network system to which the method may be applied is, for example, an NFV system 100 shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.An execution body of the method may be a VNFM 104 shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.The method includes the following content.\",\n \"Step 101: Receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type.\",\n \"Step 102: Determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject.\",\n \"Step 103: Initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"In step 101, the life cycle management operation request may be sent by an EM, or sent by an OSS and/or a BSS.\",\n \"The operation type may include query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, migration, software update, and disablement.\",\n \"A format of the request may be: Scale out: //the operation type is scale-out; VNF: VNF 1 instance ID //instance ID of a VNF 1; Resource: //resource required for scale-out; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 gigabytes (GB) memory.\",\n \"The authorization subject is, for example, an NFVO 102.The correspondence is, for example, stored in the VNFM 104.In step 102, matching is performed in the correspondence using the instance ID of the first VNF instance, and the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID include the operation type in step 101.For example, it is assumed that the operation type in step 101 is scale-out, and authorized operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance include query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, and software update.\",\n \"It can be learned that the requested operation type in step 101 falls within the authorized operation types, and therefore step 103 may be directly performed subsequently.\",\n \"In step 103, the resource operation request is initiated to the VIM.\",\n \"The resource operation request includes the instance ID.\",\n \"The resource operation request is used to enable the VIM to perform a resource operation corresponding to the operation type on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Further, if the operation type in step 101 is not disablement but an operation in which a resource needs to be requested, the request may further include resource information of the resource required for the operation type, for example, four CPUs and 4 GB memory are required.\",\n \"The VIM in this embodiment is, for example, a VIM 106 in FIG.\",\n \"1.It can be learned that the execution body of the method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 can obtain the correspondence between the instance ID and the life cycle management operation type.\",\n \"Therefore, a resource operation may be directly requested from the VIM provided that the operation type in the life cycle management operation request falls within the authorized operation types corresponding to the instance ID of the first VNF instance, and there is no need to send an authorization request to the authorization subject.\",\n \"Therefore, load of the authorization subject is reduced, a time for processing the operation request is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.\",\n \"Optionally, after step 103, a resource update success response sent by the VIM is received.\",\n \"Then, the first VNF instance is configured based on an updated resource, for example, a service script is run on the updated resource.\",\n \"Optionally, after the first VNF instance is configured, notification information is sent to the authorization subject in order to notify the authorization subject that a life cycle management operation is performed on the first VNF instance and of information about a resource currently occupied by the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The notification information includes an operation type of the life cycle management operation, and the information about the resource currently occupied by the first VNF instance.\",\n \"For example, a format of the notification information may be: Notification: //notification; Operation: scale out //the operation type is scale-out; Resource: //resource information; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.\",\n \"It should be noted that when the operation type in step 101 does not fall within the authorized operation types, an authorization request is sent to the authorization subject in order to request the authorization subject to authorize the operation type in step 101.Content of this part is well known by a person skilled in the art, and therefore details are not described herein.\",\n \"The following describes in detail a process of generating the correspondence in step 102.In a possible implementation manner, before step 101, the method further includes sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize a life cycle management operation of the first VNF instance, receiving proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"Further, the proxy authorization request may be included in an instantiation request.\",\n \"The instantiation request includes an ID of a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance in order to obtain the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The instantiation request further includes the proxy authorization request.\",\n \"The proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"For example, a format of the instantiation request may be: Grant lifecycle operation: //representing that the message is a life cycle management authorization request; VNF: VNFD ID //representing VNF information related to the request, and in this embodiment, representing the ID of the VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance; Operation: instantiate //a life cycle management operation related to the request is an instantiation operation; Required resource: //resource required for the instantiation operation; CPU: 2 //two CPUs; Memory: 2 GB //2 GB memory; Delegation: active //the proxy authorization request, which requests authorization of another life cycle management operation other than instantiation.\",\n \"Certainly, in actual application, the proxy authorization request only needs to be sent before step 101.When the proxy authorization request is sent before the instantiation request is sent, the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"When the proxy authorization request is sent after the first VNF instance is obtained, the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"In the two cases, the proxy authorization request includes the ID of the VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance such that the authorization subject determines an operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed for the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The received proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate the type of the authorized life cycle management operation.\",\n \"Therefore, in actual application, the proxy authorization policy information may be indication information, and may list an operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed, or an operation type on which proxy authorization is not allowed to be performed.\",\n \"The indication information is, for example, “full delegated,” which indicates that proxy authorization is allowed to be performed on all life cycle management operation types.\",\n \"After the proxy authorization policy information is received, the correspondence may be generated based on the instance ID of the first VNF instance and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"The correspondence may be stored in a form of a table.\",\n \"Alternatively, the proxy authorization policy information may be written in attribute information of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"In this embodiment, in one authorization process, the authorization subject simultaneously authorizes multiple operation types to the execution body of the method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, for example, the VNFM 104.Therefore, load of the authorization subject can be greatly reduced, and message interaction between the authorization subject and the VNFM 104 can also be reduced.\",\n \"In actual application, the present disclosure does not exclude a manner of authorizing multiple operation types for multiple times.\",\n \"For example, after a life cycle management operation request is received for the first time, the authorization subject is applied to for authorization.\",\n \"If the authorization subject allows proxy authorization, in addition to continuing to execute an authorization procedure, the authorization subject returns proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM 104, where the proxy authorization policy information indicates that the VNFM 104 is allowed to perform proxy authorization on an operation type in the life cycle management operation request.\",\n \"If an operation request of the operation type is received for the second time, a resource may be directly requested from the VIM, and there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject.\",\n \"Compared with a solution in which authorization needs to be requested from the authorization subject each time when an operation request of a same type is received, this can reduce load of the authorization subject, and reduce message interaction between the authorization subject and the VNFM 104.After authorization of all life cycle management operations is requested from the authorization subject once, all operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed may be obtained, and further the correspondence is generated.\",\n \"In another possible implementation manner of the correspondence in step 102, the correspondence is predetermined or agreed upon, or is determined by a third-party subject and then delivered to the authorization subject and the execution body of the method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2.The following describes a process of generating proxy authorization policy information from a perspective of an authorization subject.\",\n \"For details, refer to FIG.\",\n \"3.The method includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 201: Receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance.\",\n \"Step 202: Obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Step 203: Determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship.\",\n \"Step 204: Send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"Further, in step 202 of obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, manners of obtaining the VNFD are slightly different according to different occasions for sending the proxy authorization request in step 201.For example, in step 201, when the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, the instantiation request carries an ID of the VNFD of the VNF, and therefore the authorization subject may obtain the VNFD according to the ID of the VNFD.\",\n \"If the proxy authorization request is sent after the first VNF instance is successfully instantiated, the proxy authorization request may carry an instance ID of the first VNF instance, and therefore the authorization subject may obtain the VNFD of the corresponding VNF according to the instance ID.\",\n \"In the VNFD, the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship between the VNF and the other VNF are/is described.\",\n \"The dependency relationship between the VNF and the other VNF means that normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, or normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF.\",\n \"The dependency relationship further includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM.\",\n \"The location relationship between the first VNF and the other VNF means that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"In step 203, the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance may be determined according to the dependency relationship, or the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance may be determined according to the location relationship.\",\n \"Alternatively, the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance may be determined with reference to both the dependency relationship and the location relationship.\",\n \"All the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance refer to all life cycle management operation types that can be supported by the first VNF instance, for example, query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, migration, software update, and disablement.\",\n \"It should be noted that the determined operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship.\",\n \"That the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"In a possible implementation manner, step 203 includes determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"The following uses an example to describe how to determine the operation type according to the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4A, a VNF 1 and a VNF 2 are managed by a VNFM 2.A VNF 3 and a VNF 4 are managed by a VNFM 1.The VNF 1 depends on the VNF 2, that is, normal running of the VNF 1 depends on running of the VNF 2.For example, the VNF 2 needs to exist, and an amount of resources needs to be greater than a specified value, for example, two CPUs and 2 GB memory.\",\n \"Therefore, when the VNF 2 is disabled or scaled in, running of the VNF 1 is inevitably affected.\",\n \"The VNF 3 depends on the VNF 1, that is, normal running of the VNF 3 depends on the normal running of the VNF 1.It is assumed that the first VNF instance in this embodiment is an instance of the VNF 2.Because the VNF 1 depends on the VNF 2, the running of the VNF 1 is inevitably affected when the first VNF instance is disabled or scaled in.\",\n \"However, both the VNF 1 and the VNF 2 are managed by the VNFM 2, and therefore the VNFM 2 may perform an operation according to the dependency relationship when the operation type for the first VNF instance is disablement or scale-in.\",\n \"For example, the VNF 1 is also scaled in when the first VNF instance is scaled in.\",\n \"Therefore, in step 203, the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all the life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance is query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, software update, migration, and disablement.\",\n \"That is, when these operations are subsequently performed on the first VNF instance, there is no need to request authorization from the authorization subject, and a resource may be directly requested from a VIM.\",\n \"In this case, after step 102, the method further includes obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to the VNFD, whether normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and determining whether the operation type in step 101 affects the normal running of the other VNF, and if the operation type in step 101 affects the normal running of the other VNF, initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"For example, when the operation type in step 101 is scale-in, a scale-in operation is also performed on the other VNF such that the dependency relationship between the other VNF and the VNF remains unchanged, and the other VNF does not fail to normally run due to a result of managing the first VNF instance.\",\n \"It is assumed that the first VNF instance in this embodiment is an instance of the VNF 1.Because the VNF 3 depends on the VNF 1, and the VNF 1 and the VNF 3 are managed by different VNFMs, when the VNFM 2 performs a disablement or scale-in operation on the instance of the VNF 1, that is, the first VNF instance, the VNFM 1 cannot learn a related operation, and running of the VNF 3 is inevitably affected.\",\n \"In this case, because all VNFMs are managed by an NFVO, when needing to perform a disablement or scale-in operation on the VNF 1, the VNFM 2 needs to first apply to the NFVO for authorization.\",\n \"Therefore, in this case, the NFVO cannot allow the VNFM 2 to perform proxy authorization on all life cycle management operation types.\",\n \"As a result, determined operation types that can be authorized include query, scale-out, healing, software update, and migration.\",\n \"As shown in FIG.\",\n \"4B, in this embodiment, there is a location dependency relationship between a VNF 1 and a VNF 2, that is, an instance of the VNF 1 and an instance of the VNF 2 are required to be deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"There is a location exclusion relationship between a VNF 3 and a VNF 4, that is, the VNF 3 and the VNF 4 are required to be deployed on different physical hosts.\",\n \"Because there is the location dependency relationship between the VNF 1 and the VNF 2, migration operations for the instances of the VNF 1 and the VNF 2 may cause a change to the location dependency relationship between the VNF 1 and the VNF 2.Therefore, authorization of the migration operations needs to be requested from the authorization subject.\",\n \"Similarly, migration operations for instances of the VNF 3 and the VNF 4 may also cause a change to the location exclusion relationship between the VNF 3 and the VNF 4.Therefore, authorization of the migration operations also needs to be requested from the authorization subject.\",\n \"Therefore, in step 203, the determined operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed includes query, scale-in, scale-out, healing, software update, and disablement, and does not include a migration operation.\",\n \"After the operation type on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed is determined in step 203, the proxy authorization policy information is generated, and the proxy authorization policy information is sent to the VNFM.\",\n \"The proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"In a further embodiment, in process of instantiating the first VNF instance, a query request is further sent to the VIM according to the location relationship, for example, a location dependency relationship or a location exclusion relationship in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance is deployed.\",\n \"The query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF.\",\n \"The VIM obtains, by means of querying according to the instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, the ID of the physical host on which the instance of the second VNF is deployed, and returns the ID of the physical host to the authorization subject.\",\n \"Then, the authorization subject sends the ID of the physical host to the VNFM.\",\n \"Optionally, the ID of the physical host and the proxy authorization policy information are sent to the VNFM by being carried in a same message.\",\n \"For example, the format of the message is: Grant Type: Partial delegated {Scale-up/out, Scale-in/down, Query, heal, update} //a grant type is partial delegated, and operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed are scale-out, scale-in, query, healing, software update, and disablement; Available Policies: //available policies; Affinity {Host ID} //location dependency relationship: an ID of a physical host; Anti-affinity {Host ID} //location exclusion relationship: an ID of a physical host.\",\n \"After receiving the ID of the physical host, the VNFM sends the ID of the physical host and the location relationship to the VIM such that the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.\",\n \"Further, if the physical host is a physical host corresponding to the location dependency relationship, the VIM allocates, on the physical host, a resource to the first VNF instance.\",\n \"If the physical host is a physical host corresponding to the location exclusion relationship, the VIM chooses to allocate, on another physical host other than the physical host, a resource to the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The following uses a specific example to describe a process of implementing a life cycle management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"Referring to FIG.\",\n \"5A and FIG.\",\n \"5B, the method includes the following steps.\",\n \"Step 301: An EM sends a scale-out operation request to a VNFM, where the request carries an instance ID of a first VNF instance.\",\n \"A format of the request is: Scale out: //an operation type is scale-out; VNF: VNF 2 instance ID //instance ID of the first VNF instance that is an instance of a VNF 2; Resource: //resource required for scale-out; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.\",\n \"Step 302: The VNFM searches a database according to the instance ID to determine whether scale-out falls within a range of operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed.\",\n \"If scale-out does not fall within the range of operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed, perform step 303 to step 311.If scale-out falls within the range of operation types on which proxy authorization is allowed to be performed, perform step 308 to step 310, and step 312.Step 303: The VNFM sends a scale-out operation authorization request to an NFVO.\",\n \"For example, a format of the request is: Grant lifecycle operation: //representing that the message is a life cycle management authorization request; VNF: VNF 2 instance ID //instance ID of the first VNF instance; Operation: scale out //a life cycle management operation related to the request is a scale-out operation; Required resource: //information about a resource required for the scale-out operation; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.\",\n \"Step 304: The NFVO verifies whether the requested resource can be allocated.\",\n \"If the requested resource can be allocated, perform step 305.Step 305: If the requested resources can be allocated, the NFVO applies to a VIM for resource reservation.\",\n \"Step 306: The VIM returns a resource reservation success response to the NFVO.\",\n \"Step 307: The NFVO returns an authorization success response to the VNFM.\",\n \"Step 308: The VNFM requests, from the VIM, the resource required for scale-out.\",\n \"Step 309: The VIM sends a resource update success response message to the VNFM.\",\n \"Step 310: The VNFM configures the updated resource, for example, runs a service script on the updated resource.\",\n \"Step 311: The VNFM notifies the NFVO of a resource update success.\",\n \"Step 312: The VNFM notifies the NFVO that a scale-out operation is performed and of information about a resource currently occupied by the first VNF instance.\",\n \"For example, a format of the notification message is: Notification: //representing that the message is a notification message; Operation: scale out //representing that an executed life cycle management operation is a scale-out operation; Resource: //the information about the resource occupied by the first VNF instance; CPU: 4 //four CPUs; Memory: 4 GB //4 GB memory.\",\n \"Step 303 to step 311 are procedures in other approaches, and are well known by a person skilled in the art, and therefore details are not described.\",\n \"It can be learned from this embodiment that when a requested operation type in step 301 is an operation type on which a VNFM can perform proxy authorization, step 308 to step 310, and step 312 are directly performed, and step 303 to step 307 are omitted.\",\n \"Therefore, load of an NFVO is greatly reduced, a time for processing a life cycle management operation is shortened, and service processing efficiency is improved.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"6 is a simplified functional block diagram of a computer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The computer apparatus includes a receiving unit 401, a processing unit 402, and a sending unit 403.It should be noted that the computer apparatus is presented in a form of a functional unit.\",\n \"Without limitation, the term “unit” used in this specification may refer to an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a (shared, dedicated, or group) processor, and a memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or another appropriate component that provides the function.\",\n \"Optionally, the computer apparatus is configured to implement the methods/method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 and/or FIG.\",\n \"3.Specific configurations may be determined according to actual requirements.\",\n \"Further, when the computer apparatus is configured to implement the life cycle management method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 401 is configured to receive a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type.\",\n \"The processing unit 402 is configured to determine, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and the sending unit 403 is configured to initiate a resource operation request to a VIM, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID such that the VIM performs, according to the instance ID, a resource operation corresponding to the operation type on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, the sending unit 403 is further configured to send a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit 401 receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and the processing unit 402 is further configured to generate the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"Optionally, the sending unit 403 is further configured to send an instantiation request to the authorization subject before the receiving unit 401 receives the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, the receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after the sending unit 403 sends the instantiation request to the authorization subject, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and the sending unit 403 is further configured to send the ID of the physical host to the VIM such that the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.\",\n \"Optionally, after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, the processing unit 402 is further configured to obtain a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determine, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiate an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"Further, when the computer apparatus is configured to implement the life cycle management method shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 401 is configured to receive a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance.\",\n \"The processing unit 402 is configured to obtain a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, and determine, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and the sending unit 403 is configured to send proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"Optionally, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, the sending unit 403 is further configured to send a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after the receiving unit 401 receives the instantiation request in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF.\",\n \"The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and the sending unit 403 is further configured to provide the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"Further, providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM includes that the ID of the physical host and the location relationship are sent to the VNFM, and the VNFM sends the ID of the physical host and the location relationship to the VIM.\",\n \"Then, the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.\",\n \"Optionally, the processing unit 402 is configured to determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determine that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"The various types of variations and specific instances in the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method in the embodiments shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 and FIG.\",\n \"3 are also applicable to the computer apparatus in this embodiment.\",\n \"With the foregoing detailed descriptions of the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method, a person skilled in the art can clearly understand an implementation method of the computer apparatus in this embodiment.\",\n \"Therefore, for brevity of the specification, details are not described herein.\",\n \"FIG.\",\n \"7 shows a schematic structural diagram of a network element 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The network element 500 is configured to transfer or process data in the NFV system 100 shown in FIG.\",\n \"1.The network element 500 is configured to create, modify, relocate and/or migrate one or more virtual machines.\",\n \"The network element 500 may be further configured to host, store, and/or execute one or more network functions.\",\n \"The network element 500 may be a sub-component in the NFV system 100 in FIG.\",\n \"1, for example, the NFVO 102 or the VNFM 104.The network element 500 may include one or more ports 512 (designated as port 1, port 2 and port 3) coupled to a transceiver 510.The transceiver 510 may be a transmitter, a receiver, or a combination of a transmitter and a receiver, and send or receive a data packet to or from another network node using the one or more ports 512.A processor 502 is coupled to the transceiver 510, and is configured to process a data packet, and determine nodes that send data packets.\",\n \"The processor 502 may include one or more multi-core processors and/or memories 504.The processor 502 may be a general purpose processor, an ASIC, or a digital signal processor (DSP).\",\n \"The memory 504 may be a non-transitory storage medium, is coupled to the processor 502, and is configured to store different types of data.\",\n \"The memory 504 may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or another type of dynamic storage device that can store information and an instruction, or may be a disk memory.\",\n \"The memory 504 may be configured to store an instruction used to implement an NFV system or a related method, for example, serve as the VNFM 104, the VNF 108, or the NFVO 102.In an implementation manner, the memory 504 may include an NFV module 506, and the NFV module 506 may be executed on the processor 502.The NFV module 506 may be configured to host, store, and implement network functions of one or more virtualized network devices.\",\n \"In another implementation manner, the memory 504 may further include an NFV orchestration module 508 configured to create, modify, relocate, and/or migrate one or more virtual machines.\",\n \"It may be understood that the network element 500 may be converted into a specific device such as a router or a switch by programming or loading an executable instruction onto at least one of the processor 502, a cache, or a long-term storage of the network element 500.The network element 500 may implement functions of one or more VNFs, and execute one or more instructions according to this embodiment of the present disclosure.\",\n \"These instructions may be stored in the memory 504, or may be integrated into a kernel of an operating system of the network element 500 or a plug-in of a kernel.\",\n \"Optionally, the network element 500 may implement the methods/method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 and/or FIG.\",\n \"3.Specific configurations may be determined according to actual requirements.\",\n \"Further, when the network element 500 is configured to implement the life cycle management method shown in FIG.\",\n \"2, and when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to perform the operations of receiving a life cycle management operation request for a first VNF instance using the transceiver 510, where the life cycle management operation request includes an instance ID of the first VNF instance and an operation type, determining, according to a correspondence between an instance ID of a VNF instance and a life cycle management operation type, that the operation type falls within life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, where the life cycle management operation type in the correspondence represents that the life cycle management operation type is authorized by an authorization subject, and initiating a resource operation request to a VIM using the transceiver 510, where the resource operation request includes the instance ID such that the VIM performs, according to the instance ID, a resource operation corresponding to the operation type on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of sending a proxy authorization request to the authorization subject using the transceiver 510 before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver 510, where the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize all life cycle management operations of the first VNF instance, receiving, using the transceiver 510, proxy authorization policy information sent by the authorization subject, where the proxy authorization policy information is used to indicate a type of an authorized life cycle management operation, and generating the correspondence based on the instance ID and the proxy authorization policy information.\",\n \"Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operation of sending an instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver 510 before receiving the life cycle management operation request for the first VNF instance using the transceiver 510, where the instantiation request further includes a proxy authorization request, and the proxy authorization request is used to request the authorization subject to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver, a location relationship and an ID of a physical host corresponding to the location relationship that are sent by the authorization subject after sending the instantiation request to the authorization subject using the transceiver 510, where the location relationship is a location relationship between the first VNF instance and an instance of another VNF, and sending the ID of the physical host to the VIM using the transceiver 510 such that the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.\",\n \"Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of obtaining a VNFD of the VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance after determining that the operation type falls within the life cycle management operation types corresponding to the instance ID, determining, according to the VNFD, that normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, where the other VNF and the VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and initiating an operation related to the operation type for the instance of the other VNF.\",\n \"Further, when the network element 500 is configured to implement the proxy authorization policy determining method shown in FIG.\",\n \"3 of the present disclosure, and when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to perform the operations of receiving, using the transceiver 510, a proxy authorization request sent by a VNFM, where the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize a life cycle management operation of a first VNF instance, obtaining a VNFD of a VNF corresponding to the first VNF instance, determining, according to a dependency relationship and/or a location relationship between the VNF and another VNF that are/is described in the VNFD, an operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed and that falls within all life cycle management operation types for the first VNF instance, where the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship, and sending proxy authorization policy information to the VNFM using the transceiver 510, where the policy information is used to indicate the operation type.\",\n \"Optionally, the proxy authorization request is carried in an instantiation request used to obtain the first VNF instance, and the proxy authorization request is used to request to authorize another life cycle management operation other than instantiation of the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operations of sending a query request to a VIM according to the location relationship after receiving the instantiation request using the transceiver 510 in order to request an ID of a physical host on which an instance of a second VNF that has the location relationship with the VNF is deployed, where the query request includes an instance ID of the instance of the second VNF, receiving, using the transceiver 510, the ID of the physical host that is sent by the VIM, and providing the ID of the physical host and the location relationship for the VIM using the VNFM.\",\n \"Further, the ID of the physical host and the location relationship are sent to the VNFM such that the VNFM sends the ID of the physical host and the location relationship to the VIM, and the VIM allocates a resource to the first VNF instance based on the ID of the physical host and the location relationship.\",\n \"Optionally, the dependency relationship includes whether the VNF and the other VNF are managed by a same VNFM, and normal running of the other VNF depends on normal running of the VNF, or normal running of the VNF depends on normal running of the other VNF, and the location relationship is that the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF need to be deployed on a same physical host, or the first VNF and an instance of the other VNF cannot be simultaneously deployed on a same physical host.\",\n \"Optionally, that the operation type is an operation type that does not affect the dependency relationship and/or the location relationship includes that the other VNF that depends on the VNF can still normally run after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance, and/or the first VNF and the instance of the other VNF do not have a location exclusion relationship after an operation corresponding to the operation type is performed on the first VNF instance.\",\n \"Optionally, when the processor 502 executes the instruction, the instruction enables the network element 500 to further perform the operation of determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than disablement and scale-in when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and the other VNF and the VNF are managed by different VNFMs, determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is all life cycle management operation types when the normal running of the other VNF depends on the VNF, and both the other VNF and the VNF are managed by the VNFM, or determining that the operation type on which proxy authorization can be performed is another life cycle management operation type other than migration when the VNF and the other VNF have the location relationship.\",\n \"The various types of variations and specific instances in the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method in the embodiments shown in FIG.\",\n \"2 and FIG.\",\n \"3 are also applicable to the network element 500 in this embodiment.\",\n \"With the foregoing detailed descriptions of the life cycle management method and the proxy authorization determining method, a person skilled in the art can clearly understand an implementation method of the network element 500 in this embodiment.\",\n \"Therefore, for brevity of the specification, details are not described herein.\",\n \"A person skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product.\",\n \"Therefore, the present disclosure may use a form of hardware only embodiments, software only embodiments, or embodiments with a combination of software and hardware.\",\n \"Moreover, the present disclosure may use a form of a computer program product that is implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to a disk memory, a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), an optical memory, and the like) that include computer-usable program code.\",\n \"The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and/or block diagrams of the method, the device (system), and the computer program product according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.\",\n \"It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and/or each block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams and a combination of a process and/or a block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams.\",\n \"These computer program instructions may be provided for a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of any other programmable data processing device to generate a machine such that the instructions executed by a computer or a processor of any other programmable data processing device generate an apparatus for implementing a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.\",\n \"These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readable memory that can instruct the computer or any other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory generate an artifact that includes an instruction apparatus.\",\n \"The instruction apparatus implements a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.\",\n \"These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or another programmable data processing device such that a series of operations and steps are performed on the computer or the other programmable device, thereby generating computer-implemented processing.\",\n \"Therefore, the instructions executed on the computer or the other programmable device provide steps for implementing a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.\",\n \"Obviously, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.\",\n \"The present disclosure is intended to cover these modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies.\"\n ]\n]"},"source":{"kind":"string","value":"Patent_15872507"}}},{"rowIdx":4494094,"cells":{"text":{"kind":"list like","value":[["MECHANICAL RACK POSITION INDICATOR","A positional indicator system that includes a mounting bracket having a slot that extends along a linear slot axis.","A drum may be rotably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to rotate about an axis that is offset from, and non-intersecting with, the slot axis.","A pin body of a pin assembly may extend into a chamber of an electrical housing so as to be coupled to a displaceable electrical component, and thereby be linearly displaced along the slot as the displaceable electrical component is linearly displaced within the chamber.","The pin assembly may be coupled to a biasing element that is coupled to the drum.","A plurality of indicia may be positioned or mounted on the biasing element, such as via a windable indicator plate, and may provide a visual indication through a window of the electrical housing of the relative position of the displaceable electrical component."],["1.A positional indicator system for a displaceable electrical component positioned within a chamber of a housing, the positional indicator system comprising: a mounting bracket having a slot that extends between a first end and a second end of the slot along a slot axis; a drum rotably coupled to the mounting bracket, the drum positioned to rotate about an axis of rotation that is offset from, and non-intersecting with, the slot axis; a pin body extending into the chamber by a length that facilitates the pin body being operably coupled to the displaceable electrical component such that linear displacement of the displaceable electrical component within the chamber is translated into linear displacement of the pin body along at least a portion the slot; a biasing element having a first end and a second, the first end coupled to the drum, the second end coupled to the pin body, at least a portion of the biasing element configured to be both unwound from the drum and linearly displaced as the pin body is linearly displaced along the slot toward the second end; and a plurality of indicia positioned about at least a portion of the biasing element, at least a portion of the plurality of indicia that is wound about the drum providing a visual indication of a relative position of the displaceable electrical component.","2.The positional indicator system of claim 1, further including a windable indicator plate mounted to an arm portion of the biasing element, and wherein the plurality of indicia is positioned about the windable indicator plate.","3.The positional indicator system of claim 2, wherein the biasing element is structured to bias the pin body toward the first end of the slot.","4.The positional indicator system of claim 3, further including a window in a front wall of the housing of the chamber, the window configured to provide visual access to the portion of the plurality of indicia that is wound about the drum that provides a visual indication of the relative position of the displaceable electrical component.","5.The positional indicator system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of indicia includes at least three position indicators.","6.The positional indicator system of claim 4, wherein the mounting bracket includes at least a first mounting plate, the first mounting plate structured to secure at least a portion of the mounting bracket at a position within the chamber.","7.The positional indicator system of claim 6, wherein the mounting bracket includes a second mounting plate, the second mounting plate configured to be mounted against a second wall, the first mounting bracket being configured to be mounted against a first wall, the first wall being generally perpendicular to the second wall.","8.The positional indicator system of claim 1, wherein the pin body extends into the chamber at a location at which the pin body engages a moveable device that is coupled to the displaceable electrical component as the displaceable electrical component is linearly displaced within the chamber.","9.A positional indicator system for a displaceable electrical component that is positioned within a chamber of a housing, the positional indicator system comprising: a bracket having a slot; a pin body sized for linear displacement along the slot and structured to be coupled to the displaceable electrical component when the displaceable electrical component is linearly displaced within the chamber; a biasing element coupled to both the pin body and a rotatable drum, at least a portion of an arm portion of the biasing element structured to be wound along the rotatable drum when the pin body is displaced along the slot in a first direction and to be unwound from the rotatable drum and linearly displaced as the pin body is displaced along the slot in a second direction; and a window configured to provide visual access to a portion of a plurality of indicia that is positioned on a segment of the arm portion that is wound about the rotatable drum, the portion of the plurality of indicia visually accessible through the window providing a real-time indication of the relative position of the displaceable electrical component.","10.The positional indicator system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of indicia are positioned on a windable indicator plate that is coupled to at least the aim portion of the biasing element.","11.The positional indicator system of claim 10, wherein the slot extends along a slot axis that is perpendicular to, and offset from, a rotational axis about which the drum rotates.","12.The positional indicator system of claim 11, wherein the biasing element is structured to transmit a biasing force against the pin body that biases the pin body in the first direction.","13.The positional indicator system of claim 12, wherein the bracket includes at least one mounting plate configured to secure at least a portion of the bracket in the chamber.","14.The positional indicator system of claim 13, wherein the window is positioned in a front wall of the housing.","15.The positional indicator system of claim 14, wherein the pin body extends into the chamber at a location at which the pin body engages a moveable device that is coupled to the displaceable electrical component as the displaceable electrical component is linearly displaced within the chamber.","16.A system comprising: a switchgear housing having a front wall and at least one chamber, the front wall including an opening positioned to provide access to the chamber; a displaceable electrical component mounted to a moveable device, the moveable device configured to at least linearly displace the displaceable electrical component within the chamber; a positional indicator system having a pin body coupled to the displaceable electrical component, the pin body structured to be linearly displaced within a slot as the moveable device linearly displaces the displaceable electrical component, the pin body coupled to a second end of a biasing element, a first end of the biasing element coupled to a rotatable drum, a segment of the biasing element having a plurality of indicia, at least a portion of the segment of the biasing element being wound about the rotatable drum as the moveable device linearly displaces the displaceable electrical component in a first direction, at least a portion of the segment of the biasing element being unwound from the rotatable drum and linearly displaced as the moveable device linearly displaces the displaceable electrical component in a second direction; and a window in the switchgear housing configured to provide visual access to a portion of a plurality of indicia that is positioned on at least a portion of the segment that is wound about the rotatable drum, the portion of the plurality of indicia visually accessible through the window providing a real-time indication of the relative position of the displaceable electrical component.","17.The system of claim 16, wherein the window is positioned in the front wall of the switchgear housing.","18.The system of claim 16, wherein the window is positioned in a door that selectively covers the opening of the front wall of the switchgear housing.","19.The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of indicia are positioned on a windable indicator plate that is coupled to a portion of the biasing element.","20.The system of claim 17, wherein the displaceable electrical component is at least one of the following, a circuit breaker, and potential transformer, and a control power transformer."],[" BACKGROUND Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a position indicator for moveable electrical components.","More particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to a mechanical position indicator system that provides, in real-time, an external visual indication of a rack position of displaceable components of electrical devices.","Electrical power distribution and control devices often include electrical components that may be selectively displaced relative to a housing and/or other components of the power distribution and control device.","For example, circuit switching devices, such as circuit breakers and circuit interrupters, among other circuit switching devices, potential transformers, and/or control power transformers may be selectively mounted within a switchgear housing, including in the housing of at least certain low and medium voltage switchgears.","During certain operations, including during installation, maintenance, and/or replacement, such displaceable electrical components may be displaced within a chamber of a housing such that the displaced electrical component is operably engaged, partially engaged, or operably disengaged with/from the electrical power distribution and control device.","For, example, a current switching device may be displaced relative to an associated contact pins so as to at least assist in energizing or de-energizing the associated circuit(s).","Given the level of current that may flow through at least some displaceable electrical components, as well as the size and/or weight of the displaceable electrical components, such displacement of displaceable electrical components is typically accomplished in a manner that avoids direct physical contact between the displaceable electrical components and a worker.","Additionally, an accurate indication of the position of the displaceable electrical component relative to at least a mating electrical component of the switchgear may be utilized to prevent damage to the circuit switching device and switchgear, as well as prevent harm to the worker."],["